Here we have a very cool vid featuring the first nine minutes of the game Haze. Set for a release date of May 20th, the PS3 exclusive is a first-person shooter in which soldiers use super-drugs to modify their abilities. Just watch out for those overdoses, they’re a doozy!
Thanks to elHabib.at for the footage!
We usually review dedicated gaming keyboards here at the site, which makes our look at Kensington’s Ci70 Keyboard with USB Ports seem a bit out of character. Well, when we first saw the Ci70, we were immediately attracted to its sleek profile and wondered how it would fare while playing our favorite video games. We warn you, we did not review this keyboard as a ‘gaming keyboard’, we reviewed it from the perspective of a non-enthusiast class gamer that dabbles in gaming at the home or office.
the Looks:
The Ci70 definitely excels in the looks and style department. As you can see from its low profile, sleek lines, and narrow width – a full 2.5′ more narrow that the Razer Lycosa. There is a black sliding panel which covers either the USB ports or the internet
keys moves back and forth with ease and seems of durable construction. In fact, while the keyboard is light and small, with the thinner area of the keyboard coming in at .25′ thick, it feels remarkably solid.
the Install:
Installing the Ci70 on your PC requires no software. Just plug it in and you are all set. On the Mac platform, however, you will need to install some basic drivers before it functions as advertised.
the Usage, Mundane:
Kensington’s Ci70 performs very well under normal office conditions. The biggest complaint we had about it, and this comes into play alot more when gaming (see below), was the need for a wrist rest. The Ci70 was a bit uncomfortable to use after a long period of time. We loved, however, the mini-USB port. We were able to connect our digital camera to it with ease and it was a ton more convenient than climbing around the back of the case to accomplish the same task.
the Usage, Gaming:
We have been all set to play Age of Conan for the last four years so, with its recent ‘Early Access’ launch, it was the first thing we tested the keyboard with. The crisp-clicking keyboard performed admirably, although after some hours of play, we noticed our wrists were a bit uncomfortable. We placed a padded wrist rest in front of the Ci70 and it was no longer an issue. In addition to the mini-USB plug, there is a standard USB 2.0 port next to it. In this, you could easily plug in a command unit (such as the Nostromo n52te), joystick, or any other gaming peripheral that does not require a powered USB port.
the Conclusion:
While the gaming capabilities of the Kensington Ci70 USB are minimal and not what you would expect from a full-fledged gaming keyboard, if you are a home or office user who would like to have easy access to his or her USB ports and still be able to play some games here and there, this is a great purchase you should seriously look into. And the mini-USB plug just adds a ton of convenience. I always end up losing those cables with my electronic devices. Now, that just can’t happen. There is a wireless version of the Ci70 as well, however that model does not have USB ports (obviously). The Kensington Ci70 with USB ports retails for $49.99 here.
Ubisoft, Game Crazy, and the GGL have partnered to create a 4 vs 4 Haze tournament. Registration is open now with the tournament set to begin 06/04/08 to 08/03/08. You can find the official tournament page here.
Official Release:
Ubisoft, Game Crazy, and GGL have teamed up to bring you an Official Haze 4v4 Tournament, where the top squad can win $5,000! The second place squad takes home two Ubisoft games per player, and everyone gets to join in on the thrill of heated competition.
The game drops on 5/20/08 but we’ll open up a Practice Ladder right here on 5/14/08 – join the group and start finding teammates now, so you can join the ladder and start challenging and playing opponents as soon as it opens. On 6/4/08 the Practice Ladder will be reset (all squads’ records and points set to 0), and we will start the official Ladder Stage. You can challenge other squads, play matches, and move up and down the ladder. Points are awarded not only for winning, but also just for playing, so the more you play the better you will do! At the end of the Ladder Stage on 7/13/08, the top 64 squads will advance to a single-elimination bracket, and the winner of the Bracket Stage takes home the $5,000!
This is a team tournament, so if you need help finding players for your squad, you can try our ‘Find/Form a Squad’ forum. This prize tournament is open to U.S. residents only, but Haze players from anywhere in the world are welcome to join open competition ladders on GGL’s Haze Game Group.
Haze is one of the hottest new titles out for the PS3, so join now, invite your friends, form your squad, challenge opponents, and play!
Some breaking news Shogunites, looks like LucasArts has officially left the ESA (after several others did the same a week ago), but will STILL be showing at E3 this year.
LucasArts made this statement:
‘We can confirm that LucasArts is no longer a member of the ESA. As a company we are still committed to bringing consumers the best interactive experience possible and support the ESA’s mission in the industry. LucasArts will be participating in E3.’ — Margaret Grohne, Director, Public Relations
Via Joystiq
Looks like the 2008 Penny Arcade Expo will get a great keynote speaker this year in the form of 2K Boston’s Ken Levine. Levine, the Creative Director for 2K Boston has worked on a vast library of titles, including BioShock. Before 2K, Levine worked at Looking Glass Studios, creators of the Thief and Deus Ex series (to name a couple).
You can find the official PAX website here.
Via GamesIndustry
Due out in the Fall of 2008, Cabela’s Legendary Adventures for the PS2, PSP, and Wii platforms promises to let gamers hunt animals such as the Alaskan brown bear, Roosevelt Elk, and Yukon moose in over ten North American hunting locals.
Official Release:
Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today the upcoming release of Cabela’s Legendary Adventures for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii. The latest title in the best-selling Cabela’s franchise will allow players to relive the greatest hunting stories ever told. The game will hit shelves in Fall 2008.
Players will hunt in different eras in search of trophies such as white-tailed deer, Yukon moose, Alaskan brown bear and Roosevelt elk in over ten of North America’s top hunting locations, including Kodiak Island, the Yukon and the Rocky Mountains. Each location in Cabela’s Legendary Adventures is a visually stunning open outdoor environment that encourages exploration and tactical variation. Shooting mechanics have been developed to reflect modern as well as historical hunting technology, so players relive the hunts complete with detail from specific time periods.
Under Cabela’s guidance, the firearms, tactics and gear in Cabela’s Legendary Adventures are as true to real life as a game will allow. The title will also include a large variety of additional hunts featuring over 30 species of other big game, small game, waterfowl, upland birds and turkey.
According to Gaute Godager, the Game Director during its Oslo launch event, Age of Conan will take 250 hours to reach level 80. He also claimed that until level 60, each level increase should take two to three hours. From 60 to 80, that length of time increases. Age of Conan is set to launch on May 20th in North America and has been pushed back to May 23rd in Europe.
Via VideoGamer
The PC demo for LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures has been released here, weighing in at 464 megabytes. The game chronicles the events of the first three movies in the typical LEGO game fashion, with whimsical hijinks and fun.
Assault Heroes 2 will be launched on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday for a price of 800 Microsoft Points. The sequel to the highly-acclaimed original expands on the action by introducing new weapons, environments, and even on-foot warfare.
You can find the game’s official site here.
Official Release:
‘Assault Heroes 2,’ sequel to the award-winning action extravaganza, ‘Assault Heroes,’ ramps up the excitement on Xbox LIVE® Arcade this Wednesday, 14th May at 09.00.
‘Assault Heroes 2’ reveals that the original enemy in ‘Assault Heroes’ is merely a pawn of a more sinister force, which players must now seek out and destroy. Armed with stronger weaponry and the ability to hi-jack more powerful enemy units, players must prepare to face relentless enemies and outrageous bosses in climactic battles, including an all-out skirmish in outer space.
In the sequel, players can experience the full fury of war outside of the safety of their vehicle with even more intense on-foot gameplay, where increased firepower and the new “dodge roll” feature are necessary to survive. Players can choose to fight alone or battle with a friend using the enhanced two-player cooperative mode. Either way, players will travel through diverse and interactive environments on land and in space to overcome the newest enemy and save mankind.
EA has announced Skate It for the Nintendo Wii and DS platforms. Coming out sometime this year, Skate It will utilize the DS’ stylus pad to execute stunts while it will use the Wii Balance Board on that particular platform.
Official Release:
Electronic Arts Inc. today announced Skate It, a new game in the award-winning Skate franchise that taps into the heart and soul of being on a skateboard. Designed exclusively for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ systems, Skate It has Nintendo players riding with the skate pros, owning the best spots in San Vanelona and pulling off the sickest tricks using the popular FlickIt controls. Loaded with all-new gameplay features, 
Skate It breaks new ground by introducing innovative support for the Wii Balance board which gives players a fresh way to create their own signature skateboarding style.
Skate It unleashes the FlickIt revolution on to the Nintendo platforms, letting gamers use the Wii remote or the Nintendo DS stylus to string together their best tricks for the ultimate skate line. The Wii remote becomes a skateboard and reacts to gestures that mirror actual skate flips and moves. Players can also deepen this experience by planting their feet on the Wii Balance board. Skate It brings the hit Skate franchise to a new level of creative ingenuity and gameplay excellence.
