It seems Sega is branching into new directions, what with puzzle games for the PSP now… and “inventive” one at that, too. The company has announced Crush, a puzzle game that will intrigue players with its new “style of thought-provoking gameplay.” If you thought it was becoming too philosophic, don’t fear because it’s not: the game will be set in a 3D world where players will crush the environment and transform it into a more simplified 2D platformer. Once that is done, players will be able to move on to solve “otherwise impossible” challenges and more.

Designed for a wide and varied audience, Crush tells the story of Dan, a man with a lifetime of unresolved issues and bottled up emotions that have turned him into a nervous insomniac who is too tired to turn his life around. Desperate for a cure, he turns to hypnosis. It is during this state that he is given one last chance to sort through the wreckage of his past, before he loses the last thing he has - his sanity.

Crush is being developed by UK-based studio Kuju, and is set for release this Summer.

K2 Network has announced that it is bringing Sword of the New World, a popular Korean MMORPG, to North America and Europe this Summer. Developed by famed developer Hakkyu Kim, the creator of Ragnarok Online, Granado Espada, as it is known in Korea, is a fantasy MMORPG whose story features Europe’s exploration of the New World, letting players create and simultaneously control a family of characters utilizing a Multiple Character Control (MCC) system.

The Western version will see a new character customization feature with hundreds of costume options, an improved control scheme and an in-game tutorial, as well as an all-new story with hundreds of new quests.

More information and screenshots can be found on the game’s newly launched Western site. As stated above, the game is set for release this Summer.

Wowing us all, Blizzard has announced that World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade has broken the day-one sales record to become the fastest-selling PC game ever. It has sold nearly 2.4 million copies in its first 24 hours of availability, a number which many games won’t even reach during their lifetime.

The announcement continued, saying that 1.2 million copies were sold in North America, with Europe buying more than 1.1 million copies. By the end of the first day, a total of more than 1.7 million players had already logged in and upgraded World of Warcraft to play The Burning Crusade. Blizzard states that it has shipped more than 4 million copies throughout the world.

World of Warcraft, as per the latest announcement, is enjoyed by over 8 million people worldwide, with more than 2 million in North America and 1.5 million throughout Europe. It is by far the most successful MMORPG in the world.

An interview with Blizzard’s Itzik Ben Bassat on Empire offers word that the studio does not plan on rehashing the WoW formula for its next MMORPG. In fact, it’s going to be “innovative”. Word:

When we announce our next MMORPG it’s not going to be another WoW - we’re not a company that tends to tread the same ground. It’ll be something innovative and new that really brings entertainment to another level.

A Starcraft-themed MMO? Whatever it is, let’s hope Blizzard is able to add another quality title to its stable.

Let us all hope this keeps Uwe Boll from making even shittier game-movie adaptations: the nominations for the 27th Annual RAZZIE Awards have been announced out of which Bloodrayne has received seven nods, including Worst Picture, Actress and Director.

The Razzies is a sort of parody of the official Oscar Award, recognizing the worst movies of the year and publicly awarding them with a “gold spray-painted, golf-ball-sized raspberry atop a mangled super 8 film reel, with an estimated value of $4.97.” Bloodrayne, hailed as the biggest flop of 2006, was nominated in seven categories, including the above as well as Worst Supporting Actor, Actress and Screenplay.

Full announcement inside. Winners will be announced in a ceremony to be held on Oscar eve, February 24 at Hollywood’s Ivar Theatre.
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Through this rough Japanese translation, it can be understood that a store at Akihabara is selling the 20GB PS3 for 39,800 yen, effectively offering a 20% discount off the retail price. This limited quantity sale will run from January 16 to February 14 and is the cheapest price on the PS3 in the planet.

It is tough to determine as to why this sale is going on, but if sales of the console are any indication, this is being done to clear stock since the console is facing very slow sales, thanks to its high price and competition by the Wii.

GamePro sat down with Hideo Kojima, the dude behind the Metal Gear series, and talk about Metal Gear Solid 4. Though Kojima dances around most of the questions, he does offer a few juicy bits. First up is the fact that he wants to develop for PC and Xbox 360:

“Well, yes, I do have strong interest in creating something for the Xbox 360. In the US and Europe, it is selling, and I think it will sell a lot this year as well. I’m a fan of Gears of War as well, it’s very interesting.

Frankly speaking, I want to create something on the PC. It’s a multi-platform [format]. I’ve been regularly studying work on the PC anyways, and I want to provide something as a world-wide platform because of the consequences with timing on the PlayStation platforms, MGS4 is actually for the PS3 only so far.”

The second bit is him talking about online plans for MGS4. Apparently, Sony is yet to outline their online plans to him:

“Well, actually, Sony has not really spoken with us about their online plans. What I have is Metal Gear Online, and I’m always thinking of how we can conduct this plan on the Sony platform.”

He also talks about next-gen space requirement, coding for PS3, weapons in MGS4, as well as this bit on the 2007 release period for the game:

“We don’t know, because the guy who said 2007 was Raiden, and not me. [laughter]“

Codename Revolution had the chance to read through the March 2007 issue of Nintendo Power and from them comes word that Super Paper Mario is set for release this April on the Wii. Shown at last year’s E3 as a Gamecube title, the game has since then moved on to Nintendo’s fancy new console, but instead of motion-based controls, it will use the old-school control layout. It will, however, make use of the Wiimote in various ways. According to the report, the game has undergone graphical enhancements since its last public showing.

The article also carries word on quite a few new titles, as well as updates on some familiar ones.

Seven new high-resolution screenshots from the Xbox 360 version of Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars:

Ubisoft has announced Driver 76, its first game based off the Driver license it bought from Atari earlier, for the PSP. Exclusively designed for the Sony portable, Driver 76 will feature all-new content with 27 new missions and is in development at Sumo Digital and Ubi’s Reflections studio.

Faithful to the brand spirit, Driver 76 is an action driving game that features Hollywood-style car chases while also letting the player experience the open environment on foot. The game thrusts the player into the heart of the 1970s, through 27 missions divided into six main plots. Players can take side jobs, earning cash that can be used to modify their rides. Driver 76 also offers an extensive multiplayer mode and a host of mini-games ranging from street races to all out carnage in Destruction Derby mode.

Features Include:

• All-New Content Developed Exclusively for the PSP system - Twenty-seven all-new missions created for the PSP system.

• Prequel Storyline to Driver Parallel Lines - The year is 1976, two years before Driver® Parallel Lines.

• Multiplayer Games and Downloadable Content - Games include Street Racing, Destruction Derby, Pink Slip Racing and Swap Meet. Also download new paintjobs to use on your collected vehicles in the garage.

• Experience Open Environments in Authentic 1970’s New York - All the architecture, music, cars and clothes of the ’70s. Spans New York from Jersey to Coney Island.

• Vehicle Modification System - Collect your favorite vehicles and complete side job missions to get the cash to modify your ride.

• High-Speed Hollywood Racing Action - High-speed car races and crashes. Go even faster by customizing your car with special parts.

• Authentic ’70s Soundtrack - Immerse yourself in the ’70s with classic songs from the decade.

It is set for release this March.

Feeling thirsty while fragging people? Want chicken fry with that? Double Fusion and K2 Network have announced their partnership to integrate dynamic in-game advertising in War Rock, an upcoming free MMOG.

Launching February 6, War Rock is a tactical FPS with lots of weapons, vehicles and multiple battle modes. It is currently in open beta and, as a member of K2’s Free2Play series, will be free and open to all, though players will have the option to purchase access to extras.

Capitalizing on the resultant 18-34 year-old male demographic, Double Fusion will offer 2D and 3D ad and product placement opportunities within the game world. Advertisers will also be able to sponsor organized competitions, maps of new areas, items or services.

It comes as no surprise that Rockstar Games is planning on releasing GTA: Vice City Stories on PS2. This comes from ESRB’s website where the US-based ratings board has given the game a ‘M’ rating (big surprise, huh?), though the entry has since been taken down.

GTA’s first PSP outing, Liberty City Stories, saw itself being released on the PS2 about six months after the PSP release. It was quite a big success on the platform, as it made its way on to the top ten best-selling games of 2006 list. The same seems to be happening to Vice City Stories, though the game’s publisher is yet to make an announcement.

Kicking ass all the way through Europe is Nintendo with the DS - it has now sold ten million units in the region, just two months shy of the second anniversary of its release there. Making it the best-selling console in the past year, over 1.7 million units were sold in December 2006 alone. Demand for the portable is still strong, what with Starfox Command, Mario Slam Basketball and Final Fantasy III set for release later this year.

It seems that Konami loves Europeans. First, the company announces extra bonus content for Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, and now this: dedicated online leagues for Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, allowing gamers in PAL territories take each other on within officially sanctioned events.

The service is being hosted by French online specialists Games-Services and will see a Leaderboard as well as special tournaments. Tournaments will see players taking on three challenges over a two-week period; exclusive Konami prizes will be up for grabs. Players will be able to establish their own clans and set up their own tournaments; the performance will be noted to create a league table of the very best players.

One of the few PS2 titles to feature a robust multiplayer option, Subsistence boasts quite a few modes including Death match, Team Death match, as well as Rescue and Sneaking Missions. Up to eight players can go at it at once; there is also a voice chat system for up close and personal trash-talking.

The PS3 has it. The Wii serves it in spades. So, why not the Xbox 360? Well, one guy took up the challenge and actually created a Sixaxis-esque controller for the console. And it works. Check the video out: