What’s Your Camo Index?

Thanks to the convenient intersection of “Metal Gear Solid 4’s” release and a water gun assassination event/contest for foreigners here in Busan, I’ve spent the week peering around corners and hiding under cardboard boxes. Having finally played and completed Hideo Kojima’s epic, I at last feel free from the endless cycle of speculation/expectation that begun when the first string of next-gen blockbusters were announced. My relief is likely short-lived though; it’s summertime and that means big conventions and big announcements. Let the hype commence!

Item # 1: A Final Chapter for Snake, but not Metal Gear

If you’ve finished MGS4 (and managed to sit through the nearly 50-minute ending cutscene), you know that it’s clear Snake’s story is finished. The world of Metal Gear appears, however, far from complete as talk of a fifth installment has begun circulating, perhaps occurring somewhere in Metal Gear’s decades-long backstory. Though Kojima had previously indicated he was finished with the series, the new info suggests otherwise. From a creative standpoint, I’m a big fan of things having a definite end, but I can’t imagine Sony will let such an exclusive, cash-generating franchise just disappear. If Mario can keep rescuing the Princess ad infinitum, then surely secret agents can continue saving the world from walking nuclear arsenals.

Item #2: A Brave New World

Anyone who’s ever felt the frustration of ceaseless pre-order pressure can appreciate the idea of a one-stop digital distribution hub for games, both new and old. Valve’s Steam client is really the online reliable option at the moment for third-party distribution, but Stardock Games (“Sins of a Solar Empire,” “Galactic Civilizations II”) is looking to provide an alternative with their own service , dubbed Impulse.

Though they’ve long used a client to distribute their own games, the update released Wednesday has the support of some major third-party players, such as Epic, THQ, Gas Powered Games and AVG. For more info, check out this interview with Stardock CEO Brad Wardell.

Item #3: Atari v. Germany

As with all journalism, video game reviewers are dependent on a paycheck (indirectly) from the very companies they must sometimes criticize. Needless to say, the opportunity for conflicts of interest on either side of this equation is ripe. The latest edition of this age-old saga involves Atari, Germans and a few brave souls alone in the dark.

In essence, a German Web site 4Players used a pirated copy of upcoming Xbox 360 game “Alone in the Dark” to review the title prior to its release. Atari, publisher of said game, claims those dastardly Germans broke the law by using an illegal copy…or maybe they’re just mad about the wince-inducing 68 percent review score received by AitD. So, Atari pulled their advertising and threatened legal action.

As much as I would love to believe Atari is only concerned about pirated proliferation, theirs is substantial reason to think otherwise. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a thing (i.e. Gerstmann) and publishers regularly talk about the pressure they face from game companies for positive reviews (just ask Shoe). Further, as Kotaku notes, this game represents a significant investment for Atari and a string of poor scores could do the company some serious financial harm.

Leaked Links Overload

Although not on par with its former glory, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (or E3) will soon be arriving in Los Angeles and bringing with it a frenzy of new info, trailers and demos from some of the biggest companies in the industry. With the event less than a month away, rumors and leaks have arrived full force, thanks mainly to a security hole at the Web site of marketing company Intellisponse. Intellisponse handles some big-name clients, notably Microsoft and Activision, and the info comes from marketing material mock-ups. I’ve compiled a list of the juiciest tidbits along with links, enjoy!

Leak #1 Don’t Stop Believin’

While I can’t report Journey has made it into the new Guitar Hero game (though it would help Activision attract women in that 18-29 age bracket), the leaked info from Intellisponse has created some noise. Besides a track list that includes Jimi Hendrix, Foo Fighters Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, Ozzy and Interpol, the big excitement is the possibility to rock out some sick solos with a “touch-sensitive neck slide.” Such a new feature would open up the way for some truly epic shredding by using the entire neck of the (fake) guitar.

Leak #2 Mii-crosoft

In an effort to add another aspect to the somewhat, ahem, Spartan face of the Xbox 360, the software giant could be adding Mii-like animated avatars to its online service, Xbox Live. These little fellas would replace gamer pictures…and probably do a cute little dance or the like. Compounding the rumor is another source that divulged details to Joystiq about a massive fall update for the 360, including a “creation service which blends the customization options of Home with the in-game functionality of Miis.” A direct challenge to the cuteness of Nintendo and the ever-on-the-horizon Home, this rumor seems a likely truth and a smart move on Microsoft’s part. Though details (and confirmation) remain scarce, E3 is just around the corner…

Leak #3 From Button-Mashing to Foot-Stomping

The treasure trove unearthed through Intellisponse’s “oops” also includes possibilities of a motion-sensored “Tony Hawk” game for the Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. As a one-time skater, I’m always interested in new approaches to the genre (I recently acquired a copy of and enjoyed the imaginative approach of “Skate”). Again, as an ex-skater, I’m also somewhat confused about the (possibly) planned use of a board-like peripheral (a la the Wii Balance Board?) to accomplish this. Actual skateboarding is brutal on boards and requires a certain amount of vigor to execute, so this idea sounds like it will make you like even more foolish than desperately clicking colored buttons on a plastic guitar. For once, I almost hope this is a rumor that doesn’t turn out to be true.

Though I wish it was mine, graphic created by www.1up.com

Thefting Autos on a Grand Scale

In case you haven’t noticed from my conspicuous absence, I have indeed received my copy of Grand Theft Auto IV. I have spent the past few weeks in a frenetic burst of energy, navigating hero Niko of anonymous eastern European descent through mission after bullet-ridden mission. Overall, it’s hard not to think it is one of the best games ever, but the lack of mid-mission savepoints seems so last-gen. So, comrade, onward through the news!

Item #1: Not Home yet

Though the oft-delayed online service Home may be even ofter-delayed, Next-Gen Biz brings word this week that Sony is bringing some new content to the Playstation Network in the form of the suspiciously named “Qore” (A poor attempt at a Nintendo-esque approach? I can only guess.) For a (small) price, Sony promises to bring exclusive content (of interviews, trailers and footage) in what is being dubbed as an interactive magazine, which will be released once a month and available over the Playstation Network. For $3, you can grab the first episode this Thursday or pay $25 for a whole year’s worth. Beware, despite the price, it’s still ad-supported, so expect have your video feed interrupted every once in a while for a special word from the sponsors.

Item #2 40,000 Leagues

Boston-based developers 2K Games have been busy. Besides setting up their best-selling underwater shooting excursion “Bioshock” for a movie deal, they’ve also stated the nautical epic will sail into Sony’s port with a Playstation 3 version of the game due out this fall. According to a press release, the Playstation port will be “genetically enhanced” with new content and features, though details at this point remain murky. While this is good news for PS3 owners, it’s even better news for 2K Games, who it seems have learned that all the good money is in cross-platform(ing).

Item #3: A hefty haul

Actually, I think the lucrative lure of multi-platform synergy is best described in “Spaceballs,” when Han Solo parody Lonestar lists his rationale for Princess-rescuing: “It’s not just a lot of money…it’s a whole s***-load of money.” Just ask Infinity Ward (wholly owned by the newly merged titan Activision-Blizzard), who announced this week that it has shipped 10 million copies of its battlefield brawl, “Call of Duty IV.” The remarkable number is thanks in part to the fusion of its tri-platform appearance on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. Giving the endless fun of the game’s online offering, such a figure comes as no surprise.