In Other News...May 3

[DoctorFinger]

- Clint Hocking, the lead designer of Far Cry 2 and the Splinter Cell series, is leaving Ubisoft's Montreal studio (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/28370/Ubisoft_Montreals_Clint_Hocking_Resigns.php) to pursue other opportunities after nearly 10 years with the company.

- Sony is launching the "PlayStation Protection Plan (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/sony-launches-official-protection-plan-for-ps3-and-psp/)" for the PS3 and PSP. If your hardware is still under it's original warranty, you can purchase an additional year of coverage for your PS3 for $45, while two more years will set you back $60. PSP protection will run you $30 for one year and $40 for two.

- EA and Bioware are releasing more premium DLC (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179107) for Mass Effect 2. The DLC adds the Archon Visor, Capacitor Helmet and the Inferno Armor to the game for 160 MSP/$2.

- A job posting from Bungie (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6260947.html) indicates that the new IP they're developing needs a writer experienced with "branching or nonlinear narrative experience." And really, what else do we need to know about it?

- Nintendo is launching a new Wii bundle (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/05/03/wii-motionplus-coming-with-new-wii-bundles-starting-may-9/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MultiplayerBlog+%28Multiplaye r+Blog%29&utm_content=Netvibes). For the same $200 you get a black Wii, controller, nunchuck and Wii Motion Plus as well as Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort.

- 2K Games is launching the Story of Frankie Potts (http://www.mafia2game.com/frankiepotts), an interactive adventure game setting up the backstory of Mafia II. Registered players of the game will be entered into a contest to possibly win a prize pack including a PS3, a 60" TV, a 7.1 surround sound and a copy of Mafia II signed by the developers.

[Generation ABXY]

- Nintendo is launching a new Wii bundle (http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/05/03/wii-motionplus-coming-with-new-wii-bundles-starting-may-9/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MultiplayerBlog+%28Multiplaye r+Blog%29&utm_content=Netvibes). For the same $200 you get a black Wii, controller, nunchuck and Wii Motion Plus as well as Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort.

I gotta say, that black system has always looked nice; shame they didn't release it before I bought any VC/WW titles.

[Iron Past]

I know in an interview with Major Nelson, Bungie mentioned the publishing deal with Acti was for an action game. Should be interesting at the very least.

[Savok]

- Sony is launching the "PlayStation Protection Plan (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/03/sony-launches-official-protection-plan-for-ps3-and-psp/)" for the PS3 and PSP. If your hardware is still under it's original warranty, you can purchase an additional year of coverage for your PS3 for $45, while two more years will set you back $60. PSP protection will run you $30 for one year and $40 for two.
Those fucking criminals.

[Urizen]

How long does the original Sony warranty last? 90 days, right? Really it's only for customers going forward. And I'm a little frightened by the precedent.

Also, the Wii bundle is basically a significant price cut. I think that's how consumers will see it. They get a lot more out of their system for the same entry price. I imagine when faced with a decision of how much it will cost to someone to get everything out of their console, the Wii looks like an even more impressive bargain. Moreover, the bundle gets the massively underused MotionPlus out there into a lot more hands. Nintendo is giving their best motion-sensing hardware a five-month head start on the other console makers.

Also, launching this on Mother's Day (and two weeks before the most anticipated game of the system since since NSMB) might be a brilliant move. Can't wait to see the May NPD numbers.

[mister slim]

The Sony warranty is a year. Only MS tried to get away with only 90 days.

[Hawkzombie]

From what I understand, 90 days is what the warranties are for both systems. MS extended it for free, while Sony is charging for it.

At least MS understood the problem. Sony seems to want to profit from it.

[tacitus]

As I understand it both the 360 and PS/3 have a year "normal" warranty. However, Sony has never been willing to admit that the YLOD is a real problem as opposed to Microsoft, who after an initial period of denial extended RROD warranty to 3 years.

Sony does have a fairly considerable history of issues with expensive electronic items eg early PS2s had reliabily issues and the CCD on a number of MUVO digital cameras died en-masse. The camera issue was resolved with a class action suit, which they concealed as best they could. Despite the fact I registered my camera with Sony, I received no notification of the suit and was therefore very surprised when my camera died and only found out about it after diligent searching about what could be the problem. In defense of Sony once notified the camera repair was flawless.

In fact in Japan there has been enough problems with Sony products there is the Sony Timer Urban Myth (http://www.kirainet.com/english/sony-timer/)

[Paradox Symphony]

- EA and Bioware are releasing more premium DLC (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3179107) for Mass Effect 2. The DLC adds the Archon Visor, Capacitor Helmet and the Inferno Armor to the game for 160 MSP/$2.

I dont think equipment and weapons and etc should be paid-DLC, because they dont give you much more of an excuse to keep playing the game. It's fun to dress up your shepard but if you have played the game too much like I have, you'll get bored within minutes.

Kasumi helped me realize that. I was enjoying the new mission, and throughout thinking "Oh cool a new squad member, maybe I can enjoy it for one more playthrough!" But I ended up completley asleep after the mission. They need to release full on expansions like in Dragon Age origins.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

From what I understand, 90 days is what the warranties are for both systems. MS extended it for free, while Sony is charging for it.

At least MS understood the problem. Sony seems to want to profit from it.

Nah, Sony's has been a year since they launched the PS3.

Kind of bummed that I can't insure my out of warranty PS3 though. It'll cost about as much to buy a new one to fix in the event that it breaks. My PS1 and PS2 still work to this day though so, fingers crossed.

[Doogie2K]

I dont think equipment and weapons and etc should be paid-DLC, because they dont give you much more of an excuse to keep playing the game. It's fun to dress up your shepard but if you have played the game too much like I have, you'll get bored within minutes.

Kasumi helped me realize that. I was enjoying the new mission, and throughout thinking "Oh cool a new squad member, maybe I can enjoy it for one more playthrough!" But I ended up completley asleep after the mission. They need to release full on expansions like in Dragon Age origins.

I haven't bought any of the paid DLC. Why bother, when they put up a bunch of stuff for free already, or included it with my preorder/Dragon Age? Especially since I don't wear any of the fancy-pants armour because it blocks my face. (Where's my fucking no-helmet option, BW?)

[menage]

I bought Kausmi but that's it. Armor and weapons seem pointless. I do like having new team members though or new locations, the rest is just bullshit.

The PS warranty thing is a fucking joke. 1 year for a highly advanced piece of equipment is already laughable. When you buy shit like that is should last you 4-5 years at least.

[Savok]

Actually in Australia, legally speaking, a warranty lasts as long as the reasonable life expectancy of the product, which for a console I suppose is 4-5 years. Of course this is never mentioned or enforced....

[menage]

Actually in Australia, legally speaking, a warranty lasts as long as the reasonable life expectancy of the product, which for a console I suppose is 4-5 years. Of course this is never mentioned or enforced....

That's what I meant. Here in Holland it's 3 years at least. Sure they try to sell you extra warranty and such, but legally if taken to court and stuff you would always win in a case like this, Luckely consumer rights orgs are jumping on the bandwagon here. When you buy something you expect it to last.

I even think the 360 3 year policy started over here as well, Some TV progs kept hammering away at the awful service and warranty.

[Kelegacy]

Systems should be a 10 year warranty or 50 Achievements/Trophies, whichever comes first.

[Inverarity]

Kind of bummed that I can't insure my out of warranty PS3 though. It'll cost about as much to buy a new one to fix in the event that it breaks. My PS1 and PS2 still work to this day though so, fingers crossed.
I wonder if I could extend the warranty on my repaired PS3 60GB - units that have a paid repair come back with a fresh warranty. Since I'm now on my fourth one, it might not be a bad idea...

[Paradox Symphony]

Bought myself the new DLC for ME2. It's pretty nifty, but like I mentioned, they're gonna need more content than this to get me back into the game. And it's not free like the other DLC pieces.
Seriously, Bioware, make a huge expansion!

Anyways, if you like customizing your Shepard and if you have some extra cash(don't bother shelling out if you have a reason to save it)then the Equalizer pack is a must have. The Inferno armor looks pretty cool, and you also get the two most badass helmets in the entire game, only rivaled by the awesome Recon Hood. The Capacitator helmet is my favorite. :)