In Other News...October 1

[DoctorFinger]

- The beta for APB, the massively multiplayer (but not subscription based) follow up to Realtime Worlds' Crackdown, will be going live next week. Check your inboxes to see if you've been accepted.

- Whoops! In their PSN update earlier today Sony released a demo of Tecmo's Undead Knights for the PSP. Except it apparently is the full version of the game, and not a demo.

- Remember Matt Hazard, the action game released earlier this year with a really fun concept - a parody of action flicks and their heroes - but a pretty poor execution? Well he's coming to the XBLA and PSN, this time as a side-scrolling shooter.

- Stardock CEO Brad Wardell made some very frank comments about the state of digital distribution, in particular how retail sales numbers almost always dwarf the number of digital sales, even for big titles.

- CD Projekt, the developer of The Witcher as well as digital distribution hub Good Old Games, has been acquired by Polish computer company Optimus S.A. But don't get too upset, as analysts think this is just a move to get CD Projekt listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

- EA has just announced that Spore is headed to the big screen, courtesy of the team behind the Ice Age animated movies.

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

- Remember Matt Hazard, the action game released earlier this year with a really fun concept - a parody of action flicks and their heroes - but a pretty poor execution? Well he's coming to the XBLA and PSN, this time as a side-scrolling shooter.

Let's hope this is like Bionic Commando, where the new 2D game is way better than the new 3D game.

[Talanvor]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

Let's hope this is like Bionic Commando, where the new 2D game is way better than the new 3D game.

Yes, seconded. Eat Lead was basically a tech demo, to shop the engine. The problem is, the engine really isn't that good. Probably is cheap to license, at least.

But I only spent $5 on it, I think I got about my money's worth.

[Xerxes]

I had hoped CD Projekt being acquired meant more money. Getting Witcher console back on track. Getting a publisher for Witcher 2.

[Spigot]

I liked Eat Lead to a certain degree, especially in the early stages. Unfortunately, they took what could have been an incredible premise and then just turned it into a cookie-cutter shooter.

If they can pull off something Shadow Complex-ish but with the sense of humour that was brought to bear on Eat Lead, I'll be happy.

And as someone who took advantage of the 'enhanced' demo of Undead Knights, I have to say that it's ok, at best. Think Dynasty Warriors with a bit of zombie Pikmin mixed in.

Hmm... when I describe it like that, it sounds pretty awesome, but trust me, it's not.

[Bingley Joe]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

Let's hope this is like Bionic Commando, where the new 2D game is way better than the new 3D game.

If nothing else, the title, Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond, is one of the silliest in all of gamedom..

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by Bingley Joe

If nothing else, the title, Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond, is one of the silliest in all of gamedom..

And stolen directly from an episode of The Simpsons.