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Cast Profiles
Welcome
Level 3 is Melbourne’s video game review show that airs on C31 at 9pm Fridays, this site supports links to Episodes, Reviews, Podcasts, our forum and live IRC chat 24/7.
News
Xbox LIVE Marketplace Update Week Of 07/03/2010
This week brings the worldwide release of Final Fantasy XIII for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Will the 360 version and it's lower res, disc swaps and lower bitrate videos still hold up in sales? Personally I think not, but only time will tell. If you want to justify that purchase you'll be happy to know the 360 version features a more stable frame rate, some better textures and some redeem codes for avatar items.
Xbox LIVE Arcade's Block Party promotion continues this week with Scrap Metal, a top down all in one arcade racing game.....Read More and Discuss Here....
Posted By Patrick "elektrixxx" Young (10/03/2010)
Website takes a shot of Botox, so you can win stuff and meet us.
Regular visitors of our site may have noticed some slight 'Face Lifts' to the site like some extra links and a background over the past month or so. Myself, Spiltcoffee and Drunky are working on making the site a fun place to visit. As well as Nick (CloneTrooper) and Jaime (DarthHomer) are doing a fantastic job writting the latest Gaming News meanwhile SpiltCoffee is writting some backend php code so our news guys can post directly to the site without the need for me to do it manualy using a html editor.
To the right you will see some new buttons. Below is a breif description of where they will take you:
- Event Calendar: This will take you to upcoming events that Level 3 may or may no be attending
- Win Stuff: is were you can get the details on the latest Competitions and give aways that Level 3 is running
- Forum Discussion: an additional link to the Official Level 3 forum
- Live Chat: an an extra link to our IRC chat room. Drop in and chat to us about the show or just gaming in general or just casual discussions about whatever
- Afiliates and Friends: is where you can link off to third party site of Organisations that have been involved with Level 3 in some way or another
Posted By Assimilator (07/03/2010)
Playstation Network Store Update 05/03/10
Hello, and welcome to Playstation Update for March 5th, 2010. This week sees the release of the demo for Explosion Fest 2010, otherwise known as Just Cause 2, a new bunch of special offers and lots of DLC to get. So yeah? Fun week for us PS3 owners hey? Not only is today the 10th anniversary of the PS2's original Japanese launch (worthy of its own feature, me thinks), but there was also this little glitch that caused some minor problems. It was some random 800-something error, maybe you heard of it? Anyway, this week isn't exactly as gigantic as last week. This weeks lone PSN title is the release of the Vandal Hearts: Flame of Judgement, the latest in the somewhat popular strategy RPG that began life as a PS1 title. If you're not after something as niche though, there are a couple of demos in the form of Just Cause 2 and Moto GP 09/10 - catering for everyone with a love of blowing shit up and riding at precarious speeds........Read more and Discuss Here......
Posted By Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (05/03/2010)
Infinity Ward being reshuffled by Activision...perhaps.
So apparently a big group of non-uniformed bouncer type dudes showed up at the Infinity Ward offices and refused to go into details about why they were there when asked by IW Staffers..
Then the two studio heads were sent off to a meeting with Activision, and that was where the original story ended, with no other new information, I personally thought this was all a beat up by Acti/IW for a new IP or something...but apparently its much more serious.
Joystiq reports of an SEC filing on Monday by Activision:
Quote: "Apparently Activision filed a Form 10-K with the SEC on Monday, which is basically an overview of the company's financial condition, and includes any information that could possibly affect that condition. This filing states "In November 2009, the Company released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, a game developed by one of the Company's wholly-owned studios, Infinity Ward. As noted above, Modern Warfare 2 was the best selling console title in the U.S. and Europe in 2009. Consistent with past practice, the Company intends to release a Call of Duty game in 2010 developed by another wholly-owned studio. The Company is concluding an internal human resources inquiry into breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward. This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation. At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company".......Read more and Discuss Here......
Posted By CloneTrooper (02/03/2010)
Playstation Network Store Update 26/02/10
Welcome to Playstation Update, the weekly feature about the latest items up for purchase from the Playstation Store. This weeks update sees an explosion in DLC, with updates for Uncharted 2, Ferrari Challenge, FIFA 10, Borderlands and much more. Click here For the full details --->.......Read more and Discuss Here......
Posted By Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (26/02/2010)
Warner Bros Accquire Majority Stake In Rocksteady
Last years Batman: Arkham Aslyum did more than just release a good Batman game onto the market since 1994, they also brought a larger awareness to the game's developer - Rocksteady Studios, to which Arkaham was only their second game. Not too bad for a company that formed in 2004. Why bring this up? Because according to Games Industry.biz (via NeoGAF) the game division of Warner Bros have acquired the majority stake in the developer, where Eidos previously held the majority stake.
Speaking on the move is Kevin Tsujihara - the president of Warner Bros Home Entertainment Group: "Rocksteady demonstrated its professionalism and extraordinary development abilities with Batman: Arkham Asylum. This arrangement is a great strategic fit and we are very pleased to solidify our relationship with this talented development team."
The move makes sense - since Warner Bros are publishing the sequel to Arkham Aslyum, why not pick up the developer as well? But it does more than just ensure that Rocksteady are handling the Arkham sequel, as according to game designer and co-founder of the studio, Sefton Hill, "The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognised Warner Bros. brands like Batman."
Dare I say it, but Warner Bros are definitely looking like a game publisher to watch. This only helps that.
Posted By Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (23/02/2010)
Street Fighter 4 on iPhone, Game Play Footage
Hot of the press at QJ.Net thay have provided footage of Street FIghter 4 on the iPhone along with some news of price and playable fighters.
I must say at a fist glance it looks rather playable.
The US Price tag is $9.99 and the following 8 fighters will be selectable: Ryu, Ken, Guile, Blanka, Chun-Li, Dhalsim, M. Bison and Abel.
Posted by Assimilator (23/02/2010)
Listen up developers, Valve doesnt want you making shitty party games..
Chet Faliszek, the writer of L4D, has urged developers with quite strong conviction to not develop a tidal wave of bullshit party games that have overtaken the Wii since it was released, for the Natal system (and the Sony Motion System maybe)......Read More & Discuss Here......
Posted By CloneTrooper (23/02/2010)
Ubisoft Digital Rights Management is.....insanity.
Ubisoft have gone insane. Their latest DRM, which comes with Assassins Creed II is particualrly "unsavoury", as Kotaky put it:
Quote: If you get disconnected while playing, you’re booted out of the game,” PC Gamer’s Tom Francis writes. “All your progress since the last checkpoint or savegame is lost, and your only options are to quit to Windows or wait until you’re reconnected.” And if you have a rock solid, up 24/7 connection? There’s still potential bad news, as “any time Ubisoft’s ‘Master servers’ are down for any reason, everyone playing a current Ubisoft game is kicked out of it and loses their progress”.
That is some nasty s**t right there. So, even though you paid $80 or $90 for your PC Game, Ubisoft doesnt trust you. No, they require you to be on the Internet at all times when you play your Ubisoft game so it can check with the Master Servers whether your legit copy is legit or not.......Read More & Discuss Here......
Posted By CloneTrooper (19/02/2010)
Nintendo goes to court again...
Nintendo of Australia are coming down hard on pirates this year.....this time its the DS ones.
Hot on the heels of the $1 Million NSMB Piracy case, Nintendo have won a $500,000 suit against RSJ. IT Solutions, who were a local distributor of the infamous R4 Carts. Along with having to pay Nintendo the money they must also immediately cease selling the popular cart and "relinquish all remaining stock and promotional material" associated with them. Patrick and James Li must, in addition to the corporate fine of 500k, must pay $100,000 in penalties. ......Read More & Discuss Here......
Posted By CloneTrooper (19/02/2010)
Rumour: PS3 Cross-Chat coming....
Destructoid is reporting on a rumour that Cross-Chat is coming for the PS3 very soon.... ...but it could only be for Paid PSN Subscribers. This is coming from the Offical Playstation Magazine as well:
Quote: The rumor comes from perpetual blabbermouth Official PlayStation Magazine. The mag states that "Aside from the 3D goodness, cross-game party chat is the obvious 'next big feature,' even though it might be restricted to paid [PSN] subscribers."
So yeah, welcome to the world of Xbox Live Playstation Network Premium PS3 users 
Posted By CloneTrooper (18/02/2010)
Saints Row 3 and Red Faction at E3
THQ's CEO has stated that both Saints Row 3 and Red Faction will be showing at E3 this year, along with Homefront and the Warhammer 40k MMO.
Quote: "I think we're going to blow people away at E3," Farrell said. "You'll be seeing Saints Row 3. You'll be seeing the next Red Faction. You'll be seeing more of Homefront. We've been talking about it, but we'll actually show some of our Warhammer 40k MMO, and I think people are going to go, 'Oh my God. They've got their stuff together.'" And Saints Row 3 will evidently cause some to remark, "This is not your father's THQ."
Warhammer 40k MMO? Okay that colours me interested, but Saints Row and Red Faction are probably THQ's two biggest franchises at the moment...since RFG seems to have been a hit around here and Saints Row 2, despite its bugs, being insanely better than GTA IV....so it will be interesting to see where they take the franchise. Since its been previously remarked that SR3 will be a big departure from the two previous games.
Posted By CloneTrooper (18/02/2010)
Darksiders Demo Announced; Hits Feb. 24th on XBL and PSN
You might not know it, but we here at Level 3 really do seem to dig Darksiders. What, with positive endorsements from members of our web team, a glowing review on the show, and some good discussion on it. Sure, it's been out for a month, but if you're still looking for an excuse to try it, we've just learnt of the best solution. Our friends at THQ have let us know that there will be a demo for the game hitting PSN and Xbox Live on the 24th of February!
Now, normally this wouldn't need too much of a case, but the details for the demo aren't exactly standard fare. The demo will be the entire Twilight Cathedral area of the game - effectively the first major 'dungeon' of the game. And it's not a little bit of it either - the demo sees you play through the entire area, culminating in a boss fight against gigantic bat queen Tiamat. THQ have estimated that it'll take around 90 minutes to clear this area, and it'll be worth all 1.4GB of it too.....Read More & Discuss Here....
Posted By Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (17/02/2010)
Dragon Age: Origins Awakning: Download Only on PS3 in Europe
Straight from the Bioware Horses mouth and Joystiq, the coming Expansion Pack for Bioware's Dragon Age: Origins, entitles Awakening, will be download only due to restrictions from Sony in Europe, and subsequently PAL Territories.
From Victor Watcher of Bioware:
Quote:
In response to another poster:
Quote:
So yeah, I really have no idea why Sony would have such a retarded policy.....dont you want the products on the PS3 to be able to reach as many people as possible? I can understand this coming from Microsoft...as they would just make it a Gold Member Only offer in an effort to drum up some more subscription money from people, but on a network thats free?
I've never been able to understand Sony's reasoning in anything they do...
Posted By CloneTrooper (16/02/2010)
While the next big slice of Halo gaming is still a little whiles away, our friends at Madman have revealed to us some big news regarding the anthology of animated Halo stories, Halo Legends. For starters, they're the ones distributing the DVD and Blu-Ray set, which'll be released down here on March 3rd - further cementing March as one of the biggest months for anything gaming related. The DVD edition will be released as a 2-Disc set, which will contain audio commentaries, a making of the anthology, and a documentary explaining just how big Halo has become since its humble beginnings as an Xbox launch title. The Blu-Ray edition will contain the same extras, but will also contain a feature known as "Halo - The Story So Far", which is a summary of all the Halo games, all the way up to the concluding events of Halo 3. It'll also be the closest you'll see Halo on anything Sony related. The DVD set has a Suggested Retail price of $34.95, while the Blu-Ray set will has a SRP of $44.95.
As well as that, Madman are looking to do some very interesting things regarding the release of the anthology, and we here at Level 3 may be involved in some of it. We'll keep you posted for further details. We'd post a trailer, but due to some problems with YouTube, we can't. Check back later when we should hopefully have one online. ....Read More & Discuss Here....
More info and the trailer can also be found at Madman's site http://www.madman.com.au/halo/
Posted By Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (11/02/2010)
Continuum Competition
Our La-zy-Editor Phil has managed to score some prizes for Level 3 fans that are interested in going to the fiction and pop culture Continuum Convention that is on 26th - 28th of Feb 2010 at The Ether function venue in Melbourne. Comp details are as follows:
1st Prize
2x Saturday afternoon pass to Continuum 6 (includes entry to 'Maskobalo' masquerade dance party) A copy of "Daughters of Moab, T-shirts and More...
2nd Prize
2x Maskobalo masquerade dance party tickets, T-shirts and More...
To Enter simply email contest@level3.org.au with your name and email address and put Continum Competition in the subject line.
Sega cites tweaks and release position for Alpha Protocol delay
Joystiq have a Sega assistant producer saying that the reason Obsidian's new IP Alpha Protocol was pushed from October last year to Summer 2010 was because
Quote:He added that there's been some "tweaks in lighting here and there," and the inventory screen has been revamped a bit, but in general the team has been focused on "bringing the whole quality level up." The post's author also notes that the game is set for a "Summer 2010"
So I'm guessing that they really wanted to avoid the lead up to Modern Warfare 2 and Assassin's Creed II, also skipping the Jan - Mar Insanity and slotting Alpha Protocol in an empty period where it could have a bigger share of the limelight and give them enough time to drum up interest....... Read More & Discuss Here.......
Posted By CloneTrooper ( 07/02/2010)
High Voltage Software Grind Their Way To PS3, Wii, PC and Xbox 360
Developer High Voltage Software have been a quiet bunch as of late. If you recall, these were the guys who partnered up with Sega to deliver a bunch of hardcore games to the Wii – the first of which was the somewhat underwhelming “The Conduit”, as well as delivering a lot of well received Wiiware titles. The latest bit of news from these guys though? Not so Wii-focused. In an interview with IGN , the company revealed that their upcoming horror themed first person shooter, the Grinder, will be hitting the PS3, PC and 360, as well as the Wii, in time for Halloween 2011.
The reason? “Bringing our third internal IP to all the current-generation systems allows us to show off what our company can really do and get it into the hands of the most gamers”, is the quote from HVS chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger. They also explain that the reason why the game is taking so long to come out is because they’ve got a lot planned for it – such as DLC, support for the Sony Arc Controller, Microsoft Natal Controller and more. Definitely looks like a game to check out, and HVS are a studio worth looking at. Expect to see more at GDC.
Posted by Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (05/02/10)
Microsoft discounts the 120GB HDD in Europe
So MS is discounting the 120GB HDD in Europe, this is coming off the back of the rumor that there is a 250GB HDD set to launch in Japan sometime.
Though, I think its safe to say that the 250GB will be replacing the 120GB....since this is exactly what happened with the Pro system, it was Discounted and then another piece of information (the Elite box, sans Pro on the list of consoles) came to light.
So what do you think 250GB HDD on the way? Will you fork out for one?
Posted by CloneTrooper (05/02/10)
First Fallout New Vegas Footage & Release Date Revealed
It’s been a long while since we’ve heard anything regarding the latest addition to the Fallout series – New Vegas, to be developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Well, if you’re one of those people (trying to resist the obvious Vault Dweller reference here), still hankering for some more Fallout – good news! The first teaser has been released, and you can check that out below!
Definitely seems interesting, if not being a complete remake of the Fallout 3 teaser trailer. But as well as that, Bethesda have given out a date – all three versions (PC/360/PS3) will be hitting in Fall of 2010. Great news to hear, and should be a good year for Obsidian if they can release both New Vegas, as well as the Sega-published spy RPG Alpha Protocol
Other info (thanks to our resident Vault Dweller CloneTrooper, via Game Banshee ) that we know so far is that the game is being built on the GECK toolset, which would explain why it’s not taking all that long to make, and that famed design Chris Avellone is having a heavy part in the project. Great thing to, as while he’s also worked on Fallout 2, he’s had a heavy part in some of the best Western RPGs of the last 20 years, such as Planescape Torment, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II(it’s better than you think!) and more. So yeah, get excited guys.
Posted by Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (05/02/10)
MTV to release The Who’s Superbowl XLIV performance as Rock Band DLC
While MTV might think that Australian’s don’t like Rock Band, that doesn’t stop us from posting some rather interesting news regarding upcoming DLC. In somewhat of a massive coup (via Kotaku), MTV and Harmonix have convinced the Who, who’ll be performing during the Superbowl Half Time Show this weekend, to record their set early, and will upload the playable version not too long after the Who actually perform in front of the absurdly huge audience that the Superbowl draws.
“The Who Super Bowl S-mashup” as it’s known, will be released on the Xbox Live Marketplace and Wii Shop for around 160 Microsoft space bucks, and 200 Wii Space bucks, and $2 USD for the PSN. All those rocking Playstation 3 copies of Rock Band will need to wait. No idea why, but Harmonix/MTV won’t be releasing it in a timely fashion. Still, it’s a cool idea nonetheless.
Posted by Jamie "DarthHomer" Galea (05/02/10)
Press Relese: SEGA announce Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Secret platform listed release
Today my buddies at qj.net had the scoop on Sega's Sonic 4's Press Release with a twist. Apparently there is a Secret un named platform that the game will be released on apart form the usual suspects ps3 360 and wii. The rumor has it that the game will also be released on iPhone. jump on the qj link above to see what they had to say about it.
All rumors aside I'm personly very excited about the news of Sonic 4 and will getting the game when and if it's releases in July on XBLA
Posted By Assimilator (05/02/10)
Press Relese: D3PUBLISHER and Universal Sign Partnership
CAMBRIDGE – February 2nd, 2010 – D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, together with its parent D3, Inc., today announced a worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing for video games based on Universal Pictures and Chris Meledandri’s Illumination Entertainment’s inaugural 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me, the studio’s first from Meledandri (Ice Age, Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, Horton Hears a Who!), who produces through his Universal-based family-entertainment company.
..... Read More & Discuss here.....
Thanks to Ross from NamcoBandai for the heads up
Posted By Assimilator (02/02/10)
Super SF4 Release Dates Announced
Capcom today announced that Super Street Fighter 4 will be released as follows April 27, 2010 in North America and April 30, 2010 in Europe. Not sure what this means for AU, but i'm sure it will be close to these dates.
This Super installment will boast 8 new characters, new ultra combos and new online modes. As well as the old skool bonus stages
A New Trailer has also been released for it.
Posted By Assimilator (27/01/10)
Gears of War's Marcus and Dom To Appear In Lost Planet 2
GIn a move surely designed to upstage a rather dull press conference, Capcom revealed that their upcoming shooter Lost Planet 2 will feature aid from a rather unexpected source - Epic's Gears of War! Rather specifically, players of the Xbox 360 version of the shooter will be able to play as COG soldiers Marcus and Dom......Read more & Discuss here.....
Posted By Darth Homer (27/01/10)
Your Questions Answered
Good news everyone! Level 3 is putting together a show by request! If you've got a question that you want answered on air by the Level 3 team, or even a favourite review that you want to see, now's your chance! E-mail clonetrooper@level3.org.au with any requests, or hit us up on Facebook or Twitter with any requests! There aren't any real limits, so as long as you send something, you've got a chance of it going on television!
Posted (22/01/10)
Can't find news that was here? Check out our Gaming News section of the Forum Here.......... or our News Archive Here..........