Update: Back up – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Reflex Edition servers are now offline
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 14 Comments
Update (5/23): The servers are now back up and running (thanks Squirrelisious). Crisis averted?
Original (5/22): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – Reflex Edition players are now unable to experience the game’s online multiplayer. The servers went down recently, and Activision support has not responded to any inquiries on the situation since. It’s now absolutely confirmed, but it would seem that this permanent as opposed to a temporary issue.
Call of Duty: Black Ops can’t be played online either. That means Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the only Wii entry in the series available for online play.
Court upholds invalidation of patent asserted against the Wii
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii | 9 Comments
Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a decision by the USPTO to invalidate a patent on manufacturing technology asserted against Nintendo in 2012 by Motion Games, LLC. It was also determined that there are no valid patent claims remaining in a companion litigation pending in the Eastern District of Texas.
Nintendo wrote in its announcement:
Motion Games’ patent described cameras and systems that track assembly-line components, such as car parts. Motion Games asserted that the Wii Remote infringed that manufacturing patent. During the litigation, Nintendo successfully overcame numerous needlessly burdensome discovery demands from Motion Games, including improper demands to interrogate top-level executives.
We also have this statement from Ajay Singh, Nintendo of America’s Director of Litigation and Compliance:
“We are very pleased with the court’s confirmation that Motion Games’ patent is invalid and never should have been granted. Litigation tactics cannot save an invalid patent, and such attempts only underscore the need for patent reform that reduces unnecessary burdens on defendants. Nintendo has a long history of developing innovative products, and will continue to vigorously defend those products from patent lawsuits.”
Source: Nintendo PR
Nintendo’s 2015 fiscal year earnings breakdown
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii, Wii U | 4 Comments
Nintendo’s earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31 are in. Below are the full details:
– Fell 60.6 percent to 16.5 million yen, or $148 million, on revenue of $4.53 billion (down 8 percent)
– Nintendo’s stock price has fallen slightly in trading, down 0.9 percent to $18.72 a share
– Nintendo saw diminished assets, cash flow, and profits during the year
French sales for Nintendo hardware and amiibo
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, News, Wii, Wii U | 5 Comments
During an interview with Le Parisien, Nintendo of France’s Philipe Lavoue provided some new sales figures. We have data for four of the company’s recent systems as well as amiibo.
As of now, DS has sold 10.5 million units in France, followed by Wii at 6.4 million, 3DS at 4 million, and Wii U and 740,000. Nintendo has also moved 1.4 million amiibo in the country.
It’s also worth noting that, last year, Nintendo sold 4 million games in France. Six of these were in the top 20, such as Splatoon.
More: France, Philipe Lavoue, sales
UK charts for March 2016
Posted on 8 years ago by Jake in 3DS, DS, News, Wii, Wii U | 2 Comments
Numbers for the best-selling games and hardware in the UK for March are now in. The charts are based on data collected between February 28th and April 2nd. First up is the best-selling software, listed below:
01 (NE) TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION (UBISOFT) – 431,000 / NEW
02 (02) FAR CRY PRIMAL (UBISOFT) ~ 92,000 / 162,000
03 (NE) EA SPORTS UFC 2 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
04 (04) FIFA 16 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
05 (01) CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS III (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
06 (05) GRAND THEFT AUTO V (TAKE 2)
07 (10) PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE 2 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
08 (03) LEGO MARVEL AVENGERS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
09 (NE) THE LEGEND OF ZELDA TWILIGHT PRINCESS HD (NINTENDO)
10 (06) STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
11 (07) TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW 6: SIEGE (UBISOFT)
12 (20) FORZA MOTORSPORT 6 (MICROSOFT)
13 (NE) POKKÉN TOURNAMENT (NINTENDO)
14 (15) MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION (MICROSOFT)
15 (16) LEGO JURASSIC WORLD (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
16 (09) FALLOUT 4 (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS)
17 (11) ASSASSIN’S CREED: SYNDICATE (UBISOFT)
18 (12) MINECRAFT: STORY MODE (TELLTALE GAMES)
19 (19) WWE 2K16 (TAKE 2)
20 (18) MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION EDITION (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
21 (30) UNCHARTED: THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
22 (NE) HEAVY RAIN & BEYOND TWO SOULS COLLECTION (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
23 (13) JUST CAUSE 3 (SQUARE ENIX EUROPE)
24 (22) DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 (DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS)
25 (17) DESTINY: THE TAKEN KING (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
26 (24) HALO 5: GUARDIANS (MICROSOFT)
27 (__) KNACK (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
28 (08) STREET FIGHTER V (CAPCOM)
29 (34) METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN (KONAMI)
30 (26) RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER (SQUARE ENIX EUROPE)
31 (31) TERRARIA (505 GAMES)
32 (35) LEGO DIMENSIONS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
33 (NE) MORTAL KOMBAT XL (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
34 (__) SKYLANDERS SUPERCHARGERS (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
35 (40) KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
36 (__) LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
37 (23) NEED FOR SPEED (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
38 (__) ANIMAL CROSSING: HAPPY HOME DESIGNER (NINTENDO)
39 (29) JUST DANCE 2016 (UBISOFT)
40 (NE) 3DS HYRULE WARRIORS: LEGENDS (NINTENDO)
Furthermore, listed below are the hardware sales for the month, including data for each month and year-to-date:
PlayStation 4 – 724,858 (+23.86%)
Xbox One – 583,674 (+36.50%)
Xbox 360 – 120,523 (-45.96%)
Nintendo 3DS – 84,366 (-21.39%)
Nintendo Wii U – 77,479 (+44.39%)
PlayStation 3 – 67,148 (-54.31%)
PC Software – 44,766 (-44.38%)
Nintendo Wii – 8,609 (-53.33%)
PlayStation Vita – 6,887 (-58.93%)
Nintendo DS – 3,444 (-77.18%)
More: chart, Chart-Track, UK
A look into the cancelled Dirty Harry game for Wii and DS
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in DS, General Nintendo, News, Videos, Wii | 6 Comments
Warner Bros. was once planning new video games based on the Dirty Harry film franchise. It was previously known that a primary version was in the works for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 courtesy of developer The Collective, but it came to light in recent years that Sensor Sweep was also making a separate game for other platforms including Wii and DS.
Sensor Sweep’s project would have adopted the same plot and some similar gameplay mechanics. However, it was an alternative approach, with plans to include a cel-shaded art style.
All Dirty Harry games were eventually scrapped. Regarding Sensor Sweep’s take on the IP, the team was well behind schedule and found itself not properly equipped for development on home consoles given its past work exclusively on handhelds. These factors contributed to its demise, along with the declining interest from Warner Bros. in moving forward with Dirty Harry after the HD version was cancelled.
Here’s the full report from Unseen64 and Liam Robertson:
Video: A look into the cancelled Guitar Hero / DJ Hero MMO
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Videos, Wii | 1 Comment
Several years ago, Activision teamed up with Virtual Playground in hopes of creating a MMO of sorts for its music-based games. The goal was to have it connect with Guitar Hero 7, DJ Hero 3, future Band Hero titles, and more across Wii as well as other consoles.
Ultimately, we never saw the MMO – which would have carried the name “Hero World” – when Activision scrapped all of its “Hero” releases. Virtual Playground attempted to turn the project into different forms as a means of appealing to other partners and receive funding, but its efforts did not result in success. The company ended up filing for bankruptcy in mid-2011, four months after Activision pulled the plug on Hero World.
Take a look at the full report on the MMO from Liam Robertson and Unseen64 below.
More: Activision, Guitar Hero, Virtual Playground
Super Mario Galaxy’s clever way of repurposing a signpost
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Random, Wii | 27 Comments
Good Egg Galaxy is one of the very first areas players encounter in Super Mario Galaxy. Towards the start of the level, players can encounter a door to receive some advice. You stand in front of it to make a “Read” icon appear, and then press “A” to have a message displayed.
Tumblr page “Supper Mario Broth” uncovered a bit of craftiness Nintendo used here. Players are actually interacting with a signpost through the door, meaning Nintendo repurposed the sign for new functionality. By doing so, the developers didn’t have to create a readable door object from scratch. We’ve seen this sort of thing in other games before, but it’s interesting to see it here as well!
More: Super Mario Galaxy
Retro City Rampage devs survey fans about series’ future
Posted on 8 years ago by Jake in 3DS, News, Wii | 0 comments
Vblank Entertainment, the developers behind Retro City Rampage, Retro City Rampage DX, and the upcoming Shakedown Hawaii, want to know what fans hope for/expect for the future of the series. If you want to potentially help steer the direction of the series, take the survey here.
UK charts for February 2016
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, News, Wii, Wii U | 2 Comments
The latest issue of MCV has a listing of the best-selling games in the UK for the month of February. The results are posted below, based on data collected between January 31 and February 27.
01 (01) CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS III (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD) – 107,600 / 2,053,000
02 (NE) FAR CRY PRIMAL (UBISOFT)
03 (04) LEGO MARVEL AVENGERS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE) > 71,600
04 (02) FIFA 16 (ELECTRONIC ARTS) < 65,900
05 (05) GRAND THEFT AUTO V (TAKE 2)
06 (03) STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
07 (06) TOM CLANCY’S RAINBOW 6: SIEGE (UBISOFT)
08 (NE) STREET FIGHTER V (CAPCOM) < 29,600 / NEW
09 (07) FALLOUT 4 (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS)
10 (NE) PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE 2 (ELECTRONIC ARTS) ~ 26,000 / NEW
11 (15) ASSASSIN’S CREED: SYNDICATE (UBISOFT)
12 (10) MINECRAFT: STORY MODE (TELLTALE GAMES)
13 (08) JUST CAUSE 3 (SQUARE ENIX EUROPE)
14 (NE) NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 4 (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT)
15 (12) MINECRAFT: XBOX EDITION (MICROSOFT)
16 (11) LEGO JURASSIC WORLD (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
17 (16) DESTINY: THE TAKEN KING (ACTIVISION BLIZZARD)
18 (14) MINECRAFT: PLAYSTATION EDITION (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
19 (09) WWE 2K16 (TAKE 2)
20 (17) FORZA MOTORSPORT 6 (MICROSOFT)
21 (NE) POKEMON SUPER MYSTERY DUNGEON (NINTENDO)
22 (13) DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 (DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS)
23 (20) NEED FOR SPEED (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
24 (23) HALO 5: GUARDIANS (MICROSOFT)
25 (25) RESIDENT EVIL ORIGINS COLLECTION (CAPCOM)
26 (27) RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER (SQUARE ENIX EUROPE)
27 (22) THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS)
28 (NE) DIGIMON STORY: CYBER SLEUTH (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT)
29 (21) JUST DANCE 2016 (UBISOFT)
30 (19) UNCHARTED: THE NATHAN DRAKE COLLECTION (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
31 (36) TERRARIA (505 GAMES)
32 (37) THE SIMS 4 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
33 (35) WOLFENSTEIN: THE OLD BLOOD (BETHESDA SOFTWORKS)
34 (18) METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN (KONAMI)
35 (39) LEGO DIMENSIONS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE)
36 (32) LIFE IS STRANGE (SQUARE ENIX EUROPE)
37 (__) BATTLEFIELD HARDLINE (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
38 (31) BATTLEFIELD 4 (ELECTRONIC ARTS)
39 (__) NBA 2K16 (TAKE 2)
40 (__) KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL (SONY COMPUTER ENT.)
And here’s a breakdown of physical software sales by format (units)
PlayStation 4 – 514,365 (+36.45%)
Xbox One – 370,293 (+24.85%)
Xbox 360 – 132,699 (-44.65%)
PlayStation 3 – 72,036 (-54.80%)
Nintendo 3DS – 72,036 (-50.50%)
PC Software – 49,288 (-34.14%)
Nintendo Wii U – 34,123 (-15.10%)
Nintendo Wii – 10,110 (-47.89%)
PlayStation Vita – 6,319 (-67.43%)
Nintendo DS – 2,528 (-79.73%)
