Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days Scheduled for August 24 Release

Got a soft spot in your heart (or maybe your head) for Kane and Lynch? It looks like you're going to have to wait just a bit longer for the sequel. Publisher Square Enix just announced Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days for an August 24 release in North America.

The follow-up to Eidos' controversial 2007 game pits the titular protagonists against Shanghai's underground crime lords. It also sports an entirely new, YouTube-inspired visual style, which you can see for yourself by watching today's new trailer on the game's official website.

Skate 3 Releasing May 11, Full Roster Revealed

Electronic Arts announced today that Skate 3 will be releasing for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 11 in North America, with an international release following on May 14.

Along with the release date, EA also revealed the full roster of professional skaters that'll be playable in Skate 3, which you can find below. Among them is actor Jason Lee, who you probably know from My Name is Earl or any number of Kevin Smith movies. Lee was also a pro-skater before his acting career took off, and in Skate 3 he'll be playing "Coach Frank" in the game's new Skate School tutorial mode.

For more on Skate 3 -- including its new city and emphasis on team competitions -- check out our last hands-on look at the game right here. The full roster follows below:

Skate 3 Releasing May 11, Full Roster Revealed

Electronic Arts announced today that Skate 3 will be releasing for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on May 11 in North America, with an international release following on May 14.

Along with the release date, EA also revealed the full roster of professional skaters that'll be playable in Skate 3, which you can find below. Among them is actor Jason Lee, who you probably know from My Name is Earl or any number of Kevin Smith movies. Lee was also a pro-skater before his acting career took off, and in Skate 3 he'll be playing "Coach Frank" in the game's new Skate School tutorial mode.

For more on Skate 3 -- including its new city and emphasis on team competitions -- check out our last hands-on look at the game right here. The full roster follows below:

Fils-Aime Prods Sony’s Hopes for a Move Migration

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime is skeptical of Sony's hope to make the Move an appealing proposition for Wii owners. In an Industry Gamers interview, he addresses users who might be tempted to get the Move based on it looking like a hi-def Wii. "So I'm a consumer and I'm having a great experience with my Wii," Fils-Aime said. "And we know that's the case - we look at the software that's being purchased. Consumers love the Wii. What's going to motivate them to spend minimally $300 for a new [PS3] system, plus minimally $100 for the Move motion bundle? So [as a consumer] now I'm into this for $400 and I still have to spend money on software. What's going to motivate me to do that?"

Though Fils-Aime is biased for obvious reasons, he raises a valid point. While the PlayStation 3 has its own selling points, like HD gaming and a blu-ray player, the Move may be too similar to the Wii for its own good. Sony debuted the device with Sports Champions, which more than a few people noticed looks a lot like Wii Sports. Sony has said Move will be under $100, but that may translate to $99. Asking Wii users to spend roughly $400 for a similar experience will be a hard sell, so Sony may find more luck relying on their library of core games compatible with Move. Check out our own impressions in the video above.

Fils-Aime Prods Sony’s Hopes for a Move Migration

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime is skeptical of Sony's hope to make the Move an appealing proposition for Wii owners. In an Industry Gamers interview, he addresses users who might be tempted to get the Move based on it looking like a hi-def Wii. "So I'm a consumer and I'm having a great experience with my Wii," Fils-Aime said. "And we know that's the case - we look at the software that's being purchased. Consumers love the Wii. What's going to motivate them to spend minimally $300 for a new [PS3] system, plus minimally $100 for the Move motion bundle? So [as a consumer] now I'm into this for $400 and I still have to spend money on software. What's going to motivate me to do that?"

Though Fils-Aime is biased for obvious reasons, he raises a valid point. While the PlayStation 3 has its own selling points, like HD gaming and a blu-ray player, the Move may be too similar to the Wii for its own good. Sony debuted the device with Sports Champions, which more than a few people noticed looks a lot like Wii Sports. Sony has said Move will be under $100, but that may translate to $99. Asking Wii users to spend roughly $400 for a similar experience will be a hard sell, so Sony may find more luck relying on their library of core games compatible with Move. Check out our own impressions in the video above.

It’s Official: PS3 The Heaviest Console Ever

Former Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi (above) would undoubtedly be pleased as punch to know that the PlayStation 3 has officially been declared by Weekly Famitsu magazine to be the heaviest piece of game hardware ever released in the history of mankind.

The first PS3 model, launched in November 2006, tips the scales at just over 11 pounds, or five kilograms. That puts it way above the original Xbox, which was ridiculed before its 2001 launch for its enormous size despite weighing "only" 8.6 pounds.

Sony may have the last laugh, however -- the new PS3 Slim weighs a scant 7.05 pounds, making it just a notch lighter than the Xbox 360 and its 7.9 pounds of girth.

It’s Official: PS3 The Heaviest Console Ever

Former Sony Computer Entertainment head Ken Kutaragi (above) would undoubtedly be pleased as punch to know that the PlayStation 3 has officially been declared by Weekly Famitsu magazine to be the heaviest piece of game hardware ever released in the history of mankind.

The first PS3 model, launched in November 2006, tips the scales at just over 11 pounds, or five kilograms. That puts it way above the original Xbox, which was ridiculed before its 2001 launch for its enormous size despite weighing "only" 8.6 pounds.

Sony may have the last laugh, however -- the new PS3 Slim weighs a scant 7.05 pounds, making it just a notch lighter than the Xbox 360 and its 7.9 pounds of girth.

Japan Review Check: God of War III, Hokuto Musou

Some highlights from next week's new game releases in Japan, courtesy of Famitsu magazine:

- God of War III (10/9/9/10, 38 points): Famitsu's reviewers were just as kind to this blockbuster as their overseas counterparts. "The sheer overwhelming scale is beyond your imagination," one of them wrote, "and the amount of detail applied to every piece of the visuals is the best that's ever been done to this point. It's a more than worthy end to the trilogy."

Another agreed: "The giant enemy battles and dynamic action are enough to keep you constantly astonished. The controls are great, and I'm amazed at how the developers thought everything out in the design, from the frequent save points to the pacing of enemy placement. It's a little on the challenging side, but replaying never gets annoying."

Shinji Mikami Forms New Studio

Shinji Mikami, creator of franchises like Resident Evil and Viewtiful Joe for Capcom, is currently working with Hideki Kamiya's Platinum Games on Vanquish, a shooter due out by the end of the year. He's got even bigger plans in the works, though -- in an interview printed in this week's Famitsu magazine, the designer revealed that he's moving from Osaka to Tokyo in order to create a brand-new development studio of his own.

"One of the reasons I'm building a company is to raise the game makers of the future, people who haven't gone pro yet," Mikami told Famitsu. "Game development is often overseen from a pure business perspective here, which is unique to Japan, and I have the impression that environment tends to prune away young talent. I really want to make Tango a company run from a creator's perspective, one that expands upon new talent."

Mikami, who left Capcom in November 2005 to go freelance, will fold up Straight Story (his current company) after development work on Vanquish wraps up later this year. His new studio currently employs 13 people, including sound director Masashi Takada (formerly of Grasshopper Manufacture) and art directors Ryosuke Aiba (Final Fantasy XI) and Naoki Katakai Okami). "We're going to handle all development within the company, so I think one development team will be the limit," Mikami said. "I'd like to see it grow to 100 people or so in five to seven years."

Shinji Mikami Forms New Studio

Shinji Mikami, creator of franchises like Resident Evil and Viewtiful Joe for Capcom, is currently working with Hideki Kamiya's Platinum Games on Vanquish, a shooter due out by the end of the year. He's got even bigger plans in the works, though -- in an interview printed in this week's Famitsu magazine, the designer revealed that he's moving from Osaka to Tokyo in order to create a brand-new development studio of his own.

"One of the reasons I'm building a company is to raise the game makers of the future, people who haven't gone pro yet," Mikami told Famitsu. "Game development is often overseen from a pure business perspective here, which is unique to Japan, and I have the impression that environment tends to prune away young talent. I really want to make Tango a company run from a creator's perspective, one that expands upon new talent."

Mikami, who left Capcom in November 2005 to go freelance, will fold up Straight Story (his current company) after development work on Vanquish wraps up later this year. His new studio currently employs 13 people, including sound director Masashi Takada (formerly of Grasshopper Manufacture) and art directors Ryosuke Aiba (Final Fantasy XI) and Naoki Katakai Okami). "We're going to handle all development within the company, so I think one development team will be the limit," Mikami said. "I'd like to see it grow to 100 people or so in five to seven years."

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