GoW 2 comes with 'Flashback' maps; gold Hammerburst code at special launch events
Those who purchase Gears of War 2 will receive a code in the box to download the "Flashback" map pack from XBM for free. The pack contains visually upgraded versions of original Gears maps: Canals, Gridlock, Subway, Mansion and Tyro Station. This means Gears fans will have 15 total multiplayer maps to practice their chainsawdomy at launch.
GamePro has also learned that a code to download the in-game gold-plated Hammerburst will be given out at "Midnight Madness" launch events for the game on Nov. 6. Epic allegedly has no plans to offer the Flashback maps or the special Hammerburst as DLC at this time.
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The Last Remnant receives special Xbox 360 bundle in Japan
Square Enix's The Last Remnant will be available in a special edition Xbox 360 bundle when it launches Nov. 20 in Japan. The box comes with the standard stuff, but includes DVD remote, game, faceplate and soundtrack CD for around $331 - the bundle saves about $30 off the cost of the standalone game plus system.
As Microsoft reaches for the million Xbox 360 sold mark in Japan, we're already prepared for another sales surge anomaly when The Last Remnant releases late next month. We've seen Microsoft's console receive a sales spike twice recently with exclusive JRPG releases of Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery. However, unlike those other titles, The Last Remnant is not an Xbox 360 exclusive and will be available on PS3 at a later date.
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Cammie: Pikmin Wiimake 'not the Pikmin Miyamoto referred to'
If you were overcome by that sinking feeling -- more like a freefalling plummet -- after reading yesterday's news, fret not, Cammie Dunaway has confirmed that there is a true Pikmin sequel in the works. "It's not the Pikmin that Mr. Miyamoto referred to, no. Mr. Miyamoto referred to a new Pikmin, as opposed to the classics that are being rereleased on Wii," Dunaway reassured IGN. See? Nintendo does care about you. Just be patient. There are a lot of exciting projects holding up the queue.
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DSi announcement didn't keep Nintendo stocks from falling
Despite revealing a new DS iteration -- the first since February 2006 -- Nintendo's shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 3.7 percent to 39,500 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Bloomberg notes that the stock has dropped 41 percent overall n 2008, compared to the past two years where it doubled in each of those. Comparatively, Sony's stock has dropped 51 percent this year.
While much can be attributed to the global economy at the moment, equity researcher Yoku Ihara said the DSi reveal "didn't exceed investors' expectations ... the stock market was so bearish that the news didn't hlep the shares gain." In other news, the console maker is still paying people to pay other people to count its ridiculous amounts of money.
Analyst: Chinatown Wars could head to the iPhone
“We expect GTA will likely be ported to Apple’s iPhone platform, leveraging the device’s touch screen technology and accelerometer. Apple’s determination to layer gaming applications into the device’s consumer value proposition and growing installed base is likely sufficient motivation for a deal.” - Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey
Knowing that the iPhone would be more than capable of handling Chinatown Wars, the possibility certainly seems likely. Rockstar, however, has noted that the DS suits the game very well and have specifically mentioned the two screens.
Source:http://www.nintendoeverything.com/
Nintendo's 'profits per employee' are higher than Goldman Sachs
If there was ever any question as to how obscenely rich Nintendo is, the Financial Times has crunched some numbers to show the cash flow, per employee, at the House of Mario. The newspaper estimates that Nintendo produces more than $1.6 million per employee -- that's more than investment bank Goldman Sachs' $1.24 million per employee during its best year in 2007.
There are some caveats to the information, most of which revolve around how much outsourcing the Big N does. Nintendo makes so much money for having so few employees (3000 full-time), because many of the company's necessities (external development, manufacturing, public relations, etc.) are handled by outside companies. Also, don't think this means that Nintendo is compensating its full-time employees too generously. Goldman's average (by mean) employee received $660,000 in 2007, while the average salary at Nintendo was $90,900.
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Nintendo's 'profits per employee' are higher than Goldman Sachs
Activision-Blizzard plans yearly Bond games
Variety continues to dig through yesterday's "analyst day" presentation by Activision-Blizzard brass, but has already uncovered a number of "ah-hah"-worthy tidbits. This one includes the number 7. 007. As in James Bond, who, according to the company, will star in yearly Bond franchise titles from the company – currently working on Quantum of Solace, built on the Call of Duty 4 engine – whether there's a new Bond movie release to tie them in with or not.
Specific genres, systems, and developers weren't mentioned, but this very aggressive business model would likely target as many game types and platforms as possible to reap maximum rewards from the risks taken. As Variety's Ben Fritz points out, this strategy could turn south rather quickly should Quantum of Solace not live up to gamer – and, more, importantly sales – expectations.
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