Joe Teed

So I was reading [url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/16/untold-legends-dark-kingdom-previewed/]this article[/url], and while it overstates the case (a downloadable fourth class is purely speculation on Gameinformer’s part), it did make me think of something.

Downloadable content has (mostly) been a good thing, basically allowing small additions to games for small fees. Sort of like an expansion available piecmeal. On the other hand, there has been speculation that some content was cut for initial release in order to save it as a moneymaker off Microtransactions. Certainly, there have been some things worth buying, and some things that aren’t.

On their plus side, paid downloadable content can extend the life of a game that would otherwise be dormant. On the minus side, if the questionable tactic above were shown to work, it might be commonplace to cut down games. I know people like to point out all the free content that a few PC games have gotten, but this is hardly true of every PC game, and console space is a little different. What do you guys think?

There’s a portable Star Wars title in the works, and this one’s being done by UbiSoft, who will apparently be Lucasarts partner in crime for the near future. Two different versions of the game are being developed for PSP and DS. The game will apparently revolve around a young girl and her robot and the theft of the Death Star plans.

I’m not too psyched about that backstory, but maybe I might be satisfied if many Bothans are killed in the making of the game. There should be guest appearances by many of the fan favorites, if nothing else.

[url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10520]Ubisoft, LucasArts Announce Partnership, Star Wars: Lethal Alliance[/url] (Gamasutra)

I didn’t even know this one was coming out. Sadly, it sounds like a bad ripoff of X-Men Legends. Only two characters on screen? No online co-op? Still, check out the screenshots. Zatanna’s looking hot!*

[url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/16/joystiq-quick-visit-justice-league-heroes/]Joystiq quick visit: Justice League Heroes[/url] (Joystiq)

* Yeah, I worry about you guys if you take this seriously. Go outside!

Looks like Twilight Princess on Wii will support the Wii controllers only. This will come as a blow to those who wanted the Wii version, but wanted traditional Zelda controls.

I have heard that the Wii controls involve a steep learning curve, although I will wait until I have more substantial evidence to go on. Either way, the game apparently recieves no graphical upgrade in the Wii version, so if you’re worried, just don’t buy that one.

[url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3152902]No GameCube Controller on Zelda Wii[/url] (1up)

If you download Texas Hold ‘Em during the first 48 hours of its release next week, you can keep it for free. So set your timers and syncronize you watches, or whatever you people do, and grab it on the 23rd.

[url=http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/08/15/News-Texas-Hold-em-update.aspx]News: ‘Texas Hold ’em’ update[/url] (Major Nelson)