High Velocity Bowling Doesn't Quite Work

iWagge3D has posted a new video demonstrating just how well High Velocity Bowling works with the implementation of the Move patch -- except that it sadly isn't as intuitive as it should be.

While it looks like it plays correctly on the surface, you'll soon encounter an issue when trying to properly apply spin to the ball. It doesn't function nearly as well as it does in Sports Champions' Bocce event (or even Wii Sports Bowling, for that matter), and the problem seems to boil down to the fact that the patch is simply mapping the trigger-based spin from the original version of the game to the tilting mechanics of the Move controller.

This means you basically need to "pre-tilt" the wand before swinging if you want things to go smoothly, instead of the more obvious solution of spinning as you throw. Likewise, though it isn't touched upon in the video, the character animation clearly doesn't match up to your actual arm movements, which breaks the immersion and can also mess with your ability to visually gauge the power of your swing.

For more detailed examples, I implore you to check out the video below, but hopefully this is just a problem endemic to games being patched with motion support instead of being built to incorporate it from the ground up.

Planet Minigolf Demo Gets Move

One of the earliest PSN games to get the Move treatment patched in was Planet Minigolf, a title that had been maligned upon its initial release for absolutely horrible controls.

But if there's one genre that motion gaming has shown its benefit for, it has to be the sport of golf, meaning that support for the new controller would probably only make it better.

The problem was that there was no way to try Planet Minigolf with the updated functionality -- users who wanted to putt with their Move had to download the full game. You can't blame people for being skeptical... a new controller, a game they had never played before that was initially built for the Dualshock 3... PMG was practically begging for a proper demo.

Thankfully, developers Zen Studios listened and said demo now completely supports the Move. And on top of that, the new patch has greatly improved upon other aspects of the game: new camera controls, a practice mode, multiplayer for up to three people (online and local), scoreboard viewing options, improved voice chat quality, and various other tweaks and changes.

Zen would also like to announce their first DLC course, Stronghold Island. For an extra $2.49, you can access the new holes, and the new course-building options that come along with them.

Overall, it looks like Zen is ready to give their game a second push, and with Move support and all these new features, hopefully it'll take. If the upgraded demo isn't enough for you, they're also running a contest on their Facebook page. All you have to do is "Like" the game and reply on their wall with "PMG WINNER." Good luck!

Rumor: Little Big Planet 2 Pushed to 2011

Originally slated for November 16th, there are whispers that Sony may be pushing the title back to the first quarter of 2011 (which, traditionally, would mark it for late January at the earliest). Sure, games get delayed all the time, but not usually when they're more or less finished.

The same rumor mill cites that Little Big Planet 2 is being delayed primarily due to its current release schedule, that places it right in the middle of a minefield of high-selling games (such as Gran Turismo 5, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood).

So what does this have to do with Move? Well, it may also play a role in the game's delay. LBP2 was supposed to ship with only a handful of motion-enabled levels, the rest of the functionality being patched in "early next year." With "early next year" being the proposed release date, that may mean that full Move support will come packed in and ready.

That way, Sony can take advantage of the post-Holiday game-buying rush (when gamers tend to spend all those dollars and extra gift cards), as well as give people something to look forward to soon after they open their brand new Move bundles under the tree (or Menorah, if you will). Full Move support can also then be used as part of the marketing push.

Ultimately, it's probably a good decision for the game, but the ones who will lose out on this the most are those who won Little Big Planet 2 via the Subway Fiery Footlong Frenzy promotion, now having to wait an extra few months before receiving their prize.

It's still just a rumor at this point, but it's one that actually makes sense. I'll keep you apprised of the situation if it changes.


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A Lesson in Advertising: High Velocity Bowling Promo Makes You Feel Like a Penniless Gutter Rat

Now, the problem here is figuring out whether these commercials market products to that section of the population or whether it's selling the dream to those less fortunate. No doubt the domestic angle is intended to bring in a female audience.

"Can't get your kids together for five seconds? Remember the good old days when families used to eat dinner and discuss the day around the dining room table? And what of family game night?"

Well, the last of those is probably the most poignant. The young parents of today probably didn't do a whole lot of eating-around-the-table, either, but they probably do remember playing board games, and now the bill of goods being sold to them is the idea that video games can replicate that togetherness -- an odd sentiment that puts the "inclusive" aspects of technology against the wide swath of similarly-distracting devices we tend to spend our time with in this day and age.

"Sure, get your kids off their cellphones! Stop the Facebooking! They don't need to Twitter when it's time for video games!"

But even if the details have changed, the basic story remains the same. A product, when advertised in this manner, becomes a miracle. Buy it, and your life will be perfect. But the recession has changed our response to that sort of marketing, which makes me wonder if the following archetype (a new promo for the freshly-released High Velocity Bowling) is worth reinforcing anymore:

Eyepet Bundle Invades Toys "R" Us

While I absolutely love Move so far, I have no idea what's up with Sony's region scheming. Sports Champions bundle in the US only? Flight Control HD only in Europe? And forget Japan, it's not even out there for another month.

Nonetheless, the United States and Canada will be getting a second bundle, exclusively sold at Toys "R" Us stores around North America. Now, why you wouldn't want Sports Champs in your library is beyond me, but this one includes the virtual critter sim Eyepet with a single Move controller and camera, instead. 

Clearly focused at the younger folks, though, it sounds like a good second pillar for sales as we get closer to the holidays, and though the line between what children and adults consume has blurred over the past few decades, it's clear that most people walking into a Toys "R" Us are buying something for the former.

Despite the exclusivity of the bundle, I expect the game to be pushed hard in advertising. Heck, it's only the second to actually receive it's own television spot (see below), and the enhanced Move support should propel sales far past the numbers the waggle-less version ever did.

For those interested, the pack will be available nationwide starting this Friday, the 24th.

No Move Support for Next Naughty Dog Project

That being, most likely, Uncharted 3. As interesting as the game might be with motion control, it's cited by Naughty Dog staff that the yet-to-be-named title is simply too far along to incorporate it at this point:

"Maybe in the future. Right now, it's kind of difficult because we're so focused on the next thing. It would be too late for us to start thinking about that. Move certainly has potential."

...

"But I think if we were going to tackle a game that supported Move, we would want to do it from the ground up. We're too far along into what we're working on next to really do it justice." 

The Uncharted series thus far has been know to its keen attention to detail and extremely high production values. The second entry is widely regarded as one of the best games (or at least single-player experiences) of all time.

With games like Resident Evil 5 Gold and Heavy Rain, we can already see that, while fun, simply patching Move support in doesn't allow it to work like it's really supposed to. Keeping Naughty Dog's commitment to quality in mind, I can respect the decision not to shoehorn it into their upcoming release. Not to mention, Nathan Drake's arms never seem to get tired, unlike ours.

They certainly seem optimistic about the device's future, though, and it seems highly likely that they'll find a good way to incorporate it into the next project, from the ground up this time (maybe a triumphant return for Jak and Daxter)?

High Velocity Bowling Patch PSN+ Exclusive for One Month

Details are finally starting to emerge on just how people with the PSN version of High Velocity Bowling are going to upgrade to Move support. The European patch is already out and completely free, but in the good old United States, you're going to have to pony up for PSN+ (that's $17.99 for three months or $49.99 for a full year).

It's a bit of a slap in the face to those of us who purchased the game when it was originally released a couple of years ago, but those who shell out for the new retail version of HVB (which includes all the DLC), should be able to use the Move with it right away.

Now, I know Sony's just trying to promote their Plus service, but I'm not sure if I'm too fond of this "premium" exclusivity. Timed (or full) exclusives are already a pain enough to deal with between different consoles, let alone segmenting the user base of one.

Looks like I'll be waiting the month with the rest of the pleebs out there. For everyone else, the patch and retail version should be out tomorrow.