New Payback iPhone/iPod Touch release date

Excellent news – we were finally able to track down the problem with the iPhone/iPod Touch version of Payback! It seems something in the App Store conversion process didn’t like the size of the exe and was corrupting it. We shuffled some of the data around to make it smaller and "viola!" – no more corruption.

The new version has been approved by Apple and will be available worldwide from 28 January!

As you can imagine, this is a huge relief and we’re really looking forward to finally getting the game into the hands of the people it was made for – you!

Thanks for your patience – not long to wait now!

Source: Apex Designs

Payback iPhone release date and details

The iPhone/iPod Touch version builds on the strong foundations laid down by the GP2X version by adding an automatic save system, reengineered controls, HUD refinements and further gameplay improvement.

Probably the most important part of any game is the controls – if these don’t work well then the game would be about as useful as a chocolate teapot. For this reason, getting the controls right was the #1 priority in the iPhone/iPod Touch version of Payback. We tried to keep the on-screen buttons as minimal as possible so that they did not distract from the gameplay itself.

The game uses transparent up and down arrows on the right of the touchscreen to move forwards and backwards. The steering is handled using the accelerometer (tilting left and right) and there is a wheel displayed to show how far you have turned. This version doesn’t support multiplayer but at only 6.99 USD / 5.49 EUR / 3.99 GBP, it’s still great value as a singleplayer game.

There are more screenshots and details here: Payback iPhone report

Saints Row 2 patch info

A patch will be released for the 360 version of Saints Row 2, which will address a few key issues presented by the community. There will be tweaks to Multiplayer in order to promote smoother and more balanced game play. All of the applicable balance changes and improvements listed here will be included in an upcoming PS3 patch. Due to technical differences between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, a number of the changes made in this patch do not apply to the PS3 edition of Saints Row 2.

This patch has been submitted to Microsoft, with an established release date pending. Once the patch has completed the certification process and a release date is known, the information will be announced to the community.

General:

  • Correcting the co-op mission completion and Achievement issues.
  • Implemented protection against disc read errors. May reduce or eliminate crashes experienced by some users.
  • Players will no longer be able to change the “Friendly Fire” setting during the Cat & Mouse diversion.
  • Players will no longer be able to access the weapon radial menu during the Demolition Derby activity, including all Special Derbies.
  • Correcting an issue with scripted attack helicopters not firing missiles during missions.

Multiplayer:

  • Pipe Bombs will be removed from the default MP weapon loadout when a game begins.
  • The default time / score limit for Team Gangsta Brawl will change from “5 min / 25 kills” to “10 min / 50 kills”.
  • A 5 second period of invincibility will be applied to respawning players. Once an invulnerable player performs an attack, the effect will be removed. Invulnerability will be displayed by a special health bar indicator.

A final date has not been set for the release of this patch, since it still needs to pass Microsoft certification, but once the exact date is known, everyone will be informed.

Source: saintsrow.com

PC Authority ties GTA IV and Saints Row 2

Australian PC Authority tied GTA IV and Saints Row 2  as #1 console game of 2008.

A tough call, this one. GTAIV is undoubtedly the more technically proficient title, and one that absolutely drips character and cohesive story line. But Saints Row 2 drips playability, does more with the "sandbox" concept, and lets you play as a morbidly obese transvestite in charge of a sewage truck gone amuck. GTAIV would win the Oscar, but we feel Saints Row 2 would probably edge it out for a Most Popular Logie award, and on that basis, we’re stuck between the two.

  1. GTA IV and Saints Row 2 (PS3/360)
  2. LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
  3. Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
  4. De Blob (Wii)
  5. Braid (360)

Saints Row 2 is officially out on 360 and PS3

The sequel to Saints Row should be out worldwide now. It can’t compare to GTA IV graphically or match the “realistic” physics but it certainly stands a chance of beating it in the fun factor. It is much less serious than GTA IV, so they were able to put in many fun gameplay elements. If you liked the first Saints Row or even San Andreas then you should like this since it’s very similar and has some new features and improvements.