European News Wrap, August 5 – What happened today

By Johnny Cullen

And that’s the end of another European news week. And with it, we’re near one week to gamescom. I’m pumped beyond belief for Cologne. Are you?

Just a final reminder: we’re closing our massive Battlefield 3 competition in about an hour or so. You definitely do not want to miss out on this. I mean, would you want to miss out on going to DICE in Stockholm and not play Battlefield 3? I hope not. You’ve got an hour to get your entry in.

In the meantime, the news. Here it is.

• Sony to announce Vita release date at Tokyo Game Show
  So don’t expect it at gamescom, ja?
• Oddworld: Abe gets rendered in HD
  Oddworld. Woot.
• ICO novel to be published later this month
  Want your fill of ICO in a book? Here you go.
• Maroon 5′s Levine suing Activision over Band Hero inclusion
  Naughty, naughty Activision.
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 EU release downgraded to “early 2012″
  If I was guessing person, if it’s coming in January in the US, that’ll probably mean early February in Europe.
• Quick quotes: Holiday release period for games “healthy for the industry,” says Pete Hines
  Pete has a point. While it definitely has its downfalls – and make no mistake, there will be a loser because of this (Bethesda isn’t safe with this neither with RAGE) – this period is similar to the old blockbuster movie releases in the summers of past. And that’s a good thing.
• Sony: Slow 3D uptake “not a concern for us”
  3D goodness for all.
• Capcom bringing SFxT, Dogma, RE: Revelations to gamescom
  It’s definitely bringing a great line-up to Cologne. That said, you may want to watch the Cap lot at the show. Without giving too much away, it’s going big.
• MercurySteam CEO to give GDC Europe keynote
  Hear the head of the Spanish studio describe the development on Castlevania in Cologne in a week-and-a-half.
• Minecraft hits 3 million units sold
  Big up to Notch and many congrats for the game’s success.
• Report – UK game sales slump in July
  Buy more games. Deus Ex should help with that later this month.
• Bastion to launch on PC on August 16
  This is a pretty excellent game. You should buy it if you haven’t already, be it 360 or PC.

And that’s it. Now to finally get a harcut before Germany. At least, I hope I will before gamescom drags me down like it has all week. I should probably download the latest Brink DLC too while I’m at it. I actually might sort out a night on Brink with you guys if you’re up for it. I’ll post details on the forum if I ever get to it, and I’ll even drag Pat along as well.

Have a good weekend!