The April Fools Thread - Hardcore Smash Bros. Wii

On Wednesday afternoon in Kyoto, Japan, Nintendo Co. Ltd. allegedly held a private conference at the Rihga Royal Hotel, where company leaders spoke to third-party publishing partners about a new service in the works for Wii owners. Called 'Wii Expand,' the addition, which utilizes the recently-released Wii System Menu 4.0's new SD card compatibility, enables players to download game expansions, modifications and updates. Insiders who attended the exclusive event said that Wii Expand would launch globally later this year, but could not provide an exact date.

Given that Nintendo's console has lagged behind competitors with regard to downloadable content, we figured it was just a matter of time before a solution came along

Much more surprising is the demo the publisher showcased presumably as a proof of concept for the service: an ultra-violent update to its hit Wii fighter, now appropriately dubbed Super Smash Bros. Brawl X: Extreme. The moniker seems to be a play on the game's original Japanese name of Dairantou Smash Bros. X -- now, though, the 'X' is stained with blood. Insiders explained that via a content download through the Expand service, Wii owners would be able to save the expansion to SD card and could then choose to play the so-called 'Extreme' version of the game upon next booting Brawl.

Sources described several scenes from Nintendo's presentation, all of them depicting gory additions to the fighter. In one such bout, Link of Zelda fame supposedly decapitated Nintendo's plumber. Skeptical, we asked our contacts to provide us with documented proof, either of the event or of the revelations made within, and they did us one better. As a result, IGN can today present the first look at the new Super Smash Bros. Brawl X: Extreme via bootlegged shaky-cam footage from the event. It's not of the best quality, but it's better than you'll find anywhere else.
In the footage provided to us, viewers will hear what we can only presume is a Nintendo spokesperson speaking about the Wii Expand service and of the Smash Bros. Brawl X: Extreme downloadable content. She refers to the add-on as an 'Extreme Mode' (our own sources assert the actual title is Smash Bros. Brawl X: Extreme) and adds, "The add-on will be aimed at adult gamers and we think this mode will be very surprising for them."

The Wii Expand service will allegedly be an addendum to the Wii Shop Channel. Our sources allege that developers who create significant updates for their games will be encouraged to adhere to a pricing plan that ranges between 500 and 2,000 Wii Points depending on the scope of the content offered. Exactly how the different prices per expansion will break down beyond that is not yet known and Nintendo officials did not reveal how much they would charge for the 'Extreme' addition when it becomes available. According to one insider we spoke with, Nintendo has set a maximum file size restriction of 170MBs for Expand service content.

Nintendo of America spokespersons could not be reached before we published today's news. As always, the information contained within today's article should be considered rumor until officially confirmed by the publisher. Stay tuned to IGN for more information on the Wii Expand service and the Super Smash Bros. Brawl X: Extreme expansion because you can bet we'll have more to come in the near future.

It looks like the cat's out of the bag: yes, it's now possible to play as Visari in the Killzone 2 multiplayer mode. Several players spotted the Helghast head honcho online following the v1.21 update, and the Internet has been rife with speculation since.

Massive news hit IGN Australia this morning with the leak of what appears to be the design documentation for the next Grand Theft Auto instalment. According to photos provided by a reliable source, these images show 'Grand Theft Auto: Harbour City' – set in a fictionalised Sydney, Australia in the 1970s. What's more, the developer appears to be 'Rockstar Bondi' – formerly Team Bondi, makers of the mysterious and oft-delayed L.A. Noir.

IGN has come into the possession of two photos, allegedly taken at the Team Bondi studios last week, showing the cover - the 14th edition of the 'Grand Theft Auto: Harbour City' design document – and a page outlining the overview, key points and gameplay hooks. The email claims that these were taken on an old Nokia handset and had to be "done in a hurry".

We've done our best to transcribe what we can make out, and we've indicated points where the text was too grainy to be sure:

Grand Theft Auto: Harbour City expands and improves on (ed: not sure) the benchmark Grand Theft Auto IV from Rockstar North, bringing Rockstar Bondi (formerly Team Bondi) into the spotlight (ed: not sure).

Set during the 1970s(?), the story follows Harbour City resident and low-level thug, Tresle(?) 'Thumb' Conroy (ed: not sure), from his accidental invitation(?) into the high rollers' gambling circuit(?) (ed: not sure) through to dominance of the city's underworld, financial district and celebrity system(?). The tone pays reference to famous Australian con-films(?) 'Chopper' and 'Dirty Deeds'.

The game's mission-based structure will remain in place, with a greater emphasis on side-missions, environmental interactivity and destructibility. Harbour City will run on an enhanced version of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine supported by the continued licensing of the Euphoria animation engine.

Missions will take players across the iconic Coathanger (Sydney Harbour Bridge) and Harbour City Amphitheatre (Sydney Opera House), into the sleazy (Seedy? Sassy?)(ed: not sure) Knight's Crown (Kings Cross) and Greenleaf (Redfern) districts, into the surrounding beach communities of (Sheldon? Shevon? Slebbon?) (ed: not sure) (Bondi) and through the tangle of city streets and inner-city residential suburbs.

While Harbour City takes cues from Sydney's urban landscape, a portion of the Australian outback will also feature (ed: whaaaa? Seriously?).

Tantalisingly, the Motifs section points out some of the game's potential themes:

High rollers (ed: not sure), gambling, beach lifestyle, c--(?) (ed: not sure), information (immigration?), drug-running, military ---(?) (ed: not sure), Australiana, celebrities, street racing, nautical activities, committees(?)(ed: not sure)

Finally, the release date is listed as October 2010, which sounds about right to us in terms of timing. The logo looks vaguely retro, which also fits a possibly 1970s setting. The 'Gameplay Hooks' section lists a branching story arc, what we think says 'Enhanced Euphoria animation' and environmental destruction, as well as online stock trading and, tantalisingly, co-op mission structure.


There are a few other curiosities on offer here. There's a single image of what looks Sydney – Centrepoint Tower appears to be visible. It's not clear whether this is a screenshot, target render, a photograph or conceptual art. We've blown it up for your dissection.

Team Bondi has been mysteriously quiet lately, leading some to suspect that their previously announced project, L.A. Noir had been cancelled. However, it appears that Rockstar was impressed with the studio's work – to the point where they've effectively handed them the keys to the GTA castle. Incorporating Team Bondi makes a lot of sense, as does a rebrand to fit under the Rockstar banner. There also appears to be a new Rockstar logo in the bottom-right corner of the page, in green and gold – very Australian.

At this stage, these photos are all we have to go on. We're currently seeking comment from Rockstar's local PR arm to confirm or deny the authenticity of these images and we'll update this article accordingly.

It looks like the cat's out of the bag: yes, it's now possible to play as Visari in the Killzone 2 multiplayer mode. Several players spotted the Helghast head honcho online following the v1.21 update, and the Internet has been rife with speculation since.