Battlefield 3 - Multiplayer (PS3)

2K Games / Rockstar games just announced that Max Payne 3's release date will be shifted to May 2012, the time-frame where we initially expected, that GTA V will launch. Quite a sad new for me. So what are from my PoV the options for the GTA V release date. It could be later in 2012 (September to November), or maybe even 2013. 2013 would be quite interesting, on the one hand side there are rumors, that we'll maybe see the PS4 and XBOX 720, and there is also the fact, that Rockstar is looking for a next-gen developer (could be also the Wii-U).

I'm an optimist, and expect that GTA V will be also a Wii-U launch or at least launch-window title - so we'll see the game later in 2012. A later release date would be quite risky for Rockstar games, as the PS4 and XBOX 720 release-date is getting closer and closer, and then they don't have enough time to sell GTA V 15+ Mio times (of course the consoles will be backward-compatible, but still it's and "old" game on a "new" platform, so the "new" capabilities will be not completely utilized e.g. memory, graphics, processing power, ...).

What do you think?

2011 had a great games line-up, but honestly said partly I was disappointed. Playing UC3 or MW3 is not as playing UC2 and MW2 the first time, they are great games no question, but the real excitement is quite limited. So 2011 I've enjoyed following games the most:

• Dead Space 2
• Batman Arkham City
• Battlefield 3
• Deus Ex - Human Revolution

For 2012 I'm looking forward to play for sure:

• Uncharted Golden Abyss (PS Vita)
• Mass Effect 3 (XBOX 360)
• GTA V (PS3)
• Assassins' Creed 3 (PS3)
• Tomb Raider (PS3)
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (PS Vita)

And to play maybe:

• Max Payne 3 (PS3)
• Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (PS3)
• Halo 4 (XBOX 360)
• The Last of Us (PS3)
• The Witcher 2 (XBOX 360)

And the there are some games, which are in the not yet announced pipeline, but they should come out:

• Agent (PS3)
• Diablo 3 (PS3)
• Splinter Cell 6 (XOBX 360)
• Thief 4 (PS3)

Maybe we'll see also some additional new franchises, but these I don't know yet. And of course my fingers are crossed for the announcements of Bungie and Respan Entertainment, but I expect their games will be most probably only for the next-gen consoles (PS4, XBOX 720).

It's just a speculation from my side, when I'm trying to connect the "dots".

Just some rumors / points:

• When the Wii-U was presented, a list - if it is official or not, nobody knows - where GTA V was listed as Wii-U launch-title
• The Wii-U will launch between 04 - 12/2012 (according to the Australian rumors - with the price - in 05 / 06 2012)
• GTA V will most probably release in 05/06 2012
• Currently not launch-platforms for GTA V are announced (which is strange)

So my conclusion would be, that GTA V could be a launch-title for the Wii-U to give the console an initial "boost" in their core-gamer target group. I'm personally a PS3, XBOX 360 and future PS Vita gamer, and GTA is one of my favorite game-series. What I hope for me and also for Rockstar is, that there will be no early exclusive release of GTA V for the Wii-U, as I have no interest in the Wii-U so far, but can't wait to play GTA V.

Also for Rockstar - please consider the installation base of the different platforms, the Wii-U will never sell 5+ Mio units in a few months so that it get's interesting for you to sell a reasonable number of copies. For sure you should release GTA V on the Wii-U, it could be also a launch-title, even a bundeled version. But please not time-exclusive launch! All gamers and GTA-fans on all platforms deserve a "equal" treating.

Dear fellow-gamers and fellow GTA-fans, what do you think?

P.S.: I tried to pre-order GTA V on amazon.de, but currently it's not possible I hope this changes soon (at least when we officially know on which platforms it will be launched)

As I had this weekend a "gaming-break", I was curious what PlayStation Home is and how it works, and so I've spent me first - and maybe last - 3h in PlayStation Home. I have to say, that I have a wireless broad-band access at home (3G, around 300 KB/s download speed) which works fine for downloads and also online multi-player gaming.

But PlayStation Home was really not the fastest thing, every time I was entering an new part of the town or wanted to try a game I had these download (even if it were only 30 - 50 MB) well which killed my curiosity already a little bit. The Christmas back-ground music also didn't really excite me, and to contact some "strangers" is also not my thing.

For some specific topics e.g. watching the E3 press-conference of Sony it could be a nice thing, but for everyday gaming or social "networking" it's not my thing.

Maybe I have to explore more areas, rooms, ... but it will take for sure some time till I give it a next try.

I've still the 1st generation PS3 (the big one, with a 60 GB HDD) which is able to emulate PS2 games. The last 2 days I was playing GTA Vice City as preparation for GTA V, and the first halve of the game was quite fine. But then it became difficult, when the "hordes" of enemies started storming towards you and the game-play became more hectic.

For me it seems that the game-play of PS2 games on the PS3 is faster then on a PS2 original hardware, which makes it really difficult to play. After failing in one mission for 3h (without using cheats) I've now put the game aside - even it is a great one - because it was a little bit to frustrating for me.

Has somebody of you similar experiences?