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Hey, guess what? Today is a day that ends in “y” -- and coincidentally, here’s another rumor that Metal Gear Solid 4 is making its way to the Xbox 360! This one seems at once more concrete, and yet more circumstantial, than anything we’ve had so far. The header image was screencapped from this Web site, which is a simple Flash placeholder that’s linked from Kojima Productions’ English page (see upper right). The site merely rotates between the above image and Konami’s logo.

Destructoid tipster extraordinaire Joe Burling and I have been brainstorming for the past half hour about what exactly this could mean, because it’s important to note that -- of course -- this confirms nothing. Sure, the image is in neon green, which instantly brings the Xbox 360’s ring of light to mind ... but if you think about it, that symbol is recognized worldwide as a power or on/off sign (after all, the PS3’s power button looks like this). After racking our brains and considering the facts, we’ve come up with a few observations and notes.

Both the URL of the Flash site itself, and the URL of the linking image, feature the phrase/initialism “MGST” -- though we’re pretty much stumped as to what that could mean. Joe instantly thought of “Metal Gear Solid: Tactics,” which could suggest: (A) an entirely new game in the franchise, (B) simply an altered name for the 360 version, and/or (C) the “special edition” of MGS 4 that we all guessed was coming after Substance and Subsistence. Another interesting thing to note is that MGS 4 came out on June 12, 2008, and today (December 5) is exactly one week before the six-month anniversary of the release.

In addition, Konami’s stock has been flagging of late, so Joe speculated that this could be the precursor to some sort of announcement to try and reverse that trend. Still, the iconography here must be of some significance -- exclamation points appear above soldiers’ heads in the games when they’ve spotted you, but why are two of them inverted here? Orcist wasn’t so quick to jump to the obvious conclusion (i.e., that MGS 4 is coming to the 360), saying that he figured Kojima would have something more mysterious up his sleeve in this age of viral marketing and alternate reality games. So hit the comments, Dtoiders, and help us out with your thoughts on what “a next Metal Gear is...”!

• A Kingdom for Keflings
• Aegis Wing
• Bomberman Live
• Hardwood Hearts
• Hardwood Spaces
• UNO
• Small Amrs
• Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

• A clipboard in all dialog boxes. You can even copy from upper screen, holding "L" button.
• Using up to three servers at the same time.
• DCC chat support and file transfer by DCC in both directions
  
• Storing of logs directly to flash.
• Identification of server answers by numbers. I.e. not an interface only but the great deal of server answers is in English (for non-english servers).
• An alternative mode of nicklist request. Now you can see user's "away" status plus a complete list of his modes on server.
• Flexible settings of colors, highlights, etc.
• The prototype of scripts for advanced users. You can set commands, which will be executed after opening or closing of DS (turn away automatically, for example). You can previously make a list of commands for channels, privates and nick list, where the appropriate variables will be substituted as well. I.e. mIRC popups' analog 
  
• All settings can be changed during a program work - it's no need to bother with ini files.
• Something like multitasking. At the same time you can download several files by DCC, get a list of channels and chat. Practically all tasks are working simultaneously, except the moment of connection.
• Nick autocomplete on "tab".
• Special mode for left handed people.
• Input history.
• Ignore.
• Russian in/out and interface (only for Russian version)

• ClIRC 0.04 - Ruddian-friendly IRC client for DS
  

Konami today announced the Spring release of Suikoden Tierkreis, the latest in the popular RPG series, whose previous iterations have mostly been on PlayStation consoles.

It seems there’s a wealth of characters to choose from, with the DS game containing 108 characters, all of whom function independently within the game world, but can be recruited to your four-man party. Each of these characters has a complete backstory, and these are revealed as your progress through the game. It has a traditional turn-based battle system, so hardcore JRPG fans will have a fair idea what to expect.

One particularly interesting feature is the ability to wirelessly assist other players - through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, you can send your character to another gamer’s world to tackle missions, in return for cash and special items which can then be brought back into your own universe.

Suikoden Tierkreis is released in Europe in March 2009.

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One of the advantages that Rock Band has over Guitar Hero: World Tour is its ever-expanding array of fantastic downloadable songs.

As Screen Play has discovered, it's easy to get carried away and give your credit card a hammering.

Today Darryn, a 23-year-old IT specialist from Melbourne who has barely played anything else but rhythm-action games for the last nine months, provides handy tips for those who are about to rock.

And if anyone has spotted Rock Band bundles cheaply at any retailers this Christmas, please let us know where newcomers can grab a bargain.

Rock Out! - DLC tips for beginners

(Part 1 of 3)

First of all, If you have gone out and purchased Rock Band in the last week or so... I welcome you to the fold (cult!)

To those who waited for the Australian release (poor you, but it was worth it... right?) I thought I would put together a quick summary of the downloadable content (DLC) I have enjoyed so far, since purchasing the game myself some 9-10 months ago.

Of the greater than 300 extra songs Harmonix has made available to date, I have purchased a solid 120. So I feel that provides me some basis for insight.

As a preface, I think it's important to mention that I derive most of my joy from Rock Band as the lead guitarist, these days there's little I can't pass on expert difficulty, but when those challenges come along I thrive on the experience!

I am also the primary vocalist of my little rock group of regulars (sometimes simultaneously with the guitar). I'm certainly not setting the world ablaze with my voice, but I do well enough with most songs on Hard difficulty.

If you aren't familiar with Harmonix's model for DLC pricing, a quick summarization of what they generally provide:

- Full Albums - Usually 8+ tracks (R.H.C.P was 18!). Prices vary.
- 3 Song Pack - Ordered by artist, genre or promotion. (Actually, it has become somewhat of a mess).
- Single Tracks - Self explanatory.

This model will also provide the basis for which I will present my views, in 3 pieces. First up, the following covers the track packs I have enjoyed in their entirety (all 3+ songs). I will then move into individual tracks, which I will arrange out by genre so you can focus solely on those that interest you, before finishing with a piece about the full album content.

The selections I have made are based on two simple concepts, the "Drinks Friendly" tracks (which your mates probably won't fail you) and the "You Must Be Sober" tracks (where drinking probably isn't the best idea).

So before I lose your attention (already), let's begin.

Track Packs:

The first I'd like to mention is actually a 6-song pack, from legendary rockers Boston. I'm sure the first song that comes to mind is "More Than A Feeling", and maybe you like it, maybe you don't... I think it's a great song. But it's not a good indicator for the other awesomeness contained within this pack, especially for would be guitar masters.

"Smokin" is amazingly happening for those who can handle hammer-on's and pull-off's on a large scale, at times it brings on sheer terror and forces the calm guitarist within to wham wildly on the keys. "Rock And Roll Band" and "Peace of Mind" are also great fun on guitar (while being much more tame), and a great challenge for the vocalist.

Of course "More Than A Feeling" is a classic, guitar is pretty much the same as what you might have found in the original Guitar Hero .... That is spot on!

Moving on, the next finger punisher worth a mention for aspiring guitarists is the Disturbed pack, it is a sheer brutality pack. All 3 are genuinely challenging songs, and should leave you with a great sense of accomplishment if you manage to pull yourself through. Again, this is due to the healthy use of hammer-ons in the tracks.

A warning to the vocalists though: if you aren't a Disturbed fan you will probably be frustrated with the lyrical styling of the act.

Swimming into safer waters, the next pack I'd like to advise is "The Offspring". What you have here is 3 songs that would be recognisable to just about anyone in their mid teens to mid thirties. Combined with interesting, but still fairly tame guitar, drums & bass and you have a big party hit.

"Self-Esteem" provides an interesting challenge to the guitarist as it diligently changes up the tempo from a pace your most likely comfortable, to some really fast stuff that will have you grabbing the strum to keep up. The theme across this pack is definitely the double fret changes with mixed tempo, these types of tracks are some of my favourite as it won't take much to learn, but a great deal of concentration to master.

The drums in all 3 tracks remains exciting through shifting of the bass note in bars, you will need to stay sharp to notice the changes in pattern.

Of course what can you say about the lyrics, even if you aren't the biggest Offspring fan, the group's pop culture presence in the last decade should prove enough to have you catch on when the lyrics start scrolling in.

And last but not least, English melon collie rockers Oasis have a 3 pack. Of course, they also have a song that probably pops to mind immediately after digesting the name... and yes, Wonderwall is here.

Wonderwall is one of the most fulfilling songs as lead guitarist (and I'm sure any vocalist will get some kick out of it), as the track most resembles the "real" artist in action, that means a lot of chord changes and strum plucking. You will need very quick fingers to switch between those double and triple fret notes, and even if you master that... you still have the hammer-on's to contend with!

Don't Look Back In Anger, I feel, is a brilliant song. Amongst our virtual rock group, the track gets a lot of attention because it's just so damn "feel good". There's nothing here particularly challenging for the instruments, but you will have time to laugh and perhaps even point at your vocalist as he or she struggles (ok, maybe it's not so bad for girls) with the high pitched notes.

Live Forever is much the same, nothing particularly special, but endearing enough to get a decent amount of attention from our individual selections.

In closing (part 1 anyway), while Harmonix has delivered a fair number of track packs thus far, in my honest opinion not many provide 3 solid tracks to justify not otherwise purchasing separately. For the packs where I have perhaps picked up 1 or 2 of 3, these songs may find their way into my singles content wrap up.

Rock Out.

- Darryn

Screen Play readers can submit articles or ideas for consideration in Your Turn using the email address screenplayblog@gmail.com. The best blog post published on Screen Play between December 1, 2008 and January 30, 2009 as judged by Jason Hill will win a PlayStation 3 console from Sony Computer Entertainment worth $699. The next Your Turn prize winner will be announced on January 30. Only Australian residents are eligible and the judge's decision is final.

NASCAR is racing onto the Wii gaming console for the first time with Electronic Arts’ NASCAR Kart Racing. Gamers can step into the shoes of some of their favorite Sprint Cup Series drivers including NASCAR celebrities Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. You’ll also find Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson at the starting line as well as Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Elliot Sadler and Tony Stewart. Ten original characters, each with their own skills, are also ready to step up to the challenge adding some strategy to the game as you pair drivers with teammates. There are also Two Unlockable Mystery Drivers which makes me wonder if there will be any special appearances from beyond the grave.

These racing giants will be leaving their familiar tracks behind for new adventurous routes through deserts, freeways, back roads, canyons and junkyards Mario Kart style. These reversible tracks are pulled from areas surrounding Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Dover International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Racing Kart starts its engines February 10, 2009 exclusively on the Wii.

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Related Articles at Gaming Today:

• Nascar Biffle Rides on Wii
• M&M's Kart Racing Box Art Released
• Is This the Real Deal? - Mario Kart Wii Box Art Surfaces
• Nintendo Challenges Players to Mario Kart Wii Tournaments Worldwide
• Check Out Some of the Courses for Mario Kart Wii

More info on the DLC from EA:

Players will be challenged to achieve the fastest times possible on nine races across seven all-new and totally redesigned Time Trial maps. No guns, no cops, and no city: this is true aesthetics, agility and flow that will challenge any runner.

I think the video says it best:

This special DLC pack will be available for $10. Look for an update on the PlayStation.Blog right before it hits the PlayStation Store.