Hydrophobia Prophecy coming to Steam on May 9, then PSN

Though Hydrophobia Prophecy may sound like a new entry in the Hydrophobia series (as part of a planned trilogy), it's actually a PlayStation Network and Steam release of last year's aquatic Xbox Live Arcade title. It was later given a substantial, feedback-driven overhaul in the "Hydrophobia Pure" update following a chilly critical reception. Hydrophobia Prophecy popped up in a recent Australian ratings board listing, and was today confirmed as heading to Steam on May 9 and PlayStation Network at some point after that.

Like the game's Pure iteration before it, Prophecy augments the original game based on player feedback. "This comprehensive reinvention of the title includes upgraded graphics, brand new gameplay mechanics, exclusive new levels, a reworked back story, a dramatic new ending, recast voice acting and much, much more," the game's announcement reads.

The updated version also includes an in-game service called "Darknet," allowing players to "deliver specific opinions at any point during the game, which are automatically augmented with contextual data about the game state at that time." It's an even more direct line of communication than the developer's "Listening Post," which was erected in January to gauge played feedback online. We're hoping that by the time Dark Energy Digital gets around to working on that promised sequel, it'll be able to crowdsource the whole thing.Show full PR textHydrophobia Prophecy incoming on Steam and PlayStation Network
Dark Energy Digital is pleased to announce Hydrophobia Prophecy for Steam and PlayStation Network. This comprehensive reinvention of the title includes upgraded graphics, brand new gameplay mechanics, exclusive new levels, a reworked back story, a dramatic new ending, recast voice acting and much, much more. The long list of new features and enhancements is also augmented by changes Dark Energy have made in response to data gathered from the Hydrophobia Listening Post where players voted and commented on the features of Hydrophobia Pure.

"We could've just ported Hydrophobia Pure over to Steam and PSN after the positive response it received, but we decided to go much further. The community really blew us away with the incredible response to Hydrophobia Pure and the outstanding level of feedback on the listening post, so we wanted to return the favour and ensure we created a bigger and better experience in every possible respect with Hydrophobia Prophecy for Steam and PSN" – Pete Jones

Following the astonishing response to the listening post, Dark Energy has developed a new in-game dev feedback system called Darknet which launches in Hydrophobia Prophecy. Darknet allows players to deliver specific opinions at any point during the game, which are automatically augmented with contextual data about the game state at that time

"In the modern, interconnected world we think there should be better lines of communication between players and developer, which is exactly what Darknet delivers. Gamers have shown us how much they appreciated being involved in the development process and we have responded. We're really excited to be bringing Hydrophobia Prophecy and Darknet to PC using Steamworks because the ability to update the game seamlessly and regularly through Steam is a perfect fit for our commitment to acting upon feedback from the community. It also means we can update the Darknet system itself to ensure we continually adapt to serve players who want to participate more effectively."

Hydrophobia Prophecy will launch on Steam on 9th May and can be pre-purchased for just $10.19 / £7.64 (including 15% pre-purchase discount) with a PSN version to follow. Visit www.hydrophobia-game.com for more information.

About Dark Energy Digital Ltd.
Dark Energy Digital is a technology company based in Manchester England. It is a publisher and developer of innovative games that are produced with its ground breaking games-creation technology, InfiniteWorlds™. and the water simulation HydroEngineTM

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Final Fantasy V on Japanese PSN this week, also coming to Europe

PSN will see a re-release of a re-release of Final Fantasy V in Japan this week. Square Enix's Shinji Hashimoto announced the PSOne Classics release -- compatible with PS3 and PSP -- of the PlayStation port of the Super Famicom RPG a couple of months ago, and revealed the April 6 release date today on Twitter.

Square Enix Members then confirmed that the downloadable RPG will be released in Europe as well, though the release date for Europe's battle against Exdeath is much less definite. "We'll be announcing the release date closer to the time, but we thought you might like to know that the game is currently being arranged for a release."

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BBFC rating suggests Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition coming in June

Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition will apparently make its way to the UK in some form this June. Eurogamer has taken note of the British Board of Film Classification rating, which has the latest version of the fighter dated for June 24.

If the classification is for consoles, it goes against previous statements made by Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono, but would play into cryptic tweets he's made about Arcade Edition DLC. The new version would likely include the four new playable characters: Yun, Yang, Oni and Evil Ryu.

We've contacted Capcom to clarify exactly what's going on here. If the BBFC also classifies arcade machines, the DLC hints and classification could be two separate stories on parallel lines. However, if the classification is for consoles, it's still unclear if the new game will be a DLC code in a new retail box, or if current SSF4 owners will be able to buy it as a DLC expansion. Ono keeps using the term "DLC," so we'd lean toward it being the latter.

Update: Official statement: "Capcom has not made any announcements."

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Resident Evil 4, Code Veronica HD ports coming to NA as downloads this fall

If you're interested in the HD versions of Resident Evil 4 and Code Veronica X included in the Resident Evil: Revival Selection, you'll be able to acquire them in an exceptionally convenient manner: through Xbox Live Arcade and PSN.

Capcom just announced that the two ports will be released as downloads in North America this fall -- as separate games, as opposed to the bundled release Capcom is planning for Japan. Check out more screens of the HD version of Resident Evil 4 in our gallery. Or just check out the logos for both games. Seriously. Look at those logos. Resident Evil 4 (Now in HD)

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New Mass Effect comic series from Dark Horse coming 'later this year'

Fans anxious for another Mass Effect comic run will get their wish soon, according to coverage of a Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) panel over on Newsarama. There, Dark Horse representative Jeremy Atkins revealed that the company will "publish another Mass Effect series later this year."

With Mass Effect 3 set to launch at the tail-end of 2011, we anticipated more tie-ins -- EA loves its transmedia promotions, after all. Sadly, no other details were offered on the proposed third Mass Effect mini-series.

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LittleBigPlanet 2 teacher pack coming to UK PSN in May

Sackboy is grabbing his trusty Trapper Keeper and heading to Avalon Elementary next semester. The LittleBigPlanet 2 "Teacher Pack" is currently being developed by Media Molecule and it's said to be packed with "demonstrations of National Curriculum, based in game levels that other teachers have made." The pack will feature PlayStation Move functionality, SCEE senior VP Ray Maguire told MCV.

"The pack will be a really useful way of starting to track and develop interest and involvement in games-based learning," Maguire noted. He also added that SCEE is aiming for a release "by the start of the summer term in May." In other news, schools in the UK have a summer term starting in May. We're so, so sorry, you guys.

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