May 13, 2008

New Hot Shots Golf Characters

Hey kids, Chris here again, coming in to roll out the red carpet for two very stylish new addition to the Hot Shots family… Gloria and Alex.

You might have been hearing some news around the interwebs on pricing, availability and player level – but lets make it official:

Each character will be available for purchase over the PSN at .99 USD.
Alex skill level will be intermediate; Gloria’s is expert.
Both characters will be available to purchase on the 15th.

Now, in previous posts there have been some comments of the content being on the disc and needing a key to unlock it, so let me go ahead and clear that up for you: all the content on the physical disc can be accessed without additional purchases – it’s that simple. The “core” or “shell” of the on-disc game has a sort of plug-and-play feature that lets us quickly deliver content (such as characters and new courses) without clogging up your pipes, which also makes it easier for you to purchase the new content from the PlayStation Store (once you decide to) and access it right away. So if you’re tired of getting schooled by some young punk – you can quickly gain access to one of the more advanced players and unleash your mighty golf wrath upon them.

Everyone, regardless of buying new content or not, will be required to download the new patch. It just keeps the game running smoothly… some wonky things start to happen online players are running different version of the game.

That’s it for today’s Hot Shots Golf news… cue the exit song…

Comments are closed.

74 Comments

7 Author Replies

leetfoo
May 13, 2008 at 1:42 pm PDT

Yay “hold back from the game so we can charge for it later” DLC! This new stratgey is going to drive a lot of consumers away from gaming.
Not that I don’t appreciate new content being made for a game post release, but a lot of the times (like now), it feels like things get purposely left out just to be sold to the consumer later to sneak a few exta dollars from them. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s how it feels.
depward
May 13, 2008 at 1:44 pm PDT

I will download Alex so I can stare at her bodacious bod while golfing… instead of sitting on the menu screen having her move her arm around.
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:26 pm PDT
  
  LOL!
Anzo42
May 13, 2008 at 1:57 pm PDT

Boourns to this. Micro transactions are one of the sins of this generation. Perhaps if you bundled in a character with a new course that might work. Say a new course is worth $9 in the developers eyes, just tack on the character and make it $10. We wouldn’t know the difference.
Scodo_Thope
May 13, 2008 at 1:58 pm PDT

Sorry I had a real issue with this games demo. I guess tennis is not my game. Cute character though!
JEdwards
May 13, 2008 at 1:59 pm PDT

Chris, thanks for trying to clear that up. Though it still sounds confusing (not on the disc, but not downloaded to the hard drive?). Anyway, glad to hear they’re only 99 cents each. VERY reasonable, people. No need to complain. When will the new course be available? I hope it also has a reasonable price (you can complain if it’s close to the Japanese price).

And what about longer text entries and voice chat? And maybe adding friends and blocking/muting people from the leaderboard screen, jumping tourneys from any floor, tracking of match play wins/losses, etc. I’m a loyal HSG fan and a G1 player with well over 200 rounds. I hope more tweaks and free online updates are on the way. The online experience is fun but could be truly dynamite!
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:11 pm PDT
  
  Heya JEdwards – to clarify, the content is NOT on the disc, it will be automatically downloaded to the HDD with the rest of this Thursday\’s updates. We\’ve bundled all the updates into one package that way you\’re not forced to do another download once you decide to purchase the DLC.
  
  Voice chat is still being figured out – and thank you for your feedback on the other features!
TouchyEd
May 13, 2008 at 2:05 pm PDT

How’s the voice chat update coming?
tearsofash
May 13, 2008 at 2:07 pm PDT

Any word on making the patch downloadable from the PSN store? I still can’t seem to get the in-game patch download correctly.
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:14 pm PDT
  
  What sort of problems are you experiencing? Please visit the Hot Shots Golf forums and put up a post – I\’m sure some of the Hot Shots Fans can lend a hand in figuring this out, and if not, we can point one of our guys to take a look as well.
Zorox
May 13, 2008 at 2:09 pm PDT

Could you guys offer the original BGM and Japanese voices as DLC?
vandam
May 13, 2008 at 2:26 pm PDT

I really don’t care for added stuff after a game is released. Rock Band for example has so many dowloadable song’s they need to make another Disk SOON. And all for these patches for games becouse they don’t work correctly. Totally lame!!!! Gas is $3.95 where I live and I would rather save my money.
Vegaz
May 13, 2008 at 2:30 pm PDT

Attempt to understand better:

By core/shell you mean the coding for the downloads are on the disc but not the actual character models and that’s what will get downloaded?
OverlordLaharl
May 13, 2008 at 2:36 pm PDT

Scodo_Thope | May 13th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Sorry I had a real issue with this games demo. I guess tennis is not my game. Cute character though!

Dood… this is golf… lol
ROLO_ONFIRE
May 13, 2008 at 2:36 pm PDT

I agree with letfoo, is not cool to sell us content that should’ve been on the disk (which we already paid a premium $10 compared to last gen)
Jeigh
May 13, 2008 at 2:42 pm PDT

I don’t quite understand what the whining is all about. There are already ample characters to mess around with. If you don’t *absolutely need* these two, don’t get them. Pure and simple. I personally don’t have any interest in these two, but if any others are released I may take them into consideration. Same story with *any* DLC- if you don’t want it, don’t get it. Hot Shots Golf: OoB is very clearly a solid and completed title. As such, these two characters are just icing on the very goofy cake that is Hot Shots Golf.

I’ll repeat that in short: if you don’t want it, don’t get it. In this case, you *really* don’t need it (by the way -Jeff-, any word on the blog formatting options? I really prefer to use italics for emphasis rather than *stars* ).

Thank you all for your efforts. I look forward to everything you will be offering in the future. (Hot Shots Tennis…? :D )
TouchyEd
May 13, 2008 at 2:46 pm PDT

No kidding.

Quit fricking complaining about DLC.

Nobody is forcing you to buy it.

If you don’t want it, don’t buy it.

Simple as that.
nabokovfan87
May 13, 2008 at 2:47 pm PDT

should really reconsider this game. i see it only as a crappy rip on arcade golf that uses children or anime characters dressed inappropriately just to get sales.

disgraceful.
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:17 pm PDT
  
  I hope you take a chance to give Hot Shots Golf another look – it\’s gameplay is not really the way you describe it.
  
  By the way, your Nick – do you mean Vladimir Nabokov?
APaz
May 13, 2008 at 3:04 pm PDT

So why weren’t these already included in the game?
depward
May 13, 2008 at 3:12 pm PDT

@ 16 –

Because they didn’t want them to be?

@ 15 –

You apparently don’t know the HSG franchise of games or else you wouldn’t be saying that.

@ DLC whiners –

It’s .99 a golfer. Skip that Big Mac, buy a mcChicken and use that extra dollar to purchase a new golfer. Or don’t! Whatevs
moshakirby
May 13, 2008 at 3:35 pm PDT

Can you please stop photoshopping every screenshot you ever publish, not just on this blog but press releases, everything.

It’s barley worth posting screenshots of games when they’re so far from the truth.
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:19 pm PDT
  
  Moshakirby – these are ingame screens we captured straight from the disc. How is your PS3 connected to your TV?
erico316
May 13, 2008 at 3:54 pm PDT

im looking for a new ps3 game i already beat gta4 so is this game good?
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:23 pm PDT
  
  You totally should, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is kinda like GTA4: you get to take a swing at balls with a big metal club… only cuter.
erico316
May 13, 2008 at 3:55 pm PDT

i always love the hot shot serirs of tennis i never played the golf game so can anyone tell me if its good?
- Chris Hinojosa-Miranda
  May 13, 2008 at 4:25 pm PDT
  
  erico316 – see comment above, or check out the review
depward
May 13, 2008 at 3:55 pm PDT

@ 18 –

Have you played HSG:OoB? That’s how it looks…
DustoMan
May 13, 2008 at 3:57 pm PDT

Wait a minute here…

What are you guys complaining about? He just said that everything on the disc already can be accessed by playing the game. If you want these golfers without having to play, then go play the game more.
Sakimori_X
May 13, 2008 at 4:04 pm PDT

@8: Now THAT I wouldn’t mind paying for one bit! Great suggestion!
jqtaxpayer
May 13, 2008 at 4:33 pm PDT

Hey, that brunette looks like the girl who’s on the menu screen… anyway, I’ll be picking these up for sure at some point, though I may wait until I unlock the other golfers. GTA really sidetracked my gaming in a big way.

Any news on new courses would be appreciated too. Love the game, Chris.
tielo
May 13, 2008 at 4:34 pm PDT

This is just milking the product. It’s not very classy but on the other hand you don’t have to buy it. It does feel though that you purchased an incompleet product. It would have been better to give these karacters away to extend the lifespan of the product as they are doing with Burnout Paradise.
GoodIntentions
May 13, 2008 at 4:35 pm PDT

2 bucks for 2 more characters to loyalty level up is good for me .. ive def. spent far more money on pathetic excuses for games .
Mana Knight
May 13, 2008 at 5:39 pm PDT

Awesome news to me. $0.99 for each is an excellent deal.
OverlordLaharl
May 13, 2008 at 6:18 pm PDT

Excellent price for the characters! Cant wait for the new course also! And the G0 tournament!!!
skygod
May 13, 2008 at 6:28 pm PDT

Help! My wife has hijacked my copy of Hot Shots Golf.

Thanks for the characters. Before, you teased us with other new content. Can you give us some more about that?
drownpupsNqueso
May 13, 2008 at 6:35 pm PDT

Chris, where are these hot shots golf forums you are talking about?

On a side note, I really enjoy this game. I am a G1 and I am just disappointed that more people dont play this game. I feel like if there was a demo out in the US more people might try it.
OverlordLaharl
May 13, 2008 at 6:42 pm PDT

Ya not enough advertisement and a demo would REALLY help to get more people :(
FreQaZoiD
May 13, 2008 at 6:53 pm PDT

Well I would much rather have a new course or challenge than new characters… so I won’t be getting this DLC but definitely open to future ones.

I didn’t buy them for PAIN either… but still waiting for new challenges!
Dark_Vincent
May 13, 2008 at 7:55 pm PDT

You see, I commend Chris for coming out here and posting these great entries the way he does. Plus the fact you reply to both, positive AND negative comments rather than delete the negative ones or whatever to make your post look “happier”.
I don’t know for others, but even though I have always been a HSG fan, I was hesitating on buying OoB because I had already spent too much getting myself other games lately. However, after reading through your entries here on PSBlog I decided it was just well-worth those extra bucks I had been saving around. Good job! I’m looking forward to unlocking all the features and playing Online with everyone!
perrandy
May 13, 2008 at 9:39 pm PDT

hi chris the game seems interesting.however,i’m not really in to sports games.which brings me to this question where are the rpgs for the ps3?
JEdwards
May 13, 2008 at 9:46 pm PDT

Chris, thanks for your replies and your time! Two more questions about online:

1. Why isn’t there ANY information about ranking up online (on the official website, on the “Information Site”, or when you enter the online mode)? It’s not very intuitive at all. Everything I know came from people who’ve played the JP version and figured it out.

2. Why aren’t there small prizes (including random participation ones for those finishing outside the podium) for GF tourneys? And how about special tournaments? I think JP has these now and again. Anything we can do to encourage new players to come back to the online mode is important. Please consider some way to give small rewards to those starting out and maybe struggling. This is not an FPS; we welcome newbies and want them to stick around. Thanks for listening!
Jeigh
May 13, 2008 at 10:35 pm PDT

Chris Hinojosa-Miranda wrote:
You totally should, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is kinda like GTA4: you get to take a swing at balls with a big metal club… only cuter.

XD XD XD XD

That was seriously funny.
Forbidden_Darkness
May 13, 2008 at 10:37 pm PDT

ive thought abotu getting this game, but im not sure about it yet, i have haze and MGS4 coming out soon. i think ill wait until summer to purchase it.

anyways, you guys should have sony characters (like nathan from uncharted and hale from resistance) as downloadable characters. that would be awesome! i’d forsure go out and buy the game right away.
Delriach
May 14, 2008 at 4:09 am PDT

.99 cents is pretty reasonable. I hope more and more content comes soon.
heisert
May 14, 2008 at 4:54 am PDT

thanks for this great game!
some new DLC greens/Golf courses would be nice too!
voice chat with friends would be great too!
Tigerriot
May 14, 2008 at 5:27 am PDT

I’m always happy to see more content for this game, and at a $1 a piece I’m not complaining.

I just hope you guys put out a demo to try and sell the game to more people, and update the online to have voice chat for private matches ONLY.

Also, any additional stat tracking is always welcome.
Xyavid
May 14, 2008 at 5:39 am PDT

hi ! Are these characters will be available in same time in europe ?
Scotty9678
May 14, 2008 at 6:01 am PDT

oh….the Europe thing is a good point since we obviously share servers, but according to this guy if you get the update you’ll be good, maybe you’ll be able to buy the characters soon (doesn’t seem fair but it seems like that will be the situation)

A U.S. demo would prolly generate a few thousand more sales and with a game that MAX I’ve seen 500 people online at one time and that was before GTA – that would REALLY help the longevity of this AWESOME game.

Also, bring it all down the pipe now!! Courses!!! Extra-characters!!! Play modes!!

How about the often joked/dreamed Kratos DLC character? :p
hsgfan
May 14, 2008 at 6:35 am PDT

New characters for this great game are a very welcome addition and at 99 cents, they should be an instant buy for any true HSG fan. Even discounting the differences in gameplay added characters will bring, the new art and voice work adds some nice variety to the game. Now bring on some new courses…
maluraq
May 14, 2008 at 6:48 am PDT

leetfoo and others, there is a LOT of content included with the game. There is no need for these extra characters. We’re not talking about PAIN with its bare minimum included characters thing here, we’re talking about having almost 20 included characters and now there’s two more for the people who want them.

The game plays very well and for all the people who haven’t tried it, go buy it or at least rent it and try it, its an incredibly good game, you won’t be disappointed.

@moshakirby the game really does look like that. The replays of shots really DO look that good. The live play really DOES look that good. The special effects when shooting really ARE that cool. There’s nothing fake about those shots, trust me, I play it regularly. Stop with the FUD.

Yeah, I blog — https://blog.mikebabcock.ca
Jimb0
May 14, 2008 at 6:50 am PDT

One of the best games of 2008, seriously. Amazing online experience and addictive all around. Tons of fun.

I assume the new Oceana Resort course is also on the way soon?
Jeigh
May 14, 2008 at 6:53 am PDT

Oh, and why is there no demo in the US store? The game is incredibly solid- it would only help sales, and the demo obviously does exist. Granted, arriving so late to the show you’d get plenty of flack, but it won’t do any REAL damage- only more sales.
Leo the 3rd
May 14, 2008 at 7:19 am PDT

Any chance of there being a patch so that this game upscales to 1080i instead of dumbing down to 480p for those without displays (older HDTV) supporting 720p?
HoTHiTTeR
May 14, 2008 at 7:41 am PDT

I’ve heard so much criticism about this game, and how its “childish” and “kiddy”. Please, don’t talk, or use up valuable oxygen, until you actually play this game. I’ve been playing EA Sports’ golf games since PGA Tour on Genesis, Microsoft’s Links series, and the Hot Shots series since its inception. Without a doubt, I feel that HSG:OOB is easily the best “golf” game out there. The game physics are unparalleled; the level of balance that the lie system brings to the table punishes you for arrant shots, but thanks to amazing course design – rewards you for taking risks. This game is deeper than meets the eye.

On DLC; the patch system for the game brings all the game data down to your system so all you have to do is “unlock” the character via the Playstation Store. This isn’t Need For Speed: Most Wanted where you’re paying $9.99 for an unlock code to play with all the game’s cars or car parts from the start. This isn’t a pay-for-cheat-code game. Also, .99c for the downloads?! That’s insanely cheaper than our Minna No Golf 5 friends in Japan paid, roughly 1/5th of the price actually. Be thankful, not ungrateful.

My only questions – Can folks like yourself, Chris, post release notes about the patches? I’d love to know when we’d be getting the ability to see other peoples high scores in the online lobby – like currently available in Japan. Also, is there a timetable on the release of the “Oceania” course? A Price?

Thanks, and see you all online.

HH
TouchyEd
May 14, 2008 at 7:55 am PDT

Slightly off topic:

Has the design team considered developing some kind of Wii-type motion-sensing peripheral for Hot Shots Golf?

I suppose the R&D costs (and patents) would be prohibitive, but the Wii approach to golf games really delivers a superior experience (in terms of gameplay mechanics).

I own a Wii, and pretty much regret ever buying it. But it really makes Golf games something special.

Actually being able to swing the club would make Hot Shots Golf OVER THE TOP AWESOME!

(oh…and….voice chat…heh heh heh).
krae_man
May 14, 2008 at 8:04 am PDT

So, instead of having the content already on the disk, its part of a DLC patch that everyone has to download and you have to pay to unlock a part of it?

That’s pretty much the same thing. Unless the characters will be available for free at some point. Otherwise it’s just are unacceptable.

Does this update fix the online smut filter? Will I finally be able to say “after” and “happened” without being censored? :p