News
The Art of Play: Touring the Smithsonian’s Video Game Exhibit
By GameInformer, published 22-05-2012
In an attempt to capture the aspirations and imagination of modern culture, the Smithsonian American Art Museum displays works of art from renowned artists such as John Singleton Copley, David Hockney, and Georgia O'Keeffe – and most recently, Tim Schafer, Sid Meier, and Ken Levine. The museum’s newest exhibit, “The Art of Video Games,” is a 6,000 square-foot show dedicated to showing off the artistic merits of over 80 games from the last 40 years. The show's March 16 opening drew nearly 23,000 visitors and was one of the museum's busiest days on record. We talk with guest curator Chris Melissinos about the exhibit and the rising influence video games have on our culture. This interview originally appeared in Game Informer issue 230. The Smithsonian Ame...
Dragon's Dogma Review
By GameInformer, published 18-05-2012
Dragon’s Dogma is one of those rare “have your cake and eat it, too” games, where the inspired designers take elements from several different genres and mash them together. In this case, open-world RPGs and hack-and-slash action games are the source materials. It’s not perfect, but its arsenal of unusual party mechanics and combat flourishes make it worthy of any virtual sword-swinger’s time. Dragon’s Dogma is strictly a single-player experience, though AI companions called pawns help sell the concept that your hero isn’t alone in the sprawling fantasy world of Gransys. You create your own pawn in the beginning of the game, selecting its gender, tweaking its appearance, and choosing its class. As you travel the world, your pawn soaks up and...
Replay: Home Improvement
By GameInformer, published 05-12-2012
Once every couple of months, I think to myself "why haven't we done a Replay of Home Improvement for Super Nintendo?". Whenever I check the Vault after that thought, however, I remember that it's one of our few missing games. Our video editor Jason pointed this out on a recent episode, and a fateful package arrived soon after here in Minneapolis. Thanks to the generosity of Replay fan Rohn Huntone, we can finally play this amazing game. Watch below to witness the fateful journey of Tim Turi, Andrew Reiner, Ben Reeves, and myself as we take a nail gun to velociraptors in an effort to find our lost Binford tools. (Please visit the site to view this media) Want to view every episode of Replay ever? Check out our hub page. Also, head here if you want to see the YouTube sketc...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 05/10/12
By GameInformer, published 05-10-2012
For many the highlight of the week was revealed with Game Informer's June cover announcement, showcasing The Elder Scrolls Online. Several bloggers shared their thoughts on it while others were compelled to write about a wide range of topics from the world of video games. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: April 30 – May 06, 2012Number of User Blogs: 109Number of User Bloggers: 65Number of User Blogs Herded: 14 Community Events: Kid Icarus Uprising 3DS Online TournamentGame Informer community members Kid Ica and The Monster Hunter are looking for some fellow gamers to join them for some Kid Icarus Uprising online action on or around May 13. Community Blogs: My Top 25 Vacation Spots In GamesIf you could escape to any location in your favorite video game for a little rest and r...
Journey Developer's Next Title To Be Announced This Year
By GameInformer, published 05-06-2012
Developer thatgamecompany, the team behind Flow, Flower, and Journey, have stated that it is currently looking for a publisher on its fourth game, which it hopes to announce soon. In an interview with vg247, thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen had said, "we’re negotiating with various partners, so maybe within the next month, we’ll be able to determine which is the [right deal]." At that point Chen said they would like to announce their next project adding, "we announced Flower half a year after we launched Flow. We announced Journey half a year after we launched Flower. So hopefully within this year, you’ll hear from us about our next game." Sony and thatgamecompany had a three game exclusivity deal, so now that it has completed its contract with ...
Weekend Warrior 05/04/12
By GameInformer, published 05-05-2012
It feel like the biggest thing happening isn’t game related, but Avengers related. Some of us have already seen the film, and some of us will be going to see the film again soon. How many times will you see it this weekend, and how are you going to fit in any game time? Joe Juba: I am not going to see the Avengers. Ben Reeves: I will be feeling sorry for Joe and his sad life most of the weekend. I might run to the theater to help cheer myself up. Kyle Hilliard: Unlike most, my weekend will not feature a team of super heroes fighting a Norse god. I am still trying to decide if The Avenger’s is worth a babysitter, but if Ben Reeves excitement this morning after seeing the movie at midnight last night is any indication, then it probably is. As far as gaming goes, I’d like...
First Screen And Details On Elders Scrolls Online
By GameInformer, published 05-04-2012
One picture may be worth a thousand words, but even that isn’t enough to convey the breadth of ZeniMax’s new MMO. Yesterday you got a glimpse of Game Informer’s June cover story, Elder Scrolls Online. Today, we give you an exclusive first look at what the game will look like in action. What’s going on here? In this image, you can see a couple player characters battling some Storm Atronachs. Storm Atronach are a species of daedra (divine creatures that come from magical dimensions) that are constructed from stone and held together by magic. The most powerful of all the atronachs, Storm Atronach are immune to normal weapons and shock attacks, are resistant to poisons, and can reflect spells back at their caster. Is that all?Behind the battle is a series of daedric...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 05/03/12
By GameInformer, published 05-03-2012
The number of blogs featured this week dips slightly but are still well worth your attention. In other news, did you know on this day, 30 years ago, Walt Disney Productions filed a lawsuit against Williams Electronics for infringing on Disney's Tron trademark with the somewhat similarly titled Robotron? Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: April 23 – April 29, 2012Number of User Blogs: 102Number of User Bloggers: 57Number of User Blogs Herded: 8 Community Blogs: Defending The Japanese Video Game IndustryIt's no secret that some question the vitality of the Japanese video game industry and this exceptional piece by JC does a remarkable job exploring the topic in succinct detail. Diablo 3 Observations From A Diablo FanaticA self-proclaimed fan boy and expert on all things Dia...
June Cover Revealed: The Elder Scrolls Online
By GameInformer, published 05-03-2012
Long rumored and much anticipated, The Elder Scrolls Online is finally being unveiled in the June issue of Game Informer. In this month's cover story we journey across the entire land of Tamriel, from Elsweyr to Skyrim and everywhere in between. Developed by the team at Zenimax Online Studios, The Elder Scrolls Online merges the unmatched exploration of rich worlds that the franchise is known for with the scale and social aspects of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Players will discover an entirely new chapter of Elder Scrolls history in this ambitious world, set a millennium before the events of Skyrim as the daedric prince Molag Bal tries to pull all of Tamriel into his demonic realm. "It will be extremely rewarding finally to unveil what we have been developi...
Fable Heroes Review
By GameInformer, published 05-03-2012
I suspect that Fable Heroes is Lionhead’s attempt to capture the thrill of modern downloadable beat ‘em ups like Castle Crashers and blend it with the charm of LittleBigPlanet. In principle, this sounds great, and Lionhead is a proven studio that presumably has the chops to pull it off. However, something terrible must have happened during the journey from concept to reality, because Fable Heroes falls short in nearly every department. Fable Heroes plays like a prototype project Microsoft accidentally released. This downloadable disaster doesn’t even feature a story; players are given no context for why several anthropomorphic voodoo dolls are prancing through train set-sized models of various locales from the Fable series and lazily slashing at cartoon versions of some ...
GI Staff And Reader Interests, Dislikes, And Favorite Games: Issue #229
By GameInformer, published 27-04-2012
The Game Informer monthly staff page is a forum where we all come together and talk about what's cool right now. We'll get the ball rolling and would love to hear everyone's current interests, dislikes, and favorite games. Andy McNamara Profile E-mail Editor Interests: Game of Thrones, Twins Baseball (Even Though We Are Bad), NHL Playoffs, Audi R8 GT (I Really Need Audi To Give Me One, I'll Talk About It Every Month I Promise) Dislikes: When the Weather Is Nice During the Week And Horrible On Weekends, Comcast (Seriously, Minneapolis Cable Boxes Are Awful), That I'm So Behind On My Gaming I Haven't Gotten A Chance To Start Witcher 2 or Guild Wars 2 Yet Current Favorite Games: Fez, Xenoblade Chronicles Andrew Reiner Profile E...
New Kingdom Hearts 3DS Screenshots And Concept Art
By GameInformer, published 27-04-2012
Square Enix has released a handful of new information, concept art, and screenshots for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 3DS. I'm not really sure what this means, so I will just tell you exactly what Square Enix told us: "Spirits and Nightmares are two different types of Dream Eaters. Spirits accompany Riku and Sora during their journey to protect them from the evil spirits, or Nightmares." Dream Drop Distance will also take advantage of the 3DS' augmented reality functionality to play minigames with, pet, and feed the spirits mentioned above. Kingdom Hearts 3DS: Dream Drop Distance will be available in North America on July 31.
Ken Levine Interviews Amy Hennig On Irrational Podcast
By GameInformer, published 27-04-2012
Listen in as two of gaming's most talented storytellers trade notes on the art of game writing. As part of the ongoing "Irrational Interviews" podcast series, BioShock creator Levine picks the brain of Naughty Dog's Amy Hennig, who has won praise for her work over the years, including writing the scripts for Sony's blockbuster Uncharted franchise. Here's the full description of the episode, per Irrational's site: In this episode of Irrational Interviews, we sit down with Amy Hennig, Naughty Dog’s Creative Director and writer. Amy is best known for her work on the groundbreaking Uncharted series, for which she’s won two Writers Guild of America awards. The topic is, of course, storytelling. How does a writer create a complex narrative fo...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 04/26/12
By GameInformer, published 26-04-2012
Before you dive into this week's collection of blogs from the Game Informer community, how about a bit of video game history? On this day back in 1999, Nintendo released Super Smash Bros. for the N64 in North America. Enjoy the blogs. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: April 16 – April 22, 2012Number of User Blogs: 113Number of User Bloggers: 63Number of User Blogs Herded: 14 Community Events: Play Battlefield 3 with the GIO community. Warbuff's public server for the Xbox 360 is still up and running until June; Ownzoir's Playstation 3 public server was supposed to end on April 22, but rumor has it he extended it for another week. Click the respective links for all of the details and server status. Game Informer Online FragFest 2012Frag Fest events have been somewhat sp...
Enter Sorcery's Nightmare World
By GameInformer, published 25-04-2012
Sony's Sorcery is perhaps one of the few bright spots currently for the Move peripheral, and as the game approaches its May 22 release date on PS3 Sony is offering some new details on the title. The trailer below tells of apprentice Finn's journey (along with his talking cat Erline) through the Faerie World and his quest to defeat the Nightmare Queen. Judging by the trailer, Sorcery is clearly appealing to a slightly younger audience, but it'll be interesting to see if the gameplay is robust enough to draw in the core crowd. For more on the game, check out Ben's hands-on time with the game earlier this year. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Uncharted 3 Infographic Charts Drake's Journey
By GameInformer, published 24-04-2012
Uncharted is one of Sony's biggest first-party franchises. In a new infographic published today, total sales of the series have reached 17 million copies. The infographic, which you can click below, reveals some interesting multiplayer and trophy stats as well. A new Game of the Year edition was announced for Europe this morning; however SCEA said it has made no announcements for a North American release.
CosBlog # 74: Little Sister by Monika Lee
By GameInformer, published 19-04-2012
In the world of BioShock costumes, Big Daddy(s) often steal the show. This isn’t the case with Monika Lee’s impressively executed Little Sister cosplay, complete with distressed duds, eeiry eyes, and an LED lit ADAM syringe. Check out her fantastic craftsmanship below. Who: The Character The character is a Little Sister from Bioshock.Why: The Decision I chose to cosplay a Little Sister because I had been used to cosplaying pretty characters that were very unlike the creepy Little Sisters of Bioshock. I also really wanted to challenge myself with doing some theatrical makeup to mimic the look of the Little Sisters. Also, that ADAM syringe is really awesome! I've been a big fan of the series for a while, so it was only natural; I love that whole dystopian society, "Bi...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 04/12/12
By GameInformer, published 04-12-2012
With the exception of the industry news gleaned from PAX East, it was a relatively quiet week in the world of video games. Many of the community members took advantage of the lull in the action to post a remarkable assortment of blogs covering the past, present, and future of gaming. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: April 02 – April 08, 2012Number of User Blogs: 88Number of User Bloggers: 50Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Community Events: Private GIO Server On Xbox 360 – Coming SoonWarbuff announces that in the near future he will be renting a Battlefield 3 server (Xbox 360) with the intention of making it available for the Game Informer community. Community Blogs: How Heavy Rain Changed My Mind About QTEHeavy Rain succeeded in a couple of different ways, like providing a...
Meet Halo 4's New Composer
By GameInformer, published 04-11-2012
Long-time Halo composer Marty 'O'Donnell is not working on Halo 4. He'll be working with Bungie on whatever project they're developing. Microsoft instead has turned to Neil Davidge to score the new game's soundtrack. Davidge's resume includes producer work on DJ group Massive Attack, score composition for movies "Push", "Battle in Seattle", and "Unleashed," and provided additional music on the film "Clash of the Titans." “As a passionate ‘Halo’ fan, I’m incredibly honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to compose the score for ‘Halo 4,’” said Davidge. “Music has always been at the heart of what makes ‘Halo’ so captivating and iconic. With ‘Halo...
Journey's Soundtrack Coming Soon to iTunes And PlayStation Store
By GameInformer, published 04-07-2012
The soundtrack to the fastest selling PSN game of all time, will soon be available as a digital download. We liked Journey a lot, and Austin Wintory’s excellent score for the game certainly had a lot to do with that. You will hear no complaints from us about the music being available for purchase separately to make every commute to work feel like a beautiful Journey. The soundtrack will be available on April 10 on iTunes and the PlayStation Store.
Weekend Warrior 04/06/12
By GameInformer, published 04-07-2012
It’s a holiday weekend, so that mean’s we get to play more games that usual. We might also do some baseball watching and egg hunting. What about you? Andrew Reiner: I'm watching baseball all weekend down. Between games I'll be catching up on Eastbound and Down. Ben Hanson: This weekend will be devoted to Xenoblade, the cool kids don’t even bother adding the “Chronicles” bit on the end. I’m about 15 hours in and it is slowly transitioning from good to great, there’s no doubt that people will look back at this game as an overlooked JRPG classic. Other than that I’ll probably continue playing Hero Academy, Tetris, and Triple Town on my iPhone. Jeff Marchiafava: Now that I’m done with Mass Effect 3 and I’ve played through Jo...
Xenoblade Chronicles Review: A Vision Of The Future
By GameInformer, published 04-06-2012
If you need proof that the Japanese RPG is struggling from the North American perspective, you need only look at the story behind Xenoblade Chronicles. Somehow, despite early showings at E3 and rave reviews in Japan and Europe, Nintendo of America very nearly didn’t bring the game to our shores. If you’re even remotely interested in JRPGs, give thanks that this dark future was avoided. Xenoblade Chronicles is a must-play game that single-handedly proves there’s still fresh, exciting ground to cover in this often-stale genre. Xenoblade finds the first of many unique touchstones in its setting. The people of this universe have settled in makeshift colonies on the backs of two warring giants that are frozen in time. These colossi have adapted natural, well-tread terrain, in...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 04/05/12
By GameInformer, published 04-05-2012
After a rather rowdy week within the Game Informer community, the dust has settled and many of the regular bloggers and even a few new faces have returned to work turning out a hefty amount of interesting and entertaining blogs for your reading pleasure. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: March 26 – April 01, 2012Number of User Blogs: 100Number of User Bloggers: 73Number of User Blogs Herded: 14 Community Blogs: Friends You Will Never KnowMore positive praise for Journey, a game that has captivated the video game industry with its unique gameplay, beautiful scenery, and according to Matthew Fugere, compelling multiplayer experience unlike anything you have ever played before. Have It, Might As Well Play ItLong time blogger Hist talks about his extreme obsession with not only comp...
Fable Expands To The Page
By GameInformer, published 04-05-2012
People who like reading books based on video games are living in a truly marvelous age. The Fable franchise is the latest IP to make the transition, joining other big names including Mass Effect, Battlefield, and Hitman. Fable: At the Edge of the World will fill readers in on the events that transpired in Albion between Fable III and the upcoming Fable: The Journey. Random House and Prima Games have a few other Fable-related projects in the works, in addition to the Christie Golden-penned novel, which is due out this August. A series of digital shorts will be available in May and June, leading up to the release of the downloadable game Fable: Heroes. These eBooks focus on a separate character, including Reaver, Jack of Blades, and Theresa. “The Fable canon – the stories, ...
More Kingdoms Of Amalur DLC Coming This Month
By GameInformer, published 04-04-2012
The already huge Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning keeps getting bigger, thanks to its post-launch DLC. EA, Big Huge Games, and 38 Studios have unveiled the game's second batch of additional content for the game, and it's due out in just a few short weeks. The Teeth of Naros DLC adds a new land to the game called (you guessed it) the Teeth of Naros. This forsaken environment is home to the Kollossae, a race of giants. It's up to you and your character to learn more about these creatures and their mysterious religious rites. Here's what else EA says you can expect to get for your $10 when the content drops starting April 17: A New City – Explore the city of Idylla, which magically floats in the sky above the Teeth of Naros featuring more than 20 side quests, multi...
Lionhead Says Fable: The Journey Is For Serious Gamers, Reveals Box
By GameInformer, published 04-04-2012
Lionhead has revealed the box art for its upcoming Kinect game Fable: The Journey, while appealing to hardcore gamers. If the idea of hopping around your living room like a goof makes you ill, the studio is trying its best to reassure you that this is one Kinect game that deviates from that format. "If you own a Kinect – or are planning on buying one in the near future – and you are a serious gamer who doesn’t want to jump around their living room, then this is the game to look out for," Lionhead wrote on its official site. Since the game was announced at last E3, Lionhead has also battled against the notion that it's on rails. You can judge for yourself later this year, when the Xbox 360 exclusive hits. In the meantime, memorize every detail in the image b...
Weekend Warrior 03/30/12
By GameInformer, published 31-03-2012
Phil Kollar received an important interstellar message and now he has to return to his people. He’s leaving an empty space here at the office, because he’s taking all his stuffed animals. Tim Turi: I’m clearing my entire gaming slate to save the galaxy once and for all. Not knowing what happens in Mass Effect 3’s controversial ending is driving me crazy, and I can’t wait to catch up. Phil Kollar: Packing up my junk and moving it out of the office! Goodbye, GI, I’ll miss you! Jeff Marchiafava: I finally managed to beat Mass Effect 3 last weekend, so I no longer have to worry about finishing up in order to avoid spoilers. I now have the time to head back to Skyrim, but considering the epic scale of both games, I might go with a bite-sized game instead. M...
Xenoblade Chronicles Review: A Vision Of The Future
By GameInformer, published 30-03-2012
If you need proof that the Japanese RPG is struggling from the North American perspective, you need only look at the story behind Xenoblade Chronicles. Somehow, despite early showings at E3 and rave reviews in Japan and Europe, Nintendo of America very nearly didn’t bring the game to our shores. If you’re even remotely interested in JRPGs, give thanks that this dark future was avoided. Xenoblade Chronicles is a must-play game that single-handedly proves there’s still fresh, exciting ground to cover in this often-stale genre. Xenoblade finds the first of many unique touchstones in its setting. The people of this universe have settled in makeshift colonies on the backs of two warring giants that are frozen in time. These colossi have adapted natural, well-tread terrain, in...
Fibble – Flick ‘n’ Roll Review: Crytek Rolls Out A Solid iOS Debut
By GameInformer, published 30-03-2012
Crytek, the developer behind the hit hardcore FPS series Crysis and Far Cry, has officially entered the mobile gaming market. Don’t let the scary name fool you, however; Fibble – Flick ‘n’ Roll doesn’t feature active camouflage or semi-automatic weapons with realistic jamming. This light-hearted, physics-based puzzler is a pick-up-and-play game in the vein of Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. The developer combines its trademark visual polish with puzzle-infused, Marble Madness-like gameplay. Players control an adorable little orange alien named Fibble as he attempts to reassemble his spaceship after crash landing in a family’s home. The story is presented in whimsical vignettes that show off Crytek’s knack for squeezing the most graphical oomph possi...
Journey Is Fastest Selling PSN Game Ever
By GameInformer, published 29-03-2012
Jenova Chen of thatgamecompany has personally written to thank fans for their support. Journey's creative director Jenova Chen has posted a new article to the PlayStation Blog in which he details the broad success seen by his team's new game, and speaks directly to fans of the game. "Thanks to you, Journey has officially broken PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store sales records, surpassing all first and third-party games to become the fastest-selling game ever released in the SCEA region on the PlayStation Network," says Chen. Chen goes on to detail the overwhelming number of letters the team has received since Journey's launch, which he says outstrips the hundreds of letters they've received about Flower in the last three years. Chen ends...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 03/29/12
By GameInformer, published 29-03-2012
Since its release, Mass Effect 3 continues to be a volatile issue threatening civil war in the gaming industry, and many blogs continue to focus on it. If you're fatigued with it all, perhaps these blogs will offer a suitable and equally entertaining alternative. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: March 19 – March 25, 2012Number of User Blogs: 97Number of User Bloggers: 68Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Community Events: Frag Fest Alert: I'm not entirely convinced this isn't an April Fool's joke, but Sheriff Warbuff says he will be hosting a Frag Fest event on April 01, 2012 (Sunday) at 1:00 Pacific Time. The game is Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City on the Xbox 360. If you're interested in playing online with fellow Game Informer members, send him a reques...
Thatgamecompany Co-Founder Leaves Studio
By GameInformer, published 29-03-2012
Thatgamecompany president Kellee Santiago has left the studio she helped co-found six years ago. She says the move, which follows the recent release of the company's third game, Journey, was amicable. "After doing these three games, I think it was a really great opportunity for all of us to look at what we've learned and what I've taken from that experience, and go forth and take it into new arenas," Santiago told Gamasutra. "On top of that, founding a company whose explicit goal was to do new types of game development really allowed me to be able to try out new processes for game development, to try out new ideas," she continued. "So much of my work at Thatgamecompany was really supporting Jenova's visions for the types of games he wanted to...
The New Hero Of Assassin’s Creed III
By GameInformer, published 26-03-2012
A new Assassin is a big deal. Signifying a new numbered entry in the series chronology, the introduction of a new hero in Assassin’s Creed II brought numerous changes to the gameplay, storytelling, and tone. Assassin’s Creed III continues that trend with the introduction of Connor, a hero who brings along fundamental changes to the game experience. We quizzed the developers of Ubisoft Montreal about the new character in order to get a detailed picture of what fans can expect. The new hero of Assassin’s Creed III is born into a Mohawk tribe in what is now upstate New York, and given the name Ratohnhaké:ton (prounounced ra-doon-ha-gay-doo). Born of a Mohawk mother and a white English father, his heritage places him with a foot in two very different cultures of the ...
Weekend Warrior 03/23/12
By GameInformer, published 24-03-2012
Geez, it got warm fast. Is it Spring already? We need a glass of water. Why is the sun so hot? Shield your eyes, we weren’t bred to withstand the power of it’s light. Get inside now! Andy McNamara: This weekend I'm planning on two good long bike rides if the weather cooperates: Saturday a group ride with friends, and Sunday, well, just because I can. When I'm not riding, I have tickets to see the Hunger Games Saturday night (fingers crossed it doesn't suck), and I plan on leveling a monk in the World of WarCraft: Mists of Pandaria beta. The odds of me watching basketball and playing Draw Something on iOS or Hot Shots Golf on PS Vita are very high as well. Tim Turi: This weekend I’ll be fighting the good fight in Mass Effect 3, both online and off. Really loo...
GI Staff And Reader Interests, Dislikes, And Favorite Games: Issue #228
By GameInformer, published 23-03-2012
The Game Informer monthly staff page is a forum where we all come together and talk about what's cool right now. We'll get the ball rolling and would love to hear everyone's current interests, dislikes, and favorite games. Andy McNamara Profile E-mail Editor Interests: Sonoma And Napa Wine Country Is Surprisingly Hilly and Beautiful When You Are Hammered On Wine, Chatting With People On Twitter About Why They Are Wrong And I Am Right (I Kid, By The Way), Cycling Dislikes: When I Was A Kid I Played This Ridiculously Hard Adventure Game On The Original Macintosh That Took Me Months To Defeat, And When I Finally Put In The Final Piece To The Final Puzzle All It Said Was Game Over And Restarted (Note: I Did Not Petition The Company To Redo The Ending), My S...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 03/22/12
By GameInformer, published 22-03-2012
It was a volatile week in the world of blogging as numerous gamers penned their thoughts on the contentious ending to Mass Effect 3. Amidst those blogs were some others that you should find equally entertaining and less controversial. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: March 12 - March 18, 2012Number of User Blogs: 96Number of User Bloggers: 68Number of User Blogs Herded: 10 Community Blogs: How Females Are Negatively PresentedSilvershine08 tackles the delicate issue of being a girl gamer in today's digital landscape and the disparity between how many gamers are female and the way they are represented in most video games. Lessons In Interactive Storytelling From A Player's PerspectiveA short blog by ps2freak about two rather whimsical titles that surprised the industry with thei...
BioWare Addressing Mass Effect 3 Endings
By GameInformer, published 21-03-2012
BioWare says it's working on game content that will hopefully bring closure and clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3. A new letter posted by Bioware co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka addresses the issues and concerns the team has faced since the game launched earlier this month. Muzyka said the development team is working on a number of game content initiatives that will "help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey." Muzyka adds that some of the fan outrage has gone a little too far. "We listen and will respond to constructive criticism, but much as we will not tolerate individual attacks on our team members, we will not support or respond to destructive commentary," he said. He concluded by saying f...
Silent Hill HD Collection Review: Old Nightmares Reborn
By GameInformer, published 20-03-2012
Silent Hill 2 wowed gamers from the first moment they saw protagonist James Sunderland standing in a decrepit, meticulously detailed bathroom. From the streaked mirror to the stained porcelain, the rest stop looked like the last place on Earth you’d ever want to be. Silent Hill 2 helped usher in the PlayStation 2 era of horror games with beautifully grotesque visuals, and its sequel iterated on the successful formula. Now Silent Hill 2 and 3 have been updated with high definition visuals and new voice acting, allowing you to revisit the games as your nostalgic mind remembers them.Both the original versions of Silent Hill 2 and 3 have aged quite well, but this HD collection replaces all the muddy textures and character models with cleaner visuals. The fuzzy fog of Silent Hill feels mo...
BioWare Responds To Mass Effect 3 Endings
By GameInformer, published 17-03-2012
[Update] Mass Effect 3 executive producer Casey Hudson has issued the following statement on Mass Effect 3's endings: There’s been a lot of discussion and debate about the conclusion of Mass Effect 3, so I thought I’d share my perspective with you here. I’ll avoid outright spoilers, but I’d still recommend finishing the game and experiencing it for yourself before reading this. For the last eight years, Mass Effect has been a labor of love for our team; love for the characters we’ve created, for the medium of video games, and for the fans that have supported us. For us and for you, Mass Effect 3 had to live up to a lot of expectations, not only for a great gaming experience, but for a resolution to the countless storylines and decisions you’ve made ...
Weekend Warrior 03/16/12
By GameInformer, published 17-03-2012
It’s the weekend, so some of us are playing Mass Effect 3, and some of us are being fools. Jeff Marchiafava: I’m gonna play more Mass Effect 3. All weekend. Kyle Hilliard: I will be putting aside Mass Effect 3 for at least a little while so that I can make my way through Journey. It seems like the sort of game I will love, but I haven’t had a chance to play it since it released earlier this week. I also made mention of a zoo visit last week which never came to fruition. This weekend will be round two on the zoo visit. Andrew Reiner: This weekend belongs to Silent Hill Downpour and Asura's Wrath. When the sun falls, I'm switching over to Mass Effect 3's multiplayer. I should break level 100 by Sunday. Ben Hanson: This weekend I will finally be returning to th...
GI Show 103: Silent Hill, Journey, Japanese Game Industry
By GameInformer, published 16-03-2012
Another week, another show, and we've got a good one. In our first segment, we've got one of the year's most critically acclaimed games -- thatgamecompany founder Jenova Chen's Journey. It's not like anything you've ever played before, and this dreamlike game is generating a deep emotional response from those who experience it. Matt Miller, who's been following the game and reviewed it for Game Informer, stops by to tell host Matt Helgeson why this is a title you should not miss. Next up, Tim Turi breaks down a pair of interesting games, Silent Hill: Downpour and I Am Alive. While he's a bit disappointed in Silent Hill, it sounds like Ubisoft's I Am Alive has overcome its troubled development cycle to become something really special. Finally, we have a ...
Molyneux Talks Developing For Kinect, His Gaming Habits
By GameInformer, published 14-03-2012
Throughout his career, designer Peter Molyneux has consistently been one of the most entertaining interviews in the industry. We had a chance to speak with him at the Microsoft Spring Showcase, mere days before he departed from Lionhead and Microsoft to join the new studio 22 Cans.What was your first job before you were in the gaming industry?I worked in strawberry picking, I worked in fish and chips shops, and I worked as a kitchen porter washing up dishes at a holiday camp for six months. I was voted the least likely person to succeed when I was in school, so that was my destiny. When I first started as a kitchen porter, that was it. That was the dizzying heights of my career at that particular time.When you think back on your gaming history as a fan, what were the games that really gra...
Journey Review: Beauty Trumps Complexity
By GameInformer, published 13-03-2012
One of the chief creative voices at thatgamecompany, Jenova Chen, once described his earlier game, Flower, in an intriguing way. He said it was to big disc-based games what poems are to novels. I can find no better description to apply to his follow-up, except to say that if Flower was an abstract haiku about the fragility of nature, Journey is a narrative ballad defined by discrete images and places. Journey offers players a brief but memorable glimpse into another world, and through the confluence of music, images, and play, a quiet meditation on solitude and the interconnection of people. As you might expect, a lot of what makes a game called Journey so engaging is the slow unraveling of mystery as you learn more about where you are and what you’re doing. To that end,...
Tales Of Graces F Review: A Story Of Friendship And JRPG Clichés
By GameInformer, published 03-12-2012
Tales of Graces f follows the story of Asbel, his childhood friends, and a mysterious amnesiac girl he found on a hill near his hometown. You begin the game as a child, and after a terrible incident which will remain vague in the interest of avoiding spoilers, Asbel jumps forward seven years to pick up the story as a young adult, living with his choices. It’s this jump forward in time where the story begins to get interesting, but it takes about eight monotonous hours of gameplay to get to. Thankfully, the story never becomes a journey to collect seven parts of a crystal to defeat an evil monster or anything like that. Later in the game it even begins to dip heavily into science fiction. I wasn’t expecting this, but I happily accepted it. The world feels small comp...
George Washington, Gaming's Next Secret Ingredient?
By GameInformer, published 03-09-2012
It may seem a little strange, but George Washington has been cropping up everywhere in games these days. Our first president is an important figure in Ubisoft's upcoming Assassin's Creed 3, and a clockwork version of Mr. Washington is one of the new enemy types in BioShock Infinite. Don't forget his role in The Conduit 2, either. Could George Washington be the Next Big Thing in gaming, joining the ranks of mainstays such as bald space marines, crash-prone helicopters, and the almighty exploding barrel? Let's take a look at how his presence could make just about everything better. By now, you've trained bears to juggle and have jungle cats eating from the palm of your hand. For a real challenge, see if you can get George Washington to catch a Frisbee with his mouth or ...
Reiner And Phil Play MLB 12: The Show
By GameInformer, published 03-09-2012
My best friend Reiner and I have been on a lot of adventures together, but nothing could have prepared us for the epic RPG journey that is MLB 12: The Show. While Reiner babbles on about something called "based ball" (??), I go into intricate detail about the intense, stat-based experience going on in this game. Can't tell your mages from your warlocks and your critical hits from your armor class? Don't worry, everyone, I'm here to help. Seriously, though, even if you're not terribly interested in MLB 12: The Show, this video's pretty funny, and you should watch it. Check it out below and then watch older episodes of Reiner and Phil on our hub page. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Sony Xperia S hits UK, carrier Three is the first to get it
By GSMArena, published 03-08-2012
The Sony Xperia S finally completed its journey to the UK and is now available for purchase. The first smartphone to ship with the Sony branding, rather than Sony Ericsson, is already offered by Three both on a contract and on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can have the Sony Xperia S for free if you are willing to sign a contract on The One Plan worth £30/month or £36/month. That would give you...
Peter Molyneux Leaves Lionhead For New Studio
By GameInformer, published 03-07-2012
Peter Molyneux, one of the founders of Lionhead Studios and the creative head at Microsoft Studios Europe, has announced that he was leaving those positions for a job at new company 22 Cans. Longtime gamers know Molyneux for his work on classic PC games such as Populous and Dungeon Keeper, though he's perhaps more well known among contemporary audiences for his Fable series. "I have left the lovely amazing Microsoft and lionhead. Now for something really amazing, scary and brave a new company called 22 Cans," he tweeted this morning. "It is with mixed emotions that I made the decision to leave Microsoft and Lionhead Studios, the company that I co-founded in 1997, at the conclusion of development of Fable: The Journey," he later told Kotaku in a statement. Molyneux ...
Here's How To Download Journey Early
By GameInformer, published 03-02-2012
It's very simple, but it may cost you a little bit extra. All you need to do is become a PlayStation Plus member if you aren't one already. Once you do that, you can start downloading the game next week. I'm not sure of the exact date that you can start downloading it is, but it will be before March 13, which is when the game officially becomes available. By downloading the game early, you also get a dynamic theme from the game. If our review is to be believed, it's definitely something you will want to look into. [via IGN]
Journey Review: Beauty Trumps Complexity
By GameInformer, published 03-01-2012
One of the chief creative voices at thatgamecompany, Jenova Chen, once described his earlier game, Flower, in an intriguing way. He said it was to big disc-based games what poems are to novels. I can find no better description to apply to his follow-up, except to say that if Flower was an abstract haiku about the fragility of nature, Journey is a narrative ballad defined by discrete images and places. Journey offers players a brief but memorable glimpse into another world, and through the confluence of music, images, and play, a quiet meditation on solitude and the interconnection of people. As you might expect, a lot of what makes a game called Journey so engaging is the slow unraveling of mystery as you learn more about where you are and what you’re doing. To that end,...
April Cover Revealed: Assassin's Creed III
By GameInformer, published 03-01-2012
For years now we've enjoyed the adventures of Ezio Auditore as he makes his way through the Italian Renaissance and Ottoman-controlled Constantinople. That story is over. Ever since the conclusion of Assassin's Creed II, a senior team of Ubisoft developers has been secretly toiling away on what comes next. That team aimed high, with plans to examine and rethink every element of the franchise from the ground up, build something new, and take a full three year development cycle to do it. The game that emerged is Assassin's Creed III. Set in the latter half of the 18th century, we'll see the war between the Templars and the Assassins escalate as it crosses over to the New World of America, and witness firsthand the events of the American Revolution. Caught in the conflict is a...
Journey Dev Looking Beyond PlayStation
By GameInformer, published 27-02-2012
The developer behind flOw, Flower, and Journey appears to be going multiplatform for the future. In an interview with Pushsquare.com, co-founder Jenova Chen was asked what's next for his company. He said the team wants to develop games for a "bigger audience" beyond what's offered on PlayStation consoles. "Thatgamecompany had a three game contract with Sony, so the past three games had to be Sony exclusive," he said. "Right now we are very much exploring ways to bring our games to a bigger audience, beyond just PlayStation. "We are still in the process of negotiating, but I hope that we can announce it [soon]. But right now it’s still in the process." Thatgamecompany's community manager chimed in saying: "flOw, Flower, and Journey ...
GI Staff And Reader Interests, Dislikes, And Favorite Games: Issue #227
By GameInformer, published 23-02-2012
The Game Informer monthly staff page is a forum where we all come together and talk about what's cool right now. We'll get the ball rolling and would love to hear everyone's current interests, dislikes, and favorite games. Andy McNamara Profile E-mail Editor Interests: Austin Hill Country Biking, Timberwolves Basketball, DICE Speeches By Todd Howard, Tim Sweeney, and Many Others, Getting To Know My PS Vita (Not Sure It Is A Hit Yet But I'm Enjoying My Time Quite A Bit), The Hunger Games, Nook Dislikes: Bad Internet, Texas Drivers And Crappy Shoulders For Bikers, The Vita Browser Current Favorite Games: Pinball FX 2, Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational, Super Stardust Delta, Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning Andrew Reiner Profile E-mail...
Guild Wars 2 Is The MMO Revolution That Star Wars: The Old Republic Promised
By GameInformer, published 21-02-2012
In the lead-up to the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare and EA increased the hype by pushing the idea that their game was revolutionary. I always cringed when I heard it. The Old Republic wrapped together a lot of things I already loved about MMOs and proved that adding a real story to that formula is a meaningful change. It was enough to draw me in and keep me hooked for a few months, but calling it "revolutionary" is an exaggeration. ArenaNet is no BioWare. It is a relatively small Seattle-area company that many non-PC gamers haven’t even heard of, and it’s is preparing to release what appears to be the slickest, most smartly developed MMO I’ve ever seen. Oh, and there’s no subscription fee. ArenaNet has been quietly working away for years ...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 02/16/12
By GameInformer, published 16-02-2012
This week marks the 25th consecutive episode of Blog Herding since its triumphant return roughly six months ago. In that time we've witnessed the community grow and prosper as bloggers deliver exceptional content week after week, including the latest round of blogs listed below. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: February 06 - February 12, 2012Number of User Blogs: 82Number of User Bloggers: 62Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Community Events: Frag Fest March 4thIt's been awhile since the community conducted a Frag Fest, but Sheriff Warbuff is coordinating a special Halo Reach Custom Map Pack event. Submit your own maps or show up just to play. Details inside. Community Blogs: Twelve Video Game Clichés That Will Never DieA clever post by the Mysterious Stranger explor...
Journey Out In March
By GameInformer, published 16-02-2012
Thatgamecompany's latest high-concept PSN title is Journey, and the game has just received a release date. The game will be available on March 13 at the PlayStation Marketplace for $14.99, and the game will kick-off PSN's Spring Fever event. Other games in the showcase will be announced in the future. Look for our review in the April issue of Game Informer.
Dear Esther Review: A Haunting Indie Story Worth Listening To
By GameInformer, published 13-02-2012
Back in 2008 an ambitious indie mod was released using Valve’s Source Engine to tell the somber tale of a man coping with loss while exploring an enigmatic island. Thechineseroom’s Dear Esther has been remade with the help of Robert Briscoe, a former DICE employee and environmental artist for Mirror’s Edge. The update includes enhanced visuals, remastered music and narration, and polished stage design – though labeling the sprawling Hebridean landscapes and awe-inspiring caverns “stages” would be disingenuous. This brief glimpse into one man’s pained reflections may not qualify as a game to many, but it’s a journey worth taking for open-minded gamers.Interaction with the world of Dear Esther is limited. Control of the main character is simpli...
Weekend Warrior 02/10/12
By GameInformer, published 02-11-2012
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend; maybe we should be spending a few days trying to woo our significant others back into our good graces. Instead, we’ll be broadening the gap by playing a lot of video games. We’ll buy them a big Christmas gift at the end of the year, so we’re sure everything will even out in the end. Jeff Marchiafava: The past few weekends I have vowed and failed to beat Saints Row: The Third. This week I picked up Skate 3 as a complete impulse buy, further ensuring I will fail again. When I’m not mutilating my skater in Skate 3’s Hall of Meat challenges (by far the best addition to any skateboarding game), I’ll probably spend some time playing Pinball FX 2 – Jeff Cork sent me a message saying he beat my Thor score, so now...
Strife Breeds Strife: Inspiration For The Last Of Us
By GameInformer, published 02-10-2012
Naughty Dog is attempting to deliver a very different gaming experience with The Last of Us. The ambitious team wants to craft a tense atmosphere, believable relationships, and a post-apocalyptic world like we have never seen in video games. While The Last of Us is a brand new IP, the talented crew at Naughty Dog is citing myriad sources of inspiration for the game. After chatting with the team for our March cover story, we came away with a list of Naughty Dog’s key muses. No Country for Old MenThe Coen brothers’ film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s grim novel is serving as inspiration for The Last of Us on several levels. “The psychological impact that this movie had was completely inspiring,” says director Bruce Straley regarding his first time watching th...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 02/09/12
By GameInformer, published 02-09-2012
The output of the Game Informer blogging community dipped slightly this week but that doesn't mean there aren't still some great posts to read, including a few of the best provided below. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: January 30 – February 05, 2012Number of User Blogs: 65Number of User Bloggers: 53Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Community Blogs: What Makes Us Special?Continuing the ongoing debate of purchasing video games new or old, we get to hear from a voice who works in the industry as Sheriff Warbuff shares his thoughts on the often controversial subject. Why Free-To-Play Is GeniusA number of members in the community are debating purchasing new or old video games, but Jack, The Quixotic Gamer switches gears and talks about why the free-to-play business model is a...
The Story And Environments Of The Last Of Us
By GameInformer, published 02-08-2012
With the release of Uncharted 3 behind them, the next creation to leave the hallowed halls of Naughty Dog is an original game called The Last of Us. The team at the Santa Monica-based studio has spent the last two years creating an entirely new world. The game is a post-apocalyptic tale about survival, but the team at Naughty Dog hopes that the journey of the main characters and the green environments will help them stand apart from anything you've seen before. The game director Bruce Straley and creative director Neil Druckmann are putting a heavy emphasis on the story, and now is your chance to learn how that story begins. Watch the video below to hear about the early portions of the game and what kind of environments Joel and Ellie will be exploring as they strike out on their adve...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 02/02/12
By GameInformer, published 02-02-2012
Of course there are a diverse collection of blogs again this week, but one of the prevailing topics breaking the headlines and being debated around the community is the focus on purchasing new video games versus used video games and the various techniques used by the industry to persuade the consumer to buy new. Read the blogs and join the discussion on an issue that affects us all. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: January 23 – January 29, 2012Number of User Blogs: 78Number of User Bloggers: 55Number of User Blogs Herded: 8 Community Blogs: Do Incentives Work Better Than Punishments?Oni no Tenshi provides a clever and colorful perspective on the sometimes controversial topic of buying new games versus used games and which technique yields the best results. It's NOT The End ...
Dead Island's Ryder White DLC Packs Punch, Lacks Polish
By GameInformer, published 02-01-2012
Dead Island greeted gamers with an unexpected surprise months before the flood of holiday releases overcame us. You may still be struggling for breath amidst last holiday’s games, but Deep Silver has gone ahead and released a DLC add-on for Dead Island in an attempt to rekindle those good times you had with the game. The streamlined new single-player chapter packs a lot of fast-paced, firearm-focused fun, but it also serves as a reminder to the small nuisances that held back the original experience. Right off the bat, you should ignore the Ryder White DLC if you enjoy Dead Island solely for its co-op or skill progression; This doesn’t have it. Given that the DLC can be completed in about six hours, there isn’t a lot of time to spend beefing up a character. I missed the a...
Our Ten Favorite Episodes Of Replay
By GameInformer, published 27-01-2012
We've been doing Replay for two years now, and in the course of the series we've played over 100 games. Some of the best games of all time have received the Replay treatment, and so have some of the worst. To celebrate the beginning of our second season of Replay (beginning tomorrow), the crew has put together a list of our ten favorite episodes of all time. Reiner, Tim, and myself also sat down to discuss the creation of Replay, some anecdotes you may not know about, and some hints at what the future holds. You can listen to it here or download it from the file attachment link at the bottom of the page: (Please visit the site to view this media) Now on to the list! Reader's Pick: Mario Party 3Cast: Dan Ryckert, Joe Juba, Matt Helgeson, Adam Biessener (Please visit the site to...
Naughty Dog Co-founder Wrote A Novel
By GameInformer, published 23-01-2012
Andy Gavin once made a game you like. Maybe you’ll also like his new dark fantasy vampire novel, The Darkening Dream. In 1986, Andy Gavin helped found Naughty Dog and then worked on everything from Crash Bandicoot to the Jak & Daxter series. Recently however, Gavin has been working on entering the book-publishing world. His new book, The Darkening Dream from Mascherato Publishing takes place in 1913 Salem, Massachusetts and revolves around a young woman’s journey to unravel a conspiracy involving a 900-year-old vampire, a demon-loving Puritan warlock, and some disgruntled Egyptian gods. Sounds wild enough to be entertaining. You can check out the cover at below, and read the first couple chapters here.
Ten Video Game Foods We Wanna Eat
By GameInformer, published 18-01-2012
From power-ups to health recovery, food plays a huge role in video games. Fortunately for you, we sat down to come up with something original for you to read today on an empty stomach. Like a starving chump in a grocery store, we raided gaming’s cupboards to bring out a list of unique digital delicacies we’d love to sample. A Human Being (Any Zombie Game) It took us a little while to build up the courage to try uniquely prepared foods like sushi and rare steak, but it’s a lot easier to take a chance when you see people voraciously shoveling it into their mouths. So what’s the deal with human flesh? You can’t play a video game today without encountering droves of undead connoisseurs hungry for that stuff on your skeleton. We’re not sure if it’s l...
Prototype Morphing Into A Digital Comic Series
By GameInformer, published 17-01-2012
One of the trickier parts of a sequel can be explaining how the events of the previous story line up with the new one. Radical Entertainment is tackling that challenge with help from Dark Horse Comics. An upcoming digital comic series will explain how players moved from Alex Mercer's story to new hero Sgt. James Heller's adventure. “We’re always looking for meaningful ways to expand the Prototype universe, and Dark Horse Comics is an industry-leading creative powerhouse delivering best-in-class graphic storytelling that integrates deeply to the core of our IP,” gushes Ken Rosman, studio head at Radical. “With this partnership, our fans will finally be given answers to some dramatic loose ends from the first Prototype game, as well as the truth behind Alex M...
Final Fantasy XIII-2's Achievements/ Trophies Are Nice And Vague
By GameInformer, published 14-01-2012
In addition to giving players a reason to keep playing, achievements and trophies often seem to have another purpose: spoiling key story moments. It's tough to estimate the number of big surprises we've had ruined for us after taking a quick glance at a game's incentives. That's why Final Fantasy XIII-2's list is kind of awesome. The descriptive text for the story-related achievements read a lot like poetry. "Left behind a normal life, and began a journey through time," is certainly more interesting than "Finished chapter 1," and "Acknowledged the threat facing the world, and decided to fight back," beats the pants off of "Beat XXX in battle." Of course, that degree of ambiguity cuts both ways. Good luck determining what "De...
ICO and Shadow Of The Colossus Coming To PSN
By GameInformer, published 13-01-2012
The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is coming to PSN this Tuesday, January 17. Sony will sell the games individually for $19.99 each. The remastered games won't include the special bonus features found in the retail package, however. The collection currently sells for $39.99. [Source: PlayStation Blogcast]
Hands On With I Am Alive
By GameInformer, published 13-01-2012
When gamers explore post-apocalyptic settings, we're normally armed to the teeth with assault rifles, grenades, and stimpaks. Rare is the game that throws you into the chaotic aftermath of a worldwide catastrophe with no viable resources. Ubisoft's I Am Alive ventures off the beaten path by embracing the dreary realism of a fractured civilization. Much like Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road or Gary Whitta's film The Book of Eli, the world of I Am Alive is desolate and barren, with few survivors inhabiting the devastated cities. Water and canned food are the most prized possessions those eking out a life in this cruel world could have. Weapons are few and far between; don't expect to come across ammunition caches or bandoleers. Developer Ubisoft Shanghai further drives ...
Game Informer Show 95: Richard Garriott's Space Mission, CES
By GameInformer, published 13-01-2012
This week, we decided to do something a little different on the Game Informer Show. In the first segment, host Matt Helgeson is joined by famed Ultima creator Richard Garriott, who is generally considered the father of the modern MMO, who tells us about his trip to the International Space Station. His journey into space is documented in a new film entitled Man on a Mission, which hits theaters and pay-per-view tomorrow. He's one of only seven private citizens to go into space, and he spent $30 million of his own money to do it. It's quite a tale. We also get a little glimpse into what's next for Garriott as a game designer -- and it's not what you expect. In the second segment, GI's Matt Bertz calls in from Las Vegas, where he's covering the annual Consumer Electro...
A Picture Preview Of Alan Wake American Nightmare
By GameInformer, published 01-12-2012
In the world of Alan Wake, there is an Urban Legend about a man who took his wife out into the woods and murdered her. This man is Mr. Scratch, Alan Wake's dark doppelgänger who emerged from the Dark Place, a reality that was first featured in the first Alan Wake game.We previously detailed the first half hour of American Nightmare, but at this year's CES we got hands on time with another level of the game. This is our journey through Alan Wake's dark twisted fantasy. The first Alan Wake was a survival suspense title that drew inspiration from shows like Twin Peaks and writers like Stephen King. American Nightmare, on the other hand, has a more urban sci-fi vibe, and has drawn from sources like Route 66 and Quentin Tarantino's From Dusk Till Dawn. The game takes plac...
Casey Hudson On Finishing Mass Effect 3, DLC Plans
By GameInformer, published 01-10-2012
Last month, I journeyed north to Canada to take an early look at three lengthy missions from BioWare’s upcoming epic sci-fi RPG Mass Effect 3. You can read an in-depth report on my experience with the game in the February 2012 issue of Game Informer, but while I was there I also had a chance to sit down with BioWare executive producer Casey Hudson. We discussed the monumental task of finishing such a complex, interconnected series, new game mode options being introduced in Mass Effect 3, and what he sees in BioWare’s future. Game Informer: What struck me immediately with the stuff I just played in Mass Effect 3 – I’ve actually been replaying Mass Effect 2 on insanity difficulty the last couple of weeks, so it’s very fresh in my mind what the gameplay and miss...
Meet A Moogle In New New Final Fantasy XIII-2 Trailer
By GameInformer, published 01-05-2012
Moogles are returning to Final Fantasy in a significant way in Square Enix's upcoming game Final Fantasy XIII-2. The character Mog will be joining Serah on her journey, helping her find hidden treasure and giving her party an edge in combat by fudging with the laws of time. The new trailer below shows off Mog in action, demonstrating its amazing abilities to sniff out loot and slowing down the passage of time in battle. With abilities that handy, it's almost worth having to listen to its constant Kupo-ing. The game comes out for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 31st. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Rumor: Co-op Multi-console Epic Mickey 2 To Release Next Year
By GameInformer, published 30-12-2011
Confirmation of a multi-console sequel to Epic Mickey popped up seemingly by accident in a Disney newsletter. All of this information comes form an article on StitchKingdom.com, and though they offer links to the newsletter in question, the information about Epic Mickey 2 no longer seems to be present. It may be an issue of information being accidentally placed in the newsletter, and then quickly removed. In any case, here's what the newsletter is supposed to have said. The newsletter said that Epic Mickey 2 should be releasing Fall 2012, will be multi-console, and feature co-op. The newsletter had the following description of the game: "Disney Epic Mickey 2 is the latest game in the critically acclaimed Disney Epic Mickey videogame series. In this all-new action-platforming gam...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 12/29/11
By GameInformer, published 29-12-2011
The blogging community worked through the holidays to bring you all a gift in the form of exceptional video game-inspired user blogs and podcasts. This marks the final Blog Herding blog of the year, so have a safe and Happy New Year and we'll see you back here next week. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: December 19 – December 25 2011Number of User Blogs: 86Number of User Bloggers: 62Number of User Blogs Herded: 11 Community Blogs: What The Next Gen Xbox NeedsA solid post with a completely impartial perspective written by Allen that discusses a few interesting proposals he would like to see incorporated into the next generation of the Xbox. If I Could Make Games Into MoviesWe all know the track record of video game to movie crossovers, but that doesn't mean we can't ...
Journey To The Wall In New Game Of Thrones Trailer
By GameInformer, published 22-12-2011
The new trailer for Atlus' upcoming Game of Thrones video game adaptation shows off one of the most unique landmarks in the fantasy realm of Westeros: The Wall, an icy barrier constructed to protect the civilized people of the world from an ancient, evil force. The trailer is brief, but it certainly makes it look like Atlus and developer Cyanide have at least captured the tone of the George R.R. Martin novels that the game is based off. That's a good first step, at least. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Getting Started In Star Wars: The Old Republic
By GameInformer, published 21-12-2011
Will this holiday mark the beginning of your journey into Bioware's sprawling MMO? Our extensive beginner's guide offers simple tips to help get you going. Trying to offer advice to potential MMO players is tricky, since there's such a broad spread of experience and background in the genre. For many players, The Old Republic is the next in a long line of MMO love affairs. In fact, you've probably been researching the ins and outs of The Old Republic for months. We figure you're doing pretty well on your own. Move along. These aren't the droids you're looking for. However, The Old Republic is likely to attract some new players into the mix, many of whom might have only dabbled in previous MMOs, or never played an MMO at all. Whether you love Star Wars movies or...
The Geek Traveler: Gadgets and Tips for Your Vacation
By MaximumPC, published 20-12-2011
It’s oxymoronic to say that a vacation is stressful. But it is. And I’m not even talking about the sand that’s waiting to creep into your shorts on the beach, the hotel room that’s going to spring a leak, or the vast number of other disasters about to transpire throughout your travels. I’m talking about the very, very beginning of your vacation: The part right after you’ve planned and purchased the tickets up until the moment you step off the plane at your intended (and final) destination. As a geek, you’re probably wondering if there’s a better way to go about “the routine:” The printing of the tickets, the writing down of the key details, the absurdity of the packing, the praying that your carry-on bag isn’t too big, et cetera. Well, there is. Technology benefits al...
In Depth: The 10 biggest gadget letdowns of 2011
By TechRadar, published 20-12-2011
10 gadget letdowns of 2011You know all about the best gadgets of 2011. You probably own quite a few of them, and you'll still be paying for them well into 2013. But what about the numerous duffers? What about the products that promised a revolution, talked the talk, appearing looking exciting in advert breaks during the football, but in the end only delivered a whimpering lump of nothing good only for your friendly local landfill site?We like to be inclusive here at TechRadar, so here are the losers of 2011. The biggest letdowns in tech of the last 12 months, the products that ought to be recalled not for safety purposes, but to preserve the reputations of the manufacturers involved. If you get any of these for Christmas, it's a signal that not only does Santa Claus not exist, but also the...
Discovering The Empire In Star Wars: The Old Republic
By GameInformer, published 20-12-2011
After three years of interminable waiting, we've finally had the opportunity to dig into BioWare’s upcoming Star Wars MMO. Even while we now get going on our final game release characters, weeks ago four Game Informer editors spent dozens of combined hours during the game's beta exploring different character classes populating the Sith Empire faction. We discovered a gigantic game whose scope and ambition are hard to overstate. Combining the traditions of World of Warcraft-style questing and cooperative multiplayer with the storytelling, character depth, and voice acting of other BioWare games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, The Old Republic is poised to reshape the MMO landscape. Every one of us who played the game found dramatically different experiences to be excited abo...
Is The Star Wars: The Old Republic Explorer's Guide For You?
By GameInformer, published 20-12-2011
We paged through Prima's Star Wars: The Old Republic Explorer's Guide, the essential atlas for spacemen and women seeking to dig into every galactic nook. The beefy tome include class-specific tips, detailed maps, and descriptions of each interesting locale. Here's what we liked about the Explorer's Guide: Summaries of each class, including specializations. These digestible descriptions are a much better way to familiarize yourself with each class than the clinical character creation menu. Class tips help you decide what statistical attributes to invest in and how to minimize your character's weaknesses. The guide also describes the role your future companion will play. Want a reliable healer? Better get Mako. Maps of every last area in the game detail the locations o...
Reiner And Phil Play Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me
By GameInformer, published 16-12-2011
Are you a fan of long elevator rides? Do you enjoy looking at loading screens? Join Phil and I as we journey through Duke Nukem Forever's first DLC offering, The Doctor Who Cloned Me. The DLC is available now for 800 MS points or $9.99. This episode starts off slow, but gains momentum when Duke runs into his robotic clones. You'll also get to see the best use of Game Informer's logo to date. You asked us to do a Reiner and Phil episode on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. We responded with this. You're welcome! (Please visit the site to view this media) If you enjoyed this episode of Reiner and Phil, why not watch another? Check out the full collection on the Reiner and Phil hub page. The adventures or Reiner and Phil also continue on twitter at Andrew_Reiner and Pkollar...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 12/15/11
By GameInformer, published 15-12-2011
The number of blogs posted this week rebounds back to normal levels while witnessing quite a few exceptional posts by infrequent bloggers. And as many of us are busy preparing for the holidays, quite a few gamers are preparing for the imminent release of The Old Republic. What better way to help pass the time than reading some community blogs, including a sampling of the best included below? Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: December 05 – December 11, 2011Number of User Blogs: 110Number of User Bloggers: 67Number of User Blogs Herded: 8 Community Blogs: Embracing InteractivityIt's common for video games to use cinema-like cut scenes to stitch the story and the gameplay together, but can this method be a distraction? Read Matthew Fugere's thoughts on the subject and see if...
HTC Explorer review: The start of a journey
By GSMArena, published 14-12-2011
Ever since the Aria, HTC have had a petite Android on offer and the HTC Explorer is the latest in the line. With an affordable price tag, the plucky little smartphone will appeal to people looking for a compact set or users who are just about getting...
Lionhead Hiring For MMO-Ish Project
By GameInformer, published 14-12-2011
A Microsoft job listing on behalf of Guildford, England's Lionhead Studios (Fable franchise) is searching for someone with MMO passion and experience. What's interesting about the listing, is that it doesn't straight out say it's looking for someone to work on an MMO, but rather is seeking "someone who enjoys playing MMO games and has significant experience with the workings of a massive online multiplayer environment." We may be reading too much into this whole thing, but could it be that Lionhead is looking for someone with enough MMO experience to fold those qualities into another genre? Will this be the other, non-Fable: The Journey project that Peter Molyneux has talked about? Given Microsoft's resistance to putting up an MMO on Xbox Live (at least for t...
Horror Fans Should Accept This Invitation
By GameInformer, published 12-07-2011
Fans of slasher films know that the joy of a great, campy horror flick isn’t the destination; it’s the blood-spattered journey. Figuring out the trick to conquering some otherworldly power that has been slaughtering innocent teenagers may be the resolution, but most of us are just there to watch the massacre. Corpse Party developer Team GrisGris clearly understands this twisted secret to shock cinema and puts it to expert use in this downloadable PSP game. Corpse Party begins innocently enough, as a group of Japanese students and their teacher gather together to say goodbye to a friend who is transferring. One of the students is obsessed with the occult and introduces the group to a ritual that will ensure they stay friends forever. Unsurprisingly, something goes wrong, and th...
Pro Gaming Comes Of Age
By GameInformer, published 12-07-2011
“A beer in one hand and shouting at the TV, I finally understand football,” declares StarCraft II design director Dustin Browder. The “Barcraft” phenomenon Browder is gushing about, where gamers take over a sports bar and put StarCraft II streams on the establishment’s high-def displays, has accelerated its spread across the United States since being covered in The Wall Street Journal. Valve gave away a million dollars to a Dota 2 team for winning a tournament of a game that isn’t even out yet. Riot Games announced a five million dollar total purse for the second season of League of Legends. Professional gaming is no longer some weird Korean activity, incomprehensible to Western audiences. The future of pro-level competitive gaming has finally arrived. ...
The Adventures of Tintin: The Game Review
By GameInformer, published 12-06-2011
You may have never heard of Tintin, but it’s a big deal in Europe. Since this highly regarded Belgian comic book series created by Hergé debuted in 1929, it’s been translated into more than 80 languages and has sold more than 350 million comics. Now the famed Belgian reporter is getting his moment in the spotlight Stateside thanks to the new animated film directed by Steven Spielberg. As with any action-adventure film these days, Spielberg’s reimagining of Tintin is accompanied by a game adaptation.In this game, Tintin strives to uncover the treasure of the Unicorn, an old ship that was sunk by its own captain. The awkwardly told tale lacks any emotional connection; things just sort of happen, characters just sort of meet, and everything seemingly happens by circum...
Facebook confirms Gowalla buyout
By TechRadar, published 12-05-2011
Facebook has confirmed that it has bought location-based social network Gowalla for an undisclosed sum.There were reports at the weekend that Facebook had purchased Gowalla, but these were from an anonymous source.At the time both companies stayed tight-lipped about the acquisition but now they have gone public with statements revealing that Gowalla would indeed be integrated into the sprawling social mass that is Facebook."We're excited to confirm that Gowalla co-founders Josh Williams and Scott Raymond, along with other members of the Gowalla team, are moving to Facebook in January to join our design and engineering teams," said a Facebook spokesperson in a statement."In talking with the Gowalla team, we realised that we share many of the same goals: building great products t...
Tutorial: 10 Windows Phone 7.5 Mango tweaks
By TechRadar, published 12-05-2011
10 Windows Phone 7.5 Mango tweaksThe Mango update for Windows Phone is a huge leap forward for the platform, bringing battery-friendly multitasking and lots more features for developers - like being able to use the camera and GPS in apps. And setup is as simple as ever; just fill in the details for your Windows Live account, Facebook and Twitter and all your contacts and calendar entries will arrive. But there are a few settings you'll want to change to make the best of your phone. Here are our ten recommended Windows Phone Mango tweaks.1. Use more than one tab in IEMango includes the mobile version of IE9 so you can now load just about any website, but if you follow a few links from tweets in the What's New section and then open the tabs, you won't see anything except the last page. By de...
Facebook buys location service Gowalla
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
Mega social networking site Facebook has bought location service Gowalla for an undisclosed sum.Gowalla's check-in service will be used to bolster Facebook's upcoming Timeline interface, which founder Mark Zuckerberg describes as, 'the story of your life: all your stories, all your apps and a new way to express who you are.'Gowalla started as a FourSquare-esque location-based system, but soon became aimed towards travellers who want to document their journeys.'The big picture'An anonymous source told CNN that, 'As far as the big picture, Gowalla's vision is about people telling stories, and Facebook's vision for Timeline is about stories about important moments in life.'It's not known whether Gowalla will maintain its own identity, or if it will be swallowed up into Facebook's new system. ...
Facebook buys location service Gowalla
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
Mega social networking site Facebook has bought location service Gowalla for an undisclosed sum.Gowalla's check-in service will be used to bolster Facebook's upcoming Timeline interface, which founder Mark Zuckerberg describes as, 'the story of your life: all your stories, all your apps and a new way to express who you are.'Gowalla started as a FourSquare-esque location-based system, but soon became aimed towards travellers who want to document their journeys.'The big picture'An anonymous source told CNN that, 'As far as the big picture, Gowalla's vision is about people telling stories, and Facebook's vision for Timeline is about stories about important moments in life.'It's not known whether Gowalla will maintain its own identity, or if it will be swallowed up into Facebook's new system. ...
Facebook buys location service Gowalla
By TechRadar, published 12-03-2011
Mega social networking site Facebook has bought location service Gowalla for an undisclosed sum.Gowalla's check-in service will be used to bolster Facebook's upcoming Timeline interface, which founder Mark Zuckerberg describes as, 'the story of your life: all your stories, all your apps and a new way to express who you are.'Gowalla started as a FourSquare-esque location-based system, but soon became aimed towards travellers who want to document their journeys.'The big picture'An anonymous source told CNN that, 'As far as the big picture, Gowalla's vision is about people telling stories, and Facebook's vision for Timeline is about stories about important moments in life.'It's not known whether Gowalla will maintain its own identity, or if it will be swallowed up into Facebook's new system. ...
Assassin's Creed Recollection - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 12-02-2011
Key Features: ASSEMBLE A VIRTUAL GALLERY – Assassin’s Creed is renowned for the accurate representation of various historical locations around the world and for the high level of quality and fidelity in character design. It is now possible to go behind the scenes to amass and enjoy the artwork created by the talented artists who worked on all Assassin’s Creed games. TACTICAL DEPTH – The war between the Templar and the Assassins is now invading the iPad in this real-time board game. Players will be able to engage in deep tactical gameplay in order to outsmart their enemies in challenging political battles. PREPARE YOUR MEMORY SEQUENCE -With over 280 different Memories to discover, reconnect with some of the famous characters from Assassin’s Creed 2 and Assass...
15 Futuristic Display Technologies That Will Change The Way You See The World
By MaximumPC, published 12-01-2011
After watching Captain Picard solving all those Victorian murder mysteries on the Enterprise’s holodeck, we have to say that staring at a basic, flat-panel monitor is sooooo 20th century. Wasn’t the future of television watching supposed to be way cooler than this by now? Yeah, it was, but don’t worry; those spiffy high-tech displays have only been delayed, not scrapped entirely. A veritable army of hard-working engineers have been laboring day and night to bring flexible phones, holograms you can feel, physical 3D interfaces, and touchscreen, well, everything to your living room, car and workplace sometime soon. And hey, we’ve got actual pictures to prove it! Actually, about those pictures: still images just don’t do justice to a lot of these futuristic displays. We’ve p...
Bust-n-Rush - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 30-11-2011
Genetic engineering has long since been a practice of myth and science fiction. However, this myth is very much a reality on Thurl, the moon of Loc. These genetic creations or Steamrollers have been carefully crafted for power and speed, to harvest the precious materials deep in the crust of the moon. Their creators, the ‘Dandies’ live only for decadence and hedonistic pleasure. By being so attached to their material luxuries, they have even been known to push their creations to the point of death. But now, the struggle for strength and speed has come to culmination. Finally we meet Kovo, a Steamroller who has no need for the Dandies worthless weak material. All he knows is the freedom and joy that comes with running and breaking free of his bonds. Deep in The Depths of Thurl,...
Capcom puckering up for Sour Patch Kids
By GameSpot, published 30-11-2011
Soundtrack featuring Method Man song "World Gone Sour (The Lost Kids)" sweetens the deal for downloadable Xbox 360, PS3, and PC action adventure game based on top American sour candy brand. Capcom may be best known for franchises like Mega Man, Resident Evil, and Street Fighter, but the publisher has also produced games based on unconventional licenses like Yo! Noid for the NES (starring the Dominos Pizza mascot of the time) and Mr. Bill for iOS, featuring a clay character from Saturday Night Live decades after his last appearance on the show. Capcom today expanded its menagerie of unusual licenses with the announcement of a new Sour Patch Kids-based downloadable game. This could be the biggest gaming-candy crossover since 2002's Skittles-based Darkened Sky...
Follow Link's Wildest Adventures Yet On Twitter
By GameInformer, published 30-11-2011
I never fail to be amazed by the awesome concepts people come up with for unique Twitter accounts. Here's the latest that I've discovered: A Legend of Zelda fan has created a Twitter profile devoted to chronicling the adventures of his Toon Link toy with clever tweets and adorable photographs. You can follow along on this journey for yourself at the @LinksAdventures Twitter page. The image above makes reference to Spirit Tracks, while other recent entries include Link discovering a Deku Leaf, chilling with an original gold NES cartridge, and indulging in some very strange Elixir Soup. The Link's Adventures account is run by Alan Rappaport (@AlanRappa), a New Jersey native who describes himself as a "wanna be photographer." Judging by the quality of these shots, I thi...
Michael Jackson: The Experience - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 30-11-2011
Experience the excitement and the magic of Michael Jackson’s iconic music videos and short films in the palm of your hand in spectacular high definition graphics and sound. Michael Jackson The Experience for PlayStation® Vita invites players on a spectacularinteractive journey through 15 of the King of Pop’s most legendary hits. Built exclusively for the PlayStation Vita and true to Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking and visionary work, Michael Jackson The Experience introduces a brand new way of playing rhythm games, an experience as close as it gets to dancingon a portable console.
In Depth: How Mandriva was built
By TechRadar, published 28-11-2011
How Mandriva was builtThe distro now known as Mandriva has been making headlines since its inception - unfortunately not all of the press has been flattering. It's the distro the community first loved, and now just loves to hate. Way before Ubuntu and the current slew of desktop-friendly distros - when running Linux on your desktop was a measure of your geek cred - the technologically challenged turned to Mandriva. Over the years it grew in popularity, one man went on to form a firm - a company that would later show him the door. But there's more to Mandriva than what goes on in the boardroom. It's still one of the easiest distros for Linux newbies. Sure, Mandriva's fortunes have been on a downward spiral for quite some time, but the new team has managed to shrug off cash-flow problems and...
In Depth: How Mandriva was built
By TechRadar, published 28-11-2011
How Mandriva was builtThe distro now known as Mandriva has been making headlines since its inception - unfortunately not all of the press has been flattering. It's the distro the community first loved, and now just loves to hate. Way before Ubuntu and the current slew of desktop-friendly distros - when running Linux on your desktop was a measure of your geek cred - the technologically challenged turned to Mandriva. Over the years it grew in popularity, one man went on to form a firm - a company that would later show him the door. But there's more to Mandriva than what goes on in the boardroom. It's still one of the easiest distros for Linux newbies. Sure, Mandriva's fortunes have been on a downward spiral for quite some time, but the new team has managed to shrug off cash-flow problems and...
Battlefield 1943 Will Be Available To PlayStation 3 Battlefield 3 Owners
By GameInformer, published 26-11-2011
It's been a tumultuous journey for PlayStation 3 owners who were promised Battlefield 1943 for free with their purchase of Battlefield 3, but Electronic Arts is now making the game available. The game was promised to be included for free, but in October it was revealed that the game was pulled, and then earlier this month EA was taken to court over the missing game in a class action lawsuit. Now, EA is offering the game to buyers of Battlefield 3 for the PlayStation 3. Head here to begin the redemption process for the game. North American gamers can begin downloading on December 10, European gamers can begin downloading on November 26, and Japanese gamers can begin on December 17. There are a couple of hoops that still require your jumping through, but the game will be your...
NASA Curiosity Mars rover begins its 354m mile journey
By SlashGear, published 26-11-2011
NASA‘s Curiosity rover has begun its journey into space, the centerpiece of the Mars Science Laboratory project. Blasting off at 10:02 am EST from Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the $2.5bn rover will take nine months to travel the 354m miles between here and Mars, complete with an array of scientific [...]
To The Moon May Be The Best Story I've Played All Year
By GameInformer, published 25-11-2011
There's a good chance you've never heard of To the Moon. It's described by its developer as an "indie RPG/adventure game," although it's very light on the game elements. Despite that minor issue, it's absolutely one of the most well-written, emotionally effective interactive stories that I have played in 2011. To the Moon's sci-fi-lite plot borrows a teensy bit from Michel Gondry's incredible 2004 film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In that movie, a mysterious organization enters customers' minds to erase unwanted memories. In To the Moon, a mysterious organization enters the mind of dying elderly people in order to implant memories of them fulfilling their greatest desires. Players control Eva and Neil, two doctors who journey into the m...
Spec Ops: The Line - Videos and Trailers
By Game Revolution, published 23-11-2011
The journey trailer.
Activision CEO Compares Call Of Duty To The Hurt Locker, Black Hawk Down
By GameInformer, published 23-11-2011
This past weekend, I played through the Modern Warfare 3 single-player campaign in full. Without getting into spoilers, this six-hour military epic had me stepping into the boots of various characters to shoot up the New York Stock Exchange, witness terrorist-driven devastation in Paris, and stab a freaking hyena. In other words, it's a little crazy. But according to Activision CEO Eric Hirschberg, people should treat this plot the same as the story of serious military dramas like The Hurt Locker. Speaking to Kotaku, Hirschberg noted a "sense that games are more exploitative" than films about modern military conflict. Hirschberg goes on to argue that, as with movies, there shouldn't be such a thing as "too soon" when it comes to making games about real-life tra...
Point and Click: 8 Photo Hosting Websites Compared
By MaximumPC, published 22-11-2011
In the photo-hosting world, familiarity shouldn't be the overriding factor Facebook. Flickr. Picasa. Photobucket. Even those who still consider the Internet the work of demons and wizards know the names. And chances are virtually everyone in your posse has used at least one or more of these giants to host and share their personal photos. But this is no longer the dawn of the digital camera era, and online photo hosting is no longer limited to just a few key players. Today, you can't swing a 500mm lens without hitting a business that wants nothing more than to store your pics. The question is: Do you dare stray from the familiar entities? We can't give you that answer, but we can tell you that truly excellent sites, perhaps just right for you, do indeed exist in other corners of the Web. An...
Spec Ops: The Line drawn in spring 2012
By GameSpot, published 22-11-2011
2K Games narrows release window for Yager's modern military tactical shooter to early next year on 360, PS3, PC. 2K Games announced Spec Ops: The Line back in late 2009 and in the process attached a far-future late 2011 release date to it. Though the lead time on the game's announcement seemed excessive back then, two years proved to be too brief for German studio Yager to finish the game, and Spec Ops was bumped to mid-2012 earlier this year. With Dubai engulfed in a sandstorm, Spec Ops: The Line brings new meaning to the phrase "gritty tactical shooter." Today, 2K Games narrowed the release window for the tactical shooter, saying Spec Ops: The Line is now expected to arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in the spring 2012. Along with an update...
Spec Ops: The Line - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 22-11-2011
Spec Ops: The Line’s emotional narrative unfolds within the destroyed opulence of Dubai. Once a playground for the world’s wealthiest elite, now Dubai has been reclaimed by Mother Nature, buried underneath the most devastating sandstorm ever recorded. Spec Ops: The Line allows gamers to play as Captain Martin Walker, leader of an elite Delta Force team ordered to infiltrate the treacherous region and bring home U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad. Heightening the narrative to a fever-pitch are ultra-realistic operations against enemies who are unafraid of death and hell bent on destruction. Players must use a variety of combat tactics, authentic military weaponry and the environment to survive. Spec Ops: The Line offers Dynamic Sand that can be used to thwart foes. A well placed sho...
Richard Garriott Space Trip Documentary Coming In January
By GameInformer, published 21-11-2011
Richard "Lord British" Garriott traveled to the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft for a cool $30 million in 2008. Nearly four years later, a film documenting his journey will hit theaters. Man on a Mission: Richard Garriott’s Road to the Stars releases January 13 in theaters and video on demand. The theatrical run is quite small, so fans of the Ultima creator may want to check with their cable provider for on demand screenings. It did win the audience award at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival for best documentary feature so maybe it is worth the wait. Get a glimpse of Man on a Mission in the trailer below. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Sony's New Move Adventure Is An Epic Test Of Your Patience
By GameInformer, published 18-11-2011
Sony's foray into HD motion gaming has been stunted by a drought of quality Move titles – or any Move titles, for that matter. When it debuted, Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest looked like one of the more promising Move games, an action/adventure title in the vein of – dare I say it – The Legend of Zelda. It won't take long for optimistic gamers to have their hopes dashed. Deadmund's Quest tells a fairy tale-style story of kid prince Edmund, who (along with everyone else in his kingdom) gets turned into a skeleton and must put together a broken amulet to reverse the curse. The music and voice acting goes a long way in selling the story (although Deadmund himself has an annoying, Anakin-esque whine), but the moving comic cutscenes are unforgivably shoddy &...
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 17-11-2011
The game is based on the forthcoming Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked movie in theaters December 16th, which finds the trio vacationing aboard a luxury cruise liner until they become ‘chipwrecked’ on a remote island. The Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked video game continues the story with an around-the-world journey that has the ‘Munks visiting six tropical locations inspired by the movie. While dancing as the playable Chipmunks or The Chipettes, players perform more than 50 different dance moves to excite the crowd while rocking out to 30 of the greatest Chipmunk tunes that all generations can enjoy together.
Blog Herding: Community Edition 11/17/11
By GameInformer, published 17-11-2011
Not only did Skyrim spellbind the gaming community with its awesomeness, it also captivated the blogging community, which witnessed an unprecedented number of blogs inspired by the game. Even so, a number of bloggers succeeded in posting entertaining blogs on other topics, a handful of which have been summarized here. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: November 07 - November 13, 2011Number of User Blogs: 109Number of User Bloggers: 70Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Upcoming Events: FragFest Fall 2011 Event ScheduleYou know all of the big games that have come out recently – Battlefield 3, Modern Warfare 3, Uncharted 3. What better way to play these games online than with the Game Informer community? Well, you can do just that by participating in the Frag Fest events. Check...
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Roundtable: Art and Music
By GameSpot, published 17-11-2011
We picked the minds of the upcoming JRPG's composers and art director about their contributions and thought processes. After play-testing what seemed to be almost an entire day's worth of Final Fantasy XIII-2 last September, GameSpot also attended a roundtable discussion in Square Enix's Tokyo office in Japan. The targets for our inquisition were all involved with the aesthetics of the game: art director Isamu Kamikokuryo, and composers Mitsuko Suzuki and Naoshi Mizuta. From our preview, it may be easy to presume that the game uses different types of art styles that could potentially look like a mess, but Kamikokuryu said otherwise. He said that even with Cocoon falling and the world close to ruin after the events of FFXIII, he was very careful in expressing the serious tone of th...
Telltale’s Jurassic Park Gets Lost In The Jungle
By GameInformer, published 16-11-2011
Jurassic Park is one of those films that terrorized summer box offices for months and irrevocably shaped a generation of young minds. To say I bought into its hype would be putting it mildly. I daydreamed about the movie weeks before it hit theaters, and I still remember the tingle of goose bumps crawling up my arm as the theater lights dimmed and the film started. Jurassic Park didn’t disappoint. I was so dinosaur obsessed that I even read Michael Crichton’s novel. I have a feeling that Telltale Games has a similar love for the franchise. The studio’s Jurassic Park game is filled with interesting scientific asides, quirky characters, and a number of movie references. The team’s love for Jurassic Park is apparent – I just wish love was all you neede...
The Supreme Hackintosh 2.0 part II: Ode to Joy?
By TechReport, published 16-11-2011
Welcome, MacHolios (are you threatening me?). Join me now on a mythical, mystical, magical stroll down the paths of hardware procurement and operating system tomfoolery. 'Tis a journey filled with promises of cotton candy Geekbench scores, OS X Aslan compatibility and value, value, value. But also a road fraught with fraughtiness, oily kernel panics, network interface naming issues and a possible meltdown of the family's main memory repository.We begin with the hardware. Since this is hack build numero dos, I only needed to procure a smattering of new bits: a Sandy Bridge motherboard, a new CPU, and RAM. I kept the case ...Read more...
Zelda 25th Anniversary: Remembering The Wind Waker
By GameInformer, published 14-11-2011
Sometimes it seems as though Nintendo is damned if it does, and damned if it doesn’t. Stay faithful to a game’s roots, and people blast the sequel for being derivative. Take a risk by trying something new, and others cry foul at those changes. With The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendo pushed the series in a stunning new direction, creating one of the most polarizing entries in the series. For people anticipating the realistic-looking Link from a GameCube sizzle reel a few years earlier, the wide-eyed, cartoony interpretation of the hero that Nintendo revealed at its 2002 E3 presentation was a shock. GameCube defenders had been fighting off charges that the system was “kiddie” since its launch, and Toon Link was a colorfully wrapped artillery shell for the ...
Assassin's Creed Revelations Review
By GameInformer, published 14-11-2011
Assassin’s Creed Revelations lives up to its name. For those who have been following the journeys of Desmond, Altaïr, and Ezio, this newest installment makes good on the promise implied by the title and serves up some big reveals about the ever-growing fiction. The core missions offer a level of cinematic immersion and tight design that is new to the series, and the plotline pulls together dangling story threads into a satisfying whole while simultaneously setting up the next game. While some questionable side missions and new gameplay concepts slow down the fun, they are only small flaws against the backdrop of a thrilling adventure. Though Revelations touches on all three of the major protagonists introduced in the story so far, Ezio is still the star. The boy who once sought...
Review: Lenovo B570
By TechRadar, published 13-11-2011
Lenovo's staggeringly powerful and well-equipped B570 easily asserts itself as one of the best laptops around for this kind of money. The plain black chassis design puts function firmly before form. The tough, ridged plastics easily withstand scuffs and scratches and the firm lid capably protects the screen from damage. Although this is not the heaviest laptop we've seen, at 2.4kg it's also not ideal for regularly working on the move. The 157-minute battery life is average and can keep you working on short journeys, but falls far short of the four-hour mobility of the compact Alienware M11x. Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops are known for their fantastic keyboards and some of this quality has trickled down to its budget range. The B570's excellent, isolated-style keyboard's well-spaced buttons mov...
Zelda 25th Anniversary: Remembering Ocarina Of Time
By GameInformer, published 11-12-2011
I was not sold on the idea of a 3D Zelda. By 1998, both Sony and Nintendo had some strong 3D offerings out on the market, but Zelda? That was sacred and not to be messed with. The earlier games in the series were almost a genre in and of themselves – nothing else matched the thrill of exploration and magic that characterized The Legend of Zelda. It’s fair to say I was wary of the big changes on the horizon. Cut to a few months later, and I was happily touting Ocarina as one of my favorite video games ever, even daring to declare that maybe, just maybe, I liked it more than its predecessors. Nintendo nailed the 3D experience. It was, in ?every way I could have imagined and several that I hadn’t, better than I expected it to be. The context sensitive actions, the auto-jum...
Review Round-Up: Skyrim, Modern Warfare 3, Zelda, More
By GameInformer, published 11-12-2011
We've officially reached the peak of the crazy 2011 video game holiday season, with the biggest week of the year for both releases and reviews. There was a lot to read, and it's likely you missed some of it, so here's a round-up of all of the new reviews that Game Informer put up this week. Enjoy these excerpts and click through to read the full review. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, PC) - "When it comes down to it, Modern Warfare 3 meets expectations. The core elements of multiplayer and the campaign remain fundamentally unchanged, but the game serves as a great example of how many subtle tweaks can add up to an improved overall product. Even with the recent turmoil at Infinity Ward, the remnants of that team (in conjunction with Sledgehammer) have put to...
Review: Samsung Galaxy Note
By TechRadar, published 11-11-2011
Overview, Design and Feel.Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Neither. It's a tablet. Or a phone. Or both. We really don't know – but it has some of the best specs around and Samsung's hoping this will ship by the bucketload.The Samsung Galaxy Note is a phone / tablet hybrid that doesn't really sit in any category - we've reviewed it as a smartphone simply due to the fact it can make calls, but Samsung is definitely trying to create a new category of device with this 5.3-inch screened behemoth.It's funny how mobile trends can change. Just a few years ago, manufacturers were falling over themselves trying to outdo each other to to provide the smallest handset in the world. Motorola got them pretty thin with the RAZR line and Samsung's own D500 was titchy. brightcove : 1268512853001Then something...
Halo Reach Anniversary map pack hits November 15
By GameSpot, published 11-10-2011
Seven multiplayer arenas featured in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to be available in last year's Halo for $15. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is set to bring the original Xbox first-person shooter into the modern era. Along with the single-player campaign, the game includes a number of new multiplayer maps. However, the HD rerelease won't be the only way to get them. You don't have to buy into the Chief's original journey to enjoy new Halo maps. Microsoft announced today that the seven maps included in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will also be made available separately via Xbox Live for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15). The Halo: Reach-compatible list of maps includes Battle Canyon, Breakneck, High Noon, Penance, Ridgeline, Solitary, and Instal...
Spirit Force - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 11-09-2011
It places a core emphasis on player vs. player combat. The player begins his journey as a member of the Spirit Force. Battle with other players or clear the missio n to get great treasure and rare card. Use crafting skills with the collected treasures in order to summon new spirits. Players can team up with friends and cooperate each other to fight against boss, unlock new rewards and new stages. The most immersive and massively multiplayer online card game ever. Spirit Force features include: -Massively Multiplayer ONLINE Card Battle Game -Cooperate with allies and complete mission -Unlimited missions -100+ Sacred Treasures to collect -500+ Spirit Cards to collect -Various Events in the game -Gorgeous graphics -Unlimited free updates with new cards, items, and more!
The Indie Classic Gets The George Lucas Treatment With An Update It Didn’t Need
By GameInformer, published 11-08-2011
Cave Story originally released as a free PC game developed with love by one talented man who goes by the name Pixel. Cave Story looked like a high-quality NES game, played like a modern platformer, and had a surprisingly interesting and heartfelt story. It seemed like a well-respected classic that just never got released for one reason for another.Since that initial online availability, the game has been slightly retooled for a release on WiiWare and the DSiWare shop. Those versions of the game aren’t very far off from the original. The release for 3DS, however, has been completely rebuilt to deliver a game with fully rendered character models and environments that take advantage of the 3DS’ visual capabilities. It’s a completely different game from a visual standpoint, a...
Buying Guide: Best laptop under £350: five to choose from
By TechRadar, published 11-07-2011
Best laptop under £350Buying a laptop for under £350 is tricky. There's always a lurking suspicion in the back of your mind, no matter how many times you pore over the spec sheet, that a machine this cheap won't do all the things you want it to. Perhaps it'll take days to open your web browser, or suffer poor frame rates running even Free Hearts? There's no need to worry. It's actually a pretty good time for mobile devices, because everybody seems so hell-bent on running around with every possible form of technology strapped to themselves at all times. Who are manufacturers to argue? We've seen some encouraging advances in integrated graphics over the last 12 months, which means laptops don't need a discrete card to deliver smooth video playback. Solid state drives have driven down the p...
Netflix UK signs exclusive MGM streaming deal
By TechRadar, published 11-07-2011
Netflix has announced that it has signed a deal with MGM, with the two companies agreeing to a "multi-year licensing agreement" which gives the streaming service exclusive rights to many of MGM's movies online.This means that Netflix will be the only place in the UK to watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again when it lands on the web (not counting any of those dodgy non-legal places) – according to MGM this should be within one year of its theatrical release (which is set for December 2012).Important marketsThe MGM streaming deal is a major win for Netflix which has yet to land in the UK, but is eyeing up an early 2012 launch date.The deal also means that Netflix will get retro content with the likes of Capote, Fargo, The Usual Suspects, West S...
Super Replay: Galerians Episode 009
By GameInformer, published 11-06-2011
Earlier this year we asked readers to pick between four equally sketchy games. The winner, we promised, would be the subject of a future Super Replay. Galerians was that winner. Now you can witness the GI staff playing this obscure PS1 survival horror title from beginning to end, one hour at a time. Episode 009 It's been a beautiful journey, but we're finally here: the end of Galerians. Join Bryan Vore, Andrew Reiner, Tim Turi, and I as we take on the game's final over-the-top challenges, discover the true meaning of "movie preview," and find out what surprises await us after the credits roll. Be sure to watch all of this extra-long episode for some bonuses at the end! (Please visit the site to view this media) Episode 008 We're heading into the home stretch of o...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 11/03/11
By GameInformer, published 11-03-2011
Even with the release of some big name titles like Battlefield 3 this past week and more highly anticipated games on the horizon, it's the third week in a row the blogging community has posted in record-breaking numbers. A collection of some of the best are provided below for your viewing pleasure. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: October 24 - October 30, 2011Number of User Blogs: 149Number of User Bloggers: 75Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Upcoming Events: FragFest 2011 Fall ScheduleIf you're interested in playing all of the latest video games with various members of the Game Informer community, periodically check out eyros2k's blogs for the latest on the FragFest schedule. The next event is this weekend. Community Blogs: Touching: The Emotion Of GamesFollowing up on a pr...
Buying Guide: 10 best ebook readers for the UK
By TechRadar, published 11-03-2011
Best ebook readers for the UK: 1-5We love ebooks. They may be rubbish for swatting wasps but they're great in lots of other ways: they're convenient, they're brilliant for travelling and they don't take up much space in your house.Forget all that stuff about the death of the book: ebooks are giving it a whole new lease of life, providing more ways to read your favourite writers than ever before. From E-ink to LCDs, thin readers to tablet computers, these are the ten ereading devices you need to know about.1. Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G - £149Best ereader for: serious ebook buyersWhen Amazon unveiled its latest Kindles, the existing third generation Kindle became the Kindle Keyboard and the Wi-Fi model disappeared. The third-gen Kindle is still our pick, though: it's more comfortable to hold...
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - GR Review
By Game Revolution, published 11-01-2011
Being deceived has never been so much fun. While Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 duke it out on the FPS field, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception is here to provide another blockbuster-inspired adventure as an alternate flavor of fun in this season of "3s" that is upon us. Among Thieves was quite an act to follow, so it's no surprise that Drake's Deception may not blow your mind the way that one did, but this is more a testament to just how high a bar Naughty Dog has set in the interactive entertainment field. Nathan's third journey may be aiming to deceive you in a number of ways, but don't be fooled: This is yet another game-of-the-year contender. Without spoiling the details, Drake's Deception is a layered title with many meanings, and the story...
Three: 97% of network traffic is data
By TechRadar, published 31-10-2011
It might surprise Alexander Graham Bell to discover that phones these days are barely used for making telephone calls, with Three revealing that 97% of all its network use is now data. That leaves only 3% accounting for calls and text messages and is a massive 427% increase in data use over the last 14 months - a rise that Three attributes to app downloads, movie streaming, checking maps and the like. "Staggeringly, 97% of all the traffic that now travels through our network is data," writes Phil Sheppard on the official Three blog. Magic number"Back in 2003 when we began our journey as a 3G network, it felt at times like the technology we had at our fingers tips was a bit Tomorrow's World," he said, going a bit This Is Your Life. "It was ahead of its time, and few knew...
Review: Alcatel One Touch 990
By TechRadar, published 31-10-2011
Overview, design and feelSome phones are all about power; others affordability. Alcatel's One Touch 990 (or OT-990) falls firmly into the latter category, as you'd expect given the company's reputation as a purveyor of budget phones. So the question we're asking here isn't what exciting tech helps this rival Samsung's Galaxy S2, HTC's Sensation, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc, or any of the other powerhouses in our 20 best mobile phones list.Rather we're concerned with whether it's money well spent. Especially when the world contains the likes of Orange's budget titan, the San Francisco. If you read our review of it, you'll know we lost our heart to that phone because of its amazing competence given its paltry cost. Other rivals worth bearing in mind are the INQ Cloud Touch, which excels at so...
Longest Journey trekking to iPhone
By GameSpot, published 29-10-2011
Funcom confirms well-regarded adventure game will see release on Apple's mobile phone; release date TBA. Funcom's The Longest Journey was a critical hit upon release. The fan-favorite is now over a decade old, but a new way to experience protagonist April Ryan's adventure is on the way. Funcom's Longest Journey will be making its way to Apple's iPhone. Speaking with VideoGamer.com, Funcom creative director Ragnar Tornquist revealed that The Longest Journey will be returning as an iPhone title. Tornquist did not indicate whether the game would be available on other iOS platforms, nor did he reveal a release window for the title. The Longest Journey is a classic-style point-and-click adventure game that places the player in the role of April Ryan, a young w...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 10/27/11
By GameInformer, published 27-10-2011
Despite the spam attack plaguing the Game Informer website, the blogging community presses on and continues posting high caliber blogs for your viewing pleasure. This was also one of the biggest weeks of 2011 for the video game industry with the release of the critically acclaimed Arkham City and the highly anticipated Battlefield 3. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: October 17 – October 23, 2011Number of User Blogs: 156Number of User Bloggers: 80Number of User Blogs Herded: 9 Upcoming Events: FragFest Fall 2011 Event Schedule – Events 2 And 3The release of Battlefield 3 is upon us and eyros2k is celebrating the event by hosting Frag Fest 9 this weekend. Check his latest blog for all of the details and join your fellow GI members online. Community Blogs: The Morality Of The...
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 25-10-2011
Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike will relish the opportunity to catapult themselves headlong into a real adventure, in a search for the fabled "Atlantis of the Sands." The journey propels fortune hunter Nathan Drake on a daring trek into the heart of the Arabian Desert, a journey that pits him and his mentor Victor Sullivan against the occult treachery of a shadowy clandestine organization and its ruthless leader. When the terrible secrets of this lost city are unearthed, Drake's quest descends into a desperate bid for survival that strains the limits of his endurance and forces him to confront his deepest fears. Key Features: * Bigger set pieces and more explosive adventure, driven by Naughty Dog's signature storytelling and cinematic presentation. * Competit...
Review: Asus Eee Pad Slider
By TechRadar, published 25-10-2011
Overview and designWe were totally taken by the Eee Pad Transformer when it came out because it did something different to the iPad, and so gave itself room to breathe away from the tablet big guns.Now its brother, the Asus Eee Pad Slider has arrived, and manages to stand out in much the same way.The specs are fairly typical for tablets these days. The Eee Pad Slider features a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 system-on-a-chip, offering dual-core power and good graphics performance, which powers Android 3.1 out of the box (though you can upgrade to 3.2 as soon as you get it connected to the internet, and an Android 4.0 update is on its way).There's 1GB of RAM to keep multitasking smooth, along with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, though a microSD card slot means you can boost this. Wi-Fi is present u...
Interview: Sony: PSN outage 'woke our customers up'
By TechRadar, published 24-10-2011
Sony Entertainment NetworkSony has revealed more information regarding its mass rebranding of its online services as the Sony Entertainment Network and has told TechRadar that the PSN outage earlier this year woke its dormant customers up, getting them back online rather than pushing them away.Back in September, at IFA 2011 in Berlin, Sony revealed that it would be grouping all of its (non gaming) online content together under the banner of the Sony Entertainment Network – which mainly comprises the company's two media offerings: Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited.So Saida, senior director of global business strategy and development at Sony, explained to TechRadar that despite the PSN outage this year, more customers than ever were now using Sony's online services and this repositioning...
Playing As A Kung-Fu Panda In Mists Of Pandaria
By GameInformer, published 22-10-2011
Yesterday's announcement of the Mists of Pandaria expansion pack for World of Warcraft featured a number of exciting new prospects for the future of Blizzard's popular MMO. Two major reveals will be the biggest changes to the game: the new Panda race and the new Monk class. At Blizzcon I was able to check out both in one single, cuddly, kick-ass package. The Pandaren begin in a zone that is actually located on the back of a giant turtle floating in the ocean. Players pick up at the Shang Xi training ground, which provides a much more literal training for beginning players than any of the other starting zones in the game. The simple tutorial quests that task you with taking out training dummies are actually quite useful considering that the monk has some mechanics that are totally ...
Android app development: Intents & more
By Thinkdigit, published 22-10-2011
Going further in our journey towards building android applications, we will be modifying the application already created in our previous article. As opposed to earlier, instead of showing the greeting message in an alert dialog we will be showing it in a new activity with the help of a TextView component. This greeting in the second activity will depend on our selection of the festival made in the first activity and will be displayed when the “Show Greeting” button is pressed. This c [...] Read the entire article
Ten Things You Need To Know About The Old Republic
By GameInformer, published 21-10-2011
We’ve spent dozens of hours exploring the beta, and came away with several core features you should grasp to decide if this new Star Wars game is for you. It seems like we’ve been waiting to play Star Wars: The Old Republic forever. Formally announced in 2008, the MMO has been creeping towards launch ever since. Even so, it’s been hard to get a comprehensive picture of the game, since most press access to the game has been limited to brief convention appearances. In recent weeks, we finally had the chance to dive in and play the full beta version of the game. Even as BioWare works to polish the final experience, we found a game of impressive scope and ambition. For players who are still trying to make up their minds, here’s what you need to know to get started and ...
Jobs to Apple: Follow your own voice
By TechReport, published 21-10-2011
Considering the impact Steve Jobs has had on Apple, you'd think the folks there would have poured his essence into some sort of supercomputer to guide them along the journey ahead. Believe it or not, though, Jobs left very different instructions before his untimely death. Al Gore, who sits on Apple's board, told Walt Mossberg all about those at AllThingsD's AsiaD conference:10:20 am : Walt: So, no offense to Tim Cook, at what point does the lack of having Jobs at the helm of ...Read more...
The Game Boy: Violence Is the (Wrong) Answer
By MaximumPC, published 20-10-2011
I love shooting things in the face. Monsters, aliens, mice, men – all are equal in the eyes of my trigger finger, which itches with such fervor that I should probably have a doctor look at it. But – even in the ammo-casing-coated world of videogames – there's a time and place for violence. (And no, smartasses in the audience, it's not “always.” Always isn't even a place.) More and more, I've noticed recent games tripping over their own feet because they choose to reign with unfaltering bloodlust instead of reining it in. In some games, it's but a speck-sized sticking point. Others, though, choose to live by the sword, only to fall flat on their faces and die by it in the most gruesome fashion imaginable. Evidence A: Deus Ex. For the most part, it's an amazing game, but bring up ...
Bejeweled 3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 20-10-2011
New and expanded features in Bejeweled 3 will include: - Classic: Play the most popular puzzle game of the century, with powerful new gems and new ultra-smooth gameplay - Quest: Journey through 40 magical puzzles in this multifaceted Bejeweled challenge! - Zen: Personalize your experience with ambient sounds and binaural beats — a revolutionary new way to relax! - Lightning: Charge up with a heart-pounding, beat-the-clock bout of gem-blasting fun! - Secret Games: Unlock 4 all-new games including Butterflies and Ice Storm - Badges: Earn up to 65 badges to prove your skills - High-definition graphics and high-fidelity audio: Bejeweled is now more dazzling than ever before! - Ultra-smooth gameplay: Make multiple matches while new gems fall into place.
Scarlet Legacy - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 19-10-2011
The game features an in-game engine that allows for a simple and quick fighting system, while the game’s innovative technology allows players to spend more time questing and less time running aimlessly. Scarlet Legacy’s Auto-Pilot fighting system allows players to have complete MMORPG-style control with a non-targeting combat system that allows for control-driven and action-oriented game play. Scarlet Legacy is a massively dynamic and addictive MMORPG that takes the player through a journey of thousands of quests to save Princess Scarlet while utilizing the most effortless in-game mechanic on the market today!
Cleaning Up The Environment Has Never Been So Fun
By GameInformer, published 18-10-2011
Even among family-friendly titles, few games try to espouse a positive message nowadays. Not Okabu. From the humorous opening animation to the countless tasks you'll undertake with your trusty cloud whales, Okabu's call for environmental conservation rings loud and clear. Luckily, entertaining gameplay and a cutesy presentation that even the grumpiest players can't help but smile at make it an altruistic lesson worth learning. Okabu tells the story of Kumulo and Nimbe, two cloud whales who are at odds with the diabolical Doza Corporation due to their unbridled pollution. A thick layer of smog causes the mystical creatures to plummet from the sky and land in a quaint village of the Yorubo, who face even bigger environmental problems. Their water is contaminated, oil puddles sta...
Mystery DC Superhero Title, Lego Batman 2 Planned
By GameInformer, published 18-10-2011
Speaking to the L.A. Times, Warner Bros. Interactive president Martin Tremblay said the publisher plans to release a new LEGO Batman next year along with an unannounced title featuring a DC Comics superhero. Tremblay wouldn't divulge any additional details about either game. Additionally, Warner will also release a Hobbit movie tie-in game in 2012 before "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" from Peter Jackson hits theaters next December. LEGO Batman was first released in 2008 and has gone on to sell over 7 million copies worldwide.
Hobbit game heads home next year
By GameSpot, published 18-10-2011
Warner Bros.' 2012 slate reportedly features Lego Batman sequel, new DC superhero game, return to Middle-earth. The big news surrounding Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today is the launch of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham City, but the publisher's plans for the future beyond the caped crusader's latest are starting to take shape. According to a Los Angeles Times article highlighting the multimedia giant Warner Bros.' gaming gambit, a number of new projects were confirmed for WBIE's 2012 release schedule. Martin Freeman reads his contract to play Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. The paper reports that next year will see WBIE launch a new Hobbit game in advance of the December debut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two Pete...
Can You Build A 2560 x 1600 Gaming Rig Without Breaking the Bank? We Find Out!
By MaximumPC, published 17-10-2011
It's easy to build a gaming machine on a budget if you're playing at 1650x1080 or 1920x1200, but if you're rocking 2560x1600, you need a little more oomph As Maximum PC senior editor Gordon Mah Ung puts it, building a budget gaming rig for a 30-inch panel is the metaphorical equivalent of slapping a Ferrari engine into a crappy Ford car. If you can afford a display that rings up north of $2,000, then why the heck are you trying to cut corners on the system you’re connecting it to? I can’t answer that one for you. But what I can tell you is exactly how you can go about getting the best frame rate for your buck without purchasing a PC that’s more expensive than your mega-monitor. That’s my task for this build-it: killer gaming performance without needless budgetary destruction. And ...
Exclusive Early Look At Halo - The Art Of Building Worlds
By GameInformer, published 13-10-2011
A new book chronicles the gorgeous concept art that's gone into ten years of the Halo franchise. We've got details on the project, and some exclusive snippets of art from the book. Halo fans have a sweet addition headed to their coffee table this holiday season. The Great Journey: Halo - The Art of Building Worlds is about to release to retail on October 18th. The beautiful hardback art book has over 180 pages of glossy Halo art for you to ogle. The volume is filled with sections on the major elements of the Halo fiction, from a dedicated chapter on Master Chief and depictions of different planets in the long-running story, to full-color illustrations of Forerunner architecture and Covenant weaponry. All told, the book includes 400 images of art that has appeared over the last dec...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 10/13/11
By GameInformer, published 13-10-2011
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." is a quote from the classic Charles Dickens story, A Tale of Two Cities, but it also describes this week in the video game industry. Many gamers continue to experience the Battlefield 3 beta; others are enjoying the recently released Rage. While all this is going on, we should pause in memory of the passing of Steve Jobs, one of the greatest pioneers and visionaries the world of technology has ever witnessed. Blog Herding Stats: Period Reviewed: October 03 - October 09, 2011Number of User Blogs: 106Number of User Bloggers: 63Number of User Blogs Herded: 12 Upcoming Events: Need A Good Karma Boost? Help Some Sick Kids And All Will Be ForgivenThe Extra Life 24 hour gaming marathon is nearly upon us. The next day or two will ...
Review: HTC Titan
By TechRadar, published 10-12-2011
Overview, design and feelHTC is doing fairly well right now. From the days of making (not so great) Windows Mobile handsets for networks, it's found its identity and is now riding high with a hugely recognisable brand around the world. Android was its saviour (and still is) but Windows hasn't been forgotten. HTC was the first to roll out Windows Phone 7 devices when they launched in the UK last year. And, true to form, it's in the lead with Windows Phone 7.5 devices too. The HTC Titan is one of its two first Mango-powered handsets - the other being the Radar. So, what's in a name? Well, quite a lot actually. The Titans were giant beasts from ancient Greek mythology. So by giving the phone a name like this, HTC's certainly aiming high. And you see that as soon as you take the HTC Titan out ...
Learn C: A beginner's guide
By Thinkdigit, published 10-12-2011
Being able to edit your system registry and mod your phone is great. As a matter of fact, doing such stuff is cool, but not really impossible; ask someone who does it every weekend. Sooner or later, after you’ve progressed from tinkering around with software, you’d want your computer to do exactly what you want. Whether or not you have been trying out all kinds of software or are familiar with programming, we’ll help you in beginning this journey. The language we would sta [...] Read the entire article
Acquisitions Incorporated Reunites At PAX Prime
By GameInformer, published 10-11-2011
Wil Wheaton, Jerry Holkins, Mike Krahulik, Scott Kurtz, and Chris Perkins mount the stage again for the most public game of Dungeons & Dragons ever. Bards provide accompaniment. Seriously. If your Tuesday is hurting for a little funny, you could do a lot worse than the improv stylings of Acquisitions Incorporated. The D&D group returned to their long-running game on stage at PAX Prime, and Wizards of the Coast has recently posted video and podcast versions of the whole event. What can you look forward to this time? Well, beyond some crazy costumes and witty banter, the occasional bardic song accompanies the journey of these stalwart heroes. Check out part 1 below, then head on over to Wizards of the Coast to watch or listen to the entire evening of gaming. (Please visit the site t...
Replay: The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
By GameInformer, published 10-08-2011
Before there were dragons terrorizing Skyrim, before the gates of Oblivion opened in Cyrodil, before adventurers braved the insanity of The Shivering Isle, there was a game called Morrowind. Join Andrew Reiner, Tim Turi, Ben Reeves, and Dan Ryckert as we get lost in the first room of Morrowind, and then take an epic journey through red fog. Be sure to stick around for the roulette to see a game that has aged surprisingly well compared to our dear Elder Scrolls III. (Please visit the site to view this media) Want to watch more Replay? Check out the hub to watch us play more games from our gaming library.
Mediocrity Breeds Laziness In This Boring RPG Sequel
By GameInformer, published 10-08-2011
I'm always disappointed when a developer I like puts out a bad game, but you know what offends me even more? When a developer I like puts out a lazy game. The first White Knight Chronicles was a mediocre experience when it arrived in early 2010, but its sequel shamelessly recycles content to a degree that has me seriously questioning the abilities of once-trustworthy developer Level-5. As with the first game, White Knight Chronicles II is a clearly Final Fantasy XII-inspired, MMO-light Japanese RPG. Whether going solo or playing online with up to five other players, you will fight across complex dungeons, massive plains, and other open settings. Each character in your party can be tailored to focus on almost any weapon or magic type, providing a great deal of flexibility for combat. ...
The 18 Best Web Shows You've Never Watched
By MaximumPC, published 10-06-2011
Raise your hand if you've heard of Epic Meal Time. Great. What about Leo Laporte's This Week in Tech? Excellent. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog? If most of you geeks aren't raising your hands by now, something's wrong. Is your YouTube broken? Thanks to the combined powers of the Internet, Webcams, and creativity, a world full of bored office workers now has access to some of the most interesting, funny, and downright weird video content at the mere click of a mouse. And when these popular videos all center on a specific theme, we call that a "show"—in some cases, a "channel," depending on who's hosting the videos. Get my drift? But here's the age-old problem: There's just too much content out there. If you aren't an Internet sleuth, there's a pretty good chance you're missing out on all ...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 10/06/11
By GameInformer, published 10-06-2011
This week's edition of Blog Herding demonstrates why the Game Informer community is so spectacular. While the industry is still buzzing from the launch of the Battlefield 3 demo, veteran and rookie bloggers alike continue turning out a collection of blogs on all sorts of different video game topics. This latest series has something for everybody, regardless of your platform or genre preference. Blog Herding Stats:Period Reviewed: September 26 - October 02, 2011Number of User Blogs: 112Number of User Bloggers: 65Number of User Blogs Herded: 17 Upcoming Events: Need A Good Karma Boost? Help Some Sick Kids And All Will Be ForgivenIt's not too late to join TEAM GIO to support the Extra Life 24 hour gaming marathon. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Miracle Network Ho...
Equal Parts Gross, Disturbing, And Fun
By GameInformer, published 10-04-2011
If you told me that the artist half of the Super Meat Boy team was going to make an indie roguelike/twin-stick shooter/Bible satire/Legend of Zelda-style dungeon crawler, I’d probably have pictured something very much like The Binding of Isaac. It wouldn’t be as cool, because I’m not half as creative as Edmund McMillen and co-creator Florian Himsl, but that bizarre mashup of incongruous concepts is a perfect description of this unusual game. The execution is far from flawless, but the $5 price of entry is easily worth it for this trippy peek inside McMullen’s psyche. There’s no easy way to say this: The Binding of Isaac has you murdering your way through a randomized series of brutally challenging top-down rooms, using the tears of the crying child you’...
A Pairing Of Epic Proportions
By GameInformer, published 29-09-2011
The recent release of the Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection for PS3 has us experiencing two distinct emotions. We’re reveling in a high definition nostalgia trip with two amazing PS2 titles, but we’re also yearning for new information on Team Ico’s new upcoming adventure, The Last Guardian. Unfortunately, no new info emerged on the game at TGS 2011. Because we assume you’re as eager as we are for some Last Guardian coverage, we’re bringing you something you may have missed. Check out Annette Gonzalez’s preview on the game which was originally published in issue #211 of Game Informer. Designing The Boy And His Trico The current model of the Trico is meant to resemble a cat, which the team agreed to after scrapping previous iterations that ...
Journey embarks spring 2012
By GameSpot, published 27-09-2011
PS3 adventure from Flower developer thatgamecompany missing projected 2011 release; "still a ton of care and polish needed" before release. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But for thatgamecompany's Journey, that first step will happen later than originally planned, as the studio has pushed its release window back to spring 2012. Journey's destination is a little further away than previously thought. Jenova Chen, creative director for thatgamecompany, today announced the delay on the PlayStation Blog, saying there is "still a ton of care and polish" that the online adventure game needs before its release. Previously, Journey was expected to arrive by the end of 2011. A closed beta for Journey ran from June to July this summer...
Rise of Isengard breaks records
By GameSpot, published 27-09-2011
Digital-only expansion to newly free-to-play MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online best-selling expansion to date; new territories added, level cap raised to 75. In January, Lord of the Rings Online developer Turbine announced that since the massively multiplayer online role-playing game had switched to a free-to-play business model revenue tripled. Now the good news continues for Turbine, as the developer today released the Rise of Isengard expansion, heralding it as the best-selling add-on to its game ever. The quest continues. Turbine did not provide specific sales statistics for Rise of Isengard, but it did note that pre-purchases--which opened in June--fueled sales for the expansion. Previous expansions to LOTRO included The Mines of Moria (2008) and ...
Journey Slated For Spring 2012 Release
By GameInformer, published 27-09-2011
Thatgamecompany, creators of Flower and Flow, have just announced a release...time frame for their next high-brow game/concept – Journey. At the Official PlayStation Blog, Thatgamecompany's creative director, Jenova Chen, revealed that the game should be out in spring of next year for the PlayStation 3/PSN. Chen says the company has just completed its closed beta, and that the team is still refining the title for its release. For our hands-on impressions of the game, check out this preview.
A Fresh Look For An Old Nightmare
By GameInformer, published 26-09-2011
The dangers and mysteries of Rockfort Island punished me across multiple playthroughs of the original Resident Evil: Code Veronica for Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. I still consider it the most difficult entry in the series. Claire and Chris Redfield’s journey across several Umbrella installations has received a makeover, and returning to the grueling game is a treat for classic survival horror fans. The story is as convoluted as any Resident Evil game starring a cross-dressing aristocrat and a Leonardo DiCaprio-look-alike could be. If you missed out on Code Veronica, this game could plug in some very interesting missing pieces. Lots of file-reading and campy voice-acting holds back the experience a bit. This isn’t a high point in the franchise’s twisting plot,...
BioWare opens Old Republic customer service center
By GameSpot, published 26-09-2011
Developer cuts ribbon on Galway-based studio focused exclusively on support for upcoming MMORPG; 200 positions created to support game's launch. With Star Wars: The Old Republic, BioWare is traveling to a galaxy far, far away to bring gamers a new experience. But the developer isn't trekking that far to open a new customer service center to help gamers through their journeys. Star Wars: The Old Republic has been many years in the making. BioWare and Electronic Arts today announced the opening of a customer service center in Galway, Ireland that will focus exclusively on Star Wars: The Old Republic. The shop, BioWare's first outside North America, will offer 24/7 assistance for the December-dated massively multiplayer online role-playing game. According to...
Facebook announces link-up with Spotify
By TechRadar, published 22-09-2011
Facebook has finally announced that it is teaming up with Spotify to offer song sharing straight from the pages of the social network.The link-up with Spotify is part of many partnerships announced with content providers, offering up social apps for lovers of music, movie and news.One of the biggest and most wanted tie-up is Spotify, which finally comes to Facebook through the new Timeline feature. The collaboration is a significant one for both companies, as it propels Spotify into the mainstream globally and pitches Facebook as an entertainment hub, as well as a social network – something that MySpace rebranded itself as recently.The link-up was unveiled at Facebook's f8 conference, which TechRadar watched with representatives from Facebook UK.To greet the UK press, Joanna Shields, VP ...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 09/22/11
By GameInformer, published 22-09-2011
The Game Informer blogging community says goodbye to a few of its prominent bloggers while the remainder of the community tackles challenging issues from the video game industry. Check out this week's diverse collection of blogs and podcasts for your entertainment. Blog Herding Stats:Period Reviewed: September 12-18, 2011Number of User Blogs: 112Number of User Bloggers: 58Number of User Blogs Herded: 13 Community Blogs: 6 Things I Hate About Mass EffectIt's not very often you hear the words hate and Mass Effect used together, but in this blog, Apozem discusses a few features he doesn't like about the game he loves so much. Second Hand CitizensShawn Gordon debates the merits of buying video games new or used, and how those that choose to buy used are treated differently t...
Facebook Music announced with Spotify
By TechRadar, published 22-09-2011
Facebook has finally announced that it is teaming up with Spotify to offer song sharing straight from the pages of Facebook.The collaboration is a significant one for both companies, as it propels Spotify into the mainstream globally and pitches Facebook as an entertainment hub, as well as a social network – something that MySpace rebranded itself as recently.The link-up was unveiled at Facebook's f8 conference, which TechRadar watched with representatives from Facebook UK.To greet the UK press, Joanna Shields, VP Europe, Facebook, said: "This is the biggest announcement for the Facebook platform since 2007."At Facebook, we like to say this journey is one per cent finished and tonight will be testament to that."By EkNot only did CEO Mark Zuckerberg – now the 14th richest pe...
Hands on: OnLive UK review
By TechRadar, published 22-09-2011
After 15 months of what founder Steve Perlman cheekily labels 'beta testing' in the US, OnLive has arrived in the UK bringing cloud gaming and, despite denials, a whole new competitor for the likes of Xbox 360, Nintendo's Wii and the PS3. Any introduction to OnLive needs to delve a little deeper into what the service actually is, something that both the company itself and launch partner (and shareholder) BT will be at pains to do as people begin to look at what cloud gaming offers. brightcove : 1175303689001For traditional consoles, device and PC gaming, the gaming runs locally - ie on that gadget, be it the PS3, a MacBook or even an iPad. That means that the game's data lives on that device's storage, and every button you press or swipe you make is processed and is acted upon on the devic...
The Legend Of Zelda's Top Ten Items
By GameInformer, published 21-09-2011
Destroying bosses, exploring dungeons, and solving puzzles are all crucial elements of the Zelda series, but finding new items might be the most exciting of them all. Considering that a new item could be the key to destroying that boss, exploring that dungeon, or solving that puzzle, collecting them is the most important part of any Zelda game. Whether they're an awesome weapon to add to your arsenal, a way to cross a seemingly uncrossable gap, or just a container for that crucial fairy, these items are the best in the long-running franchise. 10. The Spinner Most of Link's items are either weapons to attack enemies or tunics and shields to defend himself. While the Spinner does minimal damage to enemies, it's primarily useful as a navigation tool. In the Arbiter's Grounds...
The Game Boy: Why Bastion Succeeds Where Most Games Fail Miserably
By MaximumPC, published 21-09-2011
Note: This week's entry contains major Bastion spoilers. If you haven't played Bastion, I recommend that you skip to the third page. Also, while we're at it, warning: This week's entry is three pages long. I may have gotten a bit carried away. If you hate words, I recommend that you skip to the part where you buy Bastion. Bastion is about moving forward. With every step you take, tiles of all shapes and sizes rise up to meet your footfalls. What lies ahead may be uncertain, but one way or another, you'll make it. Occasionally, you'll encounter former citizens of Caelondia – now frozen in ash, dead to the world in all but appearance. THOCK. The Kid's hammer reduces them to powder in an instant. The Kid presses on – without remorse, as though his old friends and neighbors were no...
Cataclysm's Last Patch Takes Players To The End Of The World Of Warcraft
By GameInformer, published 19-09-2011
We've known for a while now that the next content patch for World of Warcraft, patch 4.3, will be the final major update for the Cataclysm expansion, finally adding the Deathwing raid battle that the whole expansion has been building up to. Now Blizzard has provided us a bunch of screenshots from the update along with some surprising info about the ends of time and space that this patch will take players to. In addition to the Deathwing raid, patch 4.3 -- now officially named "Dragon Soul" -- will introduce three new five-player dungeons. Like with Wrath of the Lich King's dungeons that built up to Icecrown Citadel, these five-player adventures will help set the scene for the expansion's final encounter. Unlike last time, though, these dungeons will take place in wil...
Fading Shadows - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 14-09-2011
Genre: PuzzleDeveloper: IvolgamusRelease Date: February 2008PEGI: 7+Format: PSPFading Shadows, the latest offering from European developer Ivolgamus, is an addictive puzzle-platformer game exclusive to the PSPTM offering an entirely unique style of action-packed puzzle gameplay, stunning graphics and visual effects, a riveting and immersive storyline, plus a competitive wireless multiplayer game mode.Fading Shadows sees the player faced with the challenge of saving Erwyn, whose death, according to the millennia-old prophecy, will allow evil master Gardal to breach the gates of the Castle of Heaven, the supreme fortress built to protect the world from the forces of darkness. Erywn's soul has been enclosed in a protective orb by his clairvoyant sister, Aira, and the orb must now be safely gu...
Indie Film Festival Fantastic Fest Gets PlayStation-Sponsored Game Addition
By GameInformer, published 13-09-2011
Fantastic Fest is an indie film festival focused on genre flicks that takes place every year in Austin, Texas at the Alamo Drafthouse, one of the coolest theaters in the country. Last year, Fantastic Fest also started showcasing indie games for the first time with the addition of the Fantastic Arcade. That will happen again this year, and this time the event is being sponsored by PlayStation Network. For the first four days of the show (beginning September 22 and running until September 25), Fantastic Fest attendees will be able to check out indie games and attend a number of panels featuring creators such as Queasy Games (Sound Shapes), thatgamecompany (Journey, Flower), and Q-Games (the PixelJunk series). Eight main indie games are being showcased at the event: Capsized, Faraway, Fez, ...
Grease: The Game - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 13-09-2011
There are a number of pick-up-and-play mini-games for the whole family including drag races down Thunder Road against the Scorpions, sports competitions to win a letterman jacket, carnival games at the Rydell Graduation carnival, and even pillow fights with the Pink Ladies. In story mode, gamers can fix up Greased Lightnin’ to try to win Sandy’s affections with their funky dance moves. Players can also dance their way through much-loved movie moments following Sandy and Danny on their legendary high school journey.
Kinect Lands a Bona Fide Core Game
By GameInformer, published 13-09-2011
Roughly three hours into this Kinect-only shooter, I told myself I was going to take a break. My arms were getting tired from waving them across the screen to highlight targets, and my Xbox 360 kept reminding me that I should consider resting for a bit. My current level was going to be my last for the day, until the Gunstringer lowered his pistol in disbelief to watch a lumberjack make passionate love to an alligator. At this moment, I told myself that I would endure any amount of arm pain to see this ridiculous game through to the end. I couldn’t tear myself away from it. Twisted Pixel Games’ unique brand of humor (read: disturbing, over-the-top, certifiably mad) is on display through most of this tale. Players step into the boots of the Gunstringer, a skeletal marionette con...
Captain Morgane and the Golden Turtle - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 13-09-2011
We first meet Morgane when she is 8 years old, living with her mother on Bounty Island while her father is sailing the high-seas. But when her mother dies, her father, heartbroken, takes Morgane away with him on his adventures. Upon her 17th birthday, Morgane is told to find a crew of her own and a cargo to sail with. To the feisty and confident young woman, this sounds straight-forward, but in the dangerous waters of the 17th century Caribbean, this is more difficult than even she realises! However, along the way, we find out that her long lost uncle is still alive so she forges ahead and begins the journey for Turtle Island where both her uncle, and the treasure, awaits her. Alessandro Castillo, Morgane’s father, is both proud and protective of his daughter. A respected P...
Resistance 3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 13-09-2011
OVERVIEW: America is lost. Four years after the epic conclusion of Resistance®2, dishonorably discharged Sentinel Joseph Capelli is in hiding from the invading Chimeran menace with a pocket of survivors, including his new wife and young son. But when Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with a desperate plan, he sets into motions the events of Resistance®3, the third installment in the popular full-featured first-person shooter series. Resistance 3 is created by critically-acclaimed developer Insomniac Games exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system. Set in a brutal, alternate 1950s universe, America has been successfully conquered and destroyed by the deadly Chimeran race, forcing the last remaining human survivors to seek refuge in hiding. Players must take on the role of...
You Can Play Minecraft Adventure Update Early Thanks To "Leak"
By GameInformer, published 09-10-2011
Patch 1.8 is one of the most ambitious updates for Minecraft yet, grafting a more guided journey onto the usually directionless massive open world that the game provides. If you're one of the many Minecraft players eager to jump in, I've got good news: You can right now. Over on his Twitter account last night, Minecraft creator Notch was completely open and very nonchalant about a supposed leak of update 1.8. Why would he seem so unmoved by a leak? Well, as it turns out this is apparently an official leak. The 1.8 files are being hosted on the official Minecraft website, and you can download them by clicking here. The official release of 1.8 isn't far off now, but if you just can't wait, feel free to give it a try today. Or continue building the hype by watching the lates...
Hurt Locker P2P Lawsuits Move On To Canada
By MaximumPC, published 09-09-2011
By now, US torrent users are used to the nagging worry that a copyright holder could seek damages against them. Now these mass lawsuits appear to be making the journey to Canada, where Voltage pictures is seeking the identities of users they claim have pirated the film Hurt Locker. Major ISPs have been subpoenaed, but the number of defendants is not yet available. Back in early 2010, Voltage Pictures, the makers of the Oscar-winning film Hurt Locker, began suing to uncover the people behind thousands of IP addresses. Voltage Pictures contends that these IPs were spotted downloading the film via torrents. In most cases, judges granted the subpoenas and ISPs had to divulge customer details. Instead of suing outright, Voltage had its legal counsel extract settlements from the defendants...
Inotia 2: Eternity - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 09-09-2011
The journey begins with your decision in what class you’d like to proceed the game with. In Inotia2, there are 6 unique classes, Knight, Magician, Priest, Thief, Templar, and Ranger, for you to choose out of. Also, start your adventure with up to 2 companions and form a fellowship in a party. Accomplish many different quests, and add a variety of different items to your character! Inotia2: There is no limit to the story in Eternity. Start your journey through the adventure with a new buff system that was added. Unique items and exciting quests, along with an Intriguing system that composites well with the adventurous fantasy journey are all waiting to be uncovered!
Nike finally makes Back to the Future trainers
By TechRadar, published 09-09-2011
For over 20 years the Nike Mag trainers worn by Marty McFly in Back to the Future II have been the most sought after piece of footwear never to exist.Now, a version of the self-tightening, light-up shoes McFly procured on his journey to the year 2015, will be made available by Nike with all sale proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's disease.Nike has manufactured just 1,500 pairs of 2011 Nike Mag trainers with 150 pairs a day being auctioned off on auction site eBay for the next ten days.YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Wa5L-fkkMPrecise replica"The 2011 Nike Mag shoe was designed to be a precise replica of the original from Back to the Future II," says Nike. "The aesthetic is an exact match, down to the contours of the upper, the glowing LED p...
Review: Time Can’t Touch Team Ico’s Classics
By GameInformer, published 09-08-2011
Video game elitists insist that people must earn the right to call themselves gamers. Enjoying playing games isn’t enough; you need to prove your dedication by experiencing a shifting collection of definitive titles. The specific entries vary, but both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus are frequently mentioned on such lists. I don’t advocate that exclusionary view of gaming, but I agree that these titles from Team Ico perfectly illuminate many facets of the medium’s appeal. Video games provide a broad spectrum of experiences. On one end, you have the adrenaline-fueled action embodied by Sony’s other compilation this month, God of War: Origins Collection. On the other end of the spectrum are Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, titles that rely on understatement ...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 09/08/11
By GameInformer, published 09-08-2011
Last week marked the return of Blog Herding and the response was overwhelmingly positive – including a comment from the former Blog Herding master, Miss Annette Gonzalez, who provided her support and endorsement. This week marks another busy and productive round of community blogs including perhaps the best blog you didn't read from one of Game Informer's newest members, ThrawnOmega. Blog Herding Stats:Period Reviewed: August 29 - September 04, 2011Number of User Blogs: 97Number of User Bloggers: 62Number of User Blogs Herded: 12 Community Blogs: The Unanswered Questions Of Gears Of WarAt level 3 and debuting his first blog, that, at the time of this writing barely has a dozen views, ThrawnOmega poises some interesting questions derived from the Gears of War series of video ...
Quantum Conundrum: The Kim Swift Interview
By GameInformer, published 09-07-2011
We were lucky recently to have an extended conversation with Airtight's Kim Swift. Previous to her work at Airtight, Swift was well known for her work in the genesis of Portal. Her new project, Quantum Conundrum, shares the first-person puzzle vibe of Portal, but the powers you enact while journeying through this new game are dramatically different. We asked Kim about her departure from Valve, the strange world of Quantum Conundrum, and why mutant kitty cats adorn the walls of the game's enigmatic manor. What brought you to Airtight Games? Did you already have the idea for Quantum Conundrum when you came to the studio?I was at Valve basically straight out of college. It was my only real experience with the game industry. I had a lot of fun working on Portal. Working on Left 4 Dea...
In Depth: Top 50 best Linux apps 2011
By TechRadar, published 09-07-2011
Top 50 best Linux apps 2011For everyone at Linux Format magazine and most of its readers, computers and Linux are a passion. Linux is perfect: its open source nature and excellent shell make it the ultimate hobbyist's operating system. Fortunately, there's a huge number of top-class applications available as well: market leading packages for professional and consumer level media creation, tools for developers, systems administrators and students - as well as great games to help you procrastinate on a Friday. Here we introduce you to the 50 best apps for Linux. We didn't just want the 50 most popular, so we asked our readers on TuxRadar for their favourites in a bid to discover some little-known gems. The response was overwhelming. You introduced us to great programs that we'd never heard o...
Resistance 3: Continuing The Downward Trend
By GameInformer, published 09-06-2011
Launching with the PlayStation 3 back in 2006, the original Resistance: Fall of Man signaled that Sony wanted a blockbuster FPS franchise to call its own. Insomniac’s alternate history shooter deviated from clichés set by both WWII and sci-fi games with a story about an alien invasion in the 1940s. Its sequel made some odd decisions, such as limiting the single-player loadout to two weapons instead of the well-liked weapon wheel from the first. After fans gave the sequel negative feedback, Insomniac made some significant changes heading into Resistance 3. Unfortunately, they’re not enough to keep the game from being a decidedly average shooter, and the most disappointing entry in the series. After ending the misery of previous protagonist Nathan Hale during the dramatic...
Why You Shouldn’t Pass Over Jetpack Joyride
By GameInformer, published 09-06-2011
Jetpack Joyride saved my vacation. This past week I took a trip back home to visit the family. I was busy – it was one of those visits where you randomly find yourself with nothing to do for fifteen minutes at a time. I had brought my new Nintendo 3DS with me, hoping to slide some game time in-between the cracks of my busy schedule. However, I ended up obsessing over my iPhone and Halfbrick’s new Jetpack Joyride during most of my alone time. You may already be familiar with Jetpack Joyride. We recently interviewed the developer at PAX. Throughout development, the game was titled Machine Gun Jetpack, and while the game has lost this more amusing moniker, it retains an addictive yet easy-to-play style that Halfbrick has fine-tuned with games like Fruit Ninja and Raskulls. I sho...
No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 09-05-2011
In No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, players journey through the sunny city of Santa Destroy as Travis Touchdown, battling to eliminate some of the world's deadliest assassins. Equipped with a razor sharp Beam Katana sword, players start off as the 11th ranked assassin and try to move up the ranks to position themselves as the ultimate killer. During the course of the game, players encounter Sylvia, a mysterious woman from the United Assassins Association, who arranges fights with other higher ranked assassins to help Travis become the number one in the world . Players will either ride through the town on Travis' trusty motor bike or travel on foot to arrive at Travis' next assignment. Using either a normal PlayStation 3 controller or the PlayStation®Move motion-detect...
Asia Shippin' Out September 4-10: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
By GameSpot, published 09-05-2011
The triple-A title train is steamrolling through this week with intergalactic escapades, road rage, alien invasions and zombie infestations. With so many titles coming out this week and a few more down the line, gamers will definitely end up with a lighter wallet and hollow bank account depending on how many genres they're into. From first-person shooting to reckless driving, there is something here for everyone. First up is Relic's second foray into action gaming since The Outfit. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine pits players in the metal boots of Captain Titus, a high-ranking Ultramarine who has to stop the Ork hordes and forces of Chaos from extinguishing human life on the Forge World. The action game features about 11 different types of weapons and equipment, as well as 17 chap...
Asia Shippin' Out September 4-10: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
By GameSpot, published 09-05-2011
The triple-A-title train is steamrolling through this week with intergalactic escapades, road rage, alien invasions, and zombie infestations. With so many games coming out this week and a few more down the line, gamers will definitely end up with a lighter wallet and a hollow bank account depending on how many genres they're into. From first-person shooting to reckless driving, there is something here for everyone. First up is Relic's second foray into action gaming since The Outfit. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine puts players in the metal boots of Captain Titus, a high-ranking Ultramarine who has to stop the Ork hordes and the forces of Chaos from extinguishing human life on the Forge World. The action game features about 11 different types of weapons and equipment, as well as 1...
The Baconing - GR Review
By Game Revolution, published 09-03-2011
How can you hate something that's wrapped in bacon? Behold DeathSpank, the Vanquisher of Evil, Hero to the Downtrodden, Champion of Earf, Dispenser of Justice! Baconer of Baconing! After vanquishing the corrupt wearers of the Thongs of Virtue and subsequently saving the world, DeathSpank decides to strap on all six thongs at the same time for the ultimate wedgie power to administer justice. But he's been too good, too successful, and now he's bored. Then out of the dark abyss, a giant shadowed Megazord-sized AntiSpank suddenly terrorizes his city of Spanktopia and he soon learns that it is an embodiment of the dark energy manifesting from his wearing of all six thongs, which was never meant to be. Thus begins his journey to eradicate AntiSpank's waves of
THQ To Publish The Haunted: Hell's Reach
By GameInformer, published 30-08-2011
The bloody winner of the Making Something Unreal contest has found a partner, and the game is now on track to release in the coming months. THQ announced the new partnership today, revealing that the violent and action-filled game will arrive on PC before the end of the year, and continue its journey onto XBLA and PSN a few months later, in early 2012. The Haunted: Hell's Reach plays as a third-person action/horror game. Everything about the game is multiplayer focused, and the game includes several different modes, all of which offer some variation on killing demons in large numbers. Check out the new trailer for the game below. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Pick Your Cover Athlete, Dig Into These New Screens
By GameInformer, published 26-08-2011
As of this moment, you don't have any idea what the cover of the upcoming UFC Undisputed 3 looks like. As it turns out, neither does publisher THQ. That's where you come in. MMA fans have a chance to influence the cover selection, drawn from a pool of five candidates. Choose wisely. “We are excited to let fans choose the cover athlete for UFC Undisputed 3,” UFC President Dana White said. “Frankie, Georges, Anderson, Jon, and Cain are five of the most popular athletes in our sport and each wants to be on the cover. We love making our fans a part of the process and we’ll leave this one up to them.” If you're not typically on a first-name basis with practitioners of mixed martial arts, the five fighters' full names are Frankie Edgar, George...
Contre Jour Is Stunning
By GameInformer, published 26-08-2011
Looking for the new iPhone app everybody will be playing a month from now? Prefer to get in on the ground floor? Contre Jour just hit the iTunes store yesterday, and it's definitely worth a look. Like most Chillingo-published games, Contre Jour (roughly: Against the Day) offers a simple concept, with simple touch-screen controls. Unlike many Chillingo games, Contre Jour eschews the bright colors, chipper music, and familiar creatures/situations for a much more surprising and unique vision.In Contre Jour, you play Petit, an unusual creature that looks like an eye with a little tail. Petit can't move around much on his own, but his round shape makes him ideal for pushing around. As the player, you move Petit primarily by adjusting the topography of the ground around him -- pulling u...
In Depth: What will your TV look like in 2021?
By TechRadar, published 26-08-2011
What will your TV look like in a 2021?The latest LED-backlit models might have 'smart' features, BBC iPlayer apps and 3D, but that's only the beginning of the journey for the humble TV. Over the next decade the TV is set to become bigger, sleeker, greener - and even higher-def."Judging by the advances in the past decade, the next 10 years look set to offer consumers another collection of jaw-dropping developments," says Stephen Gater, CE Consumer Marketing Director at LG. "Whether it is large-scale OLED displays or glasses-free 3D; one thing is sure, home entertainment is set to get even more immersive and bring consumers closer to the action." Let's start with OLED.Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) TVsOLED: Deliciously slim, with jaw-droppingly good pictures (the inky b...
Review: Updated: HTC Evo 3D
By TechRadar, published 24-08-2011
UPDATE: We've now re-reviewed this phone for the UK market, so check out our findings below.It seems like there are a bazillion Android phones on the market, which means any phone with a brand new feature seems like a colossal improvement. The latest of these big steps forward was the 'glasses-free' 3D screen on the LG Optimus 3D. Now splashing down is HTC's Evo 3D, with 3D features intended to be less alarming those on the Optimus 3D.We've got a cheeky little video of the HTC Evo 3D if you want to see the phone in action ahead of our full and in-depth review:In fact, at first glance, you might mistake the Evo 3D for any other slightly chunkier Android phone with a bright screen and HTC's Sense user interface. The problem is that the Android line-up has recently moved on to greener pasture...
Rumor: Lionhead Working On Fable IV, Too
By GameInformer, published 22-08-2011
The poorly received Kinect exclusive Fable: The Journey may not be the only Albion-based fantasy game Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Studios is conjuring up in its England headquarters. Many fans were turned off by the E3 debut of the on-rails looking Fable spin-off The Journey – even series creator Peter Molyneux seemed underwhelmed when presenting the game for the first time on stage. Perhaps his enthusiasm is reserved for another project. In the latest issue of OXM, the publication speculates that Lionhead is also chipping away at a proper Fable sequel, due out in 2013. The rumor should come as no surprise considering Microsoft's dwindling collection of reliable first-party franchises. Once you get past Halo, Gears of War, Forza, and Fable, there isn't much left outside ...
Review: Toshiba 42RL853B
By TechRadar, published 22-08-2011
It's business as usual on the Tosh telly front, with nothing but meek budget offerings. The Toshiba 42RL853B is one of the latest journeyman shelf-fillers.At 40mm thin, it's in line with higher-end designs from rival screen makers. But its plastic back panel creaks in a distinctly budget fashion and build is average.The screen offers four HDMI inputs (one side-mounted), plus component, stereo phonos, PC input and a digital audio output. There's also a single USB input and Ethernet LAN. There's no integrated Wi-Fi (unsurprisingly), but you can always buy a dongle if you don't have wired access.The set does have 'net connection, enabling you to browse your photo library on Flickr, watch catch-up TV via BBC iPlayer or browse YouTube. Since the latter are the two biggest IPTV draws anyway, the...
The Best Video Game Period Pieces
By GameInformer, published 20-08-2011
Movies have embraced period pieces since the beginning of the medium – from historical costume dramas to gangster epics, Hollywood has always made good use of a wide variety of eras. While games are beginning to rival film in terms of production value and storytelling, the industry is still largely tied to a small handful of settings – primarily modern military combat, Tolkien-derived fantasy, and science fiction.It’s a shame, because – perhaps better than any other medium – video games are capable of not only telling a vivid period story, but entirely recreating long past cultures and time periods.This list represents the best of the game industry’s efforts and mining the rich subject matter of human history. Hopefully, the success of these games will ...
Here Are The Trophies You Can Earn In Resistance 3
By GameInformer, published 20-08-2011
The kind folks over at PlayStation Blog have graced us with the full list of trophies for Insomniac's upcoming FPS, Resistance 3. Though this gift may seem like a sweet deal, it comes with a bit of sour. There are some big spoilers here. So big that I'm not even sure if I put them in the story correctly, because I was trying not to look. Thankfully, Sony went ahead and separated the lousy spoilers from the rest of the bunch, so they don't get contaminated. Bronze: Gardener – Destroy 100 Blast RootsSlaybells – Make Santa and his reindeer flyUp Your Arsenal – Get a kill with every weapon in your arsenalOverload – Use the EMP to take down 15 Steelhead auger shieldsCheap Shots – Kill 25 enemies firing the Auger through an objectGrenadier – Kill ...
A Kaleidoscopic Journey Through The Book Of Enoch
By GameInformer, published 16-08-2011
I’ve never taken hallucinogenic drugs, but after playing El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, I may be able to relate with people who have. I traversed colorful landscapes with melting skylines, ascended seemingly endless staircases, battled an angel who tried to seduce me with dance, leapt over a happy humanoid hot dog on a beach ball, and overheard the Devil gabbing on a cell phone with God Almighty. I often felt like I was immersed in the dreams and nightmares of a contemporary artist who had just fallen asleep after reading The Bible. It was a weird and unrestrained journey, but one that stands as a stunning work of art. El Shaddai is a visually arresting experience I wholeheartedly loved. This odd pilgrimage is the brainchild of Takeyasu Sawaki, previously known fo...
Journey, Flower dev on pitching games to the press
By GameSpot, published 15-08-2011
GDC Europe 2011: Kellee Santiago, cofounder of Santa Monica-based developer thatgamecompany, talks about adjusting messaging based on how its games are being perceived. Who was there: Kellee Santiago partnered with Jenova Chen to form thatgamecompany, a developer whose focus is "to make games that emphasize emotions." The company's previous games, Flow and Flower, were the result of this ethos, as is its upcoming PlayStation 3-exclusive Journey. Santiago speaking at GDC Europe. What they said: Santiago's short but well-attended GDC Europe session was pitched at other indie game developers and focused on what she has learned in the past five years. The main theme was the studio's aim to make new sorts of games and how it messages those games to stakeh...
The Dark Eye: Demonicon - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 13-08-2011
The Berlin-based publisher announces an epic action role-playing game taking place in the "TDE – The Dark Eye" universe. Berlin/Leipzig, 20th August 2008: TGC – The Games Company starts off into the first day of this year´s Games Convention with fantastic news for all RPG fans. The Berlin-based publisher was able to acquire the most successful German RPG license for the development of a high-end game. The license has been granted by Chromatix GmbH, the holder of rights of the globally successful “TDE” brand. “TDE – The Dark Eye” has enthralled RPG fans all over the world (in German: “DSA – Das Schwarze Auge”) for the last 24 years. At the beginning “TDE” was only available as a traditional pen & p...
Fable: The Journey Nixes Guns And Swords
By GameInformer, published 08-11-2011
\ The Fable series has been in a relatively small group of RPGs, in that its world of Albion embraces traditional fantasy weapons such as swords and axes, along with muskets and other firearms. That will be changing in the upcoming Kinect game Fable: The Journey, which places an emphasis on the magical end of the spectrum. Lionhead's Peter Molyneux explained the decision to remove guns and melee weapons in an interview with the UK publication Official Xbox Magazine. "We could have done melee weapons, but the one thing I hate about melee weapons, and guns as well, is that the human brain is encoded to expect recoil from those things," Molyneux says. He adds that the parity between player action and the on-screen effect was important to him, since it's what makes players fe...
The Asskickers - Mac - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 08-11-2011
The Asskickers brings back to life the 2D arcade beat’em up in High Definition on PC and Mac. Join Alex, Diane and Marcus in their fun and action-packed journey through the heart of the modern urban jungle. Wrongly accused, these three original Asskickers must stand up to a corrupt society in which the only way to defend their rights and their freedom is to kick the butts of those who stand on the path of Justice.
The Asskickers - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 08-11-2011
The Asskickers brings back to life the 2D arcade beat’em up in High Definition on PC and Mac. Join Alex, Diane and Marcus in their fun and action-packed journey through the heart of the modern urban jungle. Wrongly accused, these three original Asskickers must stand up to a corrupt society in which the only way to defend their rights and their freedom is to kick the butts of those who stand on the path of Justice.
Review: BlackBerry Bold 9900
By TechRadar, published 08-10-2011
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 comes as something of a shock. You see, for years, BlackBerry has, in a sense, been catching up. That's not a dig at its parent company – it's practically royalty in push email and corporate handset circles. But it has been rare for RIM to lead the way. Cameras, internet browsing, HTML emails – all were included on RIM's phones years after they'd become standard fare on other handsets. For recent examples of decent phones that didn't really push the envelope all that far, just take a look at the Bold 9780 and 9700.But the Bold 9000 finally offers some cutting-edge tech, and in an attractive package to boot. Its 1.2GHz processor, high-spec touchscreen, brand new OS7 and HD video camera are all specs we never really expected a BlackBerry to have before the next m...
To the Moon - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 08-10-2011
If you had the chance to relive your life, would you change things? Would you try to achieve some grand goal? Could you find love? Fame? Fortune? Or would you realize that sometimes the past is meant to stay the same. Join Dr. Rosalene and Watts on their journey and travel To The Moon.
Editorial: The Incredible Shrinking RPG
By GameInformer, published 08-08-2011
As a longtime fan of role-playing games, most of my decisions regarding new console purchases were decided by which system had the best RPGs. Though I loved my SNES, I didn’t think twice about abandoning Nintendo and buying a PlayStation instead of an N64. In retrospect, I absolutely made the right call. Acclaimed series like Final Fantasy, Wild Arms, Grandia, Suikoden, and Persona found their home on PlayStation, making it the unchallenged system of choice for role-playing fanatics. Today, buying a home console based solely on this genre is practically impossible. The phrase “role-playing game” doesn’t even mean the same thing; successful titles from North American developers like BioWare and Bethesda have become the term’s standard-bearers, and genre bounda...
Dead Island: A Survivor’s Journal
By GameInformer, published 08-06-2011
My name is Xian. My father was a chief inspector for the Hong Kong Police, but he died when I was ten. That’s when I vowed to follow in his footsteps. I graduated at the top of my class; I’m a good cop. Unfortunately, not everyone recognizes my skills. My superiors have relegated me to a desk job on a remote island resort off the coast of Papua New Guinea. I spend my days snooping around Palms Resort and spying on wealthy foreigners. At least, I used to. After the outbreak happened, I’m just trying to survive. This is an account of the first hour of my journey. 4 minutesThis morning, I awake in a daze to screams of “help” echoing through the halls of my hotel. Something terrible happened while I slept. I stumble around my bedroom and fumble with the latch on...
Battlefield 3 Won't Skimp On Progression
By GameInformer, published 08-06-2011
Swedish developer DICE says the Battlefield 3 progression system the deepest it has ever created. Battlefield 2 was one of the first shooters to implement a progression system, but in recent years the Call of Duty series has developed the ideal model for keeping players engaged. The robust leveling systems in Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops fuel a sense of constant achievement thanks to an addictive stream of new ranks and unlockable weapons, attachments, perks, killstreaks, custom class slots, call signs, and accolades. Infinity Ward and Treyarch know how to keep the carrot dangling in front of the player. Compared to these progression systems, Bad Company 2 fell short. When we visited DICE's Stockholm, Sweden offices during our Battlefield 3 cover story, executive producer Pat...
Dragon Age Legends dev joins BioWare label - Report
By GameSpot, published 08-06-2011
Casual-focused studio EA2D renamed BioWare San Francisco following company-wide reorganization. Reorganizations typically come with their share of causalities, but it appears Electronic Arts' is more about shuffling around than paring back. Following on from yesterday's announcement that saw the publisher raise Frank Gibeau to EA Labels president and Peter Moore to COO, Gamasutra reports that EA2D has been placed under Dr. Ray Muzyka's BioWare label, with the studio being renamed BioWare San Francisco. Mirror's Edge 2D is one of a handful of free games EA2D has released. EA2D has focused on creating casual games since its formation, with notable releases including the free-to-play browser-based game Mirror's Edge 2D and Dragon Age Journeys. The studi...
Skyrim Hands-On Impressions
By GameInformer, published 08-05-2011
After years of waiting, the next installment of The Elder Scrolls finally lands in our hands. Follow Reiner's journey from Riverwood to Whiterun. As we mentioned in yesterday's quick look at the QuakeCon Skyrim demo, my experience started in the character creator. My Twitter followers wanted to know about the Argonian race, the reptilian race that hails from the Black Marsh swampland. This race looks much like it did in Oblivion and Morrowind, with green scaled skin that sometimes gives off a bluish tint, and yellow, cat-like eyes. For my character, however, I chose the cat-like Khajiit race. The level of customization with this race was impressive. I could alter the eyeliner, change the color of the speckles on the nose, add earrings, and even apply a hairdo on top of my Khajiit...
Behold, The Ballad Of Mike Haggar
By GameInformer, published 08-03-2011
At first glance, Final Fight's story is fairly mundane. The Mad Gear gang has taken over Metro City and kidnapped the mayor's daughter. The mayor is, of course, a former professional wrestler named Mike Haggar. After stripping off his shirt (of course), he takes to the streets, breaking faces and mailboxes on his mission to rescue his family and put the gang down forever. You know, typical local politics. A new video puts his heroics into perspective, and you may gain a better appreciation for just how amazing Haggar is after watching it. The Ballad of Mike Haggar is a seven-minute-long epic that starts at the top and continues through the third stage. During that journey, you learn about what happens before players press the continue button. Check out Hortyort's video, and be...
Google Maps adds London public transport directions
By TechRadar, published 28-07-2011
Google Maps has now included public transport directions for London travel on its website and mobile app.The directions on the web will help guide you from A to B in London with step by step directions, including which Underground station or bus stop to go and how long each step of your journey will take. Using the mobile app you are able to get directions from your current location using the GPS on your phone, meaning you can constantly stay on track in the British capital. Keep on movingUsers of Android devices can also use Google's Transit Navigation to guide them in real-time, including instructions such as when to get off the bus.This is all possible because TfL has made all its timetable information available to the public online through a London Datastore website, so you can now fin...
Ubisoft’s God Game Is A Breath Of Fresh Air
By GameInformer, published 27-07-2011
A tribe embarks on a perilous journey to recover the knowledge of an ancient civilization and explore uncharted territories. With the forces of Mother Nature working against them, the tribe requires aid from “the Breath,” a higher being with the ability to manipulate the earth and elements. Out of This World creator Eric Chahi successfully realizes his ambitious vision of allowing players to control a living, breathing world in From Dust. Fans of god games are in for a unique downloadable experience when staving off disasters while helping the tribe survive. From Dust is less about building a civilization and more about controlling the environment to protect it, so if you are looking to create and customize villages, look elsewhere. As the Breath, you create paths fo...
Toyota develops augmented reality car windows
By TechRadar, published 26-07-2011
Not content with announcing one genuinely cool tech story this week, Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has unveiled a new augmented reality car window and a thought-controlled bicycle.Toyota's new "Window to the World" project is all about developing new interactive touchscreen car windows, which will let children (and bored adult passengers) draw doodles on the picture of the world outside the back seat.It's a novelty idea, for sure, and one we hope to see other car manufacturers also implement in future cars. Toyota Motor Europe's Kansei1 Design Division and the consultancy arm of the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) are responsible for the new AR window tech, which will let your passengers scrawl on the world outside.Window to the WorldToyota's "Window to the World" tech...
SlashGear’s 2011 Back to School Gear Guide!
By SlashGear, published 24-07-2011
It’s that time again, boys and girls, time to start thinking about what you’re gonna grab to jam in your schoolbags aside pencils, pens, and folders. What we’ve got for you below is a guide to the seven top pieces of gear we think would best suit YOU in your journey through the 2011-2012 school [...]
Wikitude Drive AR Navigation App Hits American Streets
By HotHardware, published 24-07-2011
Sometimes, getting from point A to point B really is the all that matters. Usually that involves a long haul, where all you want to do is sleep. But what if there was more to navigation beyond that? What if the journey was more exciting? That's what Wikitude promises to provide. The world's first AR (augmented reality) navigation app has just...
Bastion Journeying To PC
By GameInformer, published 20-07-2011
The newly released XBLA game is already targeting a second platform for release. However, that platform won't be another console. Supergiant Games' creative director Greg Kasavin told Eurogamer that the team is already shifting gears to start thinking about a PC release. The home computer version of the game is planned for a launch before the end of this year. Kasavin implies that control options will be a big part of the changes being made. "It will still support game pad controls but we want to make sure folks playing with a mouse and keyboard have a very good experience."Sadly for PlayStation 3 owners, Kasavin also says that Supergiant has no current plans to bring the game to PSN. More's the pity. Bastion turned out to be a great game, and everyone should find a ...
Seven Things You Should Know About Dragon Age II Legacy
By GameInformer, published 20-07-2011
Dragon Age II introduced players to the city of Kirkwall and told the story of Hawke and his rise to power. When the game released this past spring, it was met with a number of criticisms from both reviewers and fans of the series that the team at BioWare hopes to address with its upcoming expansion, Dragon Age II Legacy. In Legacy, a cartel is out for Hawke’s blood, which launches the character’s journey to a Grey Warden prison to put a stop to the attacks. Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming DLC. Story-driven DLCLegacy players will learn more about Hawke’s character and gain greater insight on his family lineage, particularly through the father. Hawke’s father is dead in Dragon Age II and while codex entries provide some background, you’ll fi...
Designing Fable: The Journey
By GameSpot, published 20-07-2011
Develop 2011: Fable: The Journey will be a more family-friendly entry into the franchise, with a revamped visual style that explores the less-familiar fringes of Albion. Who was there: Tak Sato, lead artist at Lionhead studios. What he talked about: Sato started by talking about the thinking behind the development of Fable: The Journey. The studio saw the need for a Kinect game that would appeal to core gamers as well as the more traditional family audience and thought that Fable was a good fit. "Revamping the fable visual style" to appeal to both family and core audiences was key to this, Sato said. This meant maintaining the British aesthetic, as well as its graphical chunkiness and some of the dark humour the series is known for. The Fable art tea...
In Depth: The future of 3D TV content
By TechRadar, published 20-07-2011
If you have recently treated yourself or the family to a new 3D TV, or are considering making an investment in 3D for the home soon, then you will no doubt want to know what's in store for the future of decent quality 3D content.Hollywood has come under flack of late, with a rep from 3D TV manufacturer Panasonic claiming that Tinseltown's rush to produce "badly converted" 3D movies in the wake of the success of James Cameron's Avatar has "damaged 3D".It's certainly true that even the most impressive camera and projection technology cannot improve a bad script or a poorly-directed movie. But where does this current feeling of unease about 3D leave 3D TV viewers? Where do producers and directors hope to see commercial 3D TV programming from the likes of of Sky and Virgin Media going in 2012 ...
TubeTap app could make Tube delays profitable
By SlashGear, published 20-07-2011
A new iPhone app promising to help Londoners claw some cash back when their Tube journeys are delayed has been released, TubeTap, using a combination of geolocation and automated refund applications. The £0.69 iOS app tracks each journey and, if any delay encountered exceeds the 15 minutes Underground authority TFL mandates, offers a one-tap process [...]
Rich Storytelling Sends Bastion Over The Top
By GameInformer, published 19-07-2011
Supergiant Games’ debut effort isn’t just good – it’s a must-play. Bastion’s surface concept is familiar – explore a fantastical world, kill monsters, level up, and collect rewards. Those elements are implemented extremely well, but they aren’t the main draw. Instead, it’s the realization and implementation of the world and its characters that entrances players. By wrapping every gameplay element around story conceits, Bastion becomes something new and exciting. As the well-written narration, excellent music, and bright visuals draw you in, the game feels like a storybook in which you control the outcome. The sensation of discovery is at the heart of Bastion, so sharing story details is prohibitive. Here are the basics: you play as...
Weekend Warrior 07/15/11
By GameInformer, published 16-07-2011
What are you playing this weekend? Read up on what the staff is up to then tell us your gaming plans in the comments section! Reiner: My entire weekend (I'm talking 20-plus hours of it) are going to a game I'm reviewing. I can't reveal what the game is yet thanks to a pesky NDA, but I can say that we've been waiting for it for a long, long time. When I have any free time, I'm going to check out the Captain America game, and will also try to go see the final Harry Potter movie. Kato: I have a really bad habit of video game multi-tasking. I almost always play two games at one time, usually of different genres. But when I finish one game, instead of concentrating all my efforts on the other game, I invariably start getting excited about starting up a different title inst...
Pocket God: Journey To Uranus - iPhone - Videos and Trailers
By Game Revolution, published 15-07-2011
Pocket God: Journey To Uranus Episode 5 trailer.
AT&T Revises International Data Rates, But They're Still Pricey
By HotHardware, published 15-07-2011
Using data overseas is an expensive endeavor. A remarkably expensive one. It's one that only the bold will journey into, and even those with expense accounts will think twice about using it when they don't have to. International roaming remains a class-A ripoff from every angle you see it, and there's no just great way for anyone on a U.S....
Weekly Roundup Summer Drought Edition
By GameInformer, published 07-11-2011
I'm not going to sugar coat it: This week's pretty dry, unless you're a fan of college football or Harry Potter. If you don't fit into either of those particular categories, you can safely avoid game stores this week. Aside from the second game based on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the latest installment of EA's NCAA Football franchise, there's not much else hitting shelves. Carry on then. GamesRetailHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, DS)NCAA Football 12 (PS3, Xbox 360)MoviesTheatersHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2Salvation BoulevardTabloidWinnie the PoohDVD/Blu-rayArthur (DVD/Blu-ray)Insidious (DVD/Blu-ray)Rango (DVD/Blu-ray)Robot Chicken Star Wars: Episode III (DVD/Blu-ray)[Rec] 2 (DVD)ComicsArchie Comics...
Half-Minute Hero Review: Tons Of Fun Content In An Ugly Little Package
By GameInformer, published 07-08-2011
Released in 2009 for the PSP, Half-Minute Hero celebrated the absurdities of the JRPG genre by stripping the concept to its 8-bit roots and warping it into a hyper-speed parody. I never realized how ridiculous hours of grinding for levels looked until I saw numerous 40-plus hour RPGs fast-forwarded into three-to-five minute chunks of gameplay. Super Mega Neo Climax takes the same concept and most of the same adventures, adds a few new embellishments, and trashes the bonus modes that didn’t work well in the original. Hero 30, the first and bulkiest mode in Half-Minute Hero, follows the story of a plucky, young adventurer recruited by a cash-obsessed Time Goddess to help save the world. A mysterious evil force is traveling the globe one step ahead of the good guys, teaching evil lords...
Help Us Design Our Tail Of The Sun T-Shirt
By GameInformer, published 07-07-2011
Ever since the journey that was Overblood, we've created T-shirts for ourselves to commemorate the event. We made Pipo shirts for Overblood, and Servbot shirts for Mega Man Legends. For Tail of the Sun we wanted to pay tribute to one of the defining moments for our tribe. In episode 5, the scourge that was Ganon finally met his end at the hands of The Coug. We decided this battle should adorn the front of our shirts. The Overblood Facebook group has provided many drawings of the battle, including the impressive picture above by artist Ian Richardson. We are currently accepting other submissions, but you don't necessarily need to be an accomplished artist. We'll consider anything, from cave drawings to computer-generated images. Send your artwork to my email (reiner@gameinforme...
Replay: Breath Of Fire
By GameInformer, published 07-02-2011
A select few of the Game Informer crew have journeyed through this classic Capcom SNES RPG from 1994, but those who did remember liking it. Unfortunately, that's about all they remember. We plugged this quest starring the blue-haired hero, Ryu, into the Super Nintendo for a short ride. Join Andrew Reiner, Dan Ryckert, Jeff Cork, and I as we stumble through the beginning paces of the grand experience. Be sure to stay for a wildly unexpected and uncomfortably zany Replay Roulette as well. (Please visit the site to view this media) To catch up on past Replay episodes, visit our hub.
Reiner And Phil Play Shadows Of The Damned
By GameInformer, published 07-01-2011
We're a bit late on this one because I was on vacation, but both Reiner and I really liked Shadows of the Damned, the quirky third-person shooter from Resident Evil mastermind Shinji Mikami and No More Heroes creator Suda51. Since we both like it so much, we couldn't help but record a video sharing it with all of you. Watch the 25-plus minutes below to get a look at the earliest moments of the journey through Hell that awaits in Shadows and some lessons in demonology and booze as medicine. Also, a warning: This game is very mature (or immature, as the case may be) in terms of both over-the-top violence and salty language. If heavy swearing and jokes about male anatomy anger or disgust you, you might want to sit this one out. Or don't and leave a comment complaining! (Please v...
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Lionhead Studios Working On A Top Secret Project
By GameInformer, published 30-06-2011
Lionhead developer and industry chatterbox Peter Molyneux has revealed that he has a secret game in development. Today, during the Gamelab conference in Barcelona, Molyneux let slip that Lionhead is still working on a super secret second project being developed alongside the Kinect title Fable: The Journey. We wonder if this secret game is different than the Milo & Kate demo from last year’s E3, because, according to Games Industry, Molyneux mentioned that Fable: The Journey is actually using “huge amounts" of tech left over from Milo & Kate. Molyneux also took the opportunity to talk up the player's horse in Fable: The Journey. "This horse is one of the most amazing things we've ever created. He's going to have so much feeling for you. Think abou...
Review: Packard Bell EasyNote NS44-HR-033UK
By TechRadar, published 30-06-2011
Packard Bell's EasyNote NS44-HR-033UK is small and portable laptop. While it's not as visually appealing as some other laptops, it offers a reasonable performance in a compact little chassis. A smaller screen and cheaper price make this the perfect starter laptop for anyone who feels they are likely to be on the move a lot. An understated pattern covers the white lid of the NS44. It's a nice design, but will put off anyone looking for a sleeker machine. Inside, the pattern continues, but is limited to the silver palmrest. The rest of the chassis is blank white and we found no flex on any part. The 2.3kg laptop feels light and durable and is well suited to a long car or train journey.The 14-inch screen is bright and clear in normal conditions. The Super-TFT glossy coating is reflective, so ...
Molyneux: Fable: The Journey Will Look Better At Gamescom
By GameInformer, published 29-06-2011
Lionhead Studio’s new Kinect title Fable: The Journey could turn out to be a great game, but the demo we saw at E3 looked a little rough (read our E3 preview for more information). There’s a good reason for that; the team only had four month to throw the demo together. “This project really only started, well in earnest it started about seven months ago and we started coding about four months ago," Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux told OXM UK. "There's huge faults with this demo. The quality isn't quite there, and we haven't had enough time to fulfill all our ambitions. But come Gamescom, our ambition is to give you something to play with because, rough though it is at the moment, it already feels pretty cool." Gamescom is only two months away at...
Where It All Began: The 10 Original Software Companies
By MaximumPC, published 28-06-2011
In compiling a list of the world's oldest software companies, one comes face to face with an inevitable question. Namely, what is it? What the heck is this thing we call "software?" We searched the darkest corners of our brains and perused the online dictionaries for quickie text bytes and never really could come up with a single, all-purpose answer. Is it the overtly simplistic "Anything that is not hardware but is used with hardware" or the seemingly too limiting "The programs used to direct the operations of a computer?" How about this metaphysical beauty: "Unlike hardware, software can't be touched." Ouch. That makes our heads hurt. While it's easy to say that Windows or Office or even the wanton dismemberment of Dead Space 2 are obvious examples of software, where does one draw the li...
E3 2011: BioShock Infinite scores at Game Critics Awards
By GameSpot, published 28-06-2011
Irrational's action adventure lands four trophies, including Best of Show; Battlefield 3, Sound Shapes, Elder Scrolls V nab two each; Bastion, Forza 4, PS Vita also honored. The votes are in for the Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2011 honors, and BioShock Infinite has won big. Irrational Games' agoraphobic-terrifying action adventure racked up an award for every category it was nominated in, including Best of Show, Best Original Game, Best PC Game, and Best Action/Adventure Game. BioShock Infinite flew away with top honors at the Game Critics Awards' Best of E3 2011. The 2K Games title's haul bested that of fellow quadruple nominee Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, which was shut out completely. Coming in at two wins each were Battlefield 3 (Best Acti...
Your Platinum Credit Card Commands a Mere $35 on the Black Market
By MaximumPC, published 27-06-2011
Supply and demand. It's a simple and fundamental economic model of price determination in a market. We're not going to cover all the particulars and instead will assume you have at least a basic understanding of how it works (if not, Investopedia breaks it down in plain English). The reason we bring it up is because your credit card -- that Platinum one jammed in your wallet -- is worth a mere $35 in the black market. Your Corporate card fetches $45. In other words, it costs more to take the family to Green Lantern at the local cinema than it does to purchase a stolen credit card. We're not pulling those numbers out of thin air; they come from a recent NPR.org report in which an FBI agent demonstrated how to purchase pilfered credit cards from underground sites. "To even be able to see the...
Journey Closed Beta Starts Tomorrow
By GameInformer, published 27-06-2011
Thatgamecompany's followup to Flow and Flower on PlayStation Network features an intriguing take on multiplayer. Find out how you can test it out early. For those not familiar with Journey's premise, players take on the role of a desert traveler as he makes his way to a far off mountain. Along the way you may meet other players if you're connected to the Internet, and you can decide to team up or ignore them at your leisure. The unusual thing about it is you don't "join" up in a traditional sense in online lobbies, and you can't chat through voice or text. In concept, it's all about working together through nonverbal cues via some kind of auto connect. Sony and the dev are putting this unique idea through its paces starting tomorrow, June 28. This invite-...
Here's What Uncharted Looks Like When It's Made In Saudi Arabia
By GameInformer, published 27-06-2011
Uncharted fans have plenty of good gaming ahead of them, with the franchise's third installment hitting this winter and a portable version for the PlayStation Vita not far behind. But what about those searching for a more Middle-Eastern take on the Indiana Jones-esque adventurer? Look no further! The video below is an early demo for Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta, a very familiar-looking game from Saudi Arabian developer Semaphore. Ibn Battuta, you ask? Sure enough, Wikipedia informs me that he was an "Islamic scholar and traveler" who kept extensive records of his journeys around the world -- essentially, exactly the same type of historical figures whose trails Nathan Drake follows in the Uncharted games. Kotaku says that Unearthed will be available for PC, Mac, iPhone, iP...
Solatorobo hunting DS this fall
By GameSpot, published 25-06-2011
XSEED confirms North American release window for CyberConnect2's spiritual action RPG successor to original PlayStation effort Tail Concerto. In 1999, CyberConnect2's Tail Concerto launched in North America, giving gamers a 3D platformer in a world populated by mech-riding anthropomorphic cats and dogs caught in racial strife. More than a dozen years later, the developer is returning to the premise to create a spiritual successor to its PlayStation original, Solatorobo: Red the Hunter for the DS. XSEED Games today announced that it has reached an agreement with Japanese publisher Namco Bandai to bring Solatorobo to North American stores this fall. Don't ask how they determine ownership of the robots. Similar to its predecessor, Solatorobo is set on a c...
Game Changers: Using the PC to Change the World
By MaximumPC, published 24-06-2011
As PC enthusiasts we spend much of our lives finding new and exciting ways to work the technology we love into every facet of our lives. We pay our bills, play games, keep in touch with loved ones, and do business from our computers. They are our hobby, our obsession, our passion. As computer enthusiasts, we are not strangers to using our interest and knowledge of tech for the benefit of others. The Internet is filled with user-created and supported software that are available to all, regardless of financial need or experience level. Some of us provide education and guidance to others through forums and knowledge base sites. We donate our old or extra hardware to groups or individuals in need. Among us are the heroes who use a mouse and keyboard at work to fill invoices and write programs,...
BioShock Infinite, Uncharted 3 Top Game Critics Awards' E3 Nominations
By GameInformer, published 22-06-2011
The nominees for the Game Critics Awards' Best of E3 Awards have been named, and the usual suspects are present and accounted for. BioShock Infinite and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception lead the nominations, with four apiece, joining other best of show nominees Batman: Arkham City, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Tomb Raider. The Game Critics Awards are compiled from the votes of representatives from 35 North American media outlets that cover games. If you're a dedicated console warrior, the awards are full of ammunition. EA and Sony tied for the most nominations, at 14 each. The Xbox 360 was home to the most nominated games at 55, with PS3 following up with 48. Finally, the PlayStation Vita scored seven nominations, compared to the 3DS' three. The winners will be re...
E3 2011: BioShock Infinite, Uncharted 3 lead Game Critics Awards nominations
By GameSpot, published 22-06-2011
Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Star Wars: The Old Republic, From Dust, Tomb Raider also lead nods from critics' panel. In addition to GameSpot's own Best of E3 Awards, each year the Game Critics Awards honors the top games from the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo. This year was no exception, with the press organization today announcing its nominees from the 2011 trade show in Los Angeles, which took place earlier this month. Uncharted 3 tied for first place with four Game Critics Awards nominations. Two titles--BioShock Infinite and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception--each garnered four nominations, making them the most-honored by the panel. Seven titles--Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, From Dust, Sound Shapes, Star Wars: The Old Re...
E3 2011: BioShock Infinite, Uncharted 3 lead Game Critics Awards nominations
By GameSpot, published 22-06-2011
Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Star Wars: The Old Republic, From Dust, Tomb Raider also lead nods from critics' panel. In addition to GameSpot's own Best of E3 Awards, each year the Game Critics Awards honors the top games from the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo. This year was no exception, with the press organization today announcing its nominees from the 2011 trade show in Los Angeles, which took place earlier this month. Uncharted 3 tied for first place with four Game Critics Awards nominations. Two titles--BioShock Infinite and Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception--each garnered four nominations, making them the most-honored by the panel. Seven titles--Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, From Dust, Sound Shapes, Star Wars: The Old Re...
Fable cocreator leaves Lionhead - Report
By GameSpot, published 21-06-2011
Lead technical director of action RPG series departs Guildford, UK shop alongside brother Dene; reportedly setting up new Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam, and mobile studio. In the well-received Fable 3, gamers became a king or queen and exercised power of the land. However, such power isn't for everyone, as another key Fable player has left series shop Lionhead. Speaking with Gamesindustry.biz today, Lionhead's lead technical director Simon Carter announced that he has left the Guildford, UK developer. He and his brother Dene--who left Lionhead last year--will head up a new digital download-focused studio aimed at creating Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam, and mobile games. According to the report, both Simon and Dene were considered "senior management" at Lionhead. ...
Peter Molyneux’s E3 Badge Being Sold For Charity
By GameInformer, published 21-06-2011
E3 is in many ways the Mecca of gaming. It’s a promised land filled with flashing lights, loud music, industry icons, and the hottest upcoming games. Getting into the event is difficult if you’re not in the game industry, but stop over to eBay and you can own a piece of it forever. One item, Peter Molyneux’s badge, is being sold for charity. Website Eggplante asked the creator of Fable for his badge, telling him it was for charity. Allegedly Molyneux took off the Zelda-branded lanyard because he works for Microsoft, and they don’t like advertising for Nintendo. He also signed it and wrote “It’s not on rails,” a reference to Fable: The Journey, a game many people mistakenly thought was on rails after the a demo was given. Are any of you interested ...
Shadows Of The Damned Launch Trailer Sets The Stage
By GameInformer, published 20-06-2011
Shadows of the Damned hits stores tomorrow. If you haven't been following Grasshopper Manufacture's latest game, publisher EA has released a trailer designed to get you up to speed. The game follows hero Garcia's journey into Hell to save his dead girlfriend. Along the way, he meets up with loads of bizarre demons and spills a few thousand gallons of blood. Check out the clip below to see it in action, and read our review when you're done. Spoiler: We liked it a lot. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Halo Anniversary Will Support Kinect
By GameInformer, published 20-06-2011
Microsoft used its E3 presentation to push Kinect, showing support for the motion-sensing device in upcoming games such as Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier and Fable: The Journey. Curiously, the company didn't bother announcing that the HD remake for one of the biggest Xbox games ever would utilize Kinect. Phil Spencer, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, revealed the nugget in an interview with GameSpot. "As a first party, we believe that Kinect will be important to all genres of games, be it racing games with Forza, combat games like Ryse – even games like Halo Anniversary have Kinect integration." Spencer didn't explain how exactly Kinect would be supported in the game. Will we be able to toss grenades by whipping our arms into the air? Could ...
This Goofy Thrill Ride To The Depths Of Hell Plays Like Heaven
By GameInformer, published 20-06-2011
Shadows of the Damned is not shy about its inspirations. Early in the game protagonist Garcia Hotspur proclaims that he and his traveling skull companion Johnson are making “our very own road movie.” Like the grindhouse films that it pays homage to, Shadows of the Damned is vulgar, violent, over-the-top, and way more fun than it should be. This is Resident Evil 4 rewritten by a 12-year-old obsessed with d--- jokes. As it turns out, that’s a good thing. In the opening moments of Shadows of the Damned, Garcia’s apartment is invaded by demonic forces that drag away his girlfriend, Paula. The tattoo-covered hero swears vengeance and jumps through a portal to Hell. Garcia’s journey takes him through multiple colorful regions of the underworld, from a Mexican marke...
Torchlight II - Mac - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 17-06-2011
Torchlight returns! The award-winning Action RPG is back, bigger and better, with Torchlight II. Runic Games, located in Seattle, is a veteran team composed of the designers and leads of projects including Diablo, Diablo II, Mythos, Fate, and Torchlight, which won the Game Developer's Choice Award for Best Debut of 2009. Torchlight II captures the quirky charm and furious action of the original, while expanding the world and including the features players wanted most. Torchlight II is fast, fun, and filled to the brim with action and loot. Adventure solo, or online with your friends! The most exciting new feature of Torchlight II is the multiplayer component. Play with friends old and new, using the free matchmaking service. Together you'll discover expansive outdoor areas a...
Torchlight II - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 17-06-2011
Torchlight returns! The award-winning Action RPG is back, bigger and better, with Torchlight II. Runic Games, located in Seattle, is a veteran team composed of the designers and leads of projects including Diablo, Diablo II, Mythos, Fate, and Torchlight, which won the Game Developer's Choice Award for Best Debut of 2009. Torchlight II captures the quirky charm and furious action of the original, while expanding the world and including the features players wanted most. Torchlight II is fast, fun, and filled to the brim with action and loot. Adventure solo, or online with your friends! The most exciting new feature of Torchlight II is the multiplayer component. Play with friends old and new, using the free matchmaking service. Together you'll discover expansive outdoor areas a...
Rumor: Mass Effect 3 Could Feature 4-player Co-op
By GameInformer, published 17-06-2011
The Mass Effect series has been all about your own journey as Commander Shepard fighting to save the galaxy, but that could change with the third entry in the series if BioWare adds 4-player co-op missions. CVG is reporting that an anonymous source has suggested that Mass Effect 3 will feature a “handful" of co-op missions designed to be played over and over again. BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka also told Eurogamer, "We haven't talked at all about multiplayer in the Mass Effect franchise, but we're exploring multiplayer in all of our games and all of our franchises." The remarks mirror what executive producer Casey Hudson told us in an interview during our Mass Effect 3 cover story. "As a single-player experience, and just as a world that people want to i...
Child of Eden Review: A Stint Of Synaesthesia
By GameInformer, published 14-06-2011
Tetsuya Mizuguchi's musical shooter Rez hypnotized players with trance-inducing visuals and pulsating beats as they eradicated viruses and firewalls within cyberspace to keep an AI called "Eden" from shutting down. Roughly a decade later, a spiritual successor to the cult hit emerges to deliver a similar multi-sensory experience via Kinect. Child of Eden is an on-rails shooter that tasks players with rescuing the endangered Lumi from viruses attacking Eden, a futuristic version of the Internet. From the introductory Matrix archive to the grand finale in Journey, players shoot a unique array of enemies while switching between homing and rapid-fire shots or using a bomb that cleanses all viruses in your path. The game gives you the option to use either Kinect or a ...
Video: Microsoft at E3 2011: top ten Xbox 360 games
By TechRadar, published 14-06-2011
Microsoft has had a difficult time competing with Sony and Nintendo at E3 2011. It's was only one of the three major gaming console companies not to reveal new hardware.Nintendo pushed its new Wii U home console, while Sony was heavily promoting its latest PlayStation Vita handheld. That left Microsoft at something of a loss when it came to grabbing the new hardware headlines.All about Xbox KinectIt has been "something of a consolidation year for Microsoft," according to Mike Channell, deputy editor of Official Xbox 360 Magazine."Finger tracking and object scanning have been discussed as possibilities since Kinect was first announced as Natal and while Kinect Fun Labs are tech-demo widgets, they'll be backed up with libraries so that games developers can take advantage." And for the hardco...
Review: Sharp LC-46LE831E
By TechRadar, published 14-06-2011
Last year saw the debut of 3D TVs from major manufacturers, but one or two of the big brands lagged behind. Sharp, the biggest TV brand in Japan and maker of the LCD panels behind Sony Bravia TVs such as the KDL-40NX703 (to name but one of its customers), had an excuse for lateness; Quattron.Updated to work on its first 3D TV, the Sharp LC-60LE925E, late in 2010, the technology sees its second generation on this 46-inch LE831 series TV. For anyone who missed it, Quattron was a genuinely innovative attempt to take picture quality to the next stage. As the name just about suggests, Quattron is a four-colour system that adds yellow to the normal red, green and blue (RGB) mix in every pixel on a flat screen TV. Four-play over, the Sharp LC-46LE831E has more to tempt in a relatively high-end pa...
Video: Sony at E3 2011: Top ten PS3 games
By TechRadar, published 14-06-2011
Sony unveiled the PlayStation Vita at E3 2011, the company's latest handheld gaming console, set for release later this year. Just in time for Christmas, as is the tradition. Yet Sony also released a veritable welter of quality new PS3 game demos.That's right! Sony's E3 2011 was not all about the thrill of showing off the capabilities of its latest hardware, plenty of PS3 games were also on show to prove that delivering decent-quality exclusive gaming content is still right at the heart of the PlayStation strategy. A strong, humble showing from SonyOverall, it was, as PSM3 magazine editor, Dan Dawkins tells TechRadar, "a strong, humble showing from Sony after a gruelling year – the absence of Kevin Butler demonstrating the focus on delivery, not levity. Uncharted 3 was one of the most ob...
No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 14-06-2011
In No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, players journey through the sunny city of Santa Destroy as Travis Touchdown, battling to eliminate some of the world's deadliest assassins. Equipped with a razor sharp Beam Katana sword, players start off as the 11th ranked assassin and try to move up the ranks to position themselves as the ultimate killer. During the course of the game, players encounter Sylvia, a mysterious woman from the United Assassins Association, who arranges fights with other higher ranked assassins to help Travis become the number one in the world . Players will either ride through the town on Travis' trusty motor bike or travel on foot to arrive at Travis' next assignment. Using either a normal PlayStation 3 controller or the PlayStation®Move motion-detect...
Dead Rising 2: Off The Record Costs $40
By GameInformer, published 13-06-2011
Dead Rising 2 was a successful title, but some fans weren't too happy about the prospect of buying the whole game again just to play as Frank West in Off the Record. Well, here's something that might soften the blow: The game only costs $40. Speaking with Eurogamer, executive producer Jason Leigh assuaged doubts by revealing that Off The Record would not be a full-priced release. "And now we can finally reveal the price, which is $39.99 for North America," Leigh said. Considering that Off The Record contains even more content than the original, including a new area and new psychopaths, this reduced sticker price is a great value for those who haven't played Dead Rising 2. On the other hand, it still may seem a little steep if you already know Chuck Greene's journ...
Molyneux Clarifies Fable: The Journey Is Not On Rails
By GameInformer, published 13-06-2011
During E3 last week, Microsoft unveiled Fable: The Journey, a new motion-controlled action/RPG for Kinect. The E3 demo left some with the impression that this title would be on rails, but Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux wants everyone to know that this isn’t true. Lionhead’s E3 demo was designed to show how players could steer their horse and cast spells using a variety of hand gestures, but Molyneux felt that the demo didn’t do a good job of showcasing how players would navigate the environment. We still don’t have a lot of info about how players will be able to explore the world in Fable: The Journey, but Molyneux wants everyone to know that the game is not on rails. OXM UK even posted a video, where the designer has journalist sign a wall that reads, “It&r...
Shippin' Out June 12-18: Duke Nukem Forever
By GameSpot, published 13-06-2011
New release slate championed by premiere of Gearbox's long-in-development action game; Wii Play: Motion, Child of Eden, Alice: Madness Returns, Transformers: Dark of the Moon also out. Duke Nukem can be called a lot of things, but vaporware is no longer one of them. Gearbox Software's much anticipated first-person action game Duke Nukem Forever finally arrives tomorrow for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, following an international market release last week. Initially announced in 1997, Duke Nukem Forever was synonymous with vaporware for over a decade. While at original studio 3D Realms, it went through at least two engine changes, with its protracted development reportedly costing $20 million to $30 million. Gamers can finally get their hands o...
2D Beauty: A Video Preview of Rayman Origins
By GameInformer, published 06-11-2011
The Rayman name has become a bit cluttered as of late. The franchise that may now be more closely associated with mini-games than platformers is heading back to the basics with Rayman Origins. In beautifully animated 2D, Rayman and up to three other characters attempt a classic journey from good ol' left to right. Check out the video to see the game in action and to witness the next great 2D platforming revival. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Capelli's Resistance 3 Journey Begins
By GameInformer, published 06-11-2011
One of the stories of E3 was the introduction of Insomniac's new Overstrike game for EA, but that doesn't mean PS3-exclusive Resistance 3 wasn't also newsworthy. The trailer sets the scene for the game's story: Joseph Capelli must make the difficult choice to leave his family and start his journey to New York to destroy the Chimera. Check out our impressions of Sony's E3 demo of the game, here. (Please visit the site to view this media)
E3 2011 Day 4 Recap
By GameInformer, published 06-10-2011
The big show is over. We've got over 30 new trailers, previews, and impressions from the final day. In addition, our editors share their thoughts on the trends that will shape video games in the coming months and years. E3 2011 is over. And we're tired. Over 225 stories have come and gone across our website since Monday morning, including everything from new console announcements to blockbuster game reveals. You can catch up on all the action by checking out our Day One, Day Two, and Day Three recaps. How about the end of the show? Our editors encountered plenty of intriguing titles even three days after the show floor opened. A picture is beginning to form about what this E3 says about the current state of the video game industry, and what the game scene will look like in the com...
We Take On The Chimera
By GameInformer, published 06-09-2011
Capcom's Dragon's Dogma is an open-world, action-based RPG—a pretty big departure for the company. Earlier, I had a chance to take on a griffin in a mid-boss sized encounter. Today on the floor at E3, I checked out a level that ended with a different mythological beast. And even though this level was the game's prologue, the battle was no less intense. The beginning stretch of the demo got me reacquainted to the basics, such as equipping and lighting a torch to illuminate a path through a dark series of caverns. The bodies of soldiers littered the ground, and my companion warned me of the dangers ahead. Like me, he was a melee-based fighter, and we both tore through the first few waves of goblins without much trouble. A bit further down the path, I encountered a stone th...
Crawling Through Sony’s Versatile Action RPG
By GameInformer, published 06-08-2011
Sony showed off one of their standout Vita titles during their E3 2011 press conference. Ruin, an action RPG, borrows heavily from the Diablo formula while leaving room for intriguing social media integration and clever use of the Vita’s tech. Players will be able to start a game on their Vita away from home, then effortlessly transfer progress onto their PS3 to continue play on the big screen. We recently got our hands on the game and came away even more interested. Crawling through the dark dungeons of Ruin is a familiar journey; skeletons and other grunts lurch from and foolishly rush the overpowered qarrior. Developer Idolminds says each player begins with a character endowed with supernatural strength. Gameplay wise, this means players don’t start out with a cloth tunic a...
E3 2011: Konami VIP session hosts MGS, PES, Silent Hill, NeverDead
By GameSpot, published 06-08-2011
Q&A: Publisher brings lead developers from top franchises for video conference; Snake Eater 3DS on 4GB game cart, Book of Memories to intro multiplayer. LOS ANGELES--Konami kicked off the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo madness last week by holding a globally broadcast pre-show conference. Among the news from that taped segment was first word on the Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders HD Collections and an announcement for Silent Hill: Book of Memories, as well as teases for a new Contra and Hideo Kojima's new game. Konami's Yoshikazu Matsuhana was on hand to talk MGS Snake Eater 3DS. However, Konami hasn't skipped out on this week's festivities. In addition to offering a look at its upcoming digital lineup and announcing Blades of Time, t...
E3 2011: Konami plugs in digital lineup
By GameSpot, published 06-08-2011
Publisher confirms Zombie Apocalypse 2 and Puddle for PSN, XBLA; Leedmees journeys to Kinect; BurgerTime World Tour frying this summer. LOS ANGELES--A noted exception from Konami's pre-Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference last week was games for digital platforms. However, the publisher plugged that hole in its lineup today, announcing a handful of titles coming to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network in the near future. A second Zombie Apocalypse will begin this fall. This fall, Konami's digital arm will release Zombie Apocalypse 2 (working title) through XBLA and the PSN. Developed by Backbone Entertainment, the twin-stick shooter is a follow-up to 2009's Zombie Apocalypse, which received a positive critical reception. Zombie Apoc...
Konami Reveals Blades Of Time
By GameInformer, published 06-08-2011
The first trailer and screens for Gaijin Entertainment's new action game have us intrigued. Blades of Time focuses on the female treasure hunter Ayumi and her extremely practical wardrobe. Ayumi's journey takes her across a dangerous island filled with monsters, and she'll gain 40+ special powers along the way. Significant among these powers are the ability to rewind time and create a clone of herself to help solve puzzles and defeat enemies, and a potent dash ability used in both traversal and combat. Konami says that Blades of Time will also include both a co-op campaign and PvP battles when it release on 360 and PS3 in early 2012. (Please visit the site to view this media)
Google Launches Chromebook via Game
By SlashGear, published 06-08-2011
Google has started the preview launch of the new Chromebook in treasure hunt fashion. With the official launch on June 15, this seek-and-find game must be Google’s pre-launch ramp-up strategy. The game consists of clues, which are links, that take treasure seekers on a journey past technology milestones in history. The first clue was posted [...]
On The Road With Fable: The Journey
By GameInformer, published 06-07-2011
The announcement of a new Kinect-based Fable game raised a lot of questions. Is the game on rails? How will combat work? Is it as big as a full-fledged Fable game? After sitting in on a demo with Microsoft's Peter Molyneaux, we now have a better idea of how the game works. Before the demonstrator could even pick up the virtual reigns to his horse, Peter Molyneaux was eager to clarify a few things about Fable: The Journey. First and foremost: the Kinect-only game is not on rails, as many assumed based on the E3 demo. Although most of the game does take place from the driver's seat of a carriage, you have full control over where your horse leads you. Players begin trotting by moving the reigns up and down, then steer left and right by moving their respective arms forward and backwar...
Journey - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 06-07-2011
Platform: PlayStation®3 system Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC Developer: thatgamecompany Rating: “RP” for “Rating Pending” Release: 2011 OVERVIEW The pioneers that brought you the award-winning PlayStation®Network titles flOw & Flower® are back with another title that challenges traditional gaming conventions. With Journey, thatgamecompany (TGC) continues its tradition of delivering simple gameplay and accessible controls in a rich interactive environment that invites players to explore and experience emotional chords that are still uncommon in video games. An exotic adventure with a more serious tone, Journey presents TGC’s unique vision of an online adventure experience. Awakening in an unknown world, the player walks, ...
A Look At Fable: The Journey
By GameInformer, published 06-07-2011
Here's a first look at Fable: The Journey for Xbox 360 and Kinect. Enjoy the video and screens below, and for more info, check out our coverage of this morning announcement. (Please visit the site to view this media)
E3 2011: Microsoft at E3: Top five moments
By TechRadar, published 06-06-2011
While there were few surprises or major new hardware reveals at Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference, there were more than enough new exclusive AAA-games, Xbox Live services and interestingly-novel Kinect experiences to wow the industry and media crowd gathered in LA this week to hear about the future of Xbox gaming.Some gamers have been quick to note that talk of "the future of PC gaming" was conspicuous by its absence (with a blinkered/laser-like focus on Xbox 360 and Kinect), yet Microsoft and its various development, publishing and licensing partners have unarguably revealed and demonstrated a solid range of new games and entertainment offerings at E3 2011.So here are the definitive top five Microsoft moments from E3 2011:1.New Halo and COD: understanding the core marketIt was both a r...
E3 2011: Microsoft at E3 2011: Halo 4 out 2012
By TechRadar, published 06-06-2011
Microsoft has kicked off E3 2011 in style in Los Angeles today, with a slew of new announcements and demonstrations of exclusive games and services for Xbox 360 and Kinect. And, as was expected and hoped, a final reveal that Halo 4 is on the way soon.Following a momentous opening marked by a demo of Activision's forthcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and a demonstration of the forthcoming new TV and voice search features on the way to Xbox 360 later in 2011, Microsoft gave the hardcore crowd exactly what they were hoping for. Loads of decent new games The Xbox 360 maker is the first of the three major console manufacturers to lay its cards on the table at this year's massive gaming industry trade event, opening E3 2011 in some style, and with an almost confident swagger.A solid range ...
E3 2011: Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports 2 confirmed
By GameSpot, published 06-06-2011
Harmonix and Microsoft officially announce new dance and athletic-themed games; release dates TBA. LOS ANGELES--Over the weekend, domain name registrations hinted that Microsoft would use its E3 2011 media briefing to unveil Dance Central 2 and Kinect Sports 2, and that's exactly what happened. Today at the company's briefing, Harmonix officially confirmed that Dance Central 2 is in development. The news comes as little surprise, as the Boston-area developer confirmed that it would be unveiling a new title at E3 2011. Dance Central 2 lets gamers shake it all over again. According to the Harmonix representative showing the game, all original Dance Central songs can be imported into Dance Central 2. Additionally, the game will sport a new campaign mo...
E3 2011: Xbox.com outs Halo 4, Halo HD remake
By GameSpot, published 06-06-2011
Microsoft's site prematurely tips its hand for new Master Chief entry, "remastered" version of Combat evolved; Dance Central 2, Kinect game "Ryse" also shown. LOS ANGELES--Even though Microsoft's press conference isn't for another two hours, several of its biggest surprises have already been revealed. Briefly this morning, the official Xbox.com E3 page flashed the software giant's entire lineup for the show, which included some major debuts. Microsoft accidentally let slip its big E3 news, it seems. Image credit: CVG. According to a snapshot of the page acquired by CVG before it was hurriedly pulled down, the biggest game to be unveiled is Halo 4. Aside from a screenshot of series heroine Cortana talking to the Master Chief, little was revealed abou...
Microsoft at E3: new Fable and new Kinect titles outed?
By TechRadar, published 06-05-2011
The official E3 2011 announcements about Microsoft’s plans for the future of Xbox 360, Kinect and PC gaming are almost here, yet this doesn’t stop those persistent pre-E3 rumours from appearing – with the latest news that Microsoft looks set to announce Fable: The Journey, Kinect Sports: Season 2 and a number of other new Kinect titles in LA tomorrow.The news comes directly from just-registered internet domain names that go by those very same (potential) game titles, as spotted by eagle-eyed trademark site Superannuation.Lots of new Kinect gamesOther potential new Kinect titles we may very well hear a lot more about later tomorrow night when Microsoft’s E3 presser finally gets under way are Dance Central 2, Kinect Fun Labs and some other title called Xcommerce.CVG also notes that s...
Microsoft prepping Fable: The Journey?
By GameSpot, published 06-05-2011
E3 2011: Internet sleuth spots range of new Microsoft domain registrations, including one for new Lionhead game; Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports 2, and Kinect Fun Labs also outed. LOS ANGELES--The 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo kicks off tomorrow, but it appears one of the big three's announcements has been unveiled ahead of schedule. Internet super-sleuth Superannuation has spotted a list of new Microsoft-related domain registrations for a range of properties, one of which is for something called Fable: The Journey, rumored to be a Kinect title. Will Microsoft crown Fable III with Kinect on Monday? No further information is available about Fable: The Journey. However, Lionhead's top man, Peter Molyneux, has not shied away from displaying the studio's...
Report: Microsoft Sequels Confirmed Via URL Registrations
By GameInformer, published 06-05-2011
The registration of several websites makes certain Microsoft properties nearly a guarantee for tomorrow's briefing. Superannuation did some digging and uncovered a number of recent website registrations, locking down the titles of some of Microsoft's yet to be announced games. Among the bunch are Fable: The Journey, Kinect Sports: Season 2, Kinect Fun Labs, and Dance Central 2. Most of those games come as likely suspects for the upcoming year of Kinect releases. However, the Fable project is a little more of a mystery. Is Fable: The Journey a Kinect variation on Lionhead's vaunted franchise?[via Joystiq]
Jenova Chen Explains Journey
By GameInformer, published 06-04-2011
Thatgamecompany, the studio behind downloadable titles like Flow and Flower, is now working on Journey. Thatgamecompany’s founder Jenova Chen explains the process of designing the game. In an interview with GTTV [via Joystiq], Chen details the goals theories that went into designing Journey.Tags: GameTrailers.com, Journey - E3 2011: Themes & Goals Interview HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Weekend Warrior 06/03/11
By GameInformer, published 06-04-2011
The Game Informer crew has been busy gearing up for a week of games at E3! While we're heading out to LA on Sunday, we're still looking to squeeze in some time with our favorite games. Find out what we're playing this weekend, then head over to the comments section and tell us your game plan! Kato: Should be finishing up L.A. Noire this weekend (hopefully). Will also be playing a bunch of NCAA for review at home. It’s always funny when I bring a game to play for work home for the weekend because my declarations to the wife that I have “work to do” always seems a little conspicuous when it involves playing a football game for hours on end on the couch. Jeff C: As much as I’d like to say that I’ll be sitting around the house playing L.A. Noire, Pin...
Lights, Camera, Action Button
By GameInformer, published 06-04-2011
No, this article isn’t about how L.A. Noire’s expressive facial animations and multilayered story have blurred the line between film and game. Rockstar’s 1940s saga makes an appearance in this article, but it’s only to stress that video games are becoming more and more similar to the archetypes and release rhythms we’ve come to know from the film and television industries. Both the local theater and your living room host summer blockbusters, gripping trilogies, and episodic cartoon installments; something that’s difficult to imagine considering the first video game was a rudimentary ping pong simulator. We’ve narrowed down the main breeds leading this converging cadence of titles hitting the silver screen and the TV screen. The Summer Blockbuster...
A Heroic Attempt That Falls Just Short Of Greatness
By GameInformer, published 06-01-2011
In Infamous’ final moments, we learned that Cole MacGrath was destined to save humanity from a powerful being known as “The Beast.” This message was sent from a future version of Cole, who had gone back in time to shape his younger self into an instrument of destruction capable of stopping the threat. This plan didn’t work for John Connor or the robots in the Terminator movies, and to no surprise, it doesn’t work here. When the Beast arrives in the first few seconds of Infamous 2, Cole wastes no time trying to fulfill his destiny.Their battle consists of heart-pounding aerial combat, narrow escapes, and massive environmental damage – all beautifully framed to show a towering sense of scale. The Beast stands over 200 feet tall, and the trail he blazes le...
Hunted Leads Off This Week's Releases — Weekly Roundup 5/30
By GameInformer, published 31-05-2011
Hunted: The Demon's Forge is out this week, along with the portable version of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II and Duke Nukem: Critical Mass. More importantly, Super Adventure Island is on the Virtual Console. It has a great soundtrack, and fans of whistles will undoubtedly be pleased. GamesRetailBlazBlue: Continuum Shift II (PSP)Duke Nukem: Critical Mass (DS)Hunted: The Demon’s Forge (PS3, PC, Xbox 360)The Sims 3: Generations (PC)DownloadableNintendoVirtual ConsoleSuper Adventure Island (800 Wii Points)WiiWareFAST—Racing League (1,000 Wii Points)Bit.Trip.Void (600 Wii Points)DSiWareB Team—Episode 1: Dust & Steel (800 DSi Points)House M.D.—Globetrotting (800 DSi Points)Valet Parking 1989MoviesTheatersBeautiful BoyBeginnersHouse of the Rising SunLove, Wedding, ...
Review: Panasonic TX-P42GT30B
By TechRadar, published 29-05-2011
The GT30 range is Panasonic's secret weapon in its continuing war with 3D LED TV vendors. The Panasonic TX-P42GT30B is more affordable than the brand's headline VT30 models yet shares much the same technology, this set oozes enticing functionality. With both Freeview HD and Freesat HD (DVB-S/S2) tuners, it takes just 17 seconds to tune in the standard Freesat channel assortment. More adventurous viewers can journey outside this environment by selecting the TV's 'Other Satellite' tuning menu. From here you can tune via other presets selecting from Astra2/Eurobird, Astra 1, Hot Bird or 'Any Satellite' and filtering FTA or pay channels. We opted to tune in the free stuff on Astra2/Eurobird. This took about 18 minutes but garnered 329 FTA TV channels and 80 radio stations. The downside is that...
Sony Countdown Teases Desert Game
By GameInformer, published 27-05-2011
Sony Japan currently hosts a website in which a small shadowy figure wanders through the desert. Will this be a big E3 reveal? If you check out the site, you can pan the camera around slightly or click on the little dude to make him run briefly. The bottom left corner lists the number of days, hours, and minutes until the big reveal. Right now it's scheduled to be five days away, putting it smack in the middle of the week before E3 on June 1. Though Sony is publishing the desert-themed Journey, it would be weird to tease a game that's already been shown many times already. Any theories on what game this might be? [Via Destructoid]
10 best iPad and iPhone news apps
By TechRadar, published 27-05-2011
The iPad is a news junkie's dream. With a few taps you have the whole world's media at your fingertips, and with a little careful curation you can easily create a customised flow of news and comment that allows you to keep track of what's happening anywhere in the world. You don't have to be a news junkie to appreciate the news apps available for both iPhone and iPad. You can read your favourite daily newspaper or magazine, watch clips of important events, or just keep abreast of developments in your area of interest. The news apps covered here can be roughly split into two types: those that aggregate RSS feeds or Twitter streams and allow you to read news from multiple sources, and those that take all their news from a single source such as The Guardian or the BBC. Each has its benefits. ...
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 27-05-2011
Reckoning is a single-player RPG that sets players on a heroic journey to unlock the mysteries of Amalur. Amalur is a magical world, filled with strange landscapes, exotic cities, colorful characters and terrifying creatures.
Reiner And Phil Play The First Templar
By GameInformer, published 25-05-2011
Yesterday, Reiner talked me into joining him in our recording studio by telling me he had an advance copy of the next Assassin's Creed game. That was a dirty trick. Ladies and gentlemen, The First Templar is not an Assassin's Creed game. If you've never heard of The First Templar, prepare yourself for a harrowing 20-minute journey through history, religion, and mediocre game design. Best of all, it has co-op, so both Reiner and I take the sticks in this episode. Enjoy! NOTE: If you're easily offended by people making jokes that are lightly based in religion, consider this due warning. Please keep in mind that all of the absurd things we say in this episode are totally meant to be taken as jokes and not any sort of critique or criticism of any beliefs you may hold. Also, Re...
Hothead handling Hitchhiker's Guide game
By GameSpot, published 25-05-2011
DeathSpank shop announces development of title based on author Douglas Adams' sci-fi classic; no information on release date or platforms. Hothead Games' latest titles--DeathSpank and its sequel--were released on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network to a warm reception last year. The studio's next announced project, however, is taking players on a comedic journey to outer space. Hothead takes on the galaxy with its newest game. Hothead Games today announced development of a game based on late author Douglas Adams' classic sci-fi comedy novel The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Unfortunately, no information was provided concerning price, release date, or platforms. Gamers interested in the title can check out a newly launched website titled T...
Dungeon Fighter Online - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 25-05-2011
LOS ANGELES – March 30, 2009 – Nexon America Inc. (www.nexon.net), a world leader in free massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, announced today that it will roll-out the highly anticipated title Dungeon Fighter Online in 2009. Dungeon Fighter Online was released as Dungeon & Fighter in Asia and developed by Neople, which is a studio owned by Nexon. This new title delivers the classic side-scrolling action of an arcade fighting game with an immersive role-playing experience — all online and free-to-play. Dungeon Fighter Online transports players into the mystical realm of Arad where dangerous dungeons abound. Gamers battle monsters as an individual explorer or team up to journey through exclusive multiplayer dungeons. Like other Nexon titles, the game’s cont...
Resistance 3 - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 20-05-2011
OVERVIEW: America is lost. Four years after the epic conclusion of Resistance®2, dishonorably discharged Sentinel Joseph Capelli is in hiding from the invading Chimeran menace with a pocket of survivors, including his new wife and young son. But when Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with a desperate plan, he sets into motions the events of Resistance®3, the third installment in the popular full-featured first-person shooter series. Resistance 3 is created by critically-acclaimed developer Insomniac Games exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system. Set in a brutal, alternate 1950s universe, America has been successfully conquered and destroyed by the deadly Chimeran race, forcing the last remaining human survivors to seek refuge in hiding. Players must take on the role of...
Updated: 30 best iPad games - paid apps
By TechRadar, published 19-05-2011
With the iPad, the larger screen and extra clout from Apple's A4 chip creates a gaming experience markedly superior compared to that on the iPhone, and there are plenty of fantastic titles available. iPad 2 review (Wi-Fi version)iPad 2 3G review Those games marked 'universal' will work on both your iPad and iPhone. So ere are our favourite iPad games.1. Plants vs. Zombies HD (£3.99)PopCap's bonkers tower defence game Plants vs. Zombies HD should appeal even if you're sick of the genre. On iPad, the graphics are fantastic, and the multi-touch screen perfect for positioning your plants to battle the undead. There's also an iPad-only minigame, 'buttered popcorn', where you 'butter' multiple zombies and fire corn-cob cannons at them. 2. Flight Control HD (£2.99)Firemint's line-drawing classi...
Review: Panasonic TX-P50G30B
By TechRadar, published 19-05-2011
Panasonic has had such success with its 3D plasma TVs over the last year that it's a wonder the TX-P50G30B even exists. But while a high-end, 50-inch plasma TV that holds no truck with the third dimension is unlikely to get tech-heads salivating, it should still appeal to those convinced that the current 3D craze is just a passing fad.The TX-P50G30B is the most highly specified 2D TV in Panasonic's stable, and is the biggest of its G series screens; the 42-inch TX-P42G30B is the option for those with smaller living rooms. Below it in the Panasonic hierarchy are the S, U and C series plasmas; above it sits the all-3D VT range that houses the brand's flagship sets, such as the TX-P46VT20B.There are also 3D G series screens - indeed, buyers would be forgiven for believing that this is just th...
Sony’s Next PSN Challenge: Restoring Reputation
By SlashGear, published 15-05-2011
After weeks of downtime, governmental scrutiny and untold user fury, Sony has finally begun to restore PlayStation Network and Qriocity streaming media services. It’s not been an easy journey, either: it wasn’t just server failure that took the PSN offline, but a security breach that saw millions of consumer records snatched out from under Sony’s [...]
Barcode In New Hitman Trailer Leads To A NSFW Product Listing
By GameInformer, published 05-11-2011
Earlier today, Square Enix officially revealed Hitman: Absolution. It doesn't show a whole lot, but one thing it does show clearly is a barcode. It's shown with a black background with white bar code lines, but some curious fellow over on Reddit swapped the colors to the standard scheme so that iPhone product app RedLaser could recognize it. We scanned it to see what it was, and it takes you to an...interesting Amazon listing. More specifically, it takes you to the product page for the "Drawstring Double Dong D**do Bag," which comes in "Starry Night Blue." Yes, the barcode in the trailer is a barcode for a double-ended d**do bag. I know Agent 47 is fond of killing people in creative ways, but I didn't know this is what Square Enix had in mind when game dire...
Enter the Art of Halo
By GameInformer, published 05-10-2011
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Halo franchise, in October Titan Books is putting out a lavish tome collecting the art of the franchise. Entitled, Halo: The Great Journey: The Art of Building Worlds, the hardcovered book features concept art and commentary from all stages of the games' development – including characters, weapons, and locations from the series – encompassing the work of over 30 artists. The book is 192 pages and features over 400 art pieces. The hardback book comes out in October for $29.95.
SquareEnix Officially Announces Hitman Absolution
By GameInformer, published 05-10-2011
Agent 47 is preparing another hit, in a game that developer IO Interactive says will mark a new chapter in the series. Publisher SquareEnix has just released a teaser trailer, emphasis on the "teaser," which shows little but what we can assume is Agent 47 affixing a silencer to a pistol and a snake curling around a gun. The title of the game, Hitman Absolution, been floating around the Internet for a while, after reports of a trademark filing from SquareEnix surfaced and a teaser image (which appears in the trailer below) was used in a viral marketing campaign.However, the accompanying press release seems to suggest that this will be a fundamentally different experience than previous games in the series.Game director Tore Blystad is quoted as saying, “For the first time we...
Hitman Absolution confirmed for PC, PS3, Xbox 360
By GameSpot, published 05-10-2011
Square Enix launches teaser trailer for next installment in stealth action series; Io Interactive developing. In late April, Square Enix filed a trademark application for the term "Hitman Absolution," reigniting rumors of a new entry in the long-dormant stealth action series. Those rumors were initially confirmed by a teaser video and brief description that appeared on YouTube this morning. Agent 47 is back in Hitman Absolution. Shortly after launching the trailer, developer Io Interactive and Square Enix Europe officially announced that Hitman Absolution is indeed in development for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The announcement did not offer a release window for the title but did say it had been built from the ground up using Io's proprieta...
Memento Mori 2 - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 05-10-2011
With three playable characters over the course of the plot, Memento Mori 2 takes the player to more than 50 locations. In eight story chapters the journey leads from Cape Town in South Africa via Lyon and Finland all the way to Chinatown in San Francisco. Previous knowledge of the first game is not required.
Brink, LEGO Pirates, MX vs ATV — Weekly Roundup 5/9
By GameInformer, published 05-09-2011
It's another decent week for new releases, with games like Brink, LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean, and MX vs ATV: Alive hitting stores. Additionally, BioWare's shooter MDK 2 is available on WiiWare. Not bad at all. GamesRetailBrink (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PSP, 3DS)MX vs ATV: Alive (PS3, Xbox 360)Virtua Tennis 4 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s World Championship 2011: Over the Nexus (DS) DownloadableNintendoWiiWareMDK2 (1,000 Wii Points) DSiWareGo Series Tower of Deus (200 DSi Points)Mighty Milky Way (800 DSi Points)Whack-A-Friend (DSi Points) MoviesTheatersBridesmaidsEverything Must GoPriest DVD/Blu-rayBlack Death (DVD/Blu-ray)Blue Valentine (DVD/Blu-ray)Cropsey (DVD)Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (DVD)No Strings Attached (D...
In Depth: PC water cooling guide: all you need to know
By TechRadar, published 05-08-2011
Remember the heady days of the Pentium 4, when a single CPU could generate enough heat to keep you warm through winter? They were great for cutting down on household utility bills, but as soon as the weather started to improve, systems would fall over as the mercury rose. They were also slow, and their performance aged quickly. As a result, many of us looked to watercooling to bring down core temperatures. This in turn reduced noise and increased the useful lifespan of our components by just a few months through overclocking. To meet demand, early online component stores were stocked full of arcane heatsinks, boasting hand-milled plates and liquid cooling that looked like something ripped off the back of a refrigerator. The weirder, the better. A quick flick through the catalogue of any on...
Buying Guide: Graphics card upgrade: your options explained
By TechRadar, published 05-08-2011
The graphics card is the racehorse of your PC components stable. It's a high-value add-in board that's traditionally done one thing and one thing only: let you play games with all the latest graphical wizardry. Increasingly though, the graphics card is becoming far more than just a gamer's luxury. With architecture improving year on year, 3D graphics aren't the only thing your discrete GPU can do. It can now be used to enhance your web browsing experience and enjoyment of high-definition media, let you explore your creative side with enhancements for productivity software and even help cure terminal diseases through projects like Folding@home. So as well as producing some stunning visuals, your graphics card can also help save lives. In the last decade, GPUs have been following in the foot...
The Daily Slash: May 6, 2011
By SlashGear, published 05-07-2011
Behold a fine few days of wonder! This edition of The Daily Slash I’d like to take you on a journey of the more important (or otherwise featured) items we’ve had happen this week. There’s been an above-average amount of hands-on opportunities this week, and I want to make sure you don’t miss a single one of them. Then there’s the ongoing epic with Sony and their gaming network (hacks galore!) some fresh new earth-shattering games for Android, and oh my goodness, a whole new generation of iMac for your personal enjoyment. So very large! I want to begin by running down Chrome news of late – and the following goes back further than this past week, so beware: Google Launches Chrome 11, the beginning of the future with a whole new flattened icon. A couple o...
Samsung Galaxy S2 used to send world's highest tweet
By TechRadar, published 05-06-2011
Samsung has announced the 'world's highest tweet' has been sent from the summit of Mount Everest on a Samsung Galaxy S2. Using the summit's first ever 3G connection, Brit Kenton Cool posted a tweet just after 2AM GMT after reaching the peak for the ninth time, as well as, apparently, posting up a picture and updating his Facebook status. There's no news as to whether he checked out TechRadar, but we're assuming he did, possibly to check out the five star Samsung Galaxy S2 review.Up in Cloud 9?"Everest summit no 9! 1st tweet from the top of the world thanks to a weak 3G signal & the awesome Samsung Galaxy S2 handset!," tweeted Cool. Cool was handed the Galaxy S2 to unbox at basecamp, after Samsung picked up the sponsorship of his latest journey up the world's highest mountain. "I've climbed...
Michael Phelps - Push The Limit - Xbox360 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 05-05-2011
Enter a fun, exciting and exhilarating world where fractions of a second are the difference between winning big or losing big. In this game Michael Phelps guides you step by step in the journey from unknown to legend. Customise your character and notice your physical shape change the more you race! Control and perfect every element of the race to find the split-seconds – hyping the crowd, start reaction, dive, stroke, turn and reach finish. Compete in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke races over short and long distances. Games Career Mode allows you to choose your path through the racing season, swerving or meeting rivals head on, and take part in the end of season Annual Games where glory and medals are up for grabs. Improve your character stats the more you race and...
Buying Guide: Best netbook: top 14 in the world today
By TechRadar, published 05-04-2011
Our continually updated list of all the best netbooks available todayNetbooks are affordable. It's the reason we love them, and the reason that they took off in the first place. The cheap netbook isn't for everyone, but choose carefully and you'll get the best netbook on the market that will suit your needs.The big idea when getting your head around netbook computers is managing your expectations. If you're looking to write a novel, play games, or do a series stint of work, then you may be better off going for a full notebook or a desktop PC. While all these things are possible on a netbook, they're ideal for taking notes, editing work, watching movies, browsing the web and simply lasting a lengthy journey away from a plug socket. The battery life offered up by netbooks can be amazing, wit...
Vodafone Taxis offer payment by phone
By SlashGear, published 05-03-2011
Cash-coy Vodafone UK users won’t have to worry about paying for taxis any more, as long as they can spot one of the carrier’s sponsored cars. A fleet of “hundreds” of Vodafone-branded cabs will take to London’s streets from today, offering not only in-car chargers for rejuicing your phone, but the ability to pay for the fare on your handset, just as long as you’re a Vodafone customer. If you’re interested, you’ll need to pre-register – by calling 0845 680 3409 in the UK – and then payments are made by SMS message. There are no fees involved, at least not for customers, though it’ll only work in Vodafone-branded cabs. The chargers are generic – we’re guessing microUSB, perhaps with an adapter for iPhones –...
Shippin' Out May 1-7: MotorStorm: Apocalypse, Black Ops DLC
By GameSpot, published 05-02-2011
New release slate championed by third entry in racing series, latest volley of $15 content for Treyarch's shooter; Thor: God of Thunder, Section 8: Prejudice for PC also out. It's not a busy week for new releases, but the week's two leading offerings pack heavy punches. Leading the pack this week is the warmly received MotorStorm: Apocalypse for the PlayStation 3. The game includes a single-player story mode that lets gamers experience a plotline unfolding through the eyes of three characters who represent the game's different difficulty levels. The game also sports five new vehicle classes, 40 distinct races, and a four-player split-screen mode that's compatible with online modes for up to 16 players. Finally, Apocalypse will feature customizable vehicles and a game mode creator ...
Avadon: The Black Fortress - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 30-04-2011
Avadon: The Black Fortress features a full 40 hour RPG experience with four unique classes and dozens of skills and spells to develop. Learn the unique history of the five lands of The Pact and make important decisions on your journey that will reveal one of many endings. Discover new quests, secrets dungeons, magical items, and epic battles, everything you would expect from a classic RPG.
Scarlet Legacy - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 30-04-2011
The game features an in-game engine that allows for a simple and quick fighting system, while the game’s innovative technology allows players to spend more time questing and less time running aimlessly. Scarlet Legacy’s Auto-Pilot fighting system allows players to have complete MMORPG-style control with a non-targeting combat system that allows for control-driven and action-oriented game play. Scarlet Legacy is a massively dynamic and addictive MMORPG that takes the player through a journey of thousands of quests to save Princess Scarlet while utilizing the most effortless in-game mechanic on the market today!
Square Bundles All FFXI Content Into One Downloadable Package
By GameInformer, published 29-04-2011
Square Enix revealed the Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection Abyssea Edition today, a content bundle for the MMO soon to be available at a greatly discounted price. Abyssea will include all four previously released expansion packs for FF XI, in addition to all add-on scenarios and battle areas introduced last year. As a bonus, players will nab the Destrier Beret clothing item, which is promised to be “loaded with bonuses to help new players get started.” It’s fashionable, too. All the content will be packaged together for $19.99 and be available to download from digital distributors on Windows-based PCs globally on May 16. Final Fantasy XI’s longevity is impressive. Are any of you contemplating journeying into Vana’diel for the first time? On the flip side...
Eden Eternal - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 22-04-2011
In Eden Eternal, players will trek across a magical realm filled with vibrant races, robust monsters, and prosperous villages as they work to uncover ancient secrets surrounding the mysterious Soul Stone. Help the powerful Eternal Children solve the enigma of their origin and ultimately bring peace to the continent as part of your final quest. In addition to whimsical 3D graphics, mystical beasts, and charming communities, Eden Eternal creates its own distinct MMO flavor with these engaging features: * Class Changes: Freely switch between classes as you unlock them. As you progress through Eden, you will gain access to 15 unique classes. * Player Towns: Help your guild create a thriving town in Eden. Become a respectable citizen by establishing cross-functional structures and mastering ...
Windows Phone 7: The First Six Months
By SlashGear, published 21-04-2011
It’s a half birthday! Today is 6 months to the day since the official launch of Windows Phone 7, and we’re got a roundup like you wouldn’t believe! How would you like to know everything that ever mattered about the platform in one single post? That’s what’s going on here. Behold the successor to the Windows Mobile platform, one that’s taken the world by storm! — Depending on how you look at it. We’ve got all the big steps complimented by hands-on with all the big guns – reviews too! You all know that Windows Phone 7 launched for the first time on October 21st, 2010, in Europe, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, right? That was the first time a Windows Phone 7 phone ever saw the light of day, correct? Of course not! Let’s go ...
Mio unveils four new Spirit sat navs
By TechRadar, published 21-04-2011
Mio has unveiled four new sat navs for its Spirit range, with the 480, 485, 685 and 687 all claiming to meet every need of today's traveller. The latest sat navs from Mio include the headlining 687 which has a choice of routes feature, AV-in port for connecting up a rear-view camera, voice entry and Bluetooth. With the exception of the 480, the devices bring built in traffic information with no need for a subscription.Model features"All models are fitted with the practical 'Parking Assistance', 'Pedestrian Mode' functionality, 'IQ Routes', 'LearnMe Pro', '3D Junction Views' and 'Lane Guidance': a combination of features that make every journey easier, faster and more comfortable," adds Mio's release. "The Spirit 480, 485, 685 and 687 combine state of the art features with quality navigatio...
Talk Talk and Three named and shamed by Ofcom
By TechRadar, published 21-04-2011
Ofcom has released its list of most-complained about telecoms providers, revealing that TalkTalk and Three are the most complained about companies. For landline and broadband services, the report examines BT Retail, BSkyB, TalkTalk Group and Virgin Media.TalkTalk in particular came out of the report badly; from October 2010 to February 2011, 1.7 customers per 1,000 complained about its landline services, while 1.27 complained about their broadband; far more complaints than the other companies received. However, it was a bad period for TalkTalk; the complaints peaked in November last year when it emerged that the company had been billing some customers for services that were already cancelled. Not so talktalkative nowWe're hoping that TalkTalk will respond to our request for a reaction, but...
Alice: Madness Returns includes original Alice - Report
By GameSpot, published 19-04-2011
American McGee confirms action puzzler will include free download for first Lewis Carroll adaptation on 360, PS3. By the time EA and Spicy Horse release Alice: Madness Returns for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC later this year, it'll have been well over a decade since its predecessor arrived for the PC. However, gamers looking to refresh their memory of American McGee's Alice won't have to root through their archives. American McGee's Alice can be found in this rabbit hole. Speaking to CVG today, American McGee said that those who purchase Alice: Madness Returns on consoles will receive a free download for the original game, which was released for the PC in 2000. "There's also going to be [a] pretty significant release, which is the original Alice br...
Everything You Need To Know About Portal 2
By GameInformer, published 15-04-2011
Portal 2 comes out on April 19. After that you’ll have a lot of science to perform, so you better get briefed on everything you should expect from Valve’s next release now. The Story Those who played the first Portal know that you narrowly escaped the Aperture Science facility after defeating GLaDOS. However, Valve released an update to the Steam version of the game last year that altered the ending somewhat. Now, after escaping from Aperture science, players are dragged back into the facility by a party escort robot. (Please visit the site to view this media) At the beginning of Portal 2, players wake up from an undefined length of hibernation. Players assume the role of Chell, the protagonist from the original Portal, and begin exploring the Aperture Science facilit...
Michael Jackson Leads Week Of Strange Creatures—Weekly Roundup 4/11
By GameInformer, published 04-11-2011
Maybe I'm overreaching here, but it seems as though this week's releases follow a strange sort of pattern. Excluding the release of Michael Jackson: The Experience, of course, most of the games that are hitting stores over the next few days feature bizarre lifeforms of one sort or another. Don't believe me? What the heck are Patapons, anyway? Rabbids are too puffy and aggressive to be confused with rabbits. Dragons? Talking birds? Fantastic freaking pets? Seriously. Anyway, this is what you're up against this week. If none of these strike your fancy, there's always Portal 2 and Mortal Kombat next week. Carry on. GamesRetailDivinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga (Xbox 360)Fantastic Pets (Xbox 360 Kinect)LEGO Battles: Ninjago (DS)Michael Jackson: The Experience (PS3, Xbox ...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 04/07/11
By GameInformer, published 04-08-2011
Check out the latest edition of Blog Herding. Happy reading! 5 Myths About Video GamesHist is a fan of the "How Stuff Works" podcast, with one of the more recent episodes being "Top 5 Myths About Video Games." Hist puts in his two cents on the chosen five.The War Is Over -- A Response To A GI LetterDi5a5terp13ce comments on a reader letter in a recent issue of Game Informer that tackles gender and gaming. My thoughts? I can play whatever the hell I want. :)The Room Movie ReviewEnigma provides a review of The Room. If you have yet to embark on this cinematic journey you are doing yourself a disservice.What Really Grinds My Gears -- Angry BirdsTurns out Angry Birds is kind of awesome. Allow FamilyGuyGuy7 to enlighten you.Game Informer Online: User Blog Statistics (MAR)....
Islands Of Wakfu Review
By GameInformer, published 04-07-2011
Despite an average score, I have a lot of good things to say about Islands of Wakfu. Ankama Games has attempted to bring an ambitious and surprising game together. A gorgeous art style draws upon French animation and comics to create a colorful, cute, and ultimately engaging fantasy world. The story weaves a deep and complex mythology, no doubt rooted in many of the ideas from the Dofus MMO, a game also set within this fictional world. Most notably, the gameplay attempts to combine the best traditions of Zelda exploration, old-school brawlers, and a tinge of RPG upgrading to come up with a style all its own.It’s this last and all-important element, the gameplay, in which Islands of Wakfu loses its footing, especially if you plan to play the game by yourself. The combat system lets y...
Nintendo Store Update: Super Bonk slams Virtual Console
By GameSpot, published 04-04-2011
House of Mario adds Hudson…s adventure game to classic download spot; WiiWare welcomes Planet Fish and demo for A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots; DSiWare adds Absolute Baseball and A Fairy Tale. Nintendo rings in the first full week of April with a slew of new releases across its three download destinations including a Super NES adventure game, a fishing title, and a baseball management game. Bonk is back. Leading the pack this week is Hudson's Super Bonk (800 Wii points, or $8) for the Virtual Console. Originally released on the Super NES, Super Bonk has players adventuring through caves, streets, and outer space as protagonist Bonk. Players can eat meat to give Bonk more powerful attacks, and can use a range of items to help Bonk overcom...
Nintendo Store Update: Super Bonk slams Virtual Console
By GameSpot, published 04-04-2011
House of Mario adds Hudson's adventure game to classic download spot; WiiWare welcomes Planet Fish and demo for A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots; DSiWare adds Absolute Baseball and A Fairy Tale. Nintendo rings in the first full week of April with a slew of new releases across its three download destinations including a Super NES adventure game, a fishing title, and a baseball management game. Bonk is back. Leading the pack this week is Hudson's Super Bonk (800 Wii points, or $8) for the Virtual Console. Originally released on the Super NES, Super Bonk has players adventuring through caves, on streets, and in outer space as protagonist Bonk. Players can eat meat to give Bonk more powerful attacks and can use a range of items to help Bonk overcom...
In Depth: How Mac apps are transforming world sport
By TechRadar, published 04-02-2011
Say you were to meet former England rugby captain Steve Borthwick in a bar - what would you talk about once the rugger conversation dried up? Well, you could bring up the subject of Macs, seeing as they play a key role in helping him - and hundreds of other elite athletes - prepare for their big games. In football, you'll find Macs at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, to name just a few Premiership sides. The England national team also uses them, as do the majority of top rugby union sides, national basketball teams and the West Indies cricketers. With the help of highly trained performance analysts and software written specifically for the Mac, the Apple gear is vital in providing feedback to players about their performances, both during matches and training, as well as po...
[Update] Industry Celebrates Japanese Game Design In “Gamers Heart Japan”
By GameInformer, published 04-01-2011
[Update] As a quick reminder, be sure to visit gameinformer.com at 7:00 PM on Sunday, April 3 to catch the Gamers Heart Japan special! Hope you enjoy! [Original Story] Publishers, developers, and professionals are stepping up in a variety of ways to aid Japan, this time for a broadcast titled “Gamers Heart Japan.” The video will run as a 60-minute special slated to premier on April 3. Comprised of stories from game developers and journalists, the footage will speak to the work and talent native to Japanese game development. Additionally, the broadcast will draw attention to ways gamers can help aid reconstruction in Japan. Interviews from the following individuals will be included. Jade Raymond - Ubisoft Toronto - Assassin's Creed/Splinter Cell Dr. Greg Zeschuk - Bi...
G.Skill SNIPER Series 1600MHz CL9 8GB Review
By jonnyGuru, published 04-01-2011
The kit we are looking at today is designed specifically for the P55 and P67 chipsets from Intel. We will be continuing our journey through 1600MHz DDR3 memory kits on the Sandy Bridge platform with the Sniper series. Being dual channel, G. Skill have sent across an 8GB kit (2x4GB) rated at 1600MHz CL9 at an incredibly low voltage of 1.25v. It's time to lock n' load.
Updated: 50 really useful iPad tips and tricks
By TechRadar, published 30-03-2011
With great new features like two video cameras, a faster processor and a thinner design, the iPad 2 is the world's best tablet device.iPad 2 reviewIt's also fully capable of running the latest version of Apple's iOS operating system and great apps like iMovie and GarageBand.Here we present 50 really useful iPad 2 tips. We cover everything from customising your Home screen through to getting more from built-in apps like Mail and Safari.The vast majority of these tips will also work on the original iPad, so owners of the first generation device shouldn't feel neglected.1. Create foldersiOS now supports folders. To create a folder all you need to do is tap and hold on an app until they all start to jiggle, then drag the app over another icon and release. Your iPad will create a folder with bo...
Updated: 50 really useful iPad tips and tricks
By TechRadar, published 30-03-2011
With great new features like two video cameras, a faster processor and a thinner design, the iPad 2 is the world's best tablet device.iPad 2 reviewIt's also fully capable of running the latest version of Apple's iOS operating system and great apps like iMovie and GarageBand.Here we present 50 really useful iPad 2 tips. We cover everything from customising your Home screen through to getting more from built-in apps like Mail and Safari.The vast majority of these tips will also work on the original iPad, so owners of the first generation device shouldn't feel neglected.1. Create foldersiOS now supports folders. To create a folder all you need to do is tap and hold on an app until they all start to jiggle, then drag the app over another icon and release. Your iPad will create a folder with bo...
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Eee Slate EP121 officially priced & dated
By SlashGear, published 30-03-2011
ASUS has confirmed availability and pricing of the Eee Pad Transformer and the Eee Slate EP121, the company’s two new tablets. The Tegra 2 based Android 3.0 Honeycomb Transformer will drop on April 6 – pre-orders will kick off today – priced at £379 ($608) for the 16GB version and £429 ($688) for the 32GB version. Throwing in the optional keyboard – which also has an integrated battery that boosts runtimes to 16hrs – bumps the 16GB model to £429. A 3G model will follow on in around two months time. As for the ASUS Eee Slate EP121, that will arrive on April 10 as an Amazon exclusive in the UK (until May 1). It will be priced at £999 ($1,602) complete with a 12.1-inch touchscreen with active digitizer and stylus, Intel Core i5-470UM processor, WiFi b/g/n ...
Final Fantasy III journeys to iOS
By GameSpot, published 24-03-2011
Square Enix launches graphically enhanced DS edition of classic RPG on Apple's iPhone, iPod Touch today; iPad version due in April. Get the full article at GameSpot "Final Fantasy III journeys to iOS" was posted by Tom Magrino on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:06:46 -0700
Wizardry journeys West
By GameSpot, published 23-03-2011
Xseed Games picks up North American and European publishing rights to dungeon-crawling franchise's first downloadable PS3 iteration. While the Wizardry series has enjoyed a steady flow of releases in Japan, the dungeon-crawling role-playing game franchise hasn't been seen in the West since 2001's critically acclaimed duo of Wizardry 8 for the PC and Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land for the PlayStation 2. That's set to change soon, as Xseed Games today announced that it has acquired the rights to publish the first PlayStation 3 installment in the series in North America and Europe this spring. The world of Wizardry is populated by colorful characters. And a few jerks. Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls will be downloadable via the PlayStation Networ...
BMW Launches DriveNow Car Sharing Program
By SlashGear, published 23-03-2011
BMW has partnered with rental car company Sixt for its own car sharing service called DriveNow. The two German companies will be providing a “premium” car sharing service with a fleet of BMW’s sub brand BMW i and MINI vehicles. The service is open to all drivers, but if you’re between 18 and 21 you’ll have to take an extra driving safety test before you can use a use a car. Using the service is quite simple as all you’ll need is a chip that will be attached to your driver’s license with a sticker, no need for keys with DriveNow. You can locate a DriveNow vehicle with either a mobile phone app or a website and you unlock the vehicle by waving your license over the sensor. Inside a Dell Streak is attached to dashboard and you will enter your PIN number to verify yourself. Onc...
Jabra FREEWAY intelligent triple speakerphone hits US
By SlashGear, published 23-03-2011
Jabra has given its latest Bluetooth accessory a US launch, this time a speakerphone rather than a headset. The Jabra FREEWAY is apparently the first to include three speakers and be HD Voice compliant; that, the company reckons, makes it ideal not only for hands-free calls in the car, but for use with an iPod, smartphone or other PMP thanks to Bluetooth A2DP support. As for HD Voice, as long as you have a compatible phone you should see higher quality audio during calls. The FREEWAY has voice recognition – to control making, answering, ending, redialing or rejecting calls – as well as automatic power control that can bring the speakerphone out of standby mode when you get into the car, and then shut it down again at the end of your journey. There’s also spoken caller ...
Thor game strikes May 3
By GameSpot, published 21-03-2011
Sega's adaptation of God of Thunder's cinematic debut bolts into stores days before film hits theaters, 3DS edition confirmed. Thunder may be Thor's specialty, but Sega is hoping the Norse deity's May 3 gaming debut will make it rain. The publisher has confirmed that its gaming adaptation of the Thor film will debut on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, 3DS, and DS just ahead of the movie's May 6 release. The 3DS edition is newly confirmed, replacing the PSP version that was part of the original announcement but that has since been canceled. After tax, the Thor game will run just Norse of $50. Sega will be crafting custom experiences for Thor's various platforms. On the Xbox 360 and PS3, the Norseman's first stand-alone adventure will be told from a third-per...
Blog Herding: Community Edition 03/19/11
By GameInformer, published 20-03-2011
Check out the latest edition of Blog Herding. Happy reading! We Keep Saying We'll Play Them Again, But..."I'm sure every gamer out there has a stack of old games. Games that they loved to play but that have been set aside. I myself still have the entire Jak series, both Kingdom Hearts games, the original God of War, and FF X and XII sitting on shelves in my house. We keep saying to ourselves that we'll go back and play them again, but when was the last time any of us have?" o_JMan240_o explains.How Important Is Game Length To You? With the release of Homefront this week and the commonly cited short length of the single-player campaign, Hist poses the question about the importance of game length.(Concept) Game Informer Online: Let's Play - 00Eyros2k releases the ...
Squid Kid - iPhone - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 18-03-2011
Features: - 20 unique levels including 4 boss levels - High Scores - 4 evil bosses - 4 evil henchmen - A Star Fish who uses his points to bounce Squid Kid all over the place. - A Stone Fish who turns Squid Kid to stone when he touches him. - A Puffa Fish who bloats to a huge size Squid Kid when he touches him. - A Fire Eel who blows up everything in sight! - Plus 3 Types of Cannon to make Squid Kid's journey even harder! - Unique game play reinventing the platform genre - Freedom platformer, go in any direction, even find short cuts! - Fun physics! - Innovative multi-touch controls! - Stunning cartoon graphics!
TomTom puts HD Traffic service on web for free
By TechRadar, published 16-03-2011
TomTom has launched a free version of its excellent HD Traffic service on the web, allowing you to check for delays in your area before leaving the house.The live traffic service, which is available on your favourite web browser in Europe, South Africa and New Zealand, updates the traffic picture in your area every two minutes. Brought to the web in an easy-to-use interface, the TomTom HD traffic service lets you know what's causing hold-ups in your area with icons placed at certain areas of the map. Clicking on the icon will provide details of how many incidents there are, how long you'll be delayed and how far the each of the traffic jams stretches back."Perfect starting point""You won't find a more accurate or reliable source of live traffic information anywhere," boasts Ralf-Peter Sch...
TomTom puts HD Traffic service on web for free
By TechRadar, published 16-03-2011
TomTom has launched a free version of its excellent HD Traffic service on the web, allowing you to check for delays in your area before leaving the house.The live traffic service, which is available on your favourite web browser in Europe, South Africa and New Zealand, updates the traffic picture in your area every two minutes. Brought to the web in an easy-to-use interface, the TomTom HD traffic service lets you know what's causing hold-ups in your area with icons placed at certain areas of the map. Clicking on the icon will provide details of how many incidents there are, how long you'll be delayed and how far the each of the traffic jams stretches back."Perfect starting point""You won't find a more accurate or reliable source of live traffic information anywhere," boasts Ralf-Peter Sch...
HTC Arrive Hands-On and Unboxing
By SlashGear, published 15-03-2011
Today we’ve received a package from Sprint that’s contained no less than the newest Windows Phone 7 handset in the world, the HTC Arrive! This is a piece of hardware that you’ll never forget you’ve held. It’s got not only a unique hinge revealing a full QWERY keyboard under its head, it’s one of the most substantial and hardcore smartphones we’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s got metal pieces and speakers all over the place, smoothly placed HTC and Sprint logos at the top of it’s face with a classic Windows logo down below, and a giant heavy screwed-down battery cover on the back. Take a journey with us through the opening, handling, and holding of this lovely phone. Before we continue, I must tell you that this is the first Windows Phone 7...
The White Wolf Is Reborn Cuter And More Focused
By GameInformer, published 15-03-2011
When Okami came on to the scene, no one had ever seen anything like it. The gorgeous art style and music, the innovative Celestial Brush technique (where players draw on the screen to attack enemies and interact with the environment), and the sprawling quest all added up to gaming nirvana. Okamiden doesn't have that same shock value, but it creates its own identity within the framework laid by the original. Veterans of the first game will recognize many environments and characters, and certain time traveling sequences will get fanboys pumped. However, Okami rookies shouldn't hesitate to jump right into this sequel. It's completely accessible, and the entire backstory is explained right at the beginning. Okamiden begins nine months after the original when the land is cursed on...
ArenaNet Drops New Norn And Thief Details
By GameInformer, published 03-12-2011
After introducing the Thief last week, ArenaNet is finally providing a look at the class in action. As a refresher, thieves are distinguishable by light armor, dual blades, and the obvious affinity for stealth tactics. ArenaNet has additionally offered up a preview of the Norn, described as the most outgoing of the five races. “A player should pick a Norn if they want to play a larger than life character,” says Lead Game Designer Eric Flannum. “Norn do everything to extremes and they live life to its fullest. To a Norn, the journey is more important than the destination and one should always live in the moment. In game terms, Norn player will have access to skills that draw upon their reverence for the spirits of the wild. This means that Norn will be able to call upon ...
Hilarious Modern Sound Remix Of Super Mario Bros.
By GameInformer, published 03-10-2011
The following is a disturbing – though humorous – example of what Super Mario Bros. would have sounded like if it featured a more modern effects design. This version takes some of the charm away from the ‘80s classic, although you do get an impression for how Mario’s brutal journey would have worn on the hero. This video from virtjk apparently helped him get a job at Saints Row developer Volition. Tell your parents that it does pays to make funny videos; we're telling ours. (Please visit the site to view this media) [Source: Destructoid]
American McGee turning to free-to-play after Alice
By GameSpot, published 03-10-2011
Spicy Horse head says that upcoming 360, PS3, PC action puzzler will be followed by casual fare aimed at Asian markets. American McGee is expected to release Alice: Madness Returns for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on June 14, the first game from the veteran developer on current-generation consoles. However, in an interview with Joystiq, McGee has signaled that the game doesn't signify a greater push into big-budget development for his Shanghai-based Spicy Horse studio. Alice was always such a creative child. "We don't see that the future for us is in triple-A console games," McGee told Joystiq. "We actually are trying to make games that are online, free-to-play, 3D advanced casual games, so as we finish this, we're going to transition the company ba...
One Of Japan's Weirdest Game Stories Becomes Reality (Sort Of)
By GameInformer, published 03-09-2011
Have you played Persona 4? You should. It's awesome. It's basically a 100-hour-long murder mystery, and it all kicks off with a scene that has now played out in the real world in Michigan. Persona 4's first mysterious murder comes in the form of a body found hanging from a telephone pole and with no clear signs of violence done against it. WXYZ reports that a disturbingly similar situation has arisen in Oak Park, Michigan, where the body of a man wearing only underwear and a t-shirt was found hanging from the top of a 1,000-foot broadcast tower. So if Atlus' JRPG is any indication of what's going on in this case, where should police begin looking next? In Persona 4, a group of plucky high-schoolers journey into a strange, psychologically-driven world that exists inside...
Microsoft Details PAX East Plans
By GameInformer, published 03-09-2011
Microsoft will be at PAX East in a big way, offering up attendees the chance to get their hands on Gears of War 3 and a handful of new XBLA titles, test their grit in a Halo: Reach multiplayer tournament, and sit in on relevant panels. Check out the extensive list of offerings below. Xbox Core Booth #836 Gears of War 3 – First public hands-on with content from the upcoming multiplayer beta, featuring 20 stations of Versus Multiplayer Fable III – PC version highlighting newly announced features like Hardcore mode and 3-D functionality Xbox Kinect Booth #736 Kinect Sports – You are the athlete in the #1 best-selling Kinect game! Six sports to jump in and play: Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Table Tennis, Track & Field and Boxing Dance Central – Connect with the...
Playing with faith
By GameSpot, published 03-05-2011
GDC 2011: Jenova Chen, John Romero, and Jason Rohrer share ideas for a game that's also a religion or a religion that's also a game. Who was there: Eric Zimmerman hosted the staple GDC competition, with reigning Game Design Challenge champion Jenova Chen (of Flower developer thatgamecompany) defending the title against John Romero (Doom, Daikatana) and Jason Rohrer (Passage, Inside a Star-Filled Sky). What they talked about: This year's Game Design Challenge was intended to play off the rise in popularity of social games. With social networks increasingly becoming intertwined with gaming, the goal this year was to elevate that tie to "humanity's oldest model for a social network," religion. The challenge Chen, Romero, and Rohrer faced was to design a game that is also in some way ...
David Cage on creating emotion in Heavy Rain
By GameSpot, published 03-03-2011
Quantic Dream studio head breaks out Heavy Rain statistics and speaks on future of the industry; around 2 million copies of the game have now been sold worldwide. Who was there: David Cage, founder, co-owner, lead designer, and writer at French game studio Quantic Dream, designer and director of the PlayStation 3-exclusive Heavy Rain. Heavy Rain was designed to be an emotional experience. What they talked about: Cage began the talk by giving the audience a brief rundown of Quantic Dream’s history, with picture slides of the 64-camera motion-capture system that was used to create Heavy Rain. He then debated Heavy Rain's genre: Is it an adventure game or an interactive movie? He settled on "interactive drama," despite saying he still thinks it rem...
Minecraft strikes gold at Indie Game Fest
By GameSpot, published 03-03-2011
GDC 2011: Mojang's sandbox game triumphs at Game Developers Conference-associated awards show; Bit.Trip Runner takes home Excellence in Visual Art. As is the case every year, the annual Game Developers Choice Awards were immediately preceded by the Independent Games Festival awards, which honor some of the most innovative smaller-scale titles created during the prior year. New IGF chairman Brandon Boyer took the stage to discuss the grand prize purse for the night--some $50,000. Anthony Carboni, host of Web series Bytejacker, served as the night's emcee and began with a round of jokes that drew mixed reactions. "I hope you enjoy tonight, because soon you'll all be subsidiaries of [FarmVille publisher] Zynga," he joked to widespread chuckles. "I hope you like farms." ...
Indie Week Day Six: Nuovo Award
By GameInformer, published 03-01-2011
[Welcome to Indie Week at gameinformer.com. We’ve got a full seven days of indie game coverage leading up to the 2011 Independent Games Festival Awards. Check back daily for coverage of the top independent games of the year.]Created to honor "abstract, shortform, and unconventional game development that advances the medium and the way we think about games," a Nuovo Award nomination is one of the highest IGF honors. A special jury comprised of “the top thinkers on the future of art and the video game medium” cherry-picked the eight final nominees. The panel of judges includes Jason Rohrer (Between), Paolo Pedercini (Every Day the Same Dream), Ian Bogost (A Slow Year), and Daniel Benmergui (Today I Die), Clint Hocking (Creative Director, LucasArts), Eric Zimmerm...
Next Island - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 03-01-2011
Next Island features stunning 3-D graphics, taking players on a journey through the ages, from the near-future to Ancient Greece and beyond. Adventurers can experience exotic destinations throughout time from the comfort of their own computer.
Motorola Xoom: First-Look and Early Impressions
By MaximumPC, published 03-01-2011
Five days into our magical journey of discovery with the Motorola Xoom, we’ve made the following three conclusions: (1) The web browsing and email functions of the Honeycomb OS are fantastic, (2) live Android widgets on a 1280x800, 10.1-inch touch screen are a revelation, and (3) people who complain about the Xoom’s weight and power button location either passed judgment too soon, or still haven’t overcome their iPad separation anxiety. On our end, we’re still not quite ready to issue a final review verdict on the Xoom. That will come later this week, after we’ve had more time to dive into Motorola’s hardware, and (if all goes according to plan) compare it against the iPad 2. But for now we can share the following testing notes. Web Browsing Notice that the active browse...
iPhone 5 Will Stick with 3.5-inch Display [Logically]
By SlashGear, published 28-02-2011
Let’s begin this short journey into the Apple mind with a so-called “leaked” image of what they’re calling an iPhone 5 screen photo. What this photo shows is basically black ink printed on transparency paper. Out on the streets they’re saying this is a 4-inch screen that Apple will be using for their next iPhone model. No way. Why? Well before we go into any further proofs, take a look at the top of the phone (on the left.) It’s printed completely uneven – just about as uneven as the notion that iOS will ever be working on a 4-inch screen. Although we’ve printed a post by the title Rumor: Apple to give next iPhone a 4-inch screen, previously, we’ve also noted that instead of this, what’s looking to be much more likely is an over...
Indie Week Day Three: Excellence In Design
By GameInformer, published 26-02-2011
[Welcome to Indie Week at gameinformer.com. We’ve got a full seven days of indie game coverage leading up to the 2011 Independent Games Festival Awards. Check back daily for coverage of the top independent games of the year.] Behind the evocative graphics, stirring music, and technical programming that make a game feel complete, there must be a blueprint that holds it all together -- a design concept that establishes the game and holds all the other pieces together. The IGF Excellence in Design award seeks to highlight those titles with exceptional and innovative design ideas -- especially those that take risks to explore new and different ideas not currently found in mainstream games. Previous winners include 2D Boy's World of Goo and Pocketwatch Games' unique heist game,...
Weekend Warrior 02/25/11
By GameInformer, published 26-02-2011
What is the Game Informer crew up to this weekend? Read on to find out then add your own weekend gaming plans to the comments section! Reiner: King Tutankhamun finally made his way to Minnesota, and I’ll be seeing him at some point this weekend. After looking at his mummified remains for about five to six seconds, I’ll head home to play Bulletstorm co-op for the remainder of the weekend.Joe: I’m finally getting around to playing Enslaved, which I’m especially interested in checking out now that I know that the developer, Ninja Theory, will be handling the next Devil May Cry. I’m also about halfway through Stacking, so hopefully I’ll be able to polish that off this weekend. Somewhere in there I want to finish my playthrough of Scott Pilgrim with Knives,...
Launch Diary: Now With Even More Video!
By GameInformer, published 26-02-2011
Rift's head start for pre-orders and collector's editions is live, and we're finally playing after dealing with some mild initial patching and server load issues. Check back for updates to see what kind of pithy one-liners Adam's journey through Telara is inspiring him to post. Latest update: 02.25.11 | 1742 The newest updates will always be at the bottom. Alternatively, follow Adam on Twitter (@abiessener) for real-time updates. Not sure if you're into Rift's fantasy MMO style? Check out the cinematic trailer for a taste. 02.23.11 | 1422: Install...patch...patch invalid. Whee! 02.24.11 | 2330: Three hour queue, no thanks. My guild sure can pick a server. 02.25.11 | 0800: It’s 8 a.m. and there’s still a queue for my server. It’s four people long,...
Indie Week: An Introduction To The IGF
By GameInformer, published 24-02-2011
Welcome back to Game Informer’s annual Indie Week – a celebration of little studios with big ideas – leading up to the 2011 Independent Game Festival Awards. Over the next seven days we’ll be taking a look at more than 25 titles nominated in seven unique categories, providing perspective on the cutting edge of independent game development. To kick off the festivities, we’ve broken down the importance of the IGF to indie developers and listed what content you can expect in the following week. Check the feed daily for Indie Week updates, or bookmark this page for links to fresh content. Enjoy! THE INDEPENDENT SPIRITA spotlight on the 13th annual Independent Games Festival AwardsNote: This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of Game Inform...
Review Round-Up: Killzone 3, Bulletstorm, And More
By GameInformer, published 23-02-2011
It's a big final week of February as far as game releases go, with heavy hitters like Killzone 3 and Bulletstorm arriving alongside quirkier titles like Radiant Historia, Knights Contract, and De Blob 2. What should you be spending your money on? Check our review round-up to find out! Enjoy the excerpts below and click through to read the full reviews! Bulletstorm (360, PS3, PC) - "Small gripes aside, there’s no denying Bulletstorm’s blissful action. Epic Games/People Can Fly’s sadistic opus arrives at a time when most shooters do little more than let you blast dudes in the head while things explode. Bulletstorm has those things, but also lets you shoot a man in the testicles and kick slide his head off." - Tim Turi De Blob 2 (360, PS3, Wii) - "Be...
A Bewitching Story Hindered By Nagging Gameplay
By GameInformer, published 22-02-2011
Knights Contract’s Heinrich is the antithesis of your typical video game protagonist. He’s old, arthritic, and scarred from head-to-toe. He walks with a limp, and every word he utters carries the sorrow of a lifetime of depression. He’s unlikable – intentionally so, perhaps – but the reasoning behind his state of mind and the means to cure it drives his story forward. Heinrich once served as an executioner that specialized in beheading witches. Through periodic flashback sequences we see Heinrich carrying out the orders of Faust, a power-hungry dictator hell bent on purifying the land. One of the witches touched by Heinrich’s scythe, named Gretchen, showed no fear. With her head resting gently on a wooden stump, she casts a curse on Heinrich before he c...
Beyond Ynth - iPhone - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 22-02-2011
During your journey you'll face dry dusty deserts, virulent volcano valleys, dank dark foggy forests and icy mountain peaks with treacherous slippery slopes. Each of these territories brings its own surprises and you'll find yourself pushing boxes, climbing platforms, jumping, sliding, falling - in every imaginable situation. All these actions require visionary thinking as each level contains puzzling structures which need to be turned, moved and navigated in order to get through. Use your wits to escape scorching sunbeams, freezing weather conditions and dangerous lava pits. You have to see this game in motion to truly understand how amazing it is. Follow the link at the end of the description below to see the game in action.
David Jaffe Takes Gamer To Task Over Twisted Metal Flop Comments
By GameInformer, published 19-02-2011
David Jaffe is a bit of a loose cannon, which is why he's so interesting. It's rare to see developers willing to engage fans and players so often--and so frankly. Even if I don't always agree with him, I appreciate the fact that Jaffe speaks so candidly.A Twitter user recently directed a bit of a slam to Jaffe, saying that he thought that the Twisted Metal reboot was going to flop. In true Jaffe fashion, the developer took the time to respond and say that he doesn't care. It's not as though Jaffe is apathetic toward success, but as he explains, there's more to the gaming business than just being a hit factory. Jaffe says that his main goal when working on a game it to make a great game and to work with talented people. As he puts it, it's backward thinking to s...
Rango - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 19-02-2011
Guildford, UK – November 4, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Paramount Digital Entertainment today announced a distribution agreement that will catapult an upcoming Paramount property into the hands of gamers worldwide. Rango The Video Game, is an action-adventure title inspired by the upcoming animated feature film starring the voice of Johnny Depp. Rango The Video Game invites players to continue on Rango’s wild journey through new adventures inspired by the movie. The game is set in the Old West town of ‘Dirt’ where players romp through a gritty, pint-sized, Wild West filled with wild rides, off-color characters and frantic shoot-outs. Rango is Paramount Pictures’ first full-length animated feature film; both the film and the video game...
Rango - Xbox360 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 19-02-2011
Guildford, UK – November 4, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Paramount Digital Entertainment today announced a distribution agreement that will catapult an upcoming Paramount property into the hands of gamers worldwide. Rango The Video Game, is an action-adventure title inspired by the upcoming animated feature film starring the voice of Johnny Depp. Rango The Video Game invites players to continue on Rango’s wild journey through new adventures inspired by the movie. The game is set in the Old West town of ‘Dirt’ where players romp through a gritty, pint-sized, Wild West filled with wild rides, off-color characters and frantic shoot-outs. Rango is Paramount Pictures’ first full-length animated feature film; both the film and the video game...
EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 19-02-2011
Following the events of EQII Sentinel's Fate, the twin Swords of Destiny, Soulfire and the Qeynos Claymore, have been drained of their powers, setting the stage for the destruction of the EverQuest universe. The prophecy known as Age's End begins to unfold in the legendary continent of Velious and it is here where the war for Norrath will arise. For there to be any chance to save Norrath, the Swords of Destiny must be restored. Norrath’s guardians who undertake this burden will be tested by labyrinthine dungeons, the harsh Velious tundra and powerful creatures. To succeed would mean ultimate glory. To fail would mean annihilation. FEATURES: * Soar high above Norrath with flying mounts * Crawl your way through 10 dangerous dungeons * Complete four new Heritage Ques...
Review: Panasonic HDC-SD900
By TechRadar, published 17-02-2011
Panasonic is quite possibly trying to hit every target with the HDC-SD900 – and it may just do it. This is a Full HD 1920 x 1080/50p camcorder, which benefits from three 2.53MP sensors, uses the AVCHD recording format and has enough manual features and creative functions to keep even the most demanding movie maker happy.The sub-£900 price only adds to the prospect that this could already be one of the best camcorders of the year. However, if you're thinking it's got all this functionality and can fit into a coat pocket you'll have to think again. The SD900 is – relatively, you understand – a chunky camcorder, rather than a svelte pocket-friendly model. But thank heavens for that, because it means you can find and easily use the controls, and there are neat design touches such as the...
Sacred Odyssey - iPhone - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 17-02-2011
Begin your journey with but a simple sword, acquiring new weapons and abilities along the way. Soon, you will wield the Sacred Shield, Locrian Hawk (boomerang), the Nagual Cobra (grappling hook) and even the platinum Gauntlet of Brakor. Each new piece of equipment will grant you access to new areas, new techniques and greater danger. They will even help you to overcome the many enigmas and challenges you face.
MWC 2011: Hands on: CoPilot Live 9 review
By TechRadar, published 16-02-2011
ALK's incredibly successful CoPilot sat nav app has had a major refresh, with CoPilot Live 9 offering a redesigned user interface and some handy new social features.TechRadar managed to get a recent hands-on with the application and were pleased with what we saw.While CoPilot has never looked displeasing to the eye, the sat nav's new user interface is a joy to use. Cleaner and simplified, the UI means that the app is now easier to get around and some features that were buried before pop out at you, begging to be used.One of the new features that caught our eye was the ability to manipulate your route to your pleasing.We have all shouted at a sat nav, telling it that it is taking us the wrong way, well CoPilot has fixed this with a simple 'touch and move' function. So, if you don't like the...
Vote For A Future Super Replay!
By GameInformer, published 15-02-2011
Last December the Game Informer staff embarked on a harrowing trek through PSone Overblood, and we haven't been the same sense. We all recently developed the sadomasochistic urge to please Super Replay fans by subjecting ourselves to hours of questionable gameplay. With the maddening journey of Overblood behind us, we're leaving it up to you to decide what awful horror title we tackle next. We're not talking about recording a regular old 45 minute-long Replay here. We will play whichever of the following games you select, from beginning to end. You and the entire Game Informer community will be able to vote (regardless of user level) until this Friday. The nominees are Countdown: Vampires, Dracula: Resurrection, Galerians, and Martian Gothic. The four games were originally sam...
A Warrior’s Quest: A Retrospective of Square-Enix’s Classic RPG Series
By GameInformer, published 15-02-2011
In the West, series like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto are about as big as a game can get, but in Japan, few franchises stand taller than Square-Enix’s Dragon Quest. First released in 1986, Dragon Quest is credited with establishing the basic template by which many RPGs would be made. Dragon Quest and its successive spin-offs have had such an enormous impact on the market that the series is arguably more significant than western-appreciated brands like Final Fantasy. Enix’s monumental RPG not only introduced a number of RPG features to the world, but it is also the first game in history to have a soundtrack performed by a live orchestra. In Japan, nearly every entry in the series has seen anime, toy, and manga adaptations. Meanwhile, Dragon Quest has only ever achieved mod...
Kotick: Guitar Hero Could Be Resurrected
By GameInformer, published 14-02-2011
If you spent your weekend mourning the death of Guitar Hero like a pre-teen coming out of their first relationship, then I've got something you might want to know. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick recently said that there is a chance in the future that the Guitar Hero brand could be "rejuvenated." "If something's not working, we'll take it off the table, maybe reinvent it in the future, but our focus is really on figuring out what are the things that are going to excite audiences the most," Kotick told CNBC. "We can never say never, but over the past two years we have seen rapid declines in the music genre, and unfortunately, based on current demand, we simply cannot continue to profitably make these games given the considerable licensing and manufac...
Creating A Winning Team With The BioWare Method
By GameInformer, published 13-02-2011
BioWare's Mass Effect 2 had a great showing at this year's D.I.C.E. Summit in Vegas with the title winning Game of the Year at the Interactive Achievement Awards. Releasing one blockbuster title after the next is no accident. The biggest part of releasing a successful game is recruiting and maintaining a strong team, and BioWare's co-founders, Dr. Greg Zeschuk and Dr. Ray Muzyka, explain how it's done. The doctors explained it's been a long road to get to where BioWare is today and they were fortunate enough to take the journey with great people. They encourage long-term and forward thinking, always play games to continue learning, and maintain a positive team culture. One of the biggest components of keeping together a strong team is communication and honesty. Dr. Ze...
Corsair Dominator GT Memory Used To Break MaxxMem Benchmark Record
By HotHardware, published 13-02-2011
Are you a hardcore overclocker? Do you never settle for factory, always pushing your gear to the absolute limit? If so, this record will most likely interest you. The Corsair Dominator GT was just used in a world record breaking journey. The DDR3 memory was the memory of choice when used to shatter the MaxxMem benchmark record with Intel's...
Limbo, Inertia Win Top Indie Game Challenge Honors
By GameInformer, published 13-02-2011
Last night, the teams responsible for two beloved indie titles walked away from the Indie Game Challenge in Las Vegas, Nevada with some big awards. Playdead's black and white sidescroller, Limbo, and Team Hermes's zero gravity 2D game, Inertia, both won the highest awards. The grand prize was split into professional and non-professional categories, based on the experience and previous game-making credit. Inertia landed the non-professional grand prize, and Limbo received the professional grand prize. Both teams scored well over $100,000 in prizes, and some nifty bragging rights. Here's how it all played out: Professional Grand PrizeLimbo - PlaydeadNon-Professional Grand PrizeInertia - Team HermesAchievement in GameplayInertia - Team HermesTechnical AchievementInertia - Team He...
Replay: Ape Escape
By GameInformer, published 02-12-2011
Long ago, in a time before every game was developed with dual analog sticks in mind, there was Ape Escape. This innovative game tasked players with capturing a tremendous amount of escaped, mischief-making monkeys, using one analog stick to control the hero and the other to swing an ape net. This old gem planted the seed for a fun series, and secured a place in the memories of those who played it at its prime. Join Andrew Reiner, Dan Ryckert, and myself as we embark on a quest to reclaim as many apes as an episode of Replay allows. Along our journey we learn what monkey's like to do in their free time, discover the true meaning of swimming, and discuss how the game stacks up to today's titles. Note: Remember to stick around for the roulette, which will be another Super Replay can...
Inertia, Limbo win Indie Game Challenge
By GameSpot, published 02-12-2011
DICE 2011: Team Hermes 2D platformer wins non-professional Grand Prize at AIAS event, also picking up Achievement in Gameplay, Technical Achievement, Gamers’ Choice; Playdead title gets professional top honor. LAS VEGAS--Mass Effect 2 walked away from last night’s 14th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards as the big winner at the 2011 DICE Summit, picking up a number of trophies that included Game of the Year. Tonight, the spotlight turned to the smaller shops, as this year’s DICE Summit concluded with the Indie Game Challenge. Limbo picked up the top professional prize. This year’s Indie Game Challenge, the second of its kind, was broken up into two categories, one for the professional studios and another for non-professional ga...
Richard Garriott touches down at DICE
By GameSpot, published 02-10-2011
DICE 2011: Ultima creator and astronaut recounts his time in space and advocates the role of gamers in helping open up the privatization of the stars. Who was there: Not long after returning from space, noted Ultima creator Richard Garriott found himself jettisoned from NCsoft after the failure of his massively multiplayer online role-playing game Tabula Rasa. However, he then went on to form the social-gaming venture Portalarium. As part of the 2011 DICE Summit today, Garriott recounted his famous trip to space in a session titled "Achieving the Impossible - Creating Games and Gateways to Space!" Private space pioneer Richard Garriott. What they talked about: Garriott began his session by saying that creating games and going to space are actually in...
The Darkness II - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-10-2011
The Darkness II breaks out of the sea of conventional first-person shooters with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with the use of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and engulfed in stylistic violence that is visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique that stays true to its comic book origins. The Darkness II will feature award-winning comic book writer, Paul Jenkins, who will provide a tightly integrated narrative that weaves dark humor with hardcore tenderness. Take a step back from the familiar and comfortable, and prepare to embrace The Darkness. It’s been two years since Jackie Estaca...
The Darkness II - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-10-2011
The Darkness II breaks out of the sea of conventional first-person shooters with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with the use of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and engulfed in stylistic violence that is visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique that stays true to its comic book origins. The Darkness II will feature award-winning comic book writer, Paul Jenkins, who will provide a tightly integrated narrative that weaves dark humor with hardcore tenderness. Take a step back from the familiar and comfortable, and prepare to embrace The Darkness. It’s been two years since Jackie Estaca...
The Darkness II - Xbox360 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-10-2011
The Darkness II breaks out of the sea of conventional first-person shooters with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with the use of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and engulfed in stylistic violence that is visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique that stays true to its comic book origins. The Darkness II will feature award-winning comic book writer, Paul Jenkins, who will provide a tightly integrated narrative that weaves dark humor with hardcore tenderness. Take a step back from the familiar and comfortable, and prepare to embrace The Darkness. It’s been two years since Jackie Estaca...
Amazon Leaks Infamous 2 Hero Edition
By GameInformer, published 02-09-2011
If we leaked as much info as online retailers, nobody would ever tell us anything. This time, it's Amazon prematurely posting details of Infamous 2's special edition. An 8.5" statue of protagonist Cole and a code redeemable for in-game power perks are the big things. Unless you count an official Infamous fanny pack. Examiner.com grabbed the following description from Amazon before the page was taken down: inFAMOUS 2 is the second chapter in the best selling franchise for the PS3. This immersive open world adventure offers a powerful, emotional, and visceral take on being a super hero. Blamed for the destruction of Empire City, Cole must make a dramatic journey to discover his full super-powered potential. inFAMOUS 2 Hero Edition includes exclusive limited edition 8.5" Co...
Tomb Raider - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-09-2011
‘After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive.’ Here begins the first adventure for a young and inexperienced Lara Croft in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive.
Tomb Raider 2011 - PS3 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-09-2011
‘After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive.’ Here begins the first adventure for a young and inexperienced Lara Croft in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive.
Tomb Raider 2011 - Xbox360 - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 02-09-2011
‘After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive.’ Here begins the first adventure for a young and inexperienced Lara Croft in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive.
Crazy New Call of Juarez Announced
By GameInformer, published 02-07-2011
Ubisoft has just announced the next installment in the Call of Juarez franchise, dubbed The Cartel. The game is being scheduled for release this summer. Although the series is set in the Wild West. The Cartel is set in modern L.A. Lest you think that the statement above is a typo, here's the official word from Ubisoft's press release: "Call of Juarez: The Cartel is set in present day and brings the best elements of the Wild West to a new and modern setting. As a first-person shooter with an immersive and mature story, players can expect to embark on a journey like no other – one that will take them from the heart of modern day Los Angeles, California to Juarez, Mexico." We don't exactly know what developer Techland has in store, but it looks like it'll be i...
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 Review: Rad Spencer Gains A Jump, Loses Charm
By GameInformer, published 02-04-2011
The downloadable Bionic Commando Rearmed was seen as the good cop to its disc-based counterpart’s bad cop. The former fully embraced the original NES game’s unique charms and blended it with sleek presentation and remixes of classic tunes. Rearmed did well enough to garner a sequel, while the dreadlocked Spencer from the console version isn’t doing anything outside of appearing in Marvel vs. Capcom 3.With Rearmed 2, developer Fatshark (made up of ex-Grin staffers) was free to go off the rails of the remake train and make whatever it wanted. The best new feature is easily the jump. Swinging through levels now feels much more natural, since jumping allows you to create momentum even if there’s nothing overhead. Purists can beat all the levels without jumping for an ac...
Dungeon Siege III launching May 31
By GameSpot, published 02-03-2011
Obsidian-developed action RPG arriving on 360, PS3, PC later this year; preorder incentives include free games on Steam, in-game items at retailers. Obsidian Entertainment has been on a game-release bender over the past half year, having teamed with Sega on Alpha Protocol in June and Bethesda Softworks on Fallout: New Vegas in October. Now, the studio's next project has been given its marching orders, as Square Enix announced today that Dungeon Siege III will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on May 31. The game will be available in Europe on May 27. Big sword? Check. Spaulders? Check. Cod piece? Check. Along with announcing a release date, Square Enix also offered first word on preorder incentives for Dungeon Siege III. For PC game...
Enslaved sells 460,000, Namco Bandai returns to profit
By GameSpot, published 02-03-2011
Publisher and toy maker posts $45.3 million profit as acclaimed action adventure game underperforms. Following Sony, Konami, Electronic Arts, Square Enix, and THQ, Namco Bandai became the latest game company to post earnings results this week. For the nine months ending December 31, 2010, the publisher and toy maker reported net sales of ¥288 billion ($3.5 billion), up from ¥282.8 billion ($3.4 billion) the year prior. Net income--aka profit--was ¥3.7 billion ($45.3 million), way up from the ¥11.7 billion loss ($143.3 million) the company posted the year prior. Enslaved didn't do as much monkey business as Namco had hoped. In terms of games, the company's best-selling title for the current fiscal year remains Tekken 6. The PlaySt...
Review: Asus U53Jc Bamboo
By TechRadar, published 02-03-2011
Adding to Asus' comprehensive range of high-end laptops, the U53Jc (£899 inc. VAT) is a powerhouse portable with a twist. Finished with a bamboo exterior, it is one of the most uniquely designed machines you can buy, but proves to be far more than just a pretty face. Chosen for its environmental credentials, the use of bamboo on the lid and palm rest is notable for the strength and organic look that it lends this laptop. With a finish resembling mahogany, it creates a luxurious style of its own – albeit one that is likely to divide opinion. The remainder of the chassis' interior is finished in brushed aluminium, contrasting nicely with the bamboo veneer. As such, the black-plastic keyboard looks a little out of place, but it is a pleasure to type on, with its spacious design and firm ke...
Tales of Graces F journeying to North America
By GameSpot, published 02-03-2011
Namco Bandai confirms latest installment in anime-infused action RPG series is "coming soon" to US on PS3. Namco Bandai has already had a busy day following news this morning that it would be publishing From Software's Dark Souls in 2011 and Armored Core V in 2012. However, the publisher isn't stopping there, and this time it will be fans of Japanese role-playing games that should take note. Namco Bandai has updated its official Tales website to announce that Tales of Graces F is "coming soon" to North America on the PlayStation 3. The quest for strength and wisdom is practically the national pastime in Japan. Tales of Graces F takes place on Efinea, a planet dominated by three kingdoms competing for the right to rule. After losing a close friend, As...
Swim Your Brains Out In Michael Phelps' Kinect Game
By GameInformer, published 02-02-2011
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is bringing his swimming skills to your living room in his upcoming Kinect game Michael Phelps - Push the Limit. The game charts the progress of an unknown swimmer as they journey to compete across the globe and eventually challenge Phelps himself. Along the way, publisher 505 Games says that players will learn good swimming technique. “Push the Limit is a fun, innovative, and physical way to game that is complete with elements that will challenge serious gamers, swimmers, and casual fans,” says Phelps. “I’m really excited to help bring a one-of-a-kind swimming video game to the market that is reflective of my competitive nature and passion for swimming. This definitely isn’t your typical video game; much like my training ...
Ringo Starr Making A Game?
By GameInformer, published 02-01-2011
After having tasted the sweet fame that video games can bring in The Beatles: Rock Band, Ringo may be ditching his boring day job as one of the world's greatest drummers for another shot at the big time. GameSpot UK reports that Starr has trademarked the name "Ringo" for use in "video game software and downloadable computer games via the internet and wireless devices." While we doubt that we'll see any full-fledged Ringo video games for Ringo Rama – a la Journey's Escape Atari 2600 cart – expect a downloadable Ringo phone app in the future. As a Beatles fan, expect me to buy a Ringo video game or otherwise as soon as I buy the rest of his albums, which is never. [via NME]
Jewellust - Android - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 29-01-2011
Burst the gems by grouping them to three or more in a row (or a column) before time runs out. Your must take all mosaic tiles to the lowest row. If you’ve burst four or more gems in a row, a bonus gem will appear. In campaign mode new bonuses become available as your journey goes.
Pockie Ninja - PC - Screenshots
By Game Revolution, published 27-01-2011
Pockie Ninja will focus on the unique life and journey of a ninja, entrusted with defeating the world's most evil and destructive warrior corporations.
A Heart-Pounding Journey Into The Mouth Of Madness
By GameInformer, published 25-01-2011
When Isaac Clarke boarded the derelict mining vessel USG Ishimura, his actions were fueled by hope. His girlfriend Nicole was stranded on this ship. He did everything in his power to reach her. His search only led to death. The Ishimura was contaminated by a biological threat. Everyone aboard it, including his love, was lost to the disease. Although Isaac survived, he couldn’t outrun the contagion. He was infected. In Dead Space 2, Isaac isn’t a stalwart hero spitting out one-liners. He’s a flawed character. His deteriorating state of mind adds tension to an already unnerving atmosphere. He sees ghosts, and his consciousness periodically shifts from reality to a horrifying memory. Not being able to trust a game’s protagonist puts the player in a precario...
Updated: Top 40 best free iPhone apps
By TechRadar, published 25-01-2011
There are now well over 250,000 apps available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and, surprisingly, many of the best are free.The following list showcases our pick of the 40 best free iPhone apps, and includes iPhone applications for social networking, travel, news, photography, productivity and more.If your favourites aren't covered, tell us all about them in the comments.1. Facebook Once an ugly duckling, but now - as of version 3 - a social-network-aware swan, Facebook is a triumph. The revised grid-based 'home screens' provide speedy access to regularly visited sections (news feed, notifications, and so on) and pages, and the experience is such that it in many ways beats the browser version.2. GorillacamPretty much from nowhere, Gorillacam arrived in December 2009 from the creators of t...
Updated: Top 40 best free iPhone apps
By TechRadar, published 25-01-2011
There are now well over 250,000 apps available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and, surprisingly, many of the best are free.The following list showcases our pick of the 40 best free iPhone apps, and includes iPhone applications for social networking, travel, news, photography, productivity and more.If your favourites aren't covered, tell us all about them in the comments.1. Facebook Once an ugly duckling, but now - as of version 3 - a social-network-aware swan, Facebook is a triumph. The revised grid-based 'home screens' provide speedy access to regularly visited sections (news feed, notifications, and so on) and pages, and the experience is such that it in many ways beats the browser version.2. GorillacamPretty much from nowhere, Gorillacam arrived in December 2009 from the creators of t...
Indie Game Challenge Finalists Announced
By GameInformer, published 21-01-2011
The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has picked out its Indie Game Challenge nominees, and there are some great games in the mix. Nominations for indie games in a big contest like this can go a long way to spelling out success for one of the small developers making the titles. These nominations can also be a great way for indie game fans to keep tabs on some of the best titles coming out in the field. The final winners of the Indie Game Challenge will be announced at D.I.C.E on February 11th. Here's the full list of nominees: Non-Professional CategoryHazard: The Journey of Life, developed by HazardSolace, developed by One Man DownSubsonic, developed by Team Height AdvantageInertia, developed by Team HermesZ.U.B.E., developed by Toxic GamesSymon, developed by ZZZ GamesProfessio...
Google Maps quietly launches fuel calculator
By TechRadar, published 20-01-2011
Google has snuck out a new feature on Google Maps which calculates the approximate fuel cost for your journey. Using the Get Directions feature, once your route has been calculated the estimated fuel cost appears at the bottom of the list. From London to Bath in a standard car you're looking at £19.85 according Google, which uses a third party to pull in actual fuel costs. Baby you can drive my carYou can change the fuel type from petrol to diesel, as well as customise what type of car you drive, depending on whether it's a high consumption, standard or compact model.It's not clear yet whether or not the feature is available on the Google Maps Navigation app for Android, but it hasn't made an appearance on the iPhone-optimised version as yet. Either way, it's quite a handy little addition...
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Journey : (9/10)
12 expert reviews
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Jikandia : The Timeless Land : (5.5/10)
1 expert reviews
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James Noir's Hollywood Crimes : (7/10)
1 expert reviews
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James Bond 007 : Blood Stone : (7/10)
1 expert reviews
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