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I could’ve predicted to you two months ago that this thing was going to be a sensation.

I could’ve and should’ve. I had the headline at least written, but then I got lazy and then I didn’t write anything. Then I played the game.

Devil May Cry 5.

Bridging the gap between the PC and console – and by extension, between the mouse and the controller – is no easy task. There’s a reason it’s never been done; a reason that despite all these years and all these innovations nobody has come up with a suitable control scheme that allows the best of both worlds. As Valve’s own marketing video muses, “For too long, players have had to choose between the precision of a mouse and the familiarity of a controller.”

Note: I’ve updated this article a bit based on some more hours with the Steam Controller. Major changes are noted, others are just in there.

The official release of Valve’s first venture into hardware doesn’t happen until November, but those consumer whores among us are already testing out the Steam Controller and Steam Link thanks to the power of pre-orders we’d completely forgotten about until FedEx sent a nastygram to our email saying “answer your door, ya feckin’ shut-in.”

While the graphics take advantage of modern processing power despite Axiom Verge otherwise resembling a 16-bit game, Axiom Verge doesn’t make many modern design concessions. In other words, it’s hard in an NES way. This is a commitment to purity you may appreciate, or may find controller-snappingly frustrating.  I would describe my experience with Axiom Verge as an ebb-and-flow of joy and frustration.

Do you love learning about upcoming games and their developers? Well… you know the drill by now! I talk to developers on the East Coast who make neat things, and ask them stuff about their neat things. I caught up with several developers at the IndieCade East event in New York City last weekend, so for the next few weeks, I’ll be discussing projects out of New York City, Baltimore, and of course my home town Philadelphia.

I’m going to start off covering my IndieCade East finds with Extreme Exorcism, a game by Golden Ruby Games. I sat down with game producer Mike Christatos in the IndieCade East Esports arena to ask him a few questions. And I got to try out the demo right there on his laptop, pure indie developer style.

I’m not someone you’d want around in a survival scenario: zombies, tribulation, camping, the park. Frankly, I possess very few skills and many undesirable qualities. If I were placed in an environment containing more than 65% Nature, I would die. I bring middlin’ genetic value to the table, but honestly, you could do better. I have no aptitude in engineering, construction, basic math, unarmed combat, logistics, celestial navigation, tool use, or athletics. I can’t operate a chainsaw, drive a motorcycle, construct an igloo, butcher an animal, or dress a wound. A slurry of cynicism, negative affectivity, and acute anhedonia give rise to a personality best described as “unpleasant.” I’m freakishly resistant to cold, but that power comes at a high price: my cognitive abilities begin to break down above 85°F/29°C, collapsing completely soon after.

You may be curious why I’m telling you all this.

My mind is in twain. Part of me wants to say “Well, we saw that coming.” Another part of me wants to say “Holy mudcrabs!”

Valve has been teasing three big announcements for a while now, and they’re all expected this week. The first? SteamOS, which is (almost) exactly what it sounds like. And the whole earth trembled.

Another month, another column! Today, Tappers, I submit for your consideration a Culture Clash installment full of holiday cheer. Should be on the IGDA website in the next few days if you prefer to do your considering over there. This topic has been on my mind since I got a Kindle of my own. I love the device; it’s certainly increased my reading, but it – like Steam – does represent a fundamental shift in …

I know what you’re thinking. You love the great taste, wholesome values and nutritional benefits of the Alliance of Awesome, but you just don’t have enough ways to absorb or interact with its lovely staff, readers and contributors. You need and crave more. Fear not, discerning gamers of impeccable taste and style. Not only is the Alliance of Awesome gifting you three awesome websites (Tap-Repeatedly, Bits ‘N’ Bytes Gaming and Electron Dance) and three awesome Twitter feeds …

“Good day, sir. Say, that’s a fine hat you’re wearing.” “Indeed.” “Would you mind if I tried it on?” “Beg your pardon, I daresay you’re a madman, sir. You? Try on my hat? What would the lawman think?!” “By my best estimation, good sir, the lawman would hum a gay tune, tip his own headpiece, and go about his business. Why, didn’t you hear? Today’s the day the proposed law of Wearing Another Gentleman’s Hat has graduated …

Discussing video game addiction is never a particularly easy subject to broach. At least not in my experience. Ordinarily it’s not something I particularly like to talk about at all. That could be because I’m a gaming addict in denial, or because I’m ultra defensive over my chosen hobby and quickly angered by the stupidity and banal waffle that usually follows such discussion in the mainstream media. The problem for me is that I am a gamer, …

Review by Dix Limbo Developer PlayDead Publisher PlayDead Released 21 July 2010 (XBLA), 19 July 2011 (PS3), 2 August 2011 (PC) Available for Xbox 360 Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, PC (via Steam; version reviewed) Time Played 3.5 hours (Finished) Verdict: 4/5 Thumbs Up Uncertain of the fate of that fifth point (out of five), a reader ventures into a Limbo review…

One year ago Playdead Games‘ Limbo was announced as the lead-off title in Xbox Live’s “Summer of Arcade” for 2010. It wasn’t believed to be in development for any other systems until, little more than a week ago, a summer 2011 release for PS3 and Steam was announced. Today, Playdead have revealed those launch dates. Limbo will arrive on the PlayStation Network for North America and Europe on July 19 and 20, respectively, and worldwide on Steam, August …

Bloomin ‘eck, who turned up the thermostat? Britain is currently basking in the glory of a bit of a heat wave, with temperatures reaching as high as 30 degrees in some parts of the country. We’ve had nothing but blue skies and sweaty foreheads for two full days now and according to those fine weathermen who pop up at the end of the news, with their funky ties and “just be glad it’s not pissing …

So began today what was perhaps inevitable: those folks who run that Steam thing have allowed themselves to admit to themselves that their wonderful Steam Sales are just that: sales. But also: wonderful. Instead of waiting until the middle of the week, weekend, or holidays celebrating dead people, they’re just going to have the things every damned day. For the rest of time.* Although all that other stuff will surely still occur. As that jerk …