You do strange things when you’re on pain medication. I am currently dosed with the stuff after suffering one of the most bizarre and excruciating injuries in the history of humankind. In this addled state I experimented with banner tweaks. Lesson of the day: avoid doing design work while taking Vicodin. Anyway, expect a comparatively less hideous banner (but with the same contest pictures – remember, guess them all on the forum and win a …
Reading PCGamer today, new information about Portal 2 has begun to rear its head from the Valve parapet, with the game now taking place several hundred years after the first. The new changes announced so far include a two-player co-operative mode in addition to the single player, while players can now take advantage of physical effects that “bleed” through portals, such as air from vents or the use of tractor beams through the portals themselves …
Following on from Steerpike’s excellent news grabs relating to Infinity Ward’s internal staffing squabbles and to continue the sorry saga, you may not be surprised to hear that Jason West and Vincent Zampella have wasted no time in establishing a new studio under the dreary yet appropriate name of Respawn Entertainment. To pile further media misery onto Activision/Blizzard, two more of Infinity Ward’s staff are heading for the exits today, bringing the grand total to …
If you ever thought that the game buying public couldn’t possibly stoop any lower, you’ll be pleased to hear that Just Dance for the Wii has once again embedded itself at the top of the UK sales chart, toppling Battlefield: Bad Company 2 in the process. Not only did it surpass Bioshock 2, Bayonetta and Mass Effect 2 in the sales charts several months prior, it seems that this behemoth simply knows no bounds. No …
Wow. This is some seriously shocking shit, people. I mean… just… wow. It would seem that there’s going to be a Gears of War 3. And, like, it’s going to be a game. And a sequel to Gears of War 2 and everything. I bet there’ll be stop-and-pop gunplay in it, and snappy dialogue. And a giant black man nicknamed Cole Train. 1UP breathlessly reports that Gears 3 was accidentally announced due to some glitch …
Review by Lewis B Battlefield Bad Company 2 Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE (DICE) Publisher: Electronic Arts Released: March 2nd 2010 Available for: PC, PS3, Xbox360 Time Played: 48 hours, 36 minutes Verdict: 4/5 Thumbs Up “Far greater than Modern Warfare’s multiplayer, and as much fun as any of the previous Battlefield series, no online enthusiast should be without a copy. Without doubt DICE have continued to refine the sub-genre and have created the best …
2012 could turn out to be a big year for human kind. As predicted by the Ancient Mayan civilization and depicted by a particularly rubbish movie last year, our time on this planet is due to come to an abrupt end on December 21, 2012. I’m not sure about you, but I won’t waste my time with any plans for Christmas. How the human race will meet its untimely demise is currently unknown, but according …
During a conversation over one particular weekend, our beloved fellow columnist Gregg B announced to me that he had, during one particular Demon’s Souls boss encounter, utilized an artificial intelligence (A.I.) glitch to his advantage. Shame on you brother I said, without inquiring for the full story. However, it did get me thinking about A.I. within videogames…
We game developers and journalists are like a sewing circle with all the gossip and backstabbing. Today there’s news that Zoo Weekly (Australian dudes’ magazine) deputy editor Toby McCasker was fired by Rockstar’s upcoming Red Dead Redemption.
Day dreaming, I was trying to remember my favourite gaming moment. There weren’t any specific requirements, but I was finding it difficult. After playing videogames for over fifteen years, you would think countless memorable moments would pop into your conscience. I have no idea how many games I’ve played, it would be difficult to quantify. No doubt several hundred, but worrying that I cannot think of a favourite amidst the plethora of quality titles I …
Review by Steerpike S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Developer GSC Game World Publisher BitComposer (U.S.); Cenega (Europe) Released Feb 3, 2010 (U.S.); Oct 2, 2009 (CIS) Available for Windows Time Played Finished Verdict: 5/5 Gold Star “Call of Pripyat isn’t perfect either; but as a third-generation evolution of an idea so blindingly ambitious, it sure as hell doesn’t disappoint.“
Darkfall is enjoying its first birthday this year. Born on the 26th February 2009, and developed by Aventurine SA, the game was plagued upon its release by a catalogue of problems that stretched as far as Agon’s land mass. One year later, has the game really managed to overcome its shortcomings, and will it ever prove Ed Zitron and his infamous review wrong?
The IGF article I posted at the beginning of March had a somewhat lengthy preamble which I cut just before publishing. After reading it over again it seems a shame to leave it on the cutting room floor so — after a spot of editing and because I’ve just been given a cup of tea without asking, putting me in a splendid mood, I’ll just quietly post this here and you can make of it …
When it comes to defending the video games industry against negative press, I find it pays to tread carefully. As attested to by the now former South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, citing that his family faced more danger from gamers than from bikers, it’s important that people keep a cool and calm head when defending our beloved past time. To respond to ignorance with chidlsih name calling, threats or dressing up as Pikachu simply …
Review by Mat C Near Orbital Vanguard Alliance (N.O.V.A) Developer: Gameloft Publisher: Gameloft/Apple Released: 17th December 2009 Available for: iPhone & iPod Touch Time Played: Finished (Single player only) Verdict: 2/5 Rotten Egg One of my favorite things about digital distribution is that it’s possible to log onto store fronts such as Steam and iTunes and access a vast range of content at any time, regardless of a game’s release date, quality or sales figures. …