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Daily Scoop: July 25, 2013 – 3DS games

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Nicole Kline

It’s a beautiful day here in Philadelphia! I hope it’s beautiful where you are, too, dear reader. I can’t wait to go home and play video games all night – that is, after my book club, and dev night down at Cipher Prime. Thursdays are always so busy, but so full of fun!

There aren’t really any new game deals going on today, but I will admit that I’ve heard a lot of people saying that this is the best time to own a 3DS. It seems that Amazon must have overheard people saying that, because they’re featuring a few in their 3DS Summer of Games promotion. They’ve got Animal Crossing: New Leaf for $31.49, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for $28.72, Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins for $22.82, and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon for $30.85. If you still need to pick up the handheld, might I recommend purple?

And now, time for the t-shirts! (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Call of Duty: Ghosts officially announced for Wii U… for real this time

Posted on July 25, 2013 by John Scalzo

callofdutyghosts-rumor-boxIn case you were worried, Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Ghosts will be released for the Wii U on November 5, the same day as the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 editions. I’m unsure why it took Activision so long to put out an official announcement (the Wii U boxart was leaked by retailers back in April), but Wii U owners can breathe a certified sigh of relief now.

“As we have said before, we’re committed to doing everything we can to support the Wii U, which is why we’re excited to be bringing some of the most popular entertainment franchises in the world to the platform this year,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing.

The Wii U version of Call of Duty: Ghosts is being developed by Treyarch and will include second-screen features on the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote support, if you’re so inclined. Additional Wii U-exclusive features will be announced at a later date.

Posted in News, Wii U | Tagged

Precursor relaunches Shadow of the Eternals Kickstarter campaign with no episodic content

Posted on July 25, 2013 by John Scalzo

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The first time Precursor Games tried to obtain funding for Shadow of the Eternals, their spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness, they had a tough time. When the campaign was suspended last month, backers had pledged only 10% of the requested $1.35 million total.

Today, the developers are back with a second shot at Kickstarter glory, but with some major changes to their pitch. The new Shadow of the Eternals will be no longer be released in an episodic fashion. Precursor is now stating that they will create a complete 8-10 hour game if their funding goal (which has been lowered to $750,000) is reached. David Hayter, the former voice of Solid Snake, has also been brought aboard as the voice of Detective Paul Becker, the game’s main character. Finally, Precursor will bring the game to the PS4 if they reach an unnamed stretch goal.

The rest of the pitch looks very similar to what we saw before, including a level that takes place in Csejthe Castle (home of Elizabeth Bathory, “The Blood Countess”), the Sanity Events, and an action-adventure look that is very reminiscent of Eternal Darkness. If all goes well, Precursor expects to release the game sometime in the Fall of 2014.

The Kickstarter campaign for Shadow of the Eternals will run through Friday, August 23. As of this writing, just a hair over $40,000 has been pledged towards the project.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Wii U | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Kid Icarus, Picross E2, Chain Blaster, more

Posted on July 25, 2013 by John Scalzo

kidicarus-boxWelcome to another week of downloadable games for your Nintendo systems:

  • The Virtual Console section of the Wii U eShop has received the NES classic Kid Icarus.
  • The 3DS eShop has received a trio of new titles. There’s the crossword puzzle game Picross E2, the fishing sim Angler’s Club: Ultimate Bass Fishing 3D, and the overhead shooter Chain Blaster.
  • Finally, the DSiWare Shop is now home to Cute Witch! Runner, an endless runless starring a cute witch.

More information on all of these titles can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii U |

Deadpool Review: SUCK IT WOLVERINE!!

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Andrew Rainnie

deadpool-header

Deadpool is the Marvel equivalent of Marmite; you either love him or you hate him. From his crass and vulgar sense of humour to his habit of breaking the fourth wall and talking directly with his gathered audience, the Merc with a Mouth offers some sweet comic relief in place of grim, dark, and brooding superheroes. But how is the character’s transition from comic to video game? (more…)

Posted in PC, PS3, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Microsoft will allow indie developers to self-publish games on Xbox One

Posted on July 24, 2013 by John Scalzo

xboxone-logoUPDATE: Major Nelson has confirmed that independent developers will be able to self-publish games on the Xbox One. He also promised that more details would be revealed at this year’s Gamescom event.

ORIGINAL STORY: It looks like another of Microsoft’s big Xbox One policy mistakes is going bye bye. According to a report on Game Informer, independent developers will have the ability to self-publish their games on Microsoft’s next-gen console.

This brings the Xbox One’s policy towards indie developers more in line with Sony’s PS4, which highlighted self-published games from Supergiant Games (Transistor), Klei Entertainment (Don’t Starve), Switchblade Monkeys (Secret Ponchos), and others at this year’s E3 Expo. Another indie title, Jonathan Blow’s The Witness, was at the center of the Sony’s PS4 press conference in February.

In addition to allowing developers to self-publish their titles, Microsoft is revamping the certification process for game updates. According to GI, the process will be similar to Apple’s iTunes policy and will strive to have a 14-day turnaround for an approvals.

I wonder what outspoken Microsoft critic Phil Fish (the creator of Fez) thinks of that.

Posted in News, Xbox One | Tagged

Daily Scoop: July 24, 2013 – PC Deals

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Nicole Kline

Last night’s board game night was an amazing success! My darling boyfriend Anthony has been working on a board game, and we playtested it all night. It was amazing! There were also lots of people there I hadn’t seen in a while, so it was great to see everyone and have some fun interacting. Also, we got an advanced copy of a very special video game and ended up playing it all night. More details when I’m allowed to discuss it!

There are some crazy deals going on at Gamefly according to Cheap Ass Gamer. Not only are their downloadable games really cheap, but you can save an additional 20% off with the coupon code GFDJUL20. L.A. Noire the complete edition for $5.99? Yes, please!

There are also a few deals at Amazon right now, though the most interesting thing listed on that page are all the pre-orders. They don’t seem to give out $10 credit for pre-ordering games as much anymore, but if you like that deal as much as I do, you can get it with Batman: Arkham Origins, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, and Saints Row IV.

There’s just one new t-shirt up today: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Saints Row IV Season Pass announced as game goes gold

Posted on July 24, 2013 by John Scalzo

saintsrowthirddominatrixAfter escaping THQ’s collapse relatively unscathed, Volition is proud to announce that development work on Saints Row IV is done. In industry terms, the game has “gone gold” (insert your own scatological joke here).

To celebrate, Volition has announced that gamers are now able to pre-order the (rather affordable) Season Pass that will be released with it. The Saints Row IV Season Pass will be sold for $9.99 and will entitle the owner to two downloadable expansions and an exclusive weapon, The Rectifier anal probe (again, insert your own scatological joke here).

The first expansion is scheduled to be the previously announced Director’s Cut of the “Enter the Dominatrix” scenario. It should be available sometime in the Fall and a second expansion will follow in “late 2013.” Saints Row IV will be released on August 20.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged