Most Recent: Articles

Gamers At Work Review: Make Room on Your Bookshelf

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Morgan Ramsay’s Gamers At Work delivers a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the video game industry right from the source: the mouths of some of the most powerful and influential people involved in starting and fueling it. Ramsay interviews Nolan Bushnell, Don Daglow, Trip Hawkins, Ted Price, Warren Spector, and a dozen other founders, developers, programmers, and entrepreneurs. More than just a dry question and answer session, Ramsay gets to the heart, asking pointed questions and drawing out interesting – and sometimes emotional – stories. (more…)

Posted in Etcetera, Reviews, Top Story |

Ridge Racer Unbounded out in Europe next week; US date still TBA

Posted on March 23, 2012 by John Scalzo

Ridge Racer Unbounded was pushed back to “later in 2012” by Namco Bandai earlier this month, but it looks like our friends across the Atlantic will get it much sooner than that.

Check out the speeding supercars, wicked wrecks, and neat create-a-course features in the launch trailer above and gaze on the European release date for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 title: March 30, 2012.

Hopefully, a US release isn’t far behind.

Posted in News | Tagged , , ,

Epic Mickey 2 sings a song on Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 this Fall

Posted on March 23, 2012 by John Scalzo

The reigning “worst kept secret in gaming” is a secret no longer as Disney has announced Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two will be available for the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 this Fall. And even though it sports the subtitle “The Power of Two,” Epic Mickey 2 is all about the firsts:

  • Epic Mickey 2 is the first game in the series to be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
  • Epic Mickey 2 is the first game ever to feature Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as a playable character.
  • Epic Mickey 2 will include co-op play, a first for the series.
  • Epic Mickey 2 is the first video game ever to be described as a “musical.”

That’s right, a musical. Emmy-winning composer James Dooley and lyricist Mike Himelstein will create multiple, brand-new compositions that’ll allow characters to advance the plot by expressing themselves in song. In addition to conducting their own personal soundtrack, Mickey and Oswald will speak for the first in the series.

Warren Spector, Creative Director and Vice President of developer Junction Point summed it up best: “As a life-long Disney fan, working with Mickey Mouse in the original Epic Mickey was a truly humbling experience. Millions of fans fell in love with Mickey as a video game hero and I know they’ll experience similar emotions when they get to interact with and actually play as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.”

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

Congressmen propose cigarette-like warning label for games

Posted on March 23, 2012 by John Scalzo

US House Representatives Joe Baca (California) and Frank Wolf (Virginia) have introduced a new bill that would add a cigarette-like warning label to nearly video game on the shelves. Baca tried to introduce similar legislation in 2009.

“The Violence in Video Games Labeling Act” would seek to add a warning label to every game rated Everyone, Everyone 10+, Teen, and Mature. The only titles that wouldn’t require the label are those that receive an Early Childhood rating. Early Childhood-rated titles are typically educational games designed for children under three.

The kicker is the wording of the label: “WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.” Far be it from me to question the intelligence of our elected officials, but that particular “fact” has been debunked over and over and over again.

But rather than hurl insults at Rep. Baca and Rep. Wolf, the Entertainment Consumers Association is asking gamers to contact their congressmen and let them know that this bill is “misinformed” and “unconstitutional.” All you have to do is visit their site at action.TheECA.com and fill out a short form.

Even though the name-calling would be more fun.

[Source: The Hill]

Posted in News |

Developers From thatgamecompany Hold Court at GameFest

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Thatgamecompany was on hand at this weekend’s GameFest at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. President Kellee Santiago, Core Engineer Martin Middleton, Lead Artist Matt Nava, Producer Robin Hunicke, and Community Manager Aaron Grommesh were at a table in the center of the courtyard on Saturday, March 17, signing books and posters and posing with fans. This friendly, down-to-earth group sat and talked with me and a friend of mine, Nikkolai Davenport, who works at indie developer Cipher Prime in Philadelphia, PA. But they did so much more than just sit and talk with us. What we got that day was a unique and memorable experience. (more…)

Posted in Features, PS3, Top Story | Tagged

Square Enix Steam titles on sale for a short time

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Melissa Niedringhaus

Square Enix is having a huge sale on Steam that’s running from now until March 26th.

All Square Enix games and DLC packs will be half off throughout the five-day sale period, and there will be additional “Daily Deals” that promise even greater savings (such as today’s offer of 75% off any Hitman title). Steam is also selling a “Square Enix Hit Collection” bundle with over 15 titles, including classics like Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Tomb Raider: Legend, Thief: Deadly Shadows, and Hitman: Blood Money.

Check out Steam for more details!

Posted in News, PC |

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy rocks North America this Summer

Posted on March 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

According to Square Enix, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is pronounced “theater rhythm.” Previously, it was a tongue twister that only Japanese gamers had to untwist. But today, the publisher announced that the 3DS game will be making its way across the Pacific with its bizarro world title intact.

Of course, that crazy title fits perfectly with the crazy game Square Enix and developer Indieszero have created. Available this Summer, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is a music-themed rhythm game, a first for the series. Thanks to its music-based nature, it recasts the heroes from 25 years of Final Fantasy in an adventure that requires a few well-placed stylus taps to vanquish some familiar foes.

Although, to be fair, that’s not much weirder than a Final Fantasy fighting game. And there’s been two of those.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Minecraft, Fable Heroes lead Arcade Next promotion in April and May

Posted on March 22, 2012 by John Scalzo

It was revealed at E3 almost a year ago, but we can all rest easy, the Xbox Live Arcade version of Minecraft finally has a release date. Mojang’s blocky adventure game will headline Microsoft’s recently announced “Arcade Next” promotion, which will also feature Trials Evolution, Bloodforge, and Fable Heroes.

Trials Evolution will lead off the “Arcade Next” promotion on April 18, with a new game to follow every week until Minecraft’s debut on May 9. This quartet of games will also be among the first to enter the XBLA with 400 Gamerscore Points.

Everybody knows what Minecraft is all about, but what about the other three? Hit the jump for more information on all of the “Arcade Next” titles or check out the trailer above. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged , , ,