During this year's CES, there were plenty of games shown that I wish I could have seen in action. Thankfully, Jesse and Sean were there, and they were able to record videos of some of the presentations. In this case, the presentation is for "inFamous," Sucker Punch Production's upcoming superhero sandbox game. Hit the full story for the slightly-off-angle-but-I-feel-like-I'm-there video of one of 2009's most anticipated releases.
Continue reading...9. January 2009
Some will never forgive Sony for creating the 2005 Killzone 2 trailer out of CGI and whole cloth.
Others will watch the following video, recorded by yours truly at CES 2009. (more...)
Continue reading...8. January 2009
Though Robbie Bach had plenty of facts and figures to throw at us during the Xbox-centric portion of Microsoft's keynote session at CES, the man wasn't all business. No, Microsoft wanted to make sure we knew they could let their hair down (except for Steve Ballmer, for whom such a task would be difficult) and have a good time, even when discussing games, which, as everyone knows, are an exceptionally serious subject. So, moments before Bach took the stage at the Palazzo Ballroom, the audience was treated to a heartwarming song about love, gaming, and their contentious relationship, performed by Tripod.
See the stirring love ballad for yourself, after the jump. (more...)
Continue reading...18. December 2008
If you know anything whatsoever about Afro Samurai in any of its forms -- graphic novel, animated mini-series, or upcoming Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game -- you already know that it is absolutely, positively not the sort of thing you'd casually let your children play.
But for those who know nothing about Afro Samurai, glance past the large Mature 17+ sticker and blood-speckled sword on the game's packaging, and see only a harmless anime character that could be their child's best friend, a quick trip to the ESRB website will assure them otherwise.
Here's what the ESRB had to say about the Samuel L. Jackson-narrated game:
(more...)
8. December 2008
EA knows how to build one hell of a plastic sheet -- but if you don't help the giant publisher recoup some funds by purchasing a copy of Mirror's Edge PC this January, you might as well be kicking their employees off an eight-story building.
Well, perhaps that's not exactly what analyst Colin Sebastian was suggesting in a investor's note early this morning, but his message was received loud and clear over at Gamasutra: Need for Speed Undercover, Mirror's Edge and Rock Band 2 aren't doing so well at retail, and that means that "further cost and franchise reductions" -- AKA loss of games and personnel -- are likely.
EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich's predictions are similar -- he called sales of NFS and Mirror's Edge "disappointing."
No more doom and gloom after the jump, we promise -- only a hefty dose of PhysX eye candy in the form of a new trailer. Joy! (more...)
Continue reading...8. December 2008
Our relationship with High Voltage Software has been an interesting one. Eight months ago, we accused the developer of having an extremely mediocre library of titles, and dismissed some of their future endeavors as highly unlikely. Later, in the summer, we reviewed Gyrostarr, High Voltage's first foray into WiiWare, and found the title pretty to look at, but extremely lacking in the gameplay department. Then, something curious happened: With our minds largely made up on all things High Voltage, the company took a moment to let us try out The Conduit, their upcoming motion-controlled Wii FPS, and explain a little bit about their development process. To our own surprise, we found The Conduit to contain some of the finest controls we'd experienced in any console shooter. Was this the same High Voltage Software we had been so quick to judge?
Last week, we stopped in for a visit with YUKE'S Company of America, who had joined up with High Voltage to publish the developer's newest WiiWare offering. The game's title, "Evasive Space," is more than just a catchy name, it's actually quite descriptive: The game takes place in space, and you spend your time evading several things. When we went hands-on with the game, though, and got a sample of the graphics and gameplay, we had to admit, we were starting to feel a little foolish about our earlier impressions of High Voltage -- it seems that the developer may just be getting the hang of Wii gaming, after all. (more...)
Continue reading...5. December 2008
Yes -- the PC Gaming Alliance does perform its tests at a locked research facility where the general public is barred entry. But sadly, no -- there's no potential for resonance cascade, and it doesn't take a five-minute tram ride to get there.
In actuality, the PCGA conducts experiments for its Minimum Bar subcommittee in a locked room at the SMU Guildhall -- a bonafide video game university. Today, they invite you to take a guided tour of the tiny facility, and see what the organization has been up to. (more...)
Continue reading...1. December 2008
There are just too many times in Gears of War, while chainsawing a wretch in half with my Lancer, that I have asked aloud "When is someone gonna make one of these? They are so practical."
Apparently "when" is now. Gizmodo has unearthed from the AR-15 forums this pretty amazing and very homemade version of the classic COG Lancer. Although the gun's creator makes no reference to Gears of War in his post, simply calling it a "Firearm Mounted Anti-Zombie Device," I cannot help but look at it and see a Lancer. Well, maybe an early stage Lancer; it's not quite as hefty or compact as the real deal, but, still... Machine gun? Check. Chainsaw? Check. Ability to inflict ludicrous carnage? Check.
Just in case you doubt for a moment that the gun actually works, its creator has also made several home movies of the gun in action. Warning, violence towards pumpkins behind the cut.
Continue reading...21. November 2008
When it comes to the PC edition of Grand Theft Auto IV, the big news isn’t that it’s finally coming out on the PC – it’s that it’s coming out on the PC with a video editor. The all-new video editor will allow players to capture in-game footage, make real time edits, splice together clips with effects, transitions and sounds, and render the final product as WMV files they can post online and share with friends.
At first, I envisioned the video editor being responsible mostly for a slew of poorly made GTA IV music videos. After Rockstar sent out an example of what the editor is capable of in the right hands, though, I’m actually looking forward to what players will create. It’ll definitely put GTA IV on the map when it comes to machinima.
Check out Rockstar's silent film-era inspired film, “Burgatory,” in the full post.
Continue reading...
9. January 2009
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