rss feeds
@gamegrep
Facebook
Craig Will of GoozerNation.com talks about losing a co-op partner, finding a new one, getting his wife into gaming, and why local co-op should stick around.
"The grand adventure that is Fable has never really turned out to be that grand at all. Three games into the series and I’m still waiting for the RPG experience of a lifetime Peter Molyneux keeps promising me. Maybe he should stop posing for Turtleneck Monthly every chance he gets and check in on the development of his series."
The silent protagonist is a game mechanic that developers use for multiple different reasons. We take analytical look at the benefits to have a hero who is silent. Check it out.
"Well, I have a solution for you! By using Craigslist to buy, sell and trade games you can cut your video game expenditures immensely! I played about 30 games this past year and did so without spending any money. Over the next few paragraphs I will try and outline the approach I use to make all my acquisitions. Hopefully, by applying these factors to your own Craigslist usage you will find the same success I have."
The Halo series is one of the best series franchise that was ever created, and it is one of the most hyped title. The series started with Halo: Combat Evolved and the latest is Halo Reach, no wonder why this series has this much of popularity, it all started from the very first killer app. The series has an overall natural feeling of epicness for the fans, the answer to the question is the fan. Without the existence of the loyal Halo fan, it wouldn't be that popular.
The game has a story t...
"I am speaking of video games of course, but I realize some of you may feel the need to indulge that barbaric tradition of lighting things on fire and watching stuff blow up. Fortunately, the world of gaming offers several easy (and safer) methods of satisfying your craving for ‘splosions."
"Both Sony and Microsoft could learn a little something from Nintendo and how they handle their major franchises and mascots. Microsoft has milked the Halo franchise to the point that the original developer can’t stand the idea of making another one. Sony on the other hand has pushed the God of War franchise a bit too much (six releases, with a seventh coming in Ghost of Sparta in under five years), but hasn’t sacrificed quality for quantity as fans of the series and critics alike both rave ab..."
"Halo is one of those game franchises that, like the Mario and Zelda before it, really doesn't need an introduction. The first game in the series was released in 2001, as a launch title for the original Xbox. Since then, the series has gone to spawn numerous sequels and spinoffs, including the upcoming Halo: Reach. To celebrate this anticipated event, here are some little known facts about the franchise that redefined online console gaming, and made dual wielding guns feel totally new even tho..."
"But Infinity Ward are shedding staff like nobody's business - and the MW franchise is 'damaged', according to rival EA. Who better to save the Modern Warfare series from oblivion than the most celebrated FPS developer in the world?
Bungie and Activision are bosom buddies - and it's not as if the publisher doesn't have the money and power to (a) Increase Bungie's headcount so it can work on two projects and (b) Change the Washington-based firm's mentality of concentrating solely on one IP."
All Age Gaming's John Elliott brings us the 5th developer profile. This fortnight he looks at renowned Halo series developer BUNGIE. See inside for a look into the famous Xbox developer.
"Microsoft has dropped the ball in so many instances now that it may be completely impossible to recover. Fans of the mega-company's gaming hardware have to face some facts at this point when it comes to the franchises that Microsoft had used to establish the Xbox brand in the first place. They're gone."
"Every day, there’s more evidence of the rise of niche market gaming. Take a look in your pocket. What games are on your cell phone? Maybe you’ve just got the demos that came on the phone, but the numbers show that most of you have paid for at least one cell phone game. The iPhone port of Plants vs. Zombies made a million dollars in the first week alone."
An article from Cinemablend that breaks down some of the hype/press surrounding a game's visual progress from alpha to going gold. The comparison includes the alpha shots of popular games compared to gold status screenshots.
"The girl gamer is a rare breed of lady. Like a ninja or a flying unicorn, she remains perpetually shrouded in myth and/or shadow. Statistics would have us believe that over 40 percent of gamers are female — but come on. When was the last time you got trash-talked on Modern Warfare 2 by the dulcet tones of a woman? The fact is: you have a better chance of meeting a girl with an interest in Gauguin than gaming (girls are a lot smarter than us, y’see).
But that’s not to say that female gamers..."
"In light of some decisions recently made by third party developers, I believe I have some ideas as to why it's hard to sell hardcore third-party titles on the Wii.
So what do you do? The Wii doesn't have all the technical features of the 360 or the PS3. So how can a third party make a Wii hardcore title that can compete with 360 and PS3 hardcore titles? EA actually had a pretty good idea with Dead Space: Extraction. HD console owners who like Dead Space would be interested. Plus, there ar..."
"Every so often I hear people talk about how they miss the days when Japan ran the game industry. I don't think they so much miss the days when Japanese developers were on top of the world as much as they miss the days when Japanese developers/publishers actually worked in large to promote creativity rather than just follow trends. Those days have faded. While many great games still come out of Japan, thanks mostly to their always shrinking console market and a lack of knowledge on how to revi..."
"The explosive growth of online gaming communities in recent years has created amazing opportunities to go head-to-head against all kinds of players from around the world. But the vast freedom and flexibility of online play on consoles and PC has also given rise to something more insidious – a new place for bigotry and homophobia to manifest and thrive.
"I often hear gamers say 'Why do you have to segregate yourselves? Aren't we all just gamers?' My answer is, quite frankly, no," says De M..."
"The Xbox 360 launched four years ago today in Europe, ushering in the current-generation of videogames consoles and putting a full stop in the life of the original Xbox. Only a handful of games for Microsoft’s first console made it to UK shores after 2nd December 2005, as the Xbox 360 began its life as the company’s definite priority."
"I couldn’t help but feel the same pain as I watched District 9, the debut feature film from director Neill Blomkamp – yup, the same Neill Blomkamp chosen to direct the defunct Halo movie. I’m not going to do an in-depth review of District 9 here but suffice to say, go see it. It’s a great movie: funny, exciting, emotional, raw, well acted and smartly written. The gritty handheld documentary style works perfectly and really gives you the sense that you’re watching something real (Battlestar Ga..."
Anyone that plays games knows that receiving demos via Xbox live or PSN is never a bad thing. Consumers play the game then go out and buy it right?, but what if playing that demo that someone was excited about changed their feeling about the game in a negative way. At this point was the demo a good idea to even release knowing they just lost a sale? Here are a few reasons why demo's can either help or hurt game releases.
""Games are always packed with items, superpowers, plot devices, and vehicles that I wish I had. I realize that they’re fictional stories, just like we find in books or movies. It’s so different, though. When I’m reading or vegging out to the television on the couch, I’m actively detached. I’m a spectator. When I’m gaming, however, I’m actively involved. When I play Portal, I’m actually creating portals with a special gun to get myself out of sticky situations–even if it’s just with my mouse.""
Major Nelson has posted up the Live Activity for the week of May 11th, and with that comes some regulars, along with some .. weirdness... such as the fact that the UFC 2009 Undisputed Demo has made it's way on the top ten for the fourth week in a row! I played it, I don't get it, how is this on the list.. *shrugs shoulders*. Though being out a year and a half, as well as having a sequel, Call of Duty 4 continues to carry a high rank on the list :D
In this article All Age Gaming look at five console games that have been released on either the Wii, PS3 or 360 that have helped to shape this generation of gaming.
"God of War II has a hidden message that appears in the sky when you trigger a secret orb stash, echoing the words of Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the nuclear bomb'. When Oppenheimer saw the world's first nuclear test in 1945, he said: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds" based on verse 32 from Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu script. And there it is, written slowly in the sky above Kratos – perhaps because of all the power you just absorbed. Eerie, huh? By the..."
"In North America, despite the fore-mentioned flaws, the Xbox360 has a sizable lead over the PLAYSTATION3. It's nearly a 2-to-1 lead. It's no doubt this is due to the price facilitated toward a varying market of gaming consumers, and the superfluous marketing tactics Microsoft has employed to sell their latest console."
"While the Xbox360 and Wii have a considerably lower price and larger install base than the PLAYSTATION3, the console isn’t all that far behind the competition. However, since 2006 Sony has been taken a good pummeling by the media (especially in North America) because of the high-price and gaudy promotional campaign for the third-generation PlayStation console. It’s still not uncommon for a lot of journalists and gamers alike to rant on Sony, claiming that their console is “dying” or “failing”..."
"So a lot of gamers have adopted the name "Halo 4" for now, and silly little fanboy arguments are already popping up. Well, I think they're rather silly -- like the one over Halo 3's "Finish the fight!" slogan. Hey, everyone kind of assumed the fight was finished after John-117 and the Arbiter sent the Covenant running home with their tails between their legs, leaving behind a trail of dead Prophets and Brutes... and those little guys with funny English.
Safe to say most of us are hoping ..."
First thing's first, this article is satire, and is not meant to be taken seriously. If anyone comes in here starts complaining about this starting a flame war then it will just show what an idiot you are, so please feel free.
Anyway this humorous article makes the many points on why the PS3 exclusive Killzone 2 is better than the 360 exclusive Halo 3. It explains midget empowerment, claims Master Chief is a pedophile and oh so much more. So check out the source and grab some popcorn!
"My initial intention was to check out the "Halo Wedding" (a couple who met playing Halo online and now were getting married publicly at Otronicon) and my other reason was to play on "The Ultimate Rock Band Drum Kit."
Both my dreams came true and much more. I had been to Otronicon in the past, being held at the Science Center and not being as big, it really felt more like an exhibit than a video game convention. This year, it felt a bit bigger and slightly more organized."
"One is a pure, bubbly and pretty-as-pink princess who rarely reveals even the skin of her ankle. The other is a sassy, sexy and no-nonsense computer program who has spent her entire existence in the nude. Within the tightly linked and extraordinarily small world of videogame voice acting, however, these two women are the exact same person."
"If we think about LittleBigPlanet, Age of Conan or Mirrors Edge, we notice they have two things in common: very successful and well received demo versions (or beta stages) and very poor, lower than anticipated game sales. And since these are not the only titles in which a demo (or the lack of it) appears to be connected with their commercial success, I believe we should analyze the influence demos have in the game world and debate: are game demos game killers?"
"Fanboys have been plaguing the Internet for quite some time with their silly propaganda, heinous slander, & a laggard intellect that leaves the rest of us sane humans flabbergasted at the fact that these are the type of people we not only have to deal with on forums or blogs, but also in person typically at retailers where I purchase my games from. I just don't understand the logic behind being a fanboy, I mean the way I see it it's a lose lose situation. These companies do not compensate you..."
"MrWeymes Says: It seems like every time an exclusive first person shooter is announced for the Playstation 3, it is instantly dubbed as a "Halo killer" by anticipatory Sony supporters. The original Resistance: Fall of Man comes to mind. While it may have sold well, and established a respectable fan base, it in no way "killed" the Halo franchise. Haze is another game that was hyped up beyond belief, and was also given the title of "Halo killer." That game was met with average reviews, and didn..."
"So here's the thing, Wii Fit has mass-market appeal, and Wii Sports comes packed in with the Wii, so it's understandable for them to outsell AAA titles from the other consoles. Wii Play, however, isn't even a GOOD GAME. No one will tell you that it is. Yet the fact that it comes with a Wiimote for only $10 more has encouraged nearly 20 MILLION PEOPLE to drop down their precious cash for the thing. More people own this game than Halo 3, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Gears of War COMBINED.
I think..."
2008 had tons of crazy moments in the world of gaming, and EuroGamer has decided to run through the events that happened from July all the way to December. They include the E3 conferences, the new 160 GB PS3, and Wii Music.
To check out the months before, click here.
"...tell developers to get off their lazy a****s and figure out if they want their multiplayer to be memorable. I think Halo's an easy scapegoat for people to target; it's popular. It's obvious that people aren't playing other games because of it. But maybe if we had a reason to play the other games, be it friends wanting to try something new, or developers making them fun, we would."
"People are probably already spewing spittle across their keyboard, while drenching their monitor in a torrent of swear words and fanboy protests. Its okay, I understand your grief. But this is not a Halo bashing article, but rather, a look at how gamers have allowed it to control their online, console gaming experience."
Sniper Rifles are something you love and hate at the same time. You love it when you own someone halfway across the map with a headshot, and you hate it when your on the...well receiving end. Sniper Rifle's have existed since the dawn of FPS's and beyond and this article examines the god like weapon. It's history, its ups and downs, and a list of some of the best of these beastly weapons every to grace a game are all present here.
David Houghton over at GamesRader has composed a series of grievences directed at developers as to how they are destroying what used to be 'a proud warrior people' known as real gamers.
Various techniques and new features in gaming have made things almost 'too easy', and take away from the challenge of it.
Things like regenerative health, auto-aiming, unskipable tutorials, cut-scene boss battles, and the ability to quick save, are making things far too easy for us.
Publishers and Dev...
"Bungie is one of the most talented studios out there, constantly living up to the hype with the Halo games. Whatever they make, whatever is going to be announced or shown, whether its new footage of Halo Wars, the revelation of Peter Jacksons new Halo trilogy, all of which are games that Bungie has a hand in, or something completely new, theres no denying one thing: Whatever Bungie does is going to be massive, whether its a new Halo or something new, or even more than one reveal."
"Note: Just a quote. Not the entire article.
"3. Halo: Combat Evolved
This game, although heralded by many a stooge, has so many problems and missing features that it's impossible to play. For one, the game disk doesn't work when I place it in my PS2 (which I bought from Wal-Mart). It's obvious that the developers are *bleep* based off of this anomaly alone, as any game that doesn't run on a PS2 was probably created by homosexuals.""
"Videogame characters are lazy, forgetful, or just plain stupid. Cutscene after cutscene, they exhibit planet-shaking combat abilities and a level of indestructibility which would make God himself jealous. But as soon as you pick up the controller? The Incredible Hulk turns back into Bruce Banner and all of those showboating tricks and superhuman powers disappear into the ether.
They're constantly saving their best tricks until we've already done all the hard work for them, and even if not,..."
Most would agree that the Xbox360 has the best online system on the market today with their Xbox Live service. However, with the continuing improvement of rival online systems on both PC's and the Playstation 3, is the annual fee of Xbox Live Gold Membership truly worth it, and what does it offer that the PSN and Steam don't? Read on to find out.
"Everyone is familiar with this gaming phenomenon, and everyone seems to have nothing but praise for this apparently revolutionary shooter. It sells as if it had been forged by a limited supply of solid God and was guaranteed to provide full-body orgasms lasting hours. Master Chief has been carried up the Mount Olympus of gaming by the critical community on a palanquin of perfect 10s to stand alongside other legends like Mario, Link, and Sonic.
Halo, in my infuriated opinion, is the most o..."
There's no doubt you've seem the countless articles flooding in about Grand Theft Auto IV, but Blend Games believes that the game deserved the hype without a doubt. Now let's rewind back to Halo 3 which had loads of hype as well. They believe that Halo 3 did not deserve the hype at all due to the fact that it didn't live up to it, for one and it didn't fill in the shoes of the 'next-generation' gaming. On the other hand, Grand Theft Auto IV fit those shoes perfectly and deserves all the hype ...
GamingShogun responds to the Top Ten Video Games of 2007, recently compiled by TIME. They end up disagreeing with several parts of the list and offer up alternatives.
The Top 10 According to TIME:
* Halo 3
* The Orange Box (although that is technically MANY games)
* Rock Band
* Super Mario Galaxy
* BioShock
* Call of Duty 4
* Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
* Mass Effect
* Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
* God of War 2
"Now that his battle is done, Master Chief seeks other fights. For instance, here we see him stand against global warming, spiting carbon monoxide emissions and the sun's building rays by standing defiant in frozen water. Don't mind his yellow glow. His bloom lighting is under control...it's just that a dog passed by not so long ago. (OK, fine. No yellow, "lemon flavored, we promise" snow was used in the building of this Master Chief sculpture. And his battle against polluters is in no way san..."
"It's not easy to choose between two obvious Game of the Year candidates, but in reality, not everyone can afford to buy every game out there. So we pose the question: If you had to choose, would you buy Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare or Halo 3? We break each game down into nine categories to see who emerges victorious."
"As we continue the search through the source files of the Halo 3 beta more and more interesting and revealing information keeps popping up.
Today we see new evidence of further customisation options of multiplayer characters, beyond that of different models like Spartan or Elite (as in Halo 2) and colour and emblem changes (seen in the beta so far) and instead, the exciting possibility of varying armour types and the ability for users to mix and match.
Cobra, Intruder, Ninja and Regulat..."
![Box shot of Halo 3 [Europe]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvWGJveF8zNjAvQWN0aW9uL1Nob290ZXI=/halo_3_frontcover_small_mmYwXkPAiRKqTrS.jpg)