Wednesday, August 28, 2013

News::Developers Are Responsible For Their Communities

Gaming Union: "Cheating, homophobia, women hating, malicious hacks, suicide goading, and incredible degrees of immaturity are just a few of the many negative connotations associated with online gaming. From competitive e-sports to casual matchmaking our industry is rife with some of the most hateful and abusive attitudes around, and while fingers can certainly be pointed at a wide variety of outside influences can we really say that our industry is doing the best it can to help lay this stigma to rest?"



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342588/developers-are-responsible-for-their-communities

News::Call of Duty Black Ops II: Apocalypse Review | Destructoid

Destructoid - "We've already had three quarters of the Season Pass on offer so far in Black Ops II's lifespan, and we're finally on the last bit of DLC. Apocalypse is an interesting prospect, with two remakes, two brand new maps, and a zombies map that features giant robots with the reunion of the original four World at War stars."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342526/call-of-duty-black-ops-ii-apocalypse-review-destructoid

News::Defiance DLC2 will be revealed this Friday

Over at the official Defiance forums, Greg Laabs (known as OverloadUT) has announced that Trion will be showing off DLC2 for the first time to anyone outside of the studio, with live gameplay straight from the brand new alpha test server. It'll be aired on the official Twitch channel this friday.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342034/defiance-dlc2-will-be-revealed-this-friday

News::New MOBA called Decimal is coming... with lasers... and robots

A new sci fi MOBA called Decimal is currently waiting for backing on Kickstarter, it promises new gameplay and a new setting for the genre. The games is in its concept stages and shows off some impressive ideas such as squad based gameplay, new classes and some truly stunning artwork.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342518/new-moba-called-decimal-is-coming-with-lasers-and-robots

News::The Raven Legacy of a Master Thief: Chapter II Review | Entertainment Buddha

The mystery of The Raven continues in KING Arts second outing in their Agatha Christie inspired point and click sleuth-em-up.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342530/the-raven-legacy-of-a-master-thief-chapter-ii-review-entertainment-buddha

News::Full Mojo Rampage - BeefJack Show and Tell

Full Mojo Rampage combines dungeon crawling and roguelike to create simple gameplay that's fun for a little while.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342534/full-mojo-rampage-beefjack-show-and-tell

News::Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn PS3 trophies appear, full list here

Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is out now on PC and PS3. The complete list of PS3 trophies has emerged online, full list here.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342460/final-fantasy-14-a-realm-reborn-ps3-trophies-appear-full-list-here

News::NBA 2K14 - Official Trailer

GS:Check out this official trailer for the current gen version of NBA 2K14, with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions coming soon.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342401/nba-2k14-official-trailer

News::Reggie says the 2DS is for five- to six-year-olds

With Nintendo's surprising announcement of the 2DS today, some people are wondering who exactly the device was created for. While the price point of $129 is appealing, the slate form and omission of 3D were curious changes. It turns out that Nintendo had a younger audience in mind when it designed the 2DS.


Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo of America, told IGN that the 2DS' target audience is "that first-time handheld gaming consumer." Nintendo recommends that children be at least seven years of age to use the 3DS, so Fils-Aime says that the 2DS creates an opportunity for five- and six-year-olds.


"How do we approach that as one target? How do we get more people playing Nintendo games," Fils-Aime asked rhetorically. "That helped spur the idea of the 2DS. Let's have the consumer have access to all of these great games at a dramatically lower price point," he continued.


Nintendo Announces 2DS [IGN]


Reggie says the 2DS is for five- to six-year-olds screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/reggie-says-the-2ds-is-for-five-to-six-year-olds-260918.phtml

News::Rayman Legends Review | Digital Spy

Even though the Rayman platforming series has been around for nearly 18 years, it's nice to see that Michel Ancel and his team at Ubisoft Montpellier can still surprise us with their imagination and inventiveness.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342499/rayman-legends-review-digital-spy

News::Quick Look: Lost Planet 3 | Giant Bomb

One of these days, Jeff, Vinny, and Brad are going to find that planet, and it will be glorious.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342543/quick-look-lost-planet-3-giant-bomb

News::Divinity: Dragon Commander Review | GameDynamo

GameDynamo - "In Divinity: Dragon Commander, you play as the son of a recently murdered emperor. The culprits behind this regicide are none other than the emperors other, power hungry children who seek to claim his throne for their own. "



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342542/divinity-dragon-commander-review-gamedynamo

News::Black Desert LIVE gameplay and interview from Gamescom 2013 - Worlds Factory

At Gamescom 2013 we got the chance to check Black Desert, one of the most anticipated MMORPGs in development. Read and watch for yourself!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342511/black-desert-live-gameplay-and-interview-from-gamescom-2013-worlds-factory

News::Witcher 3 Gameplay Producer Marek Ziemak Details Combat, the Morality System and the Open World Size

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunts Gameplay Producer Marek Ziemak talks about the games combat, morality system and the size of the open world.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342536/witcher-3-gameplay-producer-marek-ziemak-details-combat-the-morality-system-and-the-open-world-size

News::The Watchlist: Neverending Nightmares

Inspired by games like Silent Hill and Amnesia, Neverending Nightmares revolves a protagonist trapped in a cycle of nightmares where grotesque hallucinations and creatures terrorize the player. The story is built around branching narratives and multiple plauthroughs; your actions result in different nightmares and different endings.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1341892/the-watchlist-neverending-nightmares

News::Quantum Rush devs outline design philosophy, decision to go online-only "a question of priorities"

"Marcel Sieslack of GameArt Studio shared enlightening details with BeefJack today on how the team believes their online-only racer Quantum Rush will satisfy what futuristic racing games have been missing."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342453/quantum-rush-devs-outline-design-philosophy-decision-to-go-online-only-a-question-of-priorities

News::Indie Game "Always Sometimes Monsters" Looks Really Interesting

Independent developer Vagabond Dog and the consummate professionals of Devolver Digital have announced Always Sometimes Monsters, an unconventional RPG about life, love, and the lengths that we will go to find happiness in both. Set to release on PC in 2014, Always Sometimes Monsters aims to explore themes and issues of the modern world where decisions you make affect your life and the lives of those around you.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342462/indie-game-always-sometimes-monsters-looks-really-interesting

News::Review: Call of Duty Black Ops II: Apocalypse

We've already had three quarters of the Season Pass on offer so far in Black Ops II 's lifespan, and we're finally on the last bit of DLC. Apocalypse is an interesting prospect, with two remakes, two brand new maps, and a zombies map that features giant robots with the reunion of the original four World at War stars.


But while Treyarch is generally known for their original map design, they played it a bit too safe here, and the package falls a bit flat.


Review: Call of Duty Black Ops II: Apocalypse screenshot


Read more...



via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/review-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii-apocalypse-259640.phtml

News::Nintendo returns to its roots with its cheap, chunky 2DS


Nintendo’s 2DS drew the full spectrum of reaction as it was announced this afternoon, described as a smart move by some and batshit crazy by the rest.


It’s a flattened-out 3DS minus the auto-stereoscopic top screen – cheaper, chunkier, targeted at kids and set to be launched alongside a new Pokémon game, it’s difficult to argue against 2DS as a business and marketing proposition. Its aesthetic appeal and size can certainly be questioned, though – is this the first Nintendo handheld that doesn’t actually fit in your pocket? Smart positioning can’t disguise just how strange this thing looks – those two screens make sense in clamshell handheld with a hinge between them, but on the front of a flat, tablet-style device? Bizarre.


Nonetheless, Nintendo’s retreat from glasses-free 3D isn’t surprising. Once 3DS’ biggest selling point, playing this way just isn’t practical for most. 2DS will remove any lingering doubts over the health effects of 3D, the subject of some damaging tabloid stories around the original 3DS’ launch – Nintendo was even forced to discourage children aged six or younger from using the handheld, an idea completely at odds with its past successes in the handheld market.



2DS resets Nintendo’s ill-fated pursuit of the older game player, a trend which can be traced back to the rampant success of DS Lite, which took a little of Apple’s sleek minimalism and applied it to a games handheld. It worked, and spurred Nintendo on to launch DSi, which took that idea further still. With its glasses-free 3D screen, relatively high launch price and a flurry of early marketing targeted at twentysomething tech audiences, the 3DS launch felt like Nintendo had started to neglect its traditional heartland. A weak software line-up certainly didn’t help 3DS’ cause, of course. It took a price cut and two Mario games to really turn the handheld around.


Though it has increasingly dabbled in the sexier end of the portable market, Nintendo remains a toy company, not a tech giant. 2DS will be criticised by many for looking a bit ‘Fisher Price’, but surely that’s the intention; in its chunky plastic casing we can see Nintendo reverting to what has always made its handhelds so successful. Fans will always demand new adventures from old favourites, but all a Nintendo handheld really needs is a low price, parent-friendly aura and a Pokémon game or two. 2DS will have all of those in its corner when it launches on October 12.


The post Nintendo returns to its roots with its cheap, chunky 2DS appeared first on Edge Online.






via Edge Online http://www.edge-online.com/news/nintendo-returns-to-its-roots-with-its-cheap-chunky-2ds/

News::Romance In Dragon Age

GI:Romance is only a shred of BioWare's sprawling storylines, but to some fans, it's the focus of their journey (whether BioWare intends for it to be or not).



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342508/romance-in-dragon-age

News::Gone Home Review | Digital Spy

Gone Home is The Fullbright Company's first game after the founders worked together on the excellent 'Minerva's Den' add-on for BioShock 2. It opens as Kaitlin 'Katie' Greenbriar returns home after traveling around Europe, expecting to be greeted by her parents and 17-year-old younger sister Samantha.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342501/gone-home-review-digital-spy

News::Saints Row IV DLC screenshots and trailer

Check out the brand new screenshots from the incoming Saints Row IV DLC, "Presidential" and "Grassroots"



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342505/saints-row-iv-dlc-screenshots-and-trailer

News::Iranian League of Legends Tournaments ban female characters

Thought your team had the perfect strategy? Well not in Iran!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342512/iranian-league-of-legends-tournaments-ban-female-characters

News::Shadowrun Returns Review | Games Xtreme

Shadowrun started off as a cyberpunk tabletop RPG, an alternative future where magic has come back into the world and humans live alongside fantasy races and creatures, the mega corporations rule the world and everyone else just tries to make a living. Then there are the Shadow runners; mercs, hackers and thieves for hire, this is the character you will be playing as. For gamers Shadowrun is likely remembered for the RPG games that it spawned on the SNES and Genesis.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342510/shadowrun-returns-review-games-xtreme

News::The Last of Us Getting Free Update, Sharp New Multiplayer Mode

News::BioWare's Dragon Age save-import tool sounds great

Now that the Dragon Age series has adopted the Frostbite engine and will be releasing on next-generation consoles, the matter of transferring players' save data to Dragon Age: Inquisition is not a simple one. But, for us, it will be -- even for brand new players.


That's thanks to the Dragon Age Keep, an initiative that allows you to customize your world -- your decisions from Origins and Dragon Age II, even if you didn't play those titles -- and then import it into the upcoming game.


"An additional benefit offered by moving to the cloud is being able to fix issues in plot logic, which historically we have not been able to do because of client side complexity or platform holder limits," writes executive producer Mark Darrah. "Under the hood, the Keep has a logic validator which ensures you’ll always have a valid world state free from errors and conflicts."


As it stands, BioWare hasn't figured out how to incorporate existing save files to populate the Keep, but that is the end goal. Sign-ups for the beta, which is expected to start in early 2014, are currently open on the Keep website.


The Dragon Age Keep [BioWare -- Thanks, Glowbear]


BioWare's Dragon Age save-import tool sounds great screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/bioware-s-dragon-age-save-import-tool-sounds-great-260913.phtml

News::Preview: Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 | Naviv

Naviv have played PES 2014 and the first impressions are really good.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342471/preview-pro-evolution-soccer-2014-naviv

News::Looking forward to Battlefield 4. All things Battlefield 4 Order A Game Podcast 9

This week on the Order A Game Podcast the team discusses all things Battlefield 4. Thanks to everyone for listening to the podcast and visiting the Order A Game Blog. The Order A Game Blog cannot wait for the release of Battlefield 4!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342013/looking-forward-to-battlefield-4-all-things-battlefield-4-order-a-game-podcast-9

News::Saints Row IV sells over 1 million copies in first week

Deep Silver has just announced that developer Volition's Saints Row IV is a "smashing commercial success" with over a million units sold through during the game's first week at retail. The PC version in particular was cited for having tripled the early sales figures of last year's Saints Row: The Third, which was published by THQ.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342484/saints-row-iv-sells-over-1-million-copies-in-first-week

News::Why our Splinter Cell: Blacklist review hasnt emerged from the shadows

PC Gamer explains why they are holding their official review from publication. As could be guessed, it is because of technical difficulties with the game.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342051/why-our-splinter-cell-blacklist-review-hasnt-emerged-from-the-shadows

News::Sid Meier's Ace Patrol launches on Steam

Sid Meier's Ace Patrol, the latest turn-based dogfighting game from the legendary Civilization creator, has launched today on Steam for £5.99 / $9.99. Ace Patrol first launched to critical acclaim on iOS in May, but publisher 2K games is billing this as the "premium version" of the free-to-play mobile title.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342057/sid-meiers-ace-patrol-launches-on-steam

News::Splinter Cell: Blacklist Review | TPReview

Splinter Cell: Blacklist has proven that the series is as relevant as ever with tight gameplay, the return of the innovative spies vs mercs multiplayer and a generous helping of co-op.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342475/splinter-cell-blacklist-review-tpreview

News::League of Legends Rarest Skins

check the article for the top 10 league of legends skins, some skins are priced for 1000$ on ebay !



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342211/league-of-legends-rarest-skins

News::'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows' Review - Comic Vine

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a must play if you're a fan of the franchise or if you grew up addicted to the older arcade and console games. Yes, you may hit a glitch every now and then and the camera can be a pain at times, but these issues are nothing compared to the ridiculous amount of entertainment it'll offer as you and your friends beat your opponents with an absurdly fun variety of slick moves.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342468/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-of-the-shadows-review-comic-vine

News::Nintendo says it's committed to 3D despite the 2DS

While the Nintendo 2DS will play 3DS games, it won't support 3D. It stands to reason that such functionality isn't nearly as important as Nintendo made it out to be. That's not how Nintendo executive VP of sales and marketing Scott Moffitt sees it, though. Speaking to GamesIndustry International, he says that "our fan feedback, gamer feedback, has been that they very much enjoy 3D as a feature. Games like Super Mario 3D Land play fabulously well in 3D. There's a lot of great 3D experiences that gamers have come to love. We don't want to walk away from that at all.


"They also will play well in 2D, and it allows us to get to a price point that we couldn't get to with the 3D screen," he continued. "If we can get to that in another way... If you're asking me if we could get to a price point of $129 with 3D functionality, it didn't look like it was possible. That's the reason. It's less about wanting to have 3D in and it's more about trying to get to the value price point that's going to allow us to open up that next part of the market."


There are indeed some games that greatly benefit from 3D, but, more than anything, it's the 2DS' physical design, not lack of 3D, that has me scrunching my face in horror. Asked if Nintendo had any plans for people who want both systems and the option to transfer digital purchases between them, Moffitt said "We haven't solved that yet."


Further pushing the point that the 2DS isn't intended for many of us, the executive went on to say "I would just challenge... If you have a 3DS and you enjoy playing it there on a bigger screen... I wouldn't think we would expect you to be part of the buyer base."


Nintendo: "We don't want to walk away" from 3D gaming [GamesIndustry International]


Nintendo says it's committed to 3D despite the 2DS screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/nintendo-says-it-s-committed-to-3d-despite-the-2ds-260910.phtml

News::Saints At The Summit

The top three are all new entries this week with Saints Row IV landing at No1, followed by Tom Clancys Splinter Cell: Blacklist at No2 and Disney Infinity at No3.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1341590/saints-at-the-summit

News::Salty Bet: Why I Haven't Slept In Two Days

Superman vs. Shaq. Fat Albert vs. Barney. The competitive fighting game of Salty Bet is making your weirdest dreams come true.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1341630/salty-bet-why-i-havent-slept-in-two-days

News::Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Review | Digital Chumps

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons seems to be asking a lot from any prospective player. Its narrative is exposed not through bombastic cut scenes or essential dialogue, but through the expressions and actions of its emotive cast of characters. It wants to provide a grand sense of adventure inside a dreamy and dark fantasy world, yet only calls for a three hour running time.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342404/brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-review-digital-chumps

News::The Dark Eye: Memoria Review | NZGamer

NZGamer - "he Dark Eye: Memoria may feel like a little known new title, but it is actually the sequel to the well received The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav (also available on Steam). Its the latest in a long line of point and click titles from German developer Daedalic Entertainment, and I was eager to check out the final build after some issues in our earlier preview."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342414/the-dark-eye-memoria-review-nzgamer

News::Shelter Review | Joystiq

Joystiq - "I've restarted this level at least five times now. It always ends the same way, on the same barren stretch of land between the comforting cover of the underbrush and the inviting darkness of the tunnel that marks what I think is the end of the level. The eagle strikes as we're halfway across; too far to return to the underbrush, but not close enough to reach the tunnel without the feathered git making off with at least one of my cubs."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342421/shelter-review-joystiq

News::Review: Splinter Cell Blacklist - MKGaming

MKGaming - "Splinter Cell Blacklist is a rompingly enjoyable sneak-fest. It has its niggles here and there, the controls can be fiddly at times and some of the guards seem to come equipped with their own Spidey Sense but thats doesnt tar the experience too much. The game looks fantastic, on the Xbox 360 youll get a second disc with a high resolution texture pack which you can install before playing. You can play the game how you want, whether youre a sneaky Simon or a gun-ho Gary youll be able to tweak the experience to suit. Youll come for the campaign and stay for the multiplayer, so theres no risk of getting bored any time soon."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342452/review-splinter-cell-blacklist-mkgaming

News::Rev3games- Lost Planet 3 Review

Rev:Lost Planet is part of that select class of game franchises that began during this console generation and has seen no fewer than three installments. With Lost Planet 3, the pendulum *sort of* swings back to the more exploratory designs of the first game, but now through the lens of a Western studio, Spark Unlimited. But is it a successful swing?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342446/rev3games-lost-planet-3-review

News::'Minecraft' 1.7 PC update will mean smaller oceans, more varied biomes

XMNR: Minecraft lead developer Jens Bergensten dropped some insight Wednesday into the changes coming to the PC version of the sandbox title with the 1.7 update and why Mojang is making them. Specifically, he addresses the current issues with biomes and how these will be changed with the upcoming patch.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342440/minecraft-1-7-pc-update-will-mean-smaller-oceans-more-varied-biomes

News::GUFUYourself Brocast Episode 16

Yes, its that time again, time for another episode of The Brocast! This time, Ben and newcomer Justin (the other Justin, whom you may remember from early episodes of the GUFU Late Nite Show) try to convince our Editor in Chief that DOTA 2 is totally worth playing, well talk about Animal Crossing: New Leaf, our short-lived Minecraft hardcore server, DmC: Devil May Cry and Bens favorite game of the forever, the Japan-only Earth Defense Force 4. So join Ben, Justin, Justin and your host Gagan on the latest episode of The Brocast.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342445/gufuyourself-brocast-episode-16

News::Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Preview | CheatCC

CCC Says: "Last week at Gamescom, Blizzard announced Diablo IIIs first expansion pack, Reaper of Souls, and ever since, details have been trickling in about the expansions content. We can expect it to include new missions, loot, a brand-new loot and paragon system, and even a new class. However, the question still remains, will Reaper of Souls be enough to elevate Diablo III to Diablo 2s level of success? Lets take a deeper look at the expansions features to find out."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342451/diablo-iii-reaper-of-souls-preview-cheatcc

News::From the White House to the Countryside - Two new DLC packs for Saints Row IV for every citizen

Deep Silver and Volition release two new content packs for the critically acclaimed Saints Row IV this week.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342378/from-the-white-house-to-the-countryside-two-new-dlc-packs-for-saints-row-iv-for-every-citizen

News::Review: Saints Row IV | Geek Insider

Saints Row IV is another entertaining albeit sometimes bland entry in the series.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342409/review-saints-row-iv-geek-insider

News::Shelter Review | Gamezebo

Gamezebo - "I don't know a lot about badgers. I remember there was one in Wind in the Willows, and he was sort of wise and a bit grumpy, but otherwise I've had zero education on where badgers live, what they eat, and how they live their lives. I'd use Shelter as a learning aid, given that you play through the life of a badger but the team behind it told me recently that they have no clue about badgers, and they just sort of made up the experience as they went along."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342427/shelter-review-gamezebo

News::Review: Gone Home [eGamer]

eGamer writes: "Gone Home is a mark of excellence for narrative in video games, handling mature content extremely well and proving that games can be for absolutely anyone and can be so much more than just escapism or entertainment. It speaks from the heart, and delivers an experience that can be related to on an emotional, personal or even just an intellectual level. Its not for the typical gamer, but it is an important game in our industry today. Its what we need more of, and it should be celebrated."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342344/review-gone-home-egamer

News::Interview: Elder Scrolls Online PvP Lead Outlines Faction Warfare, the Legacy of Dark Age of Camelot

Interviewed at Gamescom The Elder Scrolls Online Lead PvP Designer Brian Wheeler shares details on the game's RvR mechanics, the legacy of Dark Age of Camelot and More.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1342425/interview-elder-scrolls-online-pvp-lead-outlines-faction-warfare-the-legacy-of-dark-age-of-camelot