Friday, January 31, 2014

News::Call of Duty: Ghosts Free-for-All Tips

Bill Lavoy (Prim Games): Call of Duty: Ghosts has incredibly fun multiplayer modes. In the case of Free-for-All, you can add tough to that description. The fact that many players will never win a match shouldn't discourage frequent participation. After all, we improve by testing ourselves against those who are better. Implement some of our tips, develop some of your own and you'll be at the top of scoreboard in no time.



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News::Star Trek Online Turns 4, Q Celebrations Now Live with Prizes

Star Trek Online has reached its fourth year of existence, so to celebrate Perfect World has released some new screenshots for fans of the game to gawk at, as well as an infographic to break down STOs major milestones. A few of the screenshots show off the Q hosted parties that will take place on Earth Spacedock, QonoS and New Romulus Command from now until February 27th.



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News::Podtoid 281 records today! ASK QUESTIONS HERE!

Another week, another chance for you to ask questions about videogames and water buffaloes and shit. YOU ARE SO EXCITED!


So what are you waiting for? ASK QUESTIONS! Holmes, Conrad, Caitlin, and I will be donning our long underwear and recording Podtoid in just a few moments, so you'd better act fast.


Fast like a six-legged turtle-like creature.


Podtoid 281 records today! ASK QUESTIONS HERE! screenshot






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News::Spearhead: We found Sony more helpful than MS or Nintendo

Making a brand new game studio isn't easy. So imagine the undertaking of creating a new brand, crafting a never-before-seen IP, gathering a production crew, and shipping a game in a year. That's what Spearhead Studios did with Tiny Brains , and they went through quite the adventure to do it.


I had a chat with Spearhead's Simon Darveau and Malik Boukhira to find out what makes an indie studio tick, what they've learned so far, and what they have planned for the future.


Spearhead: We found Sony more helpful than MS or Nintendo screenshot


Read more...



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News::Games with Gold: Dead Island, Toy Soldiers: Cold War

Microsoft's Games with Gold promotion is becoming a parody of itself. In February, Xbox Live Gold subscribers are once again getting two free titles, one that is the first installment of a popular franchise, and another that's an enjoyable but perhaps under-appreciated Xbox Live Arcade title. Those are Dead Island and Toy Soldiers: Cold War, respectively.


As ever, the first free game -- in this case, Dead Island -- will become free for Gold members on the first of the month. So, tomorrow. You'll then have until February 16 to download it at which point game number two, Cold War , goes free for the rest of the month.


You really should make a note to download that second one, though -- you get to shoot at tanks as an offbrand Rambo toy. It's pretty special. I also much preferred its setting over the first Toy Soldiers, so if you resisted it for similar reasons, consider getting the sequel.


Xbox Live Gold Members get Dead Island and Toy Soldiers: Cold War Free in February [Major Nelson]


Games with Gold: Dead Island, Toy Soldiers: Cold War screenshot






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News::'Silent Hill 2' Review: Tense, Tragic And Terrifying | Bloody Disgusting

BD writes: "Theres a reason why we still bang on about Silent Hill 2. Almost fifteen years have passed since we first stepped into James Sunderlands heavy footsteps and peered at that bloodstain through the fog, and were still obsessing over the intricacies of his journey, as though deconstructing the individual parts of this game might offer up the secrets of its oh-so-terrifying alchemy. For many (unashamedly, myself included) Silent Hill 2 remains the crowning achievement of the Silent Hill series. Reknown for its hitherto unique approach to survival horror so at odds with Resident Evils combat-heavy blueprint it was Silent Hill 2 that picked up the legacy set by the series disturbing first title, and birthed one of horror gamings most darkly disquieting offerings. The thing with Silent Hill 2 is, it crawls beneath your skin. And you dont even know its doing it."



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News::Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise Review | Saving Content

Excerpt: "This of course is one of the up-front problems of Conquest of Paradise, the game can stray from the history books from the get-go. This is whether you have random terrain, or take a nation not known for discovering new lands into being the first to discover America before Columbus could do so in 1492. Though not far off from how the base game works, those looking to maintain historical accuracy are free to do so, but becomes increasingly difficult to maintain."



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News::Broken Sword 5: The Serpents Curse Episode 1 Review - 42 Level One

Andy from 42 Level One reviews Broken Sword 5: the Serpents Curse Episode 1.



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News::Our Darker Purpose Review | GameInformer

GI: Fans of The Binding of Isaac will find a lot to love in Avidly Wild Games Our Darker Purpose. This Tim Burton-esque romp through the nightmare dreamscapes of the Edgewood Home for Lost Children is almost everything a player looking for a modern roguelite could desire. Featuring achievements that matter, high difficulty, randomized dungeon crawls and some elements of choice thrown in, this darkly beautiful title feels like the perfect evolution of the style of game that Binding of Isaac brought into the spotlight.



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News::Violett Review | Z-Giochi

Set in a world full of wonders, quirks and things from beyond our reality, Violett is a remarkable adventure game that will push your brain to the limits and engross you completely. Dragged by her parents, a young and rebellious teenage girl Violett, moves to an old spooky house in the middle of nowhere. Forced away from her friends and life in the city; she imagines how boring life in countryside will be: spending day after day, bored in her room with absolutely nothing to do. But what she cannot imagine, is that in just few moments, she'll have the adventure of her life.



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News::Loadout - As We Play I Expansive DLC

2014 will unquestionably see a more-considered movement toward the F2P game becoming a mainstay in the household. Titles like Warframe, Blacklight Retribution, War Thunder, World of Tanks amongst others are already hugely successful and enjoying high figures of active users. Naturally, success breeds emulation, duplication and multiplication. And just a few weeks into the year, the first major attempt at infiltrating that market has already reared its head. Edge of Reality feel confident that Loadout is ready to move out of Early Access, officially launching the game today. This F2P hits hard and early with outrageous characterisation, immensely generous flexibility and ferocious violence. But after a few hours of play, we have serious concerns as to whether this is really ready for public consumption. Despite the fantastic ideas engineering it, Loadout struggles to handle its core business: Online multiplayer.



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News::Dota 2 Heropedia: Juggernaut

Heropedia is a look at the many heroes of Dota 2. While the 100+ choices may seem daunting at first, I am here to guide your way through the massive list. Starting with the easiest to learn heroes, this feature will focus on an individuals abilities and general tactics.



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News::Assassins Creed Liberation HD Part Four | Video

Part four of Attack On Gaming's Assassin's Creed Liberation HD playthrough.



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News::Dice Talks About Core Gameplay Tweaks - Items Dice Is Monitoring

In the latest episode of the Battlefield blog posts Dice is talking about new items they are monitoring that we have brought to their attention by giving feedback. Dice is explaining their current thinking on TV missiles, sniper rifles with 12G slugs, the ACE rifle performance, below radar and more.



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News::GP Picks 1-31-14

This week's #GPpicks include #TombRaider, #BrokenAge, #Octodad and #ZeldaALinkToThePast.



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News::The Wolf Among Us Episode 2 finally out next week

Telltale Games has seriously tested the patience of The Wolf Among Us players with the release of the next episode, Smoke & Mirrors. Following the series' debut all the way back in October, Episode 2 is nearly ready for release.


Smoke & Mirrors will first hit PC, Mac, and North American PlayStation Network on Tuesday, February 4 followed by releases on Xbox Live and EU PSN a day later. The iOS version is also dropping next week, though Telltale doesn't have an exact date just yet.


I've thankfully managed to avoid this all by waiting until the entire season run is out before starting.


The Wolf Among Us Episode 2 finally out next week screenshot






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News::"There is definitely potential" for Dark Souls 2 DLC, says From Software

OXM: Namco appears to be reconsidering its decision not to develop any Dark Souls 2 DLC, if comments by producer Takeshi Miyazoe are any indication. It wants fans to make the first moves, however.



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News::Latest 7 Days To Die Update Released But Disappointing

The Fun Pimps today released the latest update for the incredibly popular zombie construction survival MMO 7 Days to Die, but lacking anything really noteworthy. The 6.2 patch of Alpha is now available on the Steam beta network offering players the opportunity to get a sneak peek of whats on the way to the official servers.



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News::Friday Night Fights: SK8 or die!

Look, I make no bones about how old I am. I've never hid my age from anyone and I know my limits. Turning 40, as I recently did, tends to make people feel like, they need to finally grow up, finally become an adult.


To hell with that, I say! Just because I'm getting older doesn't mean I have to stop doing the things I enjoy, no friggin way! I still skate with my friends, I still skate vert ramps with my friends, sure it hurts more the next day but I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.


Same goes for gaming, I may not have as much time as I once did , but I'm not gonna stop any time soon. I've found that, the older I get, the more appreciation I have for the smaller things, I've noticed my likes and dislikes towards gaming have changed, where once I was very vocal about all the hullabaloo in the industry, now I just, sit back and not worry so much. I'd rather spend my time having fun and enjoying myself than sitting around always pissing and moaning about stuff that, has little to no bearing on my life.


Anyway, sorry to rant like that, I just felt like I needed to get that off my chest.


Friday Night Fights: SK8 or die! screenshot


Read more...



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News::Poolseidon Enters The SMITE Battlefield

Hi-Rez Studios today announced the immediate release of the highly anticipated Poolseidon for the increasingly popular free-to-play MOBA game, SMITE. One of the most highly requested skins from the SMITE community sees the popular Poseidon get a complete makeover in both physical appearance and ability animations.



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News::Gabriel Belmont Narrates Two New Trailers for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

Two new trailers for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 were released today, which shows off more action gameplay while Gabriel Belmont narrates.



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News::Sci-fi horror Master Reboot coming to PS3 next month

Don't have a next-gen console yet? Pish posh. Who needs 'em? Especially when the current/previous gen is still getting cool new games. Next month, the psychological sci-fi horror game Master Reboot is coming to PS3. Here's an explanation from Managing Director David Banner:



To house your Soul, a family member (or yourself before you die) purchases an island on the Soul Cloud where the server will generate rooms, houses or skyscrapers that hold each and every memory from the deceased’s past, or of memories of their choosing. The game starts with you being uploaded to the Soul Cloud but something has gone wrong and you wake up on a beach not knowing who or where you are. It’s up to you to explore, solve puzzles and try to piece together your life and death.



If you check out the PlayStation Blog post you'll find more haunting, colorful scenes. The sense of something being not quite right Master Reboot is attempting to instill is a nice alternative to the shock and gore horror sect. Very Lovecraftian in its gaps. The scariest things are the unknown, after all.


Sci-fi horror Master Reboot coming to PS3 next month screenshot






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News::We Talk About 'Heroes of a Broken Land' With Andrew Ellem | Hardcore Gamer

It's not easy making video games, especially when you're a team of one. It also doesn't help if your ambitions are as far-reaching as those in Heroes of a Broken land. You see, Andrew Ellem -- creator of Winged Pixel, developer of Heroes of a Broken Land, designer of graphics, and lover of the finer things in life -- wasn't satisfied with sticking to a single genre. "Nope, that's for the weak," he probably said as he typed up another line of code, taking a sip from his flask. Instead, Andrew opted to meld his various ideas into a single experience, and allow players the freedom of a classic turn-based RPG, dungeon crawler and town management simulator without compromising an ounce of quality.



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News::The Titanfall Limited Edition Guide Includes 3 Custom Lithos

Details released on the three lithographs included with the hardcover Titanfall guide



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News::Kickstarter Hands-On: To The Death | Hardcore Gamer

There's a long way to go on the road to Kickstarter completion, but the prototype shows off some ideas that look like they'd be a lot of fun in an epic flying brawling action-fest.



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News::Mantle renderer now available in Battlefield 4

The new game update for Battlefield 4 brings the Mantle renderer that DICE has developed in conjunction with AMD. With this first release of Mantle, you can expect performance increases in the game if you have the hardware to support it. In this blog post, the Technical Director for Frostbite details this exciting new step for the Battlefield series.



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News::RC racer Ready to Run announced for PS4


Beatshapers, responsible for developing and publishing a stable of PSN releases (Furmins, Jetpack Joyride, Canabalt), just announced its new PS4 game, Ready to Run. They're not taking a brake, not taking their foot off the gas, so buckle up.


The arcade racer is slated for Q2 of 2014 and features 15 different cars for use in online and offline play in one large, single city environment featuring "endless" track configurations.


How about a slot car game? Anyone?


RC racer Ready to Run announced for PS4 screenshot






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News::Kickbeat: Steam Edition Review (PC) | CriticalIndieGamer

Kickbeat is similar in style to Guitar Hero in that the player must press the correct button on the controller, in time. to hit the note (Or in this case, beat up the enemy). Each enemy represents a different type of beat and they usually sync up with the music. Big yellow enemies are single beats, blue ones are half beats and reds attack two at a time simple to learn difficult to master. Gameplay is kept fresh with the inclusion of features points, chi powerups, health powerups and Chi mode which allows you to double your modifier.



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News::Today on Steam: Splinter Cell, Octodad, Serena and more

SteamFirst: Today Steam is offering us a large collection fo new titles as well as discounted games. Have a look below at what our favorite game platform has to offer us.



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News::Rymdkapsel I Expansive DLC

Rymdkapsel (pronounced like Rimmed cop seal) means Space Capsule in Swedish. This game has been haunting Playstation Mobile since May 2013 and followed on other formats a few months later in August 2013. Rymdkapsel has captured the worlds attention and after a few hours play, its easy to see why



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News::The Mims: Beginning Goes into Open Beta

New indie God Game seeks feedback.



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News::Horror Puzzler 'The Lady' Looks Weird (In A Good Way)

Developer Roger Levy, the maker of the upcoming surreal 2D indie horror puzzler The Lady, aims to bring a bunch of different mediums into its weird world, including hand drawn art, photographic environments, stop-motion and an unusual, almost Silent Hill-esque soundtrack. Its the very definition of weird horror.



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News::DayZ Preview [The Reticule]

Jon Armer from The Reticule has succumbed to the hype and has started to play the DayZ. In this preview he details how his first four lives panned out in the game.



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News::Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z Gets New Screenshots and a Hilarious New Instruction Video

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z is a video game that does not take itself seriously in the slightest. As such, not only was a new batch of screenshots released for the game, a promotional poster designed specifically to mimic B-grade movies was revealed, as well as a hysterical instructional-style video on what not to do in the game (complete with cheesy 50s/60s instructional video music).



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News::Evolve Seems Like A Glorious, Terrifying Masterpiece

Justin from Pixel Gate writes: I dont usually allow myself to get too hyped up on a game. It generally leads to me being really bitter about the end product (Colonial Marines, Too Human, etc). However, theres something about Evolves concept, and idea that makes me want to hype it up, but also in the back of mind I have a feeling it will be phenomenal.



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News::Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag - Naval Forts Guide

Bryan Dawson (Prima Games): When you first start playing Assassin's Creed 4, you may notice that you don't see a lot of detail on the map of the sea you're traversing. This is because youve yet to unlock most of the map so you can view all the finer details. There are 10 Naval forts scattered around the map, divided into easy, intermediate and expert difficulty levels. Sack the fort, and you claim that section of the sea, unlocking all of the goodies it holds. With this in mind, here are some strategies for claiming forts in AC4: Black Flag.



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News::Loadout Review | Hardcore Gamer

Hardcore Gamer: Within five minutes of launching Loadout, most of my head was missing. Someone from across the map must have landed an impressive shot, because all I could see was my brain and eyeballs amusingly situated on my tree-trunk of a neck. I wasnt dead, though not even close. I still had my barely scathed, and strangely disproportionate body to rely on. That, and a massive gun that fires lethal streams of electricity. I chased the bastard that sniped me across the map for a good minute before landing a series of shocks into his backside. And as I watched his oversized body convulse in hilarious agony, I suddenly exploded. I was too busy laughing to notice the grenade land between my legs.



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News::Impressions on Dota 2 Patch 6.80 and the New Bloom Festival

IncGamers' Tim McDonald is so excited by the additions in the new Dota 2 patch that he couldn't help but write a thousand words about how much he likes it.



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News::Zynga buys NaturalMotion for $527M, cuts workforce 15%

Zynga has made its first big move under new CEO and former Microsoft head Don Mattrick, acquiring CSR Racing developer NaturalMotion for $527 million. The UK and US-based developer did well for itself with the mobile hit CSR Racing, but is also known for technologies used in big-budget console development, including the Euphoria physics engined licensed and used by Rockstar in Grand Theft Auto IV and V.


Zynga is dropping $391 in cash on the deal and making up the rest with 39.8M Zynga shares, Venture Beat reports. 11.6M shares are going to NaturalMotion employees who are joining Zynga.


Meanwhile, adhering to equivalent exchange, Zynga is once again laying its own people the heck off, to the tune of 314 jobs. That's 15% of its workforce and more jobs cut than the entire 260-person staff at NaturalMotion.


Cutting 15% of its staff is expected to save Zygna $35 million in 2014, which doesn't seem like all that much when you just orchestrated a $527 million acquisition, but that's why I don't wear a moneyhat.


Zynga plans to acquire CSR Racing developer NaturalMotion for $527 million [VentureBeat]

Zynga buys NaturalMotion for $527 million, cuts workforce by 15% [VG 24/7]


Zynga buys NaturalMotion for $527M, cuts workforce 15% screenshot






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News::Iwata: Nintendo 'should abandon old assumptions'

Nintendo CEO Saturo Iwata had more to say following the earlier espoused plans to turn Wii U sales around, which include some mystery, non-wearable fitness advocacy device. Speaking to The Nikkei, as picked up by MCV, Iwata explained, "[W]e've been preoccupied with a fixed idea of what a game should be like. The game industry is at a turning point amid new developments like the rise of smartphones."


Of course, Nintendo has also explained it does not want its games on smart phones, but says, "We'll change the way we sell products, by managing customer information via the Internet. We'll offer discounts to steady, regular customers."


While it's nice to joke about Nintendo thinking that "using the internet" is a dramatic shift, my ears perked up at 'offering discounts to steady customers.' Nintendo is infamously against devaluing its games, leaving its first party software at launch price for years before cuts. It'll be interesting to see what it does with that.


Iwata also said, more generally, "We should abandon old assumptions about our businesses. We are considering M&As as an option. For this reason, we'll step up share buybacks," and explained that the companies previously built up cash reserves have kept them going. "Without savings, we could not have recovered from a single failure in game systems. Even now, we can afford many options because of our robust financial standing."


Nintendo opening up to the idea of mergers and acquisitions to stabilize its business is the most potentially interesting bit in there, though. Maybe they'll be acquired by Sony? (It's a joke, don't kill me)


Nintendo chief: low-price games in emerging markets, M&A an option [Nikkei]


Iwata: Nintendo 'should abandon old assumptions' screenshot






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News::The next generation of EverQuest inches closer with the official launch of the EverQuest Next Landma

News::Dead Space Dead?

6aming's Andy takes a look back at the Dead Space series and wonders whether it can be revived or not.



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News::Heres Your January 30, 2014 Indie Game Bundle Update

This week's Indie Game Bundle Update includes the Blink Bundle Something for Everyone Bundle, Curve Studios Mega Bundle, and 14 other bundles.



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News::CGM Reviews: Broken Age: Act 1

This is a game a lot of people have been waiting for. One of the first ridiculously-successful Kickstarter games, this is certainly the most well-known, putting the model on the map. Its goal was to prove that the adventure game was in demand, and that the nostalgia for Monkey Island and Day of the Tentacle could be recaptured. Tim Schafers history was a huge selling point, and it represented a bold idea for game development where games were funded directly by gamers consumers, even, to drive the point home. After two years and concerns with the delays, its finally out, and it presents a beautiful product.



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News::Dark Lands Kickstarter Campaign includes Vita Base Goal

The Kickstarter campaign for the visually-somber Dark Lands is in full-swing and according to the developers it includes a PlayStation Vita release as part of its base goal.



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News::'A Year With Minecraft' book looks at how Mojang deals with success | Examiner

XMNR: In an industry full of unique personalities and stories Mojang and Marcus Persson stand out of the overwhelming success of Minecraft. The origin story has been told but the continuing saga of the development studio may be even more interesting based on A Year With Minecraft: Behind the Scenes at Mojang from Thomas Arnroth.



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News::Watch Titanfalls Epic Battle Begin in its Newest Trailer (French)

A new trailer for Titanfall has just been released, and even though it is in French, there is no denying that it is a treat to watch. The trailer, entitled The Battle Begins, shows off of some impressive visuals and features soldiers navigating about a battle-torn city on foot and jetpack, navigating past the hulking mechs.



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News::French Titanfall is the best Titanfall


Here's a new trailer for Titanfall, "The Battle Begins." In French!


Now, I know I just said French Titanfall is the best Titanfall, but then I went and looked up language support and I have to rescind that statement.


Italian Titanfall is the best Titanfall. But French Titanfall is the best non-English Titanfall I've been exposed to thus far.


As mechs rip opposing pilots out of their cockpit and thrash them by the leg, tearing every tendon and breaking every bone in their knees, and jetpack clad folks run up walls, I'm struggling to see why so many people are down on Titanfall as more of the same. Looks good to me. And I don't have to play it in English.


French Titanfall is the best Titanfall screenshot






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News::Plague Inc: Evolved set to launch on PC next month

Plague Inc: Evolved will launch through Steam early Access on February 20, initially on PC with Linux and Mac to follow.Infection simulator, Plague Inc managed to get over 25 million downloads on mobile.



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News::EA Not Sure About Microtransactions In Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare

GR - Before getting hands-on with the co-op Garden Ops mode in Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, producer Brian Lindley walked us through the Sticker Shop, an expansive item shop that works a lot like Mass Effect 3's multiplayer ordinance packs, but he wouldn't say if the game will allow for microtransactions where players can pay for packs with real money.



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