Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 10, 2011
New Dark Souls Trailer is Boss
What’s this, a trailer for a game that’s been out for almost a month already? Don’t mind if we do, especially seeing as the game in question is none other than Dark Souls. An antidote to suicide it might not be, but it’s definitely one of the boldest releases in recent times – not to mention completely harrowing. I’m not sure if this here boss-laden trailer is meant to entice or turn off, but if nothing else it definitely underlines Dark Souls’ mission statement: FromSoftware hate you.
Diablo III a No-Mods Land
If Blizzard have their way, Diablo III won’t be moddable in the slightest. Not only are they not supporting user-created mods – ostensibly due to the game’s requirement for an persistent internet connection – but they’re also actively discouraging the idea. Why? Because they just don’t them around. Chatting away with GameFront out of BlizzCon, technical artist Julian Love was adamant that the dev has other goals in mind that will “supersede modding.”
Thứ Ba, 25 tháng 10, 2011
The StarCraft MMO Is Coming Along Nicely
It’s been a while since we saw how the fan-made MMO built on the bones of StarCraft II is looking. So let’s take a look!
Yup. Looking great.
Admittedly, as a man who finds the prospect of playing a traditional MMO as exciting as watching paint… just sit there, on the wall, I love what’s being done here. This is a real-time strategy game that’s being turned into a multiplayer role-playing title. By fans.
Those interested in the game in a more hands-on sense, you’ll be able to play it later today, as it pops up on Battle.net (it’s technically a custom game of SCII, not a standalone entity) until the end of the month.
Yup. Looking great.
Admittedly, as a man who finds the prospect of playing a traditional MMO as exciting as watching paint… just sit there, on the wall, I love what’s being done here. This is a real-time strategy game that’s being turned into a multiplayer role-playing title. By fans.
Those interested in the game in a more hands-on sense, you’ll be able to play it later today, as it pops up on Battle.net (it’s technically a custom game of SCII, not a standalone entity) until the end of the month.
Call Of Duty: Elite Shutting Down Today. Only For A Bit.
In preparation for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launch, the beta for Call of Duty: Elite, Activision’s new social network and stat-tracking service, is going offline later today.
According to an official release, Activision and Beachhead Studio are shutting down the Elite beta at 3pm EST (5am AEDT). Before MW3 and Elite‘s launch, the following sections have been closed: Connect, Compete and Improve.
The Career page, however, will open shortly as will the Black Ops stats.
Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Elite launch on November 8.
According to an official release, Activision and Beachhead Studio are shutting down the Elite beta at 3pm EST (5am AEDT). Before MW3 and Elite‘s launch, the following sections have been closed: Connect, Compete and Improve.
The Career page, however, will open shortly as will the Black Ops stats.
Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Elite launch on November 8.
Sega Now Location Testing Toilets
Remember Toirettsu? It’s a toilet, outfitted with mini-games. As Sega Toys pointed out, “You’re able to game with pee!” Finally!
The contraption is outfitted with mini-games, and there is a sensor that can apparently measure the speed of one’s urine stream. Some of the mini-games include erasing graffiti with a hose (with your pee), causing wind to blow under a women’s skirt (yes, with pee) and a “bukkake battle” in which on-screen players shoot milk from their nose (pee, pee, pee!).
As of last winter, Toirettsu was still under development. Today, Sega announced that Japanese restaurant chain Yoronotaki will be installing Toirettsu at 40 of its restaurants. The location test will feature two mini-games for men to urinate on.
Sega Toys plans on selling the Toirettsu later this year, but for the time being, Toirettsu will dribble out at select locations in Japan.
The contraption is outfitted with mini-games, and there is a sensor that can apparently measure the speed of one’s urine stream. Some of the mini-games include erasing graffiti with a hose (with your pee), causing wind to blow under a women’s skirt (yes, with pee) and a “bukkake battle” in which on-screen players shoot milk from their nose (pee, pee, pee!).
As of last winter, Toirettsu was still under development. Today, Sega announced that Japanese restaurant chain Yoronotaki will be installing Toirettsu at 40 of its restaurants. The location test will feature two mini-games for men to urinate on.
Sega Toys plans on selling the Toirettsu later this year, but for the time being, Toirettsu will dribble out at select locations in Japan.
From Yale To Persia: Private Diaries Of Gaming’s Renaissance Man
In 1985 Jordon Mechner was a student at Yale riding high on a mix of euphoria over the surprise success of his first video game, Karateka, and trepidation over the idea of turning that success into a career.
Trading the east coast for the west landed him in the thick of a game industry beginning to realise the potential of the medium. Mechner’s journey from college student to Prince of Persia creator captures they birth of not just an influential video game, but of the industry. Fortunately, Mechner kept a diary. Below you will find a chapter from his eight-year chronicle of life as a developer and the birth of Prince of Persia reprinted with Mechner’s permission. Enjoy. – Ed’s Note
September 10, 1986
[San Francisco ] “I thought you were the pizza man,” Tomi said when she opened the door to the Baker Street apartment and saw me there at the top of the steep steps with my two bags.
Now I’m reclining in luxury in one of their new armchairs, listening to Maurizio Pollini play Chopin preludes on their new CD player. There’s a stunning view of San Francisco Bay out the windows that makes my stomach contract every time I look at it.
Did I mention that I’m scared? Getting a ride to work this morning with Tomi, pulling into the Broderbund parking lot — that was scary.
Now that the day’s over and it’s clear that I had nothing to be scared of, I’m not scared any more — I’m terrified. I’m scared shitless.
I have to rent a car. I have to drive it. On these insane twelve-lane racetracks they call freeways. I have to find an apartment and rent it. I have to move in. I have to buy a car. I have to buy insurance. I’ve never done any of this stuff before… and now I have to do it all at once.
And on top of this — or rather, at the bottom of it — I have to make a computer game.
It’s gonna be fun.
September 11, 1986
Visited Danny Gorlin. He’s sunk more money into developing the development system to end all development systems. Saw the final version of Airheart. It’s got some staggering special effects and it’s no fun at all to play.
Danny thinks spending a million bucks on a development system will give him an edge. He might be right. But the best Apple games have been developed on a plain Apple II with two disk drives. Lucasfilm spent a million bucks to make Rescue on Fractalus and Ball Blazer, and those games aren’t significantly better than, or different from, the competition. The real strides forward — Raster Blaster, Choplifter, (what the hell) Karateka — were the work of solo programmers with no special resources.
Maybe Danny is leading game design into the 21st century. Maybe he’s just flushing money down the toilet.
Trading the east coast for the west landed him in the thick of a game industry beginning to realise the potential of the medium. Mechner’s journey from college student to Prince of Persia creator captures they birth of not just an influential video game, but of the industry. Fortunately, Mechner kept a diary. Below you will find a chapter from his eight-year chronicle of life as a developer and the birth of Prince of Persia reprinted with Mechner’s permission. Enjoy. – Ed’s Note
September 10, 1986
[San Francisco ] “I thought you were the pizza man,” Tomi said when she opened the door to the Baker Street apartment and saw me there at the top of the steep steps with my two bags.
Now I’m reclining in luxury in one of their new armchairs, listening to Maurizio Pollini play Chopin preludes on their new CD player. There’s a stunning view of San Francisco Bay out the windows that makes my stomach contract every time I look at it.
Did I mention that I’m scared? Getting a ride to work this morning with Tomi, pulling into the Broderbund parking lot — that was scary.
Now that the day’s over and it’s clear that I had nothing to be scared of, I’m not scared any more — I’m terrified. I’m scared shitless.
I have to rent a car. I have to drive it. On these insane twelve-lane racetracks they call freeways. I have to find an apartment and rent it. I have to move in. I have to buy a car. I have to buy insurance. I’ve never done any of this stuff before… and now I have to do it all at once.
And on top of this — or rather, at the bottom of it — I have to make a computer game.
It’s gonna be fun.
September 11, 1986
Visited Danny Gorlin. He’s sunk more money into developing the development system to end all development systems. Saw the final version of Airheart. It’s got some staggering special effects and it’s no fun at all to play.
Danny thinks spending a million bucks on a development system will give him an edge. He might be right. But the best Apple games have been developed on a plain Apple II with two disk drives. Lucasfilm spent a million bucks to make Rescue on Fractalus and Ball Blazer, and those games aren’t significantly better than, or different from, the competition. The real strides forward — Raster Blaster, Choplifter, (what the hell) Karateka — were the work of solo programmers with no special resources.
Maybe Danny is leading game design into the 21st century. Maybe he’s just flushing money down the toilet.
Chủ Nhật, 23 tháng 10, 2011
Ultima Creator’s House For Sale For A Cool $4 Mil
Richard Garriott, the Ultima creator and space tourist believed to be the only private citizen to own property on an extraterrestrial body, is selling real estate here on Earth. For about $US4 mil you may claim the stately Texas manor owned by Lord British.
According to KUT-TV of Austin, Texas, Garriott’s “captivating and magical” estate is listed by RE/MAX (TM) and features a 3,000 acre preserve and an “off the grid energy realm,” whatever the fuck that means. The manor features an observatory, grotto, waterfall and lagoon.
Need more information? The estate has its own Wikipedia entry.
Buy Richard Garriott’s Home for $US4 Million [KUT-TV via Game Informer.]
According to KUT-TV of Austin, Texas, Garriott’s “captivating and magical” estate is listed by RE/MAX (TM) and features a 3,000 acre preserve and an “off the grid energy realm,” whatever the fuck that means. The manor features an observatory, grotto, waterfall and lagoon.
Need more information? The estate has its own Wikipedia entry.
Buy Richard Garriott’s Home for $US4 Million [KUT-TV via Game Informer.]
Get your PC ready for Battlefield 3
There aren’t many game launches which get people looking at their PC and wondering if it’s powerful enough. But the seemingly high system specs of Battlefield 3 have got a lot of us suddenly concerned about the state of our hardware.
With just one weekend to go until it’s released, it’s time to face the question: do you need to upgrade for Battlefield 3?
Confession time: I didn’t get enough hands on time with the beta to do reliable benchmarking, but since there’s a day one patch and new graphics drivers already confirmed, even if I had it wouldn’t mean much. If you do want to see a very thorough analysis of graphics card performance in the beta, though, I can recommend Ryan from PC Perspective‘s work comparing 10 different chips at a range of settings here.
What I can say is that I think a lot of concerns will turn out unfounded. It ran flawlessly at Ultra settings on my generation old Radeon HD5870 from 2009. That was backed up by an embarrassingly good CPU, mind you.
Then again, perhaps I’m in the minority in thinking that. According to a report on IGN a couple of days ago, Battlefield 3 has already resulted in $1bn of PC sales and upgrades in the last year. I’m a little sceptical about that figure – NVIDIA’s last three month sales figure are good, but only $100m more in GPUs than last year.
With just one weekend to go until it’s released, it’s time to face the question: do you need to upgrade for Battlefield 3?
Confession time: I didn’t get enough hands on time with the beta to do reliable benchmarking, but since there’s a day one patch and new graphics drivers already confirmed, even if I had it wouldn’t mean much. If you do want to see a very thorough analysis of graphics card performance in the beta, though, I can recommend Ryan from PC Perspective‘s work comparing 10 different chips at a range of settings here.
What I can say is that I think a lot of concerns will turn out unfounded. It ran flawlessly at Ultra settings on my generation old Radeon HD5870 from 2009. That was backed up by an embarrassingly good CPU, mind you.
Then again, perhaps I’m in the minority in thinking that. According to a report on IGN a couple of days ago, Battlefield 3 has already resulted in $1bn of PC sales and upgrades in the last year. I’m a little sceptical about that figure – NVIDIA’s last three month sales figure are good, but only $100m more in GPUs than last year.
Get Diablo III for free…by renewing your WarCraft vows
It's a pretty shrewd move by Blizzard, who have watched WarCraft subscription numbers steadily decline over the past year or so, a result of competing free-to-play alternatives and waning interest in the seven year-old role-playing giant. It gets a big boost with each new expansion, however; last year's Cataclysm expansion sold over 3 million copies in its first 24 hours of availability, a PC game record.
Giving away a game of Diablo III's stature is pretty amazing stuff, though Blizzard has yet to announce pricing for the year-long commitment. Currently, one month of WoW runs $15. Stretch that to a year and you're looking at $180. Not exactly a great deal for two video games -- unless you're one of the millions of WoW faithful who have been happily raiding dungeons at that price all along.
Giving away a game of Diablo III's stature is pretty amazing stuff, though Blizzard has yet to announce pricing for the year-long commitment. Currently, one month of WoW runs $15. Stretch that to a year and you're looking at $180. Not exactly a great deal for two video games -- unless you're one of the millions of WoW faithful who have been happily raiding dungeons at that price all along.
Thứ Bảy, 22 tháng 10, 2011
Nick Jr., MTVN expand in Asia
Rugrats and music fans in Singapore and Malaysia will be able to tune in to “Dora the Explorer” and 24-hour music videos, docus and concerts with the launch of Viacom’s Nick Jr. and MTVN HD in the territories in coming weeks.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nick Jr Games. will bow on Singapore’s Starhub from May 18, while MTVN HD will air on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s HyppTV in Malaysia from June 1.
Nick Jr. will be available on the StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group, while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group.
TM will offer the two channels a la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest pay TV service.
The services will roll out to the rest of the region at a date to be announced.
Nintendo abandoned the Hardcore Gamer? Thats BS and other Rantings - Perspective of an Old Schooler
Now over the years Ive seen things come and go... Atari lynx, Sega Gamegear, the Dreamcast. Nintendo losing the title of King to Sony during the n64 to gamecube years and the emergence of Microsoft with the Xbox.
If there is one thing that hasn't changed... It is that Nintendo is an extraordinary company. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo doesn't have extra resources or other branches of tech that they can get money from. The Money is exclusively coming form the one thing they focus on: Gaming.
Nintendo is probably the only gaming company in existence to have proven that they can survive and profit exclusively from their 1st party games.
now before I go praising Nintendo any further... I will admit I am a fanboy for Nintendo. But not really for the company itself. Only for one IP: Fire Emblem. Why? Its due to that it is that great a game. Give me an option between any game u can think of vs a Fire Emblem game and I'll choose the FE game every time. Now unto the point of this Rant before I derail myself any further.
The Hardcore Gamer... Too many times this term has been blurred and how do I say this...? Slandered to different meanings that not many people agree on 100%. For some its playing Call of Duty. For others its about owning one of the HD twins the PS3 or the Xbox 360. For others it could be that playing M+ games whilst ignoring games like Mario, Kirby, DK, or any E rated game makes one hardcore and lol "Grownup" (LMAO being Grown Up is about being mature and I see nothing but immature and childish concerning this version of hardcore.)
None of that is hardcore that is bullshit. Any REAL gamer knows this to be true. What is a hardcore gamer? for me its being someone that can complete a game no matter what Genre, ESRB rating, or difficulty the game may be. Hardcore wud be someone who really doesn't give a shit about these so called console wars. Why? Because real Hardcore gamers get all the available consoles and not play favourites. This sadly Rules me out of being hardcore as I favor Fire Emblem and because Fire Emblem belongs to Nintendo I favor Nintendo above all else.
Now why am I making such distinctions of what hardcore is? Don't worry this is very much related to the main point. Having said all this about the hardcore, These "fake" hardcore seem to to think Nintendo has wronged them. Bringing on the Wii and its Motion Controls, Sub par 480p graphics, no AA nor Upscale, no HDMI, no Blu Ray, Finally gone to DVD only when it became obsolete and inferior. Kiddy games, not enough Exclusives, no Original IPs (which this one the complaint is rightly grounded as they do need new IPs), the rehashing of Old franchises, etc. But Most of all, the so called Betrayal that Nintendo went to the darkside by aiming for a non existent market which is now known as the casual market. These fakers think that Nintendo abandoned the hardcore gamer for these casual sheep. How retarded are you people.
I find it pretty sad that people still think that Nintendo abandoned the "hardcore gamer" when it was that same audience that abandoned Nintendo all those years ago. Starting with the n64 was when the so called "hardcore" left and went to the PS1. Sales weren't great but the best game ever came out on n64 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Though my personal choice be Majora's Mask). then came PS2 and GameCube. Granted the GC did look like a lunchbox but i actually liked it especially the "handle" as it makes carrying it much easier whilst at the time ps2 didn't have its slim version and was clunkier. GameCube had more power than ps2, only limited by Nintendo's refusal to adopt dvd and instead went for propriety minidvd. Had Nintendo gone with dvd this gen would have been completely different.
The n64 and GC era showed Nintendo that the hardcore don't give a shit about Nintendo anymore. Nintendo then did what they had to do: just as the hardcore ignored the Big N, Nintendo would ignore the hardcore back. Nintendo then decided to go for a new market that would give Nintendo attention and this gen is the result of that. Whilst the hardcore were all at Sony or ms side, the new gamers aka the casuals started by the masses, siding with Nintendo, and returning Nintendo to its Rightful spot in the world: King of the Gaming Industry aka 1st place as it should be.
Now whether the casuals will go to MS's Kinect will be another topic altogether but nevertheless, There are haters of Nintendo for this reason: going casual. These fake hardcore haters, whom may I add are the scum of the gaming industry, blame Nintendo for this motion gen and bash Nintendo whenever it feels appropriate for anything which is no less than trolling. Not once they thought it was their fault. Well as a keen observer I can guarantee you that is definitely those fakers own fault for the way Nintendo is currently. For those who still bitch about casual Nintendo for those who call themselves hardcore yet bash Nintendo, know that the reason why the wii is a "casual device" and that Nintendo went casual that you forced them into that position. Ye who think Nintendo abandon thee has it wrong its the other way around! Ye abandoned Nintendo!
Why does thou bitch so much when it is your doing that Nintendo is this way. Hypocrites and Double Standarding Scumbags... Scourge of the Industry.
Am I disappointed with the way Nintendo currently is right now? Contrary to this rant Hell no. If it hadn't gone this way... We would not have seen Mario Galaxy, or Kirby Epic yarn. No remake of Goldeneye, No DKCR, No Wiimote, No to alot of things that are great and what makes the Wii a great console to own. I played Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn for Wii and I finished the game Completely Satisfied as if Nintendo knew how to make sure I enjoy the game. So There. Done. Thats why I don't see any wrong with Nintendo going casual and you know what? It's probably for the best. I mean without the Wii's great sales, where else would Nintendo get the money for Devving the 3DS and Wii2 without relying on 1st party sales? Once again Nintendo only does Gaming they have nothing else to fall back on. So as I sit back contemplating to purchase a Virtual Boy as I found a working condition virtual boy from a tip by a good friend of mine while typing this... Currently I enjoy what Nintendo has to offer. For me they haven't changed. You kids say they went casual? Say what you want but the games they release remain top notch and make most PS3 or 360 seem pitiful in comparison.
If there is one thing that hasn't changed... It is that Nintendo is an extraordinary company. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo doesn't have extra resources or other branches of tech that they can get money from. The Money is exclusively coming form the one thing they focus on: Gaming.
Nintendo is probably the only gaming company in existence to have proven that they can survive and profit exclusively from their 1st party games.
now before I go praising Nintendo any further... I will admit I am a fanboy for Nintendo. But not really for the company itself. Only for one IP: Fire Emblem. Why? Its due to that it is that great a game. Give me an option between any game u can think of vs a Fire Emblem game and I'll choose the FE game every time. Now unto the point of this Rant before I derail myself any further.
The Hardcore Gamer... Too many times this term has been blurred and how do I say this...? Slandered to different meanings that not many people agree on 100%. For some its playing Call of Duty. For others its about owning one of the HD twins the PS3 or the Xbox 360. For others it could be that playing M+ games whilst ignoring games like Mario, Kirby, DK, or any E rated game makes one hardcore and lol "Grownup" (LMAO being Grown Up is about being mature and I see nothing but immature and childish concerning this version of hardcore.)
None of that is hardcore that is bullshit. Any REAL gamer knows this to be true. What is a hardcore gamer? for me its being someone that can complete a game no matter what Genre, ESRB rating, or difficulty the game may be. Hardcore wud be someone who really doesn't give a shit about these so called console wars. Why? Because real Hardcore gamers get all the available consoles and not play favourites. This sadly Rules me out of being hardcore as I favor Fire Emblem and because Fire Emblem belongs to Nintendo I favor Nintendo above all else.
Now why am I making such distinctions of what hardcore is? Don't worry this is very much related to the main point. Having said all this about the hardcore, These "fake" hardcore seem to to think Nintendo has wronged them. Bringing on the Wii and its Motion Controls, Sub par 480p graphics, no AA nor Upscale, no HDMI, no Blu Ray, Finally gone to DVD only when it became obsolete and inferior. Kiddy games, not enough Exclusives, no Original IPs (which this one the complaint is rightly grounded as they do need new IPs), the rehashing of Old franchises, etc. But Most of all, the so called Betrayal that Nintendo went to the darkside by aiming for a non existent market which is now known as the casual market. These fakers think that Nintendo abandoned the hardcore gamer for these casual sheep. How retarded are you people.
I find it pretty sad that people still think that Nintendo abandoned the "hardcore gamer" when it was that same audience that abandoned Nintendo all those years ago. Starting with the n64 was when the so called "hardcore" left and went to the PS1. Sales weren't great but the best game ever came out on n64 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Though my personal choice be Majora's Mask). then came PS2 and GameCube. Granted the GC did look like a lunchbox but i actually liked it especially the "handle" as it makes carrying it much easier whilst at the time ps2 didn't have its slim version and was clunkier. GameCube had more power than ps2, only limited by Nintendo's refusal to adopt dvd and instead went for propriety minidvd. Had Nintendo gone with dvd this gen would have been completely different.
The n64 and GC era showed Nintendo that the hardcore don't give a shit about Nintendo anymore. Nintendo then did what they had to do: just as the hardcore ignored the Big N, Nintendo would ignore the hardcore back. Nintendo then decided to go for a new market that would give Nintendo attention and this gen is the result of that. Whilst the hardcore were all at Sony or ms side, the new gamers aka the casuals started by the masses, siding with Nintendo, and returning Nintendo to its Rightful spot in the world: King of the Gaming Industry aka 1st place as it should be.
Now whether the casuals will go to MS's Kinect will be another topic altogether but nevertheless, There are haters of Nintendo for this reason: going casual. These fake hardcore haters, whom may I add are the scum of the gaming industry, blame Nintendo for this motion gen and bash Nintendo whenever it feels appropriate for anything which is no less than trolling. Not once they thought it was their fault. Well as a keen observer I can guarantee you that is definitely those fakers own fault for the way Nintendo is currently. For those who still bitch about casual Nintendo for those who call themselves hardcore yet bash Nintendo, know that the reason why the wii is a "casual device" and that Nintendo went casual that you forced them into that position. Ye who think Nintendo abandon thee has it wrong its the other way around! Ye abandoned Nintendo!
Why does thou bitch so much when it is your doing that Nintendo is this way. Hypocrites and Double Standarding Scumbags... Scourge of the Industry.
Am I disappointed with the way Nintendo currently is right now? Contrary to this rant Hell no. If it hadn't gone this way... We would not have seen Mario Galaxy, or Kirby Epic yarn. No remake of Goldeneye, No DKCR, No Wiimote, No to alot of things that are great and what makes the Wii a great console to own. I played Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn for Wii and I finished the game Completely Satisfied as if Nintendo knew how to make sure I enjoy the game. So There. Done. Thats why I don't see any wrong with Nintendo going casual and you know what? It's probably for the best. I mean without the Wii's great sales, where else would Nintendo get the money for Devving the 3DS and Wii2 without relying on 1st party sales? Once again Nintendo only does Gaming they have nothing else to fall back on. So as I sit back contemplating to purchase a Virtual Boy as I found a working condition virtual boy from a tip by a good friend of mine while typing this... Currently I enjoy what Nintendo has to offer. For me they haven't changed. You kids say they went casual? Say what you want but the games they release remain top notch and make most PS3 or 360 seem pitiful in comparison.
3 methods of reviewing that need to die.
3.The IGN scoring Method.
Example: Graphics 8. Sound 8. Presentation 7. Gameplay 6. Lasting Appeal 8. Final score:10 PERFECT GAME!. While that may be just a little exaggerated, IGN's scoring system is based on scoring the game's attributes then throwing in a number that has little to no relation to the aforementioned attributes. One game that has received the short end of the stick from this arbitrary scoring method is lair. When you average the scores together, you should get a final score of 6.7 but the final score is a 4.9.
A more recent example is the score of Call of Duty Black ops. When averaged together, you get a score of 8.8 and because of the new scale that only allows either a .0 or a .5 at the end of the number, this should round off to a 9.0. But IGN shows thier inability to perform 3rd grade sounding and round backwards instead, making Black ops lose .5 points. So in short, IGN writers seems to suffer from a mathematical disability and this has been causing games to get screwed for years.
How to fix this:Buy a calculator.
2.The G4 reviewing system.
X-play is the most popular reviewer that uses a highly flawed 5 star system to rank games. The problem with this scoring method is that a game can only be a mediocre game or a perfect game based on this system as shown below
1/5=20% or 2/10
2/5=40% or 4/10
3/5=60% or 6/10
4/5=80% or 8/10
5/5=100% or 10/10
So the problem is that unless you want to insult a game that you liked, you have to give it a perfect score every time. This is why G4TV pretty much hands away free 5 star scores to every game that either plays decently or has a great amount of hype to it. There is simply not enough room for choice here. Its either all or nothing for a game on X-Play.
How to fix-Switch to a superior 10 point system.
1. The no score system.
This is mostly used by bloggers or small time websites that have no idea what the hell they are doing. The reviewer types a few giant paragraphs or two and that is it. No score. No nothing. While some may argue that games shouldn't have a number stuck on them, this is really the only way to review a game. Numbers will always mean the same thing, but words can be interpreted in a million different ways. Someone could read a no score review and think it was a positive review while somebody else could read it and think the review was negative. If you want your review to be clearly understood, score the game!
Example: Graphics 8. Sound 8. Presentation 7. Gameplay 6. Lasting Appeal 8. Final score:10 PERFECT GAME!. While that may be just a little exaggerated, IGN's scoring system is based on scoring the game's attributes then throwing in a number that has little to no relation to the aforementioned attributes. One game that has received the short end of the stick from this arbitrary scoring method is lair. When you average the scores together, you should get a final score of 6.7 but the final score is a 4.9.
A more recent example is the score of Call of Duty Black ops. When averaged together, you get a score of 8.8 and because of the new scale that only allows either a .0 or a .5 at the end of the number, this should round off to a 9.0. But IGN shows thier inability to perform 3rd grade sounding and round backwards instead, making Black ops lose .5 points. So in short, IGN writers seems to suffer from a mathematical disability and this has been causing games to get screwed for years.
How to fix this:Buy a calculator.
2.The G4 reviewing system.
X-play is the most popular reviewer that uses a highly flawed 5 star system to rank games. The problem with this scoring method is that a game can only be a mediocre game or a perfect game based on this system as shown below
1/5=20% or 2/10
2/5=40% or 4/10
3/5=60% or 6/10
4/5=80% or 8/10
5/5=100% or 10/10
So the problem is that unless you want to insult a game that you liked, you have to give it a perfect score every time. This is why G4TV pretty much hands away free 5 star scores to every game that either plays decently or has a great amount of hype to it. There is simply not enough room for choice here. Its either all or nothing for a game on X-Play.
How to fix-Switch to a superior 10 point system.
1. The no score system.
This is mostly used by bloggers or small time websites that have no idea what the hell they are doing. The reviewer types a few giant paragraphs or two and that is it. No score. No nothing. While some may argue that games shouldn't have a number stuck on them, this is really the only way to review a game. Numbers will always mean the same thing, but words can be interpreted in a million different ways. Someone could read a no score review and think it was a positive review while somebody else could read it and think the review was negative. If you want your review to be clearly understood, score the game!
Thứ Năm, 20 tháng 10, 2011
MAG: The Top 10 Things We Love and Hate About Snipers
Being an effective sniper in any FPS is a defining characteristic of a gamer. Certainly we all have that one friend who is so good at sniping it boggles your mind. How they rack up 50+ kills and 0 deaths is completely beyond you. Maybe you're one of those lucky few exceptionally gifted at subtle, quick, and swift joystick motions, with the impeccable ability to lead your prey from extreme distances. If you are, then you know how gratuitously satisfying it is. Perhaps you aren't aware however, that your victims loathe you with the most purest form of divine hatred. We will now tally off the top 10 reasons what we like best about picking you off, and why you get immense joy out of killing us.
Sniper vs sniper combat:
"I know he's in there, I see the f***er shooting. Why can't I hit him? Wtf?!" Alright, I'll just lean in closer to the tv, see if I can see a pixel move or something... "Gah, wtf, how did he see me, I can't even see him, I was looking right there!
Sitting Ducks:
Nothing says "yeah motherf***er, got you and all your butt buddies, what you gonna snipe now?" like sneaking up behind a whole row of 5 or 6 opposing snipers and thrusting your shotgun into each of their blind sides.
I didn't say you could get back up:
It may seem cruel to purposely snipe someone in the chest, so you can incapacitate them, instead of kill them completely just to snipe them again when they get res'd by a teammate, and again, and again, and again. My personal record is 5.
The more the merrier:
Even the most calmest of snipers may find themselves hesitating to shoot when they are peering down the scope at a rather large group of enemies. Usually we have to pick out the best shots, we're not used to so many targets at once. "Holy sh**! What do I do? They're everywhere!" Dude, shoot!
Helpless:
The primary cause of broken tvs and controllers: Getting sniped more than 3 times in a row while trying to land your parachute.
The anti-sniper:
You take full advantage of the knowledge that no matter how many times you snipe a sniper, some of them will continue to go back into the same exact spot every single time. Some people never learn.
Super spawn camper:
Everyone hates campers, even campers hate campers. Cause no camper likes being camped. Snipers, who camp your spawn 150m away, scope affixed to the door which you and all your teammates spawn in are hated in the highest regard.
Hehehe:
You know that feeling. The one you get when the +5 appears on your screen because of that claymore you set on a popular snipers perch. I do.
Fatal position:
It's a snipers dream. You shoot the enemy once, and out of panic, they dive prone to the ground, head pointed directly towards you. They might as well just commit suicide.
Insult to injury:
The ultimate 1-up. Sneak up behind a sniper, using the new screenshot feature, snap one of your barrel in the back of his head, and send it to them. Then kill him.
Sniper vs sniper combat:
"I know he's in there, I see the f***er shooting. Why can't I hit him? Wtf?!" Alright, I'll just lean in closer to the tv, see if I can see a pixel move or something... "Gah, wtf, how did he see me, I can't even see him, I was looking right there!
Sitting Ducks:
Nothing says "yeah motherf***er, got you and all your butt buddies, what you gonna snipe now?" like sneaking up behind a whole row of 5 or 6 opposing snipers and thrusting your shotgun into each of their blind sides.
I didn't say you could get back up:
It may seem cruel to purposely snipe someone in the chest, so you can incapacitate them, instead of kill them completely just to snipe them again when they get res'd by a teammate, and again, and again, and again. My personal record is 5.
The more the merrier:
Even the most calmest of snipers may find themselves hesitating to shoot when they are peering down the scope at a rather large group of enemies. Usually we have to pick out the best shots, we're not used to so many targets at once. "Holy sh**! What do I do? They're everywhere!" Dude, shoot!
Helpless:
The primary cause of broken tvs and controllers: Getting sniped more than 3 times in a row while trying to land your parachute.
The anti-sniper:
You take full advantage of the knowledge that no matter how many times you snipe a sniper, some of them will continue to go back into the same exact spot every single time. Some people never learn.
Super spawn camper:
Everyone hates campers, even campers hate campers. Cause no camper likes being camped. Snipers, who camp your spawn 150m away, scope affixed to the door which you and all your teammates spawn in are hated in the highest regard.
Hehehe:
You know that feeling. The one you get when the +5 appears on your screen because of that claymore you set on a popular snipers perch. I do.
Fatal position:
It's a snipers dream. You shoot the enemy once, and out of panic, they dive prone to the ground, head pointed directly towards you. They might as well just commit suicide.
Insult to injury:
The ultimate 1-up. Sneak up behind a sniper, using the new screenshot feature, snap one of your barrel in the back of his head, and send it to them. Then kill him.
TRINITY: SOULS OF ZILL O'll PS3 Demo Playthrough
Hey everyone this is the playthrough of Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll. It's an ok game. but definetly needs a bit of work. its a hack and slash with a few RPG elements. Anyway take a look and let me know how you feel about this game.
Resistance 3 Impressions--Am I the only one?
Am I the only one who is a little upset about the recent gameplay footage floating around from Resistance 3? Hold on before you "WTFuXORS!", don't get me wrong, the game looked absolutely beautiful. It just didn't look like Resistance, it looked like Killzone with Chimera. And to all the people saying it does look like Killzone and liking this, are huge hypocrites.
When it comes to Killzone, fans love the feeling, look, and art design behind it. They will give you a lingual lashing if they even hear about anything CODish going into the game, because they want Killzone to have it's own identity. So why then do I feel Resistance has lost it's identity from the gameplay footage?
They even took the red hit box straight out of Killzone. And Resistance now has a true ADS, which angers me in some sense with some of the comments I seen on an article. Where people said "Resistance always had ADS" proving to me that most people putting their input on franchises similar to this one are not true fans of the game.
Resistance's ADS was never a true ADS, it was more of a "zoom" mode where there was still a corsair since Resistance is more of an arcadey game. Which is one of the several reasons why I was so fond of Resistance. It had it's own identity, a dying breed in my opinion in that before FPS's usually had their own play style, etc.
Point of all this, is I'd like my Killzone to be Killzone and my Resistance to be Resistance. Not one of the same, if I want to play a realistic shooter I'll pop in Killzone, if I want an arcadey halo-style game I'll pop in Resistance. They may have brought back the weapon wheel (yay!) but it looks like they completely dumped their art style and gameplay.
Another thing that worries me is the graphics, I mean holy crap did it look fan-freakin'-tastic, but is the graphics going to be able to handle the huge scale battles the resistance games are known for? Or are they dropping the huge scale for a more in your face type of gameplay? If so, I personally would of liked this game to be more of a spin off game rather than a full fledged sequel. Again making my case for not feeling and/or looking like Resistance.
If they put Helghast in that video I would of thought it was Killzone with no hesitation.
There may not be another Zynga game in which Energy is more important than in Adventure World. Every switch thrown, every puzzle solved and beastie whacked costs you the Facebook game juice. Players often find themselves without Energy minutes into an Expedition. But this isn't the time for whining--it's time to show you the value of upgrading your Tools and how to do it.
Tools: The Game Changer
If you noticed, each piece of debris and monster has a life bar, and normally take multiple hits with your Whip or Machete to whittle down. This, of course, quickly becomes a waste in later Expeditions purely due to the amount of obstacles in your path. But increasing the amount of damage your various Tools inflict against said baddies could considerably reduce the Energy spend in-game.
For instance, say a Snake has three hit points and is Level 5. Since monsters can hit back in this game, it could take three to five Energy before an enemy goes down. Now, imagine if you had upgraded your Whip to Level 2. Offing that Snake would take just two to four Energy with a beefier Whip. The same situation applies to Tools like the Machete.
Adventure World Tool Shop inside
And Now For Your How-To
Adventure World Tool Shop outsideUpgrading your Tools in Adventure World is simple. All you need to do is head back to Base Camp from an Expedition, and look for a makeshift hut that should already be in place in your headquarters. When you click on the Tool Shop, a window will appear featuring all the Tools you've found thus far on your journeys. Click on the Tool you wish to upgrade.
Once you click on a Tool to upgrade, you'll notice that each Tool costs Coins to upgrade. That's it--no asking friends to help you out with materials or farming certain crops for special items. Just the goods you find during your travels in search of El Dorado. However, Coins are actually quite rare in this game, so you'll need to save and spend wisely.
When you have enough Coins for an upgrade, just click on the appropriate icon to pay up. Tool upgrades are also level-locked, meaning you must reach a certain level for most Tools before being able to upgrade them using Coins. If you're feeling impatient, you could always unlock access to those higher level Tools early using Adventure Cash.
Just One Small Catch...
However, some Tool upgrades do require an extra boost: your Tool Shop. Yes, the building itself can be upgraded, too. And this time, you will need items from your friends. (Just think of how things work in CityVille.) Luckily, you only have to do this about twice to unlock access to all of the game's Tools. Then, it's back onto leveling up to access new upgrades for Coins.
Adventure World Tool Shop Upgrade
Upgraded Tools are hands-down the way to go, if you want to save precious Energy for the good stuff, that is. You know, exploring ... uncovering the secrets of El Dorado? That kind of stuff. Your wallet might thank us later.
Click here to find all of our Adventure World Tips in one spot >
[Source: Zynga]
Have you upgraded your Tools in Adventure World yet? What other Energy-saving tips might you have for your fellow adventurers? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
When it comes to Killzone, fans love the feeling, look, and art design behind it. They will give you a lingual lashing if they even hear about anything CODish going into the game, because they want Killzone to have it's own identity. So why then do I feel Resistance has lost it's identity from the gameplay footage?
They even took the red hit box straight out of Killzone. And Resistance now has a true ADS, which angers me in some sense with some of the comments I seen on an article. Where people said "Resistance always had ADS" proving to me that most people putting their input on franchises similar to this one are not true fans of the game.
Resistance's ADS was never a true ADS, it was more of a "zoom" mode where there was still a corsair since Resistance is more of an arcadey game. Which is one of the several reasons why I was so fond of Resistance. It had it's own identity, a dying breed in my opinion in that before FPS's usually had their own play style, etc.
Point of all this, is I'd like my Killzone to be Killzone and my Resistance to be Resistance. Not one of the same, if I want to play a realistic shooter I'll pop in Killzone, if I want an arcadey halo-style game I'll pop in Resistance. They may have brought back the weapon wheel (yay!) but it looks like they completely dumped their art style and gameplay.
Another thing that worries me is the graphics, I mean holy crap did it look fan-freakin'-tastic, but is the graphics going to be able to handle the huge scale battles the resistance games are known for? Or are they dropping the huge scale for a more in your face type of gameplay? If so, I personally would of liked this game to be more of a spin off game rather than a full fledged sequel. Again making my case for not feeling and/or looking like Resistance.
If they put Helghast in that video I would of thought it was Killzone with no hesitation.
There may not be another Zynga game in which Energy is more important than in Adventure World. Every switch thrown, every puzzle solved and beastie whacked costs you the Facebook game juice. Players often find themselves without Energy minutes into an Expedition. But this isn't the time for whining--it's time to show you the value of upgrading your Tools and how to do it.
Tools: The Game Changer
If you noticed, each piece of debris and monster has a life bar, and normally take multiple hits with your Whip or Machete to whittle down. This, of course, quickly becomes a waste in later Expeditions purely due to the amount of obstacles in your path. But increasing the amount of damage your various Tools inflict against said baddies could considerably reduce the Energy spend in-game.
For instance, say a Snake has three hit points and is Level 5. Since monsters can hit back in this game, it could take three to five Energy before an enemy goes down. Now, imagine if you had upgraded your Whip to Level 2. Offing that Snake would take just two to four Energy with a beefier Whip. The same situation applies to Tools like the Machete.
Adventure World Tool Shop inside
And Now For Your How-To
Adventure World Tool Shop outsideUpgrading your Tools in Adventure World is simple. All you need to do is head back to Base Camp from an Expedition, and look for a makeshift hut that should already be in place in your headquarters. When you click on the Tool Shop, a window will appear featuring all the Tools you've found thus far on your journeys. Click on the Tool you wish to upgrade.
Once you click on a Tool to upgrade, you'll notice that each Tool costs Coins to upgrade. That's it--no asking friends to help you out with materials or farming certain crops for special items. Just the goods you find during your travels in search of El Dorado. However, Coins are actually quite rare in this game, so you'll need to save and spend wisely.
When you have enough Coins for an upgrade, just click on the appropriate icon to pay up. Tool upgrades are also level-locked, meaning you must reach a certain level for most Tools before being able to upgrade them using Coins. If you're feeling impatient, you could always unlock access to those higher level Tools early using Adventure Cash.
Just One Small Catch...
However, some Tool upgrades do require an extra boost: your Tool Shop. Yes, the building itself can be upgraded, too. And this time, you will need items from your friends. (Just think of how things work in CityVille.) Luckily, you only have to do this about twice to unlock access to all of the game's Tools. Then, it's back onto leveling up to access new upgrades for Coins.
Adventure World Tool Shop Upgrade
Upgraded Tools are hands-down the way to go, if you want to save precious Energy for the good stuff, that is. You know, exploring ... uncovering the secrets of El Dorado? That kind of stuff. Your wallet might thank us later.
Click here to find all of our Adventure World Tips in one spot >
[Source: Zynga]
Have you upgraded your Tools in Adventure World yet? What other Energy-saving tips might you have for your fellow adventurers? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Thứ Tư, 19 tháng 10, 2011
Disney XD News
DISNEY XD TO PREMIERE “FORT BOYARD – ULTIMATE CHALLENGE,” A REALITY ADVENTURE SERIES ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
Geno Segers (Disney XD’s “Pair of Kings”) and popular British television presenter Laura Hamilton (“Dancing On Ice”) host an exciting competition requiring brainpower, courage and teamwork, “Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge,” a 10-part series premiering MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET/PT), with a thrilling finale MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney XD. Based on the international game show phenomenon “Fort Boyard,” the series is set in a 19th century sea fort off the coast of France. It introduces six teams — 24 teens from the United States and the United Kingdom — who team up for a tournament where only one team will ultimately get the key to unlock the historic fort’s hidden treasures and win the honor of calling themselves “the conquerors of Fort Boyard.”
The reality adventure series marks the first kids’ version of the popular game show which premiered more than 20 years ago and has since been produced in over 38 countries worldwide.
In the premiere episode, team members from the Red Vipers and Yellow Scorpions compete in the first round of challenges to find out which team has what it takes to move on to become the conquerors of the fort.
“Fort Boyard – Ultimate Challenge” is produced by Zodiak Media Group’s production companies The Foundation and Adventure Line Productions, who created the concept for the original “Fort Boyard” and have been producing the series for 22 years.
The executive producers are Nigel Pickard and Ged Allen for The Foundation, Pierre Godde for Adventure Line Productions and Jamila Metran for CiTV. The producer is Steve Pinhay.
The series will be televised on Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world (excluding France and the Nordics) and CiTV in the UK.
About “Fort Boyard”
“Fort Boyard” is the most successful adventure game show in the world, having sold to over 30 territories, while dominating France 2′s primetime summer schedule every year since 1990. The action takes place in an imposing fortress built in the middle of the ocean. This provides the perfect backdrop for strenuous, against-the-clock physical challenges and mind-boggling riddles, featuring strange characters and fearsome animals. All this and more awaits those attempting to reach the Treasure Room! Only the fittest and most intelligent contestants can hope to conquer Fort Boyard.
About Disney XD:
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 22 other Disney XD Games channels around the world.
Thứ Bảy, 15 tháng 10, 2011
BBCW launches CBeebies games app
Games based on popular CBeebies Games series Charlie & Lola, Teletubbies, 3rd & Bird and Numberjacks are available through a new app launched by BBC Worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
CBeebies On The Go is available for free on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad to pre-school children in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Korea.
Developed by Tag Apps, it includes matching pairs picture games for the Teletubbies and Charlie & Lola, a Kerwhizz jigsaw game and a 3rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge. It also holds a number of short video clips from popular shows.
Director of CBeebies investment at BBCW, Henrietta Hurford-Jones, said the team had “worked hard to build a product that upholds the core values of learning through play”.
She added: “This new kids’ app is a first for the Channels business, so the learnings from this pilot phase will help shape any future plans to roll CBeebies Games On The Go out to new territories and different devices.”
More than 53m homes have access to the CBeebies channel worldwide.
N4G Community Sound Off!
Hello one and all, some of you may know me as one of the corrupt and/or biased moderators who help manage N4G. (THAT IS A JOKE PEOPLE)
But I wanted to hear your thoughts on a project I am working on. As apart of this staff I see the.... questionable editorial content that makes its way onto N4G and I see the appetite that exist for such content.
My pet project is a game website (shock I know) that focuses on quality editorial content, some of the first pieces that I've already written include looking at
The Digital download age vs the changing internet world
(bandwidth caps and all)
How the gaming market has transformed in Japan
Microsoft's first party strategy
Designing games for profit instead of fun
However I have some loftier goals and projects for the site, every bi-week I hope to have a guest writer who writes about some aspect of gaming that is important to them, this will include freelance writers, industry personnel, just to name a few.
I also want to try something different with reviews, since the site will consist of pretty much just me writing doing reviews for everything would be down right impossible so I want to allow visitors of the site who have played a game that I cannot review and would usually write a review on N4G the chance to have it become our sites official review.
Of course I would edit it for grammer/spelling and structure but anyone could participate.
So there it is, again I'd love to hear if this is something you guys would like to see or if this kind of content isn't appealing.
But I wanted to hear your thoughts on a project I am working on. As apart of this staff I see the.... questionable editorial content that makes its way onto N4G and I see the appetite that exist for such content.
My pet project is a game website (shock I know) that focuses on quality editorial content, some of the first pieces that I've already written include looking at
The Digital download age vs the changing internet world
(bandwidth caps and all)
How the gaming market has transformed in Japan
Microsoft's first party strategy
Designing games for profit instead of fun
However I have some loftier goals and projects for the site, every bi-week I hope to have a guest writer who writes about some aspect of gaming that is important to them, this will include freelance writers, industry personnel, just to name a few.
I also want to try something different with reviews, since the site will consist of pretty much just me writing doing reviews for everything would be down right impossible so I want to allow visitors of the site who have played a game that I cannot review and would usually write a review on N4G the chance to have it become our sites official review.
Of course I would edit it for grammer/spelling and structure but anyone could participate.
So there it is, again I'd love to hear if this is something you guys would like to see or if this kind of content isn't appealing.
Gamer Spotlight: Kei (Lots of text...)
I have a column focusing on the "gaming community" at Examiner.com. Being the Video Game Community Examiner allows me to write basically anything I want, so long as it has to do with console games. So, I decided to take players from the community and interview them.
Why not get to know other players? Here is my first Gamer Spotlight. More will be on the way. I'll post them here on my blog and my column. (Beeteedubz, I'll be looking for more gamers to interview. Interested? PM me!)
Please excuse the difficulty differentiating between my questions and Kei's replies. The format is very different in my article.
"Hello there and welcome to this column's first ever Gamer Spotlight! Gamer Spotlight will be a recurring event here as I interview various gamers from all walks of life. There will always be at least one every week. Today we have Kei, a fighting game enthusiast and fellow Examiner!
-So, Kei, thanks for agreeing to meeting with me for my first ever Gamer Spotlight!
Kei - Hey, it's my pleasure.
-Let's get started with some quick personal info. How old are you and where are you from?
Kei - I'm 26 years old, and I'm from Forrest City, Arkansas.
-I've seen that you use different handles. Can you list all the ones you've gone by?
Kei - Well, my gamertag on Xbox Live is I Kei I, and I also use that handle on Shoryuken.com. On YouTube, GameFAQs, and a few other places, my handle is Mikadok.
-Does one take preference of the other as your main handle?
Kei - If anything, I Kei I, because Kei is simply easier to say.
-Makes sense! What's the inspiration behind the name Kei?
Kei - My dad, mostly, after a talk we had. Now most everyone I know knows me by that.
-Quick step away from games... What other hobbies/interests do you have outside the gaming world?
Kei - Well, I myself have always aspired to be a voice actor. To that end, a few friends and I have had projects we've been working on that'll hopefully come to fruition soon.
-Interesting. Voice acting for games, movies, shows, anime or all of the above?
Kei - I'd be interested in doing all of the above, believe me, but for this particular project, my friend has had elaborate ideas for a series, a couple movies and so on, all having to do with a pretty unique property he's had in his head for a nuymber of years. I think it could do well if the right steps are taken.
-I'd like to be the first in line to see how that turns out. :]
Kei - You'll be the first to know. :3
-Thank you! Moving on, what's your gaming background like? What were your first games/consoles?
Kei - Well, like most others, my first console was the NES. As far as my first game, that's actually a tough one. My most memorable games from a young age, though, would have to be Double Dragon, Castlevania, and, of course, the Mario Bros. games.
-Classics! You started playing in a great era. Which generation of gaming holds a special place in your heart?
Kei - Another tough call, honestly, but I find myself appreciating games that were released during the years of the Sega Saturn/PS1. Games were being treated better back then, in my opinion, because they had less to work with, and more to gain from snagging more consumers, so more quality games were being put out at the time.
-Speaking of quality games, how do you feel about the new trends with Downloadable Content? Some gamers appreciate the updates, others dislike that content for games is announced the day a game launches. Do you have a stance?
Kei - I think it's a double-edged sword, honestly. With the current pricing of games, having to pay more after the fact is something that some gamers can't do, and others aren't willing to do. Aside from that, some gamers may feel cheated to see that a downloadable add-on for a gmae that they already paid full price for is basically adding something to it that they might feel should've been included to begin with. On the other hand, there are those companies that put forth an earnest effort to make downloadable content that they release worthwhile, and players will oftentimes find themselves getting an entirely new version or addition to a game they've been playing that they can get much more fun out of, so it really depends on how it's handled, I suppose.
-That's a very fair outlook. Do you have any favorite genres in particular?
Kei - If I had to call any genre my favorite, it would be fighting games, with action/adventure games coming in a close second.
-And do you have any specific games that stand out as favorites?
Kei - If we're talking currently, no. There are games that I've been pretty steady on as of late, such as Tekken 6 and Marvel vs Capcom 3, but as good as I actually think they are, I wouldn't call them favorites. My favorite fighters to date are actually either older games, or games that probably won't get attention stateside that they deserve, such as Arcana Heart 3, The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, and, for the usual throwback, Darkstalkers 2/Vampire Savior 2.
-You don't find many gamers this day who can honestly say that they have no favorite games in this generation of games.
Kei - Well, I've always believed that part of a game's charm came from finding out what you can learn from it during the process and how difficult it may or may not be to delve into the more intensive aspects of the games that a person plays. It makes it that much more worthwhile when you can learn how deep a game can really be. While games aren't necessarily lacking in that department nowadays, it's all in where you look. It's my opinion that many games are being made easier in general to attract a broader audience, and that's fine, because it's a process to run a business. This same process, though, means that games with a genuine challenge to them through clever, ingenious design and not due to outright unfairness instilled by flaws in a game's mechanics are becoming fewer and far between.
-I can definitely agree. Did you hear about that Mario game that supposedly gives you the option to let the game play itself if you can't beat a part? My, oh my.
Anyways, what is your proudest gaming achievement?
Kei - Well, I'd think that would be placing 1st in the world in Devil May Cry 4's Bloody Palace leaderboards for a month, afterwhich I wrote up a guide to help other players that might attempt to do the same. At the same time, though, I can't say for certain, as I've made it a point to try and help the gaming community however I'm able, be it by writing guides or making tutorial videos. Perhaps it might be the more recent instance of Shoryuken.com and Eventhubs featuring one of my tutorial videos on the front page of their sites. It's a small step, but it is always nice to know that something you do is indeed being a help to the community, regardless.
-First place in DMC4's Bloody Palace. I have to say, that is quite the feat! It's good to hear you're so involved in the gaming community. Even more so when it's you helping other gamers.
Kei - Well, thank you. I'm hoping I can continue to do so.
-Wrapping up now... Do you have a pieace of gaming advice for others?
Kei - Pretty much that if you're aiming to do great things in a game you're going to play, keep practicing and think outside the box. Also, don't hesitate to help others that need it in the community if you can.
-Good advice. And, just for fun, do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
Kei - My favorite quote comes from the character Chaos from the Xenosaga series, that being that "Everything follows the flow.". When he said it, he wanted to pass along the statement that, fight it as you may, there are certain things that are meant to happen, but even if that's the case, it's up to each individual to figure out how they'll deal with what may come.
-Very insightful!
Once again, Kei, thank you for agreeing to be my guinea pi- err...my first interview for the Gamer Spotlight!
Kei - Hey, again, it's my pleasure...er...I think.
There you have it! Another huge thanks to Kei and my thanks to anyone who reads about him.
Why not get to know other players? Here is my first Gamer Spotlight. More will be on the way. I'll post them here on my blog and my column. (Beeteedubz, I'll be looking for more gamers to interview. Interested? PM me!)
Please excuse the difficulty differentiating between my questions and Kei's replies. The format is very different in my article.
"Hello there and welcome to this column's first ever Gamer Spotlight! Gamer Spotlight will be a recurring event here as I interview various gamers from all walks of life. There will always be at least one every week. Today we have Kei, a fighting game enthusiast and fellow Examiner!
-So, Kei, thanks for agreeing to meeting with me for my first ever Gamer Spotlight!
Kei - Hey, it's my pleasure.
-Let's get started with some quick personal info. How old are you and where are you from?
Kei - I'm 26 years old, and I'm from Forrest City, Arkansas.
-I've seen that you use different handles. Can you list all the ones you've gone by?
Kei - Well, my gamertag on Xbox Live is I Kei I, and I also use that handle on Shoryuken.com. On YouTube, GameFAQs, and a few other places, my handle is Mikadok.
-Does one take preference of the other as your main handle?
Kei - If anything, I Kei I, because Kei is simply easier to say.
-Makes sense! What's the inspiration behind the name Kei?
Kei - My dad, mostly, after a talk we had. Now most everyone I know knows me by that.
-Quick step away from games... What other hobbies/interests do you have outside the gaming world?
Kei - Well, I myself have always aspired to be a voice actor. To that end, a few friends and I have had projects we've been working on that'll hopefully come to fruition soon.
-Interesting. Voice acting for games, movies, shows, anime or all of the above?
Kei - I'd be interested in doing all of the above, believe me, but for this particular project, my friend has had elaborate ideas for a series, a couple movies and so on, all having to do with a pretty unique property he's had in his head for a nuymber of years. I think it could do well if the right steps are taken.
-I'd like to be the first in line to see how that turns out. :]
Kei - You'll be the first to know. :3
-Thank you! Moving on, what's your gaming background like? What were your first games/consoles?
Kei - Well, like most others, my first console was the NES. As far as my first game, that's actually a tough one. My most memorable games from a young age, though, would have to be Double Dragon, Castlevania, and, of course, the Mario Bros. games.
-Classics! You started playing in a great era. Which generation of gaming holds a special place in your heart?
Kei - Another tough call, honestly, but I find myself appreciating games that were released during the years of the Sega Saturn/PS1. Games were being treated better back then, in my opinion, because they had less to work with, and more to gain from snagging more consumers, so more quality games were being put out at the time.
-Speaking of quality games, how do you feel about the new trends with Downloadable Content? Some gamers appreciate the updates, others dislike that content for games is announced the day a game launches. Do you have a stance?
Kei - I think it's a double-edged sword, honestly. With the current pricing of games, having to pay more after the fact is something that some gamers can't do, and others aren't willing to do. Aside from that, some gamers may feel cheated to see that a downloadable add-on for a gmae that they already paid full price for is basically adding something to it that they might feel should've been included to begin with. On the other hand, there are those companies that put forth an earnest effort to make downloadable content that they release worthwhile, and players will oftentimes find themselves getting an entirely new version or addition to a game they've been playing that they can get much more fun out of, so it really depends on how it's handled, I suppose.
-That's a very fair outlook. Do you have any favorite genres in particular?
Kei - If I had to call any genre my favorite, it would be fighting games, with action/adventure games coming in a close second.
-And do you have any specific games that stand out as favorites?
Kei - If we're talking currently, no. There are games that I've been pretty steady on as of late, such as Tekken 6 and Marvel vs Capcom 3, but as good as I actually think they are, I wouldn't call them favorites. My favorite fighters to date are actually either older games, or games that probably won't get attention stateside that they deserve, such as Arcana Heart 3, The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, and, for the usual throwback, Darkstalkers 2/Vampire Savior 2.
-You don't find many gamers this day who can honestly say that they have no favorite games in this generation of games.
Kei - Well, I've always believed that part of a game's charm came from finding out what you can learn from it during the process and how difficult it may or may not be to delve into the more intensive aspects of the games that a person plays. It makes it that much more worthwhile when you can learn how deep a game can really be. While games aren't necessarily lacking in that department nowadays, it's all in where you look. It's my opinion that many games are being made easier in general to attract a broader audience, and that's fine, because it's a process to run a business. This same process, though, means that games with a genuine challenge to them through clever, ingenious design and not due to outright unfairness instilled by flaws in a game's mechanics are becoming fewer and far between.
-I can definitely agree. Did you hear about that Mario game that supposedly gives you the option to let the game play itself if you can't beat a part? My, oh my.
Anyways, what is your proudest gaming achievement?
Kei - Well, I'd think that would be placing 1st in the world in Devil May Cry 4's Bloody Palace leaderboards for a month, afterwhich I wrote up a guide to help other players that might attempt to do the same. At the same time, though, I can't say for certain, as I've made it a point to try and help the gaming community however I'm able, be it by writing guides or making tutorial videos. Perhaps it might be the more recent instance of Shoryuken.com and Eventhubs featuring one of my tutorial videos on the front page of their sites. It's a small step, but it is always nice to know that something you do is indeed being a help to the community, regardless.
-First place in DMC4's Bloody Palace. I have to say, that is quite the feat! It's good to hear you're so involved in the gaming community. Even more so when it's you helping other gamers.
Kei - Well, thank you. I'm hoping I can continue to do so.
-Wrapping up now... Do you have a pieace of gaming advice for others?
Kei - Pretty much that if you're aiming to do great things in a game you're going to play, keep practicing and think outside the box. Also, don't hesitate to help others that need it in the community if you can.
-Good advice. And, just for fun, do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?
Kei - My favorite quote comes from the character Chaos from the Xenosaga series, that being that "Everything follows the flow.". When he said it, he wanted to pass along the statement that, fight it as you may, there are certain things that are meant to happen, but even if that's the case, it's up to each individual to figure out how they'll deal with what may come.
-Very insightful!
Once again, Kei, thank you for agreeing to be my guinea pi- err...my first interview for the Gamer Spotlight!
Kei - Hey, again, it's my pleasure...er...I think.
There you have it! Another huge thanks to Kei and my thanks to anyone who reads about him.
Thứ Sáu, 14 tháng 10, 2011
N4G War of the Immortals Beta Key Giveaway
Only a limited number of players are allowed into the closed beta, and N4G has the keys to make you one of the first to play War of the Immortals!
War of the Immortals is Perfect World’s latest chapter in the Immortals universe following its hit action-MMORPG, Battle of the Immortals. Built with Perfect World’s latest Cube graphics engine, players can look forward to destructible, interactive environments with 3D textures and monsters that bring the game to life.
To get your closed beta key:
1. PM Cat. http://n4g.com/user/home/ca...
A beta key will be sent within 12 hours (worst case scenario, the internet catches on fire, Cat takes a nap, that sort of thing ;) ) to your N4G PM inbox.*
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEY REDEMPTION:
1. Go to http://www.perfectworld.com...
2. Login using your Perfect World Entertainment username and password (or register for a free Perfect World account)
3. Click on the "My Account" link.
4. Click on "Redeem Beta Keys".
5. Enter your closed beta key. Closed Beta begins October 25.
*Giveaway will run until we are out of keys, at which point Cat will update this post!*
War of the Immortals is Perfect World’s latest chapter in the Immortals universe following its hit action-MMORPG, Battle of the Immortals. Built with Perfect World’s latest Cube graphics engine, players can look forward to destructible, interactive environments with 3D textures and monsters that bring the game to life.
To get your closed beta key:
1. PM Cat. http://n4g.com/user/home/ca...
A beta key will be sent within 12 hours (worst case scenario, the internet catches on fire, Cat takes a nap, that sort of thing ;) ) to your N4G PM inbox.*
INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEY REDEMPTION:
1. Go to http://www.perfectworld.com...
2. Login using your Perfect World Entertainment username and password (or register for a free Perfect World account)
3. Click on the "My Account" link.
4. Click on "Redeem Beta Keys".
5. Enter your closed beta key. Closed Beta begins October 25.
*Giveaway will run until we are out of keys, at which point Cat will update this post!*
Gaming Immaturity: One Big Reason Why The Industry Is Not Taken Seriously
Every gamer is aware that conventional media harbours disdain for the gaming industry, often stating that the industry is primarily geared to create products and titles for children to waste their time on when school breaks. It is a view that can draw ire from the older contingent of gamers who feel they are forced into a demographic they do not belong in, a form of discrimination if you will.
One of the most prominent sources of such criticism comes from the newspaper media and more notably, for example, the United Kingdom's Daily Mail. If there was one name that drew universal feelings of hatred from the gaming community, regardless of any allegiance or not to a certain manufacturer, it is that news distributor.
But what was the cause that made the Daily Mail look upon the gaming industry as a business model designed for children? Well there could be some truth in what critics of the Daily Mail say when they point out that the Chief Editor prefers to highlight and keep alive long gone stereotypes and has an unhealthy taste for over-exaggerating problems in any topic, not something a broadsheet should be known for but instead a tabloid. Yet despite being the most infamous for such views, they are not the only ones to report about gaming in such a demeaning way.
Having close ties to somebody who is involved in such an industry I had the opportunity to find out why newspapers take this view, a family member of mine is married to a reporter for a national newspaper in the United Kingdom. I shall not be naming anybody but be rest assured this particular journalist does not draw the ire of gamers, because he is one himself. He is perfectly placed to explain what is happening.
The biggest reason the mainstream media treat you and me as they do is because of the media entities involved in gaming itself. HOLD! IGN? Eurogamer? News 4 Gamers?
I can already feel the rage from the quiet majority who are reading this, telling their computer screen that they said it all along. Others will similarly be screaming that the Daily Mail don't know a thing about gaming. And yet, the mainstream journalists get their opinion on gaming from what they see on the internet and what they see is a disjointed community fuelled by immaturity, which in turn see's the places providing those communities with journalists who cater to exactly that. It is considered immature because of the myriad of comments being made by what is perceived to only possibly come from the over excited finger tapping of pre-teen/teen boy. And those mainstream journalists can see that the likes of the IGN, Euroamer and N4G websites are feeding it such a culture and similarly feed off it themselves.
This brings us to point of the immaturity of gaming industry itself because if the words the outside world reads is riddled with bickering readers and writing skills that would guarantee a lowly F- in the SATS tests taken by 10 year olds, how does that relate to the online media companies that allow such vulgar and hate filled comments to become so prevalent?
Well that is the real bad thing about the gaming industry. The mainstream media, all across the planet, put the blame solely on those websites like IGN, Eurogamer and N4G. It is because of the lack of professionalism shown by those portals in keeping order in their own domain that the industry simply hasn't matured enough to be taken seriously, it is those sites that are seen as breeding grounds for problems facing gaming in becoming a truly respected and accepted form of digital entertainment to compete with movies, music and digital books.
Naturally I thought that was that and it was simply a case of journalistic snobbery and a sense that the gaming media were regarded as being glorified blogs in how the kept discipline across it's viewers. But I was then informed about a more concerning problem that see's the gaming industry being unable to command the same respect as it's more established forms of entertainment.
The journalist I was speaking to informed me that the national newspaper he works for has on every occasion ruled out employing these gaming journalists after reading through the articles they have been writing, for the reason of unprofessional and inconsistent standards amongst their very own work. In short, there appears to be no standard model for any reviewer to use when reviewing a title which means they appear to make it up as they go along, changing what is good and what is bad on a game by game basis. The result is bad games getting good reviews and good games getting average reviews, an ire of many a gamer you might be saying.
Now the bloke does have a point there and nobody who reads both newspaper article/reviews and gaming article/reviews can deny that. The papers believe the editors, authors and reviewers at sites like IGN and Eurogamer quite simply need to grow up because they do not doubt these people could become balanced, fair and competent journalists, the problem they see is their attitude and that will be hard to change.
It would appear that only way the stereotypical view on gaming being an industry for children is going to be reversed and given the same good press that it's more established forms of entertainment enjoys, is for the gaming media itself to enter some form of Golden Age and drastically change way they are run and change their target audience. They will need to start acting professionally to be given respect by the professionals.
This is not a question of the mainstream media's stereotypical view on us, but a question of the gaming media feeding itself off the premise that they encourage such stereotypical actions via the readers that comment on their portal, and the practices they use for the articles/reviews they create to satisfy that culture.
One business analyst this journalist works with believes this has caused a loss of over 50% revenue for gaming developers, had the media part of gaming matured professionally in the 1990's the mainstream media would have got in on the act themselves and provided their own, fully qualified and professional journalists covering everything gaming. That in turn could have shown games purely based on story telling being given a fair review despite not being named Call of Duty or Mario Kart, the gaming audience would have been massively bigger.
But as things stand a newspaper whose parent company is stock listed cannot justify paying the expense of hiring a full team of journalists and analyst just for gaming when the upper echelons, that is the shareholders, can only see that the comments are akin to what children write and they know children do not read newspapers. It is an incompatible idea and business model, and they will only move in to gaming when they see more mature comments and that ultimately is the responsibility of moderators to control.
IGN, Eurogamer and their ilk it would appear are the big reason you are stereotyped. And that is a worrying thought for you, Sony, Microsoft and all other gaming companies to face up to. You cannot stop someone writing vitriol in the comments section, but the moderators can. You can't introduce a more professional culture amongst gaming articles, but the gaming website editor can.
Will they change? The basic answer is we do not know because the current culture they promote is quite possibly quite lucrative in that these websites are likely to draw fairly large sums of money from advertisers. It is ironic though that the people who pay for those advertisements are the gaming developers themselves, or more accurately, the publishers.
It is those who make the games that find themselves in somewhat a catch-twenty-two scenario because if just one of them ceased funding, it would draw criticism from the review sites and could even affect the scores of potential games they may want to release. It is indeed possible that as many as ten different publishers acting together would not force the change, there many others who would see this as any opportunity to cash in by getting on the good side of such editors.
The answer would not be wishing for an established news company buying out such websites because IGN is owned by none other than Rupert Murdoch's News International so there is no doubt those websites are making money, would they ever see a reason to change to benefit the industry as a whole?
That might seem contradictory in that a newspaper would not want to employ these gaming journalists but the biggest gaming news site of them all is owned by a news distributor, the biggest of them all actually, but let's not confuse a money making machine with the decision of a team leader which is ultimately the editor at, for instance, the Daily Mail. Perhaps all the major game publishers should tackle this issue together and be united on this issue, because it is their revenue that looks to suffer while IGN's, Eurogamer's and News 4 Gamer's looks to increase. And perhaps then the stereotype will finally fade away into oblivion.
One of the most prominent sources of such criticism comes from the newspaper media and more notably, for example, the United Kingdom's Daily Mail. If there was one name that drew universal feelings of hatred from the gaming community, regardless of any allegiance or not to a certain manufacturer, it is that news distributor.
But what was the cause that made the Daily Mail look upon the gaming industry as a business model designed for children? Well there could be some truth in what critics of the Daily Mail say when they point out that the Chief Editor prefers to highlight and keep alive long gone stereotypes and has an unhealthy taste for over-exaggerating problems in any topic, not something a broadsheet should be known for but instead a tabloid. Yet despite being the most infamous for such views, they are not the only ones to report about gaming in such a demeaning way.
Having close ties to somebody who is involved in such an industry I had the opportunity to find out why newspapers take this view, a family member of mine is married to a reporter for a national newspaper in the United Kingdom. I shall not be naming anybody but be rest assured this particular journalist does not draw the ire of gamers, because he is one himself. He is perfectly placed to explain what is happening.
The biggest reason the mainstream media treat you and me as they do is because of the media entities involved in gaming itself. HOLD! IGN? Eurogamer? News 4 Gamers?
I can already feel the rage from the quiet majority who are reading this, telling their computer screen that they said it all along. Others will similarly be screaming that the Daily Mail don't know a thing about gaming. And yet, the mainstream journalists get their opinion on gaming from what they see on the internet and what they see is a disjointed community fuelled by immaturity, which in turn see's the places providing those communities with journalists who cater to exactly that. It is considered immature because of the myriad of comments being made by what is perceived to only possibly come from the over excited finger tapping of pre-teen/teen boy. And those mainstream journalists can see that the likes of the IGN, Euroamer and N4G websites are feeding it such a culture and similarly feed off it themselves.
This brings us to point of the immaturity of gaming industry itself because if the words the outside world reads is riddled with bickering readers and writing skills that would guarantee a lowly F- in the SATS tests taken by 10 year olds, how does that relate to the online media companies that allow such vulgar and hate filled comments to become so prevalent?
Well that is the real bad thing about the gaming industry. The mainstream media, all across the planet, put the blame solely on those websites like IGN, Eurogamer and N4G. It is because of the lack of professionalism shown by those portals in keeping order in their own domain that the industry simply hasn't matured enough to be taken seriously, it is those sites that are seen as breeding grounds for problems facing gaming in becoming a truly respected and accepted form of digital entertainment to compete with movies, music and digital books.
Naturally I thought that was that and it was simply a case of journalistic snobbery and a sense that the gaming media were regarded as being glorified blogs in how the kept discipline across it's viewers. But I was then informed about a more concerning problem that see's the gaming industry being unable to command the same respect as it's more established forms of entertainment.
The journalist I was speaking to informed me that the national newspaper he works for has on every occasion ruled out employing these gaming journalists after reading through the articles they have been writing, for the reason of unprofessional and inconsistent standards amongst their very own work. In short, there appears to be no standard model for any reviewer to use when reviewing a title which means they appear to make it up as they go along, changing what is good and what is bad on a game by game basis. The result is bad games getting good reviews and good games getting average reviews, an ire of many a gamer you might be saying.
Now the bloke does have a point there and nobody who reads both newspaper article/reviews and gaming article/reviews can deny that. The papers believe the editors, authors and reviewers at sites like IGN and Eurogamer quite simply need to grow up because they do not doubt these people could become balanced, fair and competent journalists, the problem they see is their attitude and that will be hard to change.
It would appear that only way the stereotypical view on gaming being an industry for children is going to be reversed and given the same good press that it's more established forms of entertainment enjoys, is for the gaming media itself to enter some form of Golden Age and drastically change way they are run and change their target audience. They will need to start acting professionally to be given respect by the professionals.
This is not a question of the mainstream media's stereotypical view on us, but a question of the gaming media feeding itself off the premise that they encourage such stereotypical actions via the readers that comment on their portal, and the practices they use for the articles/reviews they create to satisfy that culture.
One business analyst this journalist works with believes this has caused a loss of over 50% revenue for gaming developers, had the media part of gaming matured professionally in the 1990's the mainstream media would have got in on the act themselves and provided their own, fully qualified and professional journalists covering everything gaming. That in turn could have shown games purely based on story telling being given a fair review despite not being named Call of Duty or Mario Kart, the gaming audience would have been massively bigger.
But as things stand a newspaper whose parent company is stock listed cannot justify paying the expense of hiring a full team of journalists and analyst just for gaming when the upper echelons, that is the shareholders, can only see that the comments are akin to what children write and they know children do not read newspapers. It is an incompatible idea and business model, and they will only move in to gaming when they see more mature comments and that ultimately is the responsibility of moderators to control.
IGN, Eurogamer and their ilk it would appear are the big reason you are stereotyped. And that is a worrying thought for you, Sony, Microsoft and all other gaming companies to face up to. You cannot stop someone writing vitriol in the comments section, but the moderators can. You can't introduce a more professional culture amongst gaming articles, but the gaming website editor can.
Will they change? The basic answer is we do not know because the current culture they promote is quite possibly quite lucrative in that these websites are likely to draw fairly large sums of money from advertisers. It is ironic though that the people who pay for those advertisements are the gaming developers themselves, or more accurately, the publishers.
It is those who make the games that find themselves in somewhat a catch-twenty-two scenario because if just one of them ceased funding, it would draw criticism from the review sites and could even affect the scores of potential games they may want to release. It is indeed possible that as many as ten different publishers acting together would not force the change, there many others who would see this as any opportunity to cash in by getting on the good side of such editors.
The answer would not be wishing for an established news company buying out such websites because IGN is owned by none other than Rupert Murdoch's News International so there is no doubt those websites are making money, would they ever see a reason to change to benefit the industry as a whole?
That might seem contradictory in that a newspaper would not want to employ these gaming journalists but the biggest gaming news site of them all is owned by a news distributor, the biggest of them all actually, but let's not confuse a money making machine with the decision of a team leader which is ultimately the editor at, for instance, the Daily Mail. Perhaps all the major game publishers should tackle this issue together and be united on this issue, because it is their revenue that looks to suffer while IGN's, Eurogamer's and News 4 Gamer's looks to increase. And perhaps then the stereotype will finally fade away into oblivion.
Metro Last Light to surpass Battlefield 3 graphics and even Toy Story 1 ???
Zoom in the grasses or leaves of this image:
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Then zoom in the leaves of this image
http://bf3blog.com/wp-conte...
What you see is that leaves in Battlefield 3 occupy two dimensional planes , where they bend , they bend suddenly in order to reduce polygon count but that does not happen in Metro Last Light
Now zoom in the branches of this image
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Then zoom in the brances of Battlefield 3 trees in the previous image, The branches in Metro spread out in different directions , another example of the extreme geometric detail used in Metro Last Light
Zoom in the shoe of the man in this image
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
then zoom in the shoe of the man in this image
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/obje...
It speaks for itself
According to calculations shown here :
http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
we need a game that properly utilizes 7.14 teraflops of power and run at 25 frames per second at 1526x922 using supersampling at the same rate of Toy Story to surpass its graphical quality.
Metro 2033 runs at around 50 frames per second at 2560X1600 resolution with a 580GTX in quad SLI. Now say if it were more optimized it could have run at (2X1526)X(2X922) resolution on the same system with nearly the same frame rate.
A 580gtx quad sli provides around 6.5 teraflops of power. Slightly overclocked it will give 7.14 teraflops. Now it is possible that Metro 2033 with the improved 4A engine can run at 50 frames per second at (2X1526)X(2X922)resolution on an overclocked setup. But there is a catch Toy Story used supersampling and in no way used less than 4X supersampling.
Anything more will imply it had lower graphical fidelity and more power was used in antialiasing in case of Toy Story 1 . Now 4X supersampling will allow metro 2033 run at (2X1526)X(2X922)/4 = 1526X922 resolution at 50 frames per second on the mentioned system.
Now if Metro Last Light is twice as hardware demanding as Metro 2033 it would run at 25 frames per second at 4X supersampling at 1526X922 resolution on a slightly overclocked 580gtx quad sli system . Thus theoretically is suppose to be equal to Toy Story. Now according to NVIDIA Kepler will have 3 times the floating point capability than 580GTX so Metro Last Light running at 25 frames per second at those settings on a Quad SLI is not impossible as Kepler will give much higher frame rates.
Now zoom in at the face of the boy in this picture ( remember who he is ?)
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/...
Now zoom in at the face of the man in this picture
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Considering Metro Last Light is at its pre-alpha, are we close or have surpassed the Milestone I mean the first fully animated cgi movie Toy Story 1 ???
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Then zoom in the leaves of this image
http://bf3blog.com/wp-conte...
What you see is that leaves in Battlefield 3 occupy two dimensional planes , where they bend , they bend suddenly in order to reduce polygon count but that does not happen in Metro Last Light
Now zoom in the branches of this image
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Then zoom in the brances of Battlefield 3 trees in the previous image, The branches in Metro spread out in different directions , another example of the extreme geometric detail used in Metro Last Light
Zoom in the shoe of the man in this image
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
then zoom in the shoe of the man in this image
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/obje...
It speaks for itself
According to calculations shown here :
http://n4g.com/user/blogpos...
we need a game that properly utilizes 7.14 teraflops of power and run at 25 frames per second at 1526x922 using supersampling at the same rate of Toy Story to surpass its graphical quality.
Metro 2033 runs at around 50 frames per second at 2560X1600 resolution with a 580GTX in quad SLI. Now say if it were more optimized it could have run at (2X1526)X(2X922) resolution on the same system with nearly the same frame rate.
A 580gtx quad sli provides around 6.5 teraflops of power. Slightly overclocked it will give 7.14 teraflops. Now it is possible that Metro 2033 with the improved 4A engine can run at 50 frames per second at (2X1526)X(2X922)resolution on an overclocked setup. But there is a catch Toy Story used supersampling and in no way used less than 4X supersampling.
Anything more will imply it had lower graphical fidelity and more power was used in antialiasing in case of Toy Story 1 . Now 4X supersampling will allow metro 2033 run at (2X1526)X(2X922)/4 = 1526X922 resolution at 50 frames per second on the mentioned system.
Now if Metro Last Light is twice as hardware demanding as Metro 2033 it would run at 25 frames per second at 4X supersampling at 1526X922 resolution on a slightly overclocked 580gtx quad sli system . Thus theoretically is suppose to be equal to Toy Story. Now according to NVIDIA Kepler will have 3 times the floating point capability than 580GTX so Metro Last Light running at 25 frames per second at those settings on a Quad SLI is not impossible as Kepler will give much higher frame rates.
Now zoom in at the face of the boy in this picture ( remember who he is ?)
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/...
Now zoom in at the face of the man in this picture
http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/...
Considering Metro Last Light is at its pre-alpha, are we close or have surpassed the Milestone I mean the first fully animated cgi movie Toy Story 1 ???
Play the Scary Maze Game With Your Friends!
New Disney Game – Phineas and Ferb
Disney released a new game. Phineas and Ferb 3D online game. Klick here to read the complete review.
The new game is available at the Disney XD discovery channel. Get ahead of the game before its officially released next week!
Disney is introducing the brand new DisneyXD game. Phineas and Ferb in: The Transport inators of Doooom!
Doofenschmitz is up to his old tricks again, and who has gone missing? Phineas! Help Ferb find his brother and try to help Agent P thwarth Doofenschmitz evil plans!
Check out this new exciting Disney XD online game before all others do at the Disney Cartoon network games website!
Check out Disney’s cartoon network to find a lot of amazing games and news. Disney offers a lot of cartoon games on their site. So head over to the Disney XD site and play the new Phineas and Ferb – The Transport-inators of Doooom! game!
Have Fun!
Disney released a new game. Phineas and Ferb 3D online game. Klick here to read the complete review.
The new game is available at the Disney XD discovery channel. Get ahead of the game before its officially released next week!
Disney is introducing the brand new DisneyXD game. Phineas and Ferb in: The Transport inators of Doooom!
Doofenschmitz is up to his old tricks again, and who has gone missing? Phineas! Help Ferb find his brother and try to help Agent P thwarth Doofenschmitz evil plans!
Check out this new exciting Disney XD online game before all others do at the Disney Cartoon network games website!
Check out Disney’s cartoon network to find a lot of amazing games and news. Disney offers a lot of cartoon games on their site. So head over to the Disney XD site and play the new Phineas and Ferb – The Transport-inators of Doooom! game!
Have Fun!
Disney-branded Facebook games coming in 2012, Playdom head says
Can we all just say, “finally?” During a panel named “The Rise of Social Games” at the f8 Facebook Developers Conference in San Francisco, Disney Interactive and Playdom head John Pleasants revealed that two to four Facebook games surrounding Disney xd brands will hit Facebook in 2012. The general topic of the panel was the fact that branded social games are taking off.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Pleasants was joined on the panel by Kabam CEO Kevin Chou, EA Interactive head Barry Cottle and Zynga CBO Owen Van Natta. Facebook director of games partnerships Sean Ryan moderated the panel with the preface that branded games will take over the Facebook platform. And he might be right: EA just released The Sims Social, Zynga will soon re-brand its new Adventure World with Indiana Jones and Kabam recently announced The Godfather: Five Families.
Playdom, which Disney acquired in July 2010 for a whopping $740 million, is ahead of the pack with two branded games on Facebook: ESPNU College Town and ESPN Sports Bar & Grill. Both games performed well, thanks to advertising through the ESPN TV network. While Disney owns the ESPN brand, notice how neither of those actually involve the insanely popular Disney characters we’ve come to love.
Honestly, we’re surprised this didn’t happen sooner. Consider this: Disney has its own cable TV channel through which it could, in theory, advertise whatever it wants. Pleasants didn’t get into why it’s taken this long for disney channel games to throw its cast of characters into Facebook games, but did reveal the power of the Disney name.
Gnome Town, which Playdom launched in the summer–and we enjoyed quite a bit–peaked at 530,000 daily players. But just plopping the Disney logo on top of the existing one made users more likely to spend in the game just through trust of the company’s name, according to Pleasants. “We think it’s an advantage, if you put game play first,” Pleasants said.
It’s comforting to hear this emphasized by these developers. (Kabam’s Chou shared the same sentiment.) Branded games on Facebook are OK in my book, but the last thing anyone wants to see is the genre become a branding machine.
Thứ Ba, 11 tháng 10, 2011
6waves Lolapps takes to the skies in Ravenskye City on Facebook
Ravenwood Fair has officially made it to the deluxe apartment in the sky, so to speak. The game's new duo of creators, 6waves Lolapps, announced the launch of the next episode in the Raven series of Facebook games today as a standalone app, Ravenskye City. In that regard, the game is quite similar to Zynga's recent Pioneer Trail, except for the fact that Ravenwood Fair still exists.
Jokes aside, 6waves Lolapps is employing a similar strategy to its top competitor, releasing a full-blown sequel to its mega hit Facebook game. The company's previous release was an expansion upon Ravenwood Fair with Ravenstone Mine. Unsurprisingly, the prefix "Raven" has become a brand for 6waves Lolapps, 6waves Lolapps co-founder Kavin Stewart told VentureBeat. Another game is in the works for the series, Ravenshire Castle, according to VentureBeat.
While Ravenskye City looks quite a lot like previous games in the series, 6waves Lolapps is looking to improve the series in more ways than just content. We punched up the storytelling," Lolapps VP of content Constantine Hantzopoulos told VentureBeat. "That's one of the things we learned from Ravenwood Fair."
Ravenskye City gameplay
The game, which throws players into the familiar situation of having to restore a ramshackle property (only this time ... it's in the sky), makes liberal use of the recently-acquired Fliso Engine. It's thanks to this technology that the game is reportedly smoother and features complex weather effects like rain and tornadoes. The city is comprised of bird-like creatures, a departure from the moles of Ravenstone Mine and the bears and woodland creatures of Ravenwood Fair.
Ravenskye City is said to launch today, though our attempts to get into the game have been unsuccessful thus far. During your exploits in Ravenskye, you'll restore an abandoned city to its former glory, customizing it along the way with several decorations. Of course, you're governed by an Energy system. To get a better idea of the game, check out the trailer below.
[Update: A 6waves Lolapps representative tells us that the game is scheduled to launch today at 4 p.m. PST.]
Click here to play Ravenskye City on Facebook Now >
Have you been able to try the next game in the Raven series yet? What do you think of 6waves Lolapps approach to capitalizing on Ravenwood Fair's success? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Jokes aside, 6waves Lolapps is employing a similar strategy to its top competitor, releasing a full-blown sequel to its mega hit Facebook game. The company's previous release was an expansion upon Ravenwood Fair with Ravenstone Mine. Unsurprisingly, the prefix "Raven" has become a brand for 6waves Lolapps, 6waves Lolapps co-founder Kavin Stewart told VentureBeat. Another game is in the works for the series, Ravenshire Castle, according to VentureBeat.
While Ravenskye City looks quite a lot like previous games in the series, 6waves Lolapps is looking to improve the series in more ways than just content. We punched up the storytelling," Lolapps VP of content Constantine Hantzopoulos told VentureBeat. "That's one of the things we learned from Ravenwood Fair."
Ravenskye City gameplay
The game, which throws players into the familiar situation of having to restore a ramshackle property (only this time ... it's in the sky), makes liberal use of the recently-acquired Fliso Engine. It's thanks to this technology that the game is reportedly smoother and features complex weather effects like rain and tornadoes. The city is comprised of bird-like creatures, a departure from the moles of Ravenstone Mine and the bears and woodland creatures of Ravenwood Fair.
Ravenskye City is said to launch today, though our attempts to get into the game have been unsuccessful thus far. During your exploits in Ravenskye, you'll restore an abandoned city to its former glory, customizing it along the way with several decorations. Of course, you're governed by an Energy system. To get a better idea of the game, check out the trailer below.
[Update: A 6waves Lolapps representative tells us that the game is scheduled to launch today at 4 p.m. PST.]
Click here to play Ravenskye City on Facebook Now >
Have you been able to try the next game in the Raven series yet? What do you think of 6waves Lolapps approach to capitalizing on Ravenwood Fair's success? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Zynga readies, aims and fires its live Mafia Wars 2 round at Facebook
The second salvo of digital death and destruction has been fired on Facebook. Zynga has officially launched Mafia Wars 2 in a slow roll-out (we imagine) on the social network. The game, developed by much of the same team that worked on the original, is the first direct sequel to a Zynga game, and it takes the series in a vastly different direction.
Mafia Wars 2, while it looks strikingly similar to competitors like Crime City, is essentially an animated, visual representation of the chaos you've reigned upon the world since way back in 2008. You'll build a brand new crime empire on the outskirts of Las Vegas, defending it from random thugs hailing from either storyline enemies or your enemies' friends' gangs. The isometric perspective of this new version of Mafia Wars puts an even more intense focus on the violence of mob life.
Peppered throughout your travels across seven areas of the city that never sleeps--Casino Row, Granite Square, Neon Strip, Downtown, Bluebird Meadows, Boxer Island and Westside Wharf--are heavy doses of player vs player combat (PvP). In addition to invading neighboring turf, players can take the fight to three PvP arenas: Bone Yard, Badlands and Area 51. It's here where players will fight asynchronously, rob one another and spark rivalries.
Gallery: Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook
Zynga's next take on Mafia Wars will allow players to customize nearly ad infinitum with over 300 types of weapons and armor as well as over 600 pieces of decorative clothing. And Mafia Wars 2 will be Zynga's first game available in 16 languages (including English): French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Japanese and Thai.
As the original Mafia Wars steadily loses monthly and daily players, according to AppData, it looks like Zynga hopes to revive the franchise with a full-blown sequel. However, we've been assured that the developer plans to keep the 3-year-old game alive as long as the players keep coming back. Though, after a look at this brand spankin' new version, we wonder how long that will last.
Click here to play Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook Now >
Have you hopped into the brand new Mafia Wars yet? What do you think of Zynga's approach to keeping the franchise alive? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Mafia Wars 2, while it looks strikingly similar to competitors like Crime City, is essentially an animated, visual representation of the chaos you've reigned upon the world since way back in 2008. You'll build a brand new crime empire on the outskirts of Las Vegas, defending it from random thugs hailing from either storyline enemies or your enemies' friends' gangs. The isometric perspective of this new version of Mafia Wars puts an even more intense focus on the violence of mob life.
Peppered throughout your travels across seven areas of the city that never sleeps--Casino Row, Granite Square, Neon Strip, Downtown, Bluebird Meadows, Boxer Island and Westside Wharf--are heavy doses of player vs player combat (PvP). In addition to invading neighboring turf, players can take the fight to three PvP arenas: Bone Yard, Badlands and Area 51. It's here where players will fight asynchronously, rob one another and spark rivalries.
Gallery: Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook
Zynga's next take on Mafia Wars will allow players to customize nearly ad infinitum with over 300 types of weapons and armor as well as over 600 pieces of decorative clothing. And Mafia Wars 2 will be Zynga's first game available in 16 languages (including English): French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Japanese and Thai.
As the original Mafia Wars steadily loses monthly and daily players, according to AppData, it looks like Zynga hopes to revive the franchise with a full-blown sequel. However, we've been assured that the developer plans to keep the 3-year-old game alive as long as the players keep coming back. Though, after a look at this brand spankin' new version, we wonder how long that will last.
Click here to play Mafia Wars 2 on Facebook Now >
Have you hopped into the brand new Mafia Wars yet? What do you think of Zynga's approach to keeping the franchise alive? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Playdom leads gamers into double life in Secret Agent X on Facebook
By day, you're a suburban soccer mom who brings dinner to the table for her kids. By night, you're a secret agent working for an undercover organization that keeps the world safe. This is the general premise for Playdom's next game since Disney's GnomeTown, Secret Agent X. The game, set to launch this fall, pits you against the evil organization known as SCAM.
All Things Digital reports that the game is available in some international markets in a closed beta test. The Disney-owned developer released a teaser trailer that reveals next to nothing about its gameplay, but we can always image what it'll be like. Based on what Playdom has told ATD, the game will send players on adventures using high-tech gadgets only to have them return home to the normal duties of suburban life.
It's easy to envision "home" being the hub of the game in which you customize a house, while you explore large maps on missions as a secret agent. (Again, this is speculation.) Playdom tells ATD that, starting with Secret Agent X, the company will release a dozen games within the next year. Up to three of those games--coming in January, March and August 2012--will revolve around Disney brands, according to ATD.
Playdom has been under fire from analysts for dragging its feet into the social games race since Disney bought it for a whopping $563.2 million over a year ago. How does the developer plan to catch up to the likes of wooga, Playfish and possibly Zynga: Explore new concepts and leverage the bevy of Disney mega brands. "A year after the acquisition, we are successfully transitioning into an operating division within Disney," Playdom COO Brad Serwin told ATD. "We are 100 percent back to work."
Based on the teaser trailer, what do you expect from Secret Agent X? Which of Disney's brands do you hope becomes a Facebook game most? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
All Things Digital reports that the game is available in some international markets in a closed beta test. The Disney-owned developer released a teaser trailer that reveals next to nothing about its gameplay, but we can always image what it'll be like. Based on what Playdom has told ATD, the game will send players on adventures using high-tech gadgets only to have them return home to the normal duties of suburban life.
It's easy to envision "home" being the hub of the game in which you customize a house, while you explore large maps on missions as a secret agent. (Again, this is speculation.) Playdom tells ATD that, starting with Secret Agent X, the company will release a dozen games within the next year. Up to three of those games--coming in January, March and August 2012--will revolve around Disney brands, according to ATD.
Playdom has been under fire from analysts for dragging its feet into the social games race since Disney bought it for a whopping $563.2 million over a year ago. How does the developer plan to catch up to the likes of wooga, Playfish and possibly Zynga: Explore new concepts and leverage the bevy of Disney mega brands. "A year after the acquisition, we are successfully transitioning into an operating division within Disney," Playdom COO Brad Serwin told ATD. "We are 100 percent back to work."
Based on the teaser trailer, what do you expect from Secret Agent X? Which of Disney's brands do you hope becomes a Facebook game most? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots lets the fur fly on iPhone, iPad this month
Well, the fruit will fly, too, no? The fruity fur? The furry fruit--ah, whatever--Halfbrick has teamed up with Dreamworks and THQ to release Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots, a brand new version of the hit mobile game for iPhone ($.99) and iPad ($1.99). The new game will release on Oct. 20, just eight days before Puss in Boots, the cat's self-titled big screen soirée, hits theaters.
Halfbrick has certainly been busy with Fruit Ninja, coming hot off the heels of Fruit Ninja Frenzy for Facebook. Sure, this is a branded game aimed at keeping the buzz for the upcoming film alive, but it sounds like the Halfbrick team has crafted a labor of love for the lithe feline. This new take on Fruit Ninja features two new modes--Desperado and Bandito--that look to seriously challenge veteran fruit ninjas.
Desperado is a new take on Classic Mode that packs new Magic Beans (an alternative to Bananas, we imagine) and new types of waves, while Bandito puts players through four tiers of unique, increasingly difficult slicing challenges. Judging from the game's trailer (seen below), we're looking at lots and lots ... and lots of bombs.
"The fun and adventure of the Puss in Boots world lends itself perfectly to the core gameplay of Fruit Ninja," Halfbrick CMO Phil Larsen said in a release. "We wanted to create something new and different for our fans while keeping the magic of Fruit Ninja intact, and we think Bandito Mode will keep even the most practiced players on their toes. It's totally rad!" Yup, that sounds like a guy from Halfbrick, alright.
Even if it is a branded game, are you psyched for a brand new take on Fruit Ninja? Where would you like to see the franchise go next? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
Halfbrick has certainly been busy with Fruit Ninja, coming hot off the heels of Fruit Ninja Frenzy for Facebook. Sure, this is a branded game aimed at keeping the buzz for the upcoming film alive, but it sounds like the Halfbrick team has crafted a labor of love for the lithe feline. This new take on Fruit Ninja features two new modes--Desperado and Bandito--that look to seriously challenge veteran fruit ninjas.
Desperado is a new take on Classic Mode that packs new Magic Beans (an alternative to Bananas, we imagine) and new types of waves, while Bandito puts players through four tiers of unique, increasingly difficult slicing challenges. Judging from the game's trailer (seen below), we're looking at lots and lots ... and lots of bombs.
"The fun and adventure of the Puss in Boots world lends itself perfectly to the core gameplay of Fruit Ninja," Halfbrick CMO Phil Larsen said in a release. "We wanted to create something new and different for our fans while keeping the magic of Fruit Ninja intact, and we think Bandito Mode will keep even the most practiced players on their toes. It's totally rad!" Yup, that sounds like a guy from Halfbrick, alright.
Even if it is a branded game, are you psyched for a brand new take on Fruit Ninja? Where would you like to see the franchise go next? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
Thứ Năm, 6 tháng 10, 2011
Alright, So What Do You Realize About Angry Birds?
Angry Birds is actually a video game produced by the company Rovio Mobile situated in Finland. After its very first launch, more than twelve million copies have been sold. This particular overpowering result caused the designers to generate other versions of the video game to appeal to specific devices such as Symbian as well as Android devices. This permits millions of users all over the world have fun with the game and become amazed about its fantastic and fascinating levels.
The overall game involves having a slingshot to release different types of birds at pigs which are on or within certain structures. The goal is to hit all the pigs using the birds without leaving any pig before the available birds run out. The particular constructions when the pigs are stationed are tough to eliminate on occasion. Thus, you might need to launch a number of birds before you get to eliminate all of them. When you proceed to the next levels in the game, different kinds of birds appear with absolutely new unique capabilities. Their expertise will help you eradicate the constructions as well as the pigs much more quickly.
There are 3 special versions in the game namely the Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio, and Angry Birds Magic. Angry Birds Seasons was created to fit the different occasions of the season for example Halloween night, Christmas, as well as Valentine’s. Angry Birds Rio is really a stand-alone release in which the characters happens to be in Rio de Janeiro and interact with characters in the film. The actual response of this edition has been very positive. It’s been purchased by millions since its very first launch. New comers immediately created an Angry Birds Rio to help beginners understand the new edition of the game. These kinds of cheats have become popular.
The overall game involves having a slingshot to release different types of birds at pigs which are on or within certain structures. The goal is to hit all the pigs using the birds without leaving any pig before the available birds run out. The particular constructions when the pigs are stationed are tough to eliminate on occasion. Thus, you might need to launch a number of birds before you get to eliminate all of them. When you proceed to the next levels in the game, different kinds of birds appear with absolutely new unique capabilities. Their expertise will help you eradicate the constructions as well as the pigs much more quickly.
There are 3 special versions in the game namely the Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio, and Angry Birds Magic. Angry Birds Seasons was created to fit the different occasions of the season for example Halloween night, Christmas, as well as Valentine’s. Angry Birds Rio is really a stand-alone release in which the characters happens to be in Rio de Janeiro and interact with characters in the film. The actual response of this edition has been very positive. It’s been purchased by millions since its very first launch. New comers immediately created an Angry Birds Rio to help beginners understand the new edition of the game. These kinds of cheats have become popular.
Adventure World RewardVille prizes now available
Amid the fanfare of Zynga's newest game Adventure World officially joining forces with the Indiana Jones brand, it might be easy to let the idea of RewardVille prizes slip your mind. Still, if you're an active player of many of Zynga's games, you'll be able to trade in your hard-earned zCoins for some prizes within this newest offering.
Unfortunately, there's a fairly slim selection of items available: just seven, to be specific. While some are functional items, the others can be used as decorations back in your Base Camp. Here's a complete rundown of the newly available prizes, along with their prices.
Telescope - 200 zCoins
Floodlight - 155 zCoins
Outhouse - 120 zCoins
Dynamite Stick - 100 zCoins
Water - 62 zCoins
Fuel - 62 zCoins
Food - 62 zCoins
Yes, as you might have guessed, these Dynamite, Fuel, Water and Food items are those that you need to complete various Expeditions and quests within the game. The Dynamite in particular is fairly worthwhile, if you have plenty of zCoins to spare, as you'll be left spending 1,000 coins on a single stick if you purchase it within the game.
Unfortunately, that's the lineup of all prizes as of this writing. If more are added in the future, we'll make sure to let you know.
Do you save up your RewardVille zCoins, or do you spend them just as quickly as you earn them? What do you think of these Adventure World prizes? What other sorts of items should be offered as prizes instead? Sound off in the comments.
Unfortunately, there's a fairly slim selection of items available: just seven, to be specific. While some are functional items, the others can be used as decorations back in your Base Camp. Here's a complete rundown of the newly available prizes, along with their prices.
Telescope - 200 zCoins
Floodlight - 155 zCoins
Outhouse - 120 zCoins
Dynamite Stick - 100 zCoins
Water - 62 zCoins
Fuel - 62 zCoins
Food - 62 zCoins
Yes, as you might have guessed, these Dynamite, Fuel, Water and Food items are those that you need to complete various Expeditions and quests within the game. The Dynamite in particular is fairly worthwhile, if you have plenty of zCoins to spare, as you'll be left spending 1,000 coins on a single stick if you purchase it within the game.
Unfortunately, that's the lineup of all prizes as of this writing. If more are added in the future, we'll make sure to let you know.
Do you save up your RewardVille zCoins, or do you spend them just as quickly as you earn them? What do you think of these Adventure World prizes? What other sorts of items should be offered as prizes instead? Sound off in the comments.
3 Blokes launches strategic assault on Facebook with Galactic Allies
Galactic Allies on Facebook
We can almost hear the 3 Blokes team in Australia screaming "Fire everything!" as they hit the proverbial "Launch" button on its first Facebook game under publisher RockYou, Galactic Allies. (It would be most appropriate, no?) Real-time strategy fans can jump in on the thrill of space-faring, asynchronous player vs player combat, complete with 3D visuals.
Essentially, Galactic Allies is RockYou and 3 Blokes's answer to the growing trend of hardcore strategy games on Facebook. However, the duo make a point of mentioning that this is a more casual approach to the burgeoning sub genre, and that the game features a heavy focus on an episodic storyline. And in keeping with current trends sparked by developers like Kixeye in War Commander, players can control units individually.
Gallery: Galactic Allies on Facebook
This means you'll likely be able to maneuver your starships around enemy fire, adding another layer of strategy to combat in the game. "Galactic Allies alters expectations for what a Facebook game can be," said 3 Blokes VP and GM George Fidler in a release. "It's a deep and compelling strategy game, but with the accessibility of a browser game." (It also looks like it takes the general idea behind Galactic Trader, one of 3 Blokes's first games, and blows it wide open using some familiar art assets.)
Hopefully this accessible approach will apply to the litany of upgrades players will accumulate across various missions and episodes. Judging from these early screen shots, it looks like Galactic Allies will focus heavily on dialog, but more importantly: Battles will take place both on the surface of alien planets and far above them in the infinite void. In other words, there will be plenty of things high and low to make go boom in Galactic Allies.
Click here to learn more about Galactic Allies on Facebook >
Are you a fan of strategy games on Facebook? How do you think Galactic Allies might size up against its competition? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
We can almost hear the 3 Blokes team in Australia screaming "Fire everything!" as they hit the proverbial "Launch" button on its first Facebook game under publisher RockYou, Galactic Allies. (It would be most appropriate, no?) Real-time strategy fans can jump in on the thrill of space-faring, asynchronous player vs player combat, complete with 3D visuals.
Essentially, Galactic Allies is RockYou and 3 Blokes's answer to the growing trend of hardcore strategy games on Facebook. However, the duo make a point of mentioning that this is a more casual approach to the burgeoning sub genre, and that the game features a heavy focus on an episodic storyline. And in keeping with current trends sparked by developers like Kixeye in War Commander, players can control units individually.
Gallery: Galactic Allies on Facebook
This means you'll likely be able to maneuver your starships around enemy fire, adding another layer of strategy to combat in the game. "Galactic Allies alters expectations for what a Facebook game can be," said 3 Blokes VP and GM George Fidler in a release. "It's a deep and compelling strategy game, but with the accessibility of a browser game." (It also looks like it takes the general idea behind Galactic Trader, one of 3 Blokes's first games, and blows it wide open using some familiar art assets.)
Hopefully this accessible approach will apply to the litany of upgrades players will accumulate across various missions and episodes. Judging from these early screen shots, it looks like Galactic Allies will focus heavily on dialog, but more importantly: Battles will take place both on the surface of alien planets and far above them in the infinite void. In other words, there will be plenty of things high and low to make go boom in Galactic Allies.
Click here to learn more about Galactic Allies on Facebook >
Are you a fan of strategy games on Facebook? How do you think Galactic Allies might size up against its competition? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Could Adobe Flash 11 make 3D the norm in Facebook games? [Video]
Well, it's certainly a possibility. VentureBeat reports that Adobe Flash, the software used by developers to create most of the Facebook games you play right now, will be updated to Version 11 this October. The new version of Flash will include something gamers, critics and industry folk alike have clamored for: 3D graphics. Namely, 3D graphics with no downloads.
San Jose, Calif.-based Adobe's goal is to get 3D gaming in front of 1 billion online gamers. Adobe evangelist Andrew Trice said that this new version of Flash can easily integrate with Facebook's social features. This could help bring (in theory) Adobe's vision of "the game console on the web" to life.
"With this milestone release Adobe pushes the envelope of what is possible on the web with a typical PC and opens up a new world of immersive, high-performance gaming experiences," said Adobe VP and GM of Platform Danny Winokur. Adobe should reworded that statement to say "Facebook" rather than "PC," because that's exactly where the company seems to be looking.
Another part of Adobe's announcement worth noting is that through its Adobe Air software, developers will be able to create games that are cross-platform--even on Apple's iOS, which is notorious for omitting Flash support from its iOS devices. This means that (again, in theory) you could enjoy social games that look and play no different on Facebook than on your iPhone.
And they'll both be directly connected, because (for a third time, in theory) they would be the same exact game. In fact, the company looks to have Adobe Air-powered games on over 1 billion mobile devices by 2015. But whether 3D gaming will become the norm on Facebook is ultimately up to the developers, some of which have turned to software like Unity to make it happen.
However, Unity requires a download from the user to work, something not many Facebook gamers are down with. This is especially considering how wary users like FarmVille fans are already of developers potentially encroaching on their privacy. The fact that 3D gaming in Flash will require no download is certainly a boon against its 3D competitors.
If developers take full advantage of this brand spankin' new Flash, it has the potential to push Facebook gaming into the same arena as console gaming. You know, if HTML5 doesn't take off first. The video below shows what your Facebook games could be like in the not-so-distant future with Adobe Flash 11.
[Image Credit: MacLife]
Are you excited that 3D gaming could hit Facebook in a big way? Do you think 3D games could become the norm on Facebook like they have on consoles? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
San Jose, Calif.-based Adobe's goal is to get 3D gaming in front of 1 billion online gamers. Adobe evangelist Andrew Trice said that this new version of Flash can easily integrate with Facebook's social features. This could help bring (in theory) Adobe's vision of "the game console on the web" to life.
"With this milestone release Adobe pushes the envelope of what is possible on the web with a typical PC and opens up a new world of immersive, high-performance gaming experiences," said Adobe VP and GM of Platform Danny Winokur. Adobe should reworded that statement to say "Facebook" rather than "PC," because that's exactly where the company seems to be looking.
Another part of Adobe's announcement worth noting is that through its Adobe Air software, developers will be able to create games that are cross-platform--even on Apple's iOS, which is notorious for omitting Flash support from its iOS devices. This means that (again, in theory) you could enjoy social games that look and play no different on Facebook than on your iPhone.
And they'll both be directly connected, because (for a third time, in theory) they would be the same exact game. In fact, the company looks to have Adobe Air-powered games on over 1 billion mobile devices by 2015. But whether 3D gaming will become the norm on Facebook is ultimately up to the developers, some of which have turned to software like Unity to make it happen.
However, Unity requires a download from the user to work, something not many Facebook gamers are down with. This is especially considering how wary users like FarmVille fans are already of developers potentially encroaching on their privacy. The fact that 3D gaming in Flash will require no download is certainly a boon against its 3D competitors.
If developers take full advantage of this brand spankin' new Flash, it has the potential to push Facebook gaming into the same arena as console gaming. You know, if HTML5 doesn't take off first. The video below shows what your Facebook games could be like in the not-so-distant future with Adobe Flash 11.
[Image Credit: MacLife]
Are you excited that 3D gaming could hit Facebook in a big way? Do you think 3D games could become the norm on Facebook like they have on consoles? Sound off in the comments. 2 Comments
Go on a Buddy Rush between Facebook, iPhone and now Android
Now, that's what I call cross-platform. Budang, South Korea-based Team Sollmo announced that Buddy Rush, its RPG (role-playing game) in which players can use the same adventurer between Facebook and iOS devices, has hit Android devices. What this means is that now, you can access the very same game with your very same character across all three platforms.
"We've been truly honored by the reception Buddy Rush has received thus far, reaching hundreds of thousands of users on Facebook and the Apple App Store," said Company100 (the game's publisher) President Jin Cheon Kim in a release. "With the launch on Android, we're proud to offer Buddy Rush to the vast majority of smartphone owners and establish ourselves as the first to offer an RPG with true cross-platform capabilities across these popular gaming channels."
If Buddy Rush for Android is anything like it is on both Facebook and iOS devices, which we assume it is given Kim's wording, then this is essentially the same game offered across all three modes of play.
Players can take the character they're used to dungeon crawling with on Facebook, play with it a bit on their Android phone, conquer some more monsters on, say, their iPod Touch and proceed to enter yet another battle with the baddies back on Facebook.
Gallery: Buddy Rush
While it's largely a single player experience, Buddy Rush allows players to take their friends' characters asynchronously on adventures like in most Facebook games of its kind. (The main draw, of course, being that you can do so across three platforms with the same character, and arguably whenever.) So, it pays to have lots of friends in this game that I likened to a saccharine take on Blizzard's popular if terribly dark Diablo RPGs. And now that it's on yet another gaming platform, you have no excuse.
Click here to download Buddy Rush for Android Now >
Have you tried Buddy Rush on either Facebook or iOS? What do you think of Sollmo's take on asynchronous, cross-platform gameplay? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
"We've been truly honored by the reception Buddy Rush has received thus far, reaching hundreds of thousands of users on Facebook and the Apple App Store," said Company100 (the game's publisher) President Jin Cheon Kim in a release. "With the launch on Android, we're proud to offer Buddy Rush to the vast majority of smartphone owners and establish ourselves as the first to offer an RPG with true cross-platform capabilities across these popular gaming channels."
If Buddy Rush for Android is anything like it is on both Facebook and iOS devices, which we assume it is given Kim's wording, then this is essentially the same game offered across all three modes of play.
Players can take the character they're used to dungeon crawling with on Facebook, play with it a bit on their Android phone, conquer some more monsters on, say, their iPod Touch and proceed to enter yet another battle with the baddies back on Facebook.
Gallery: Buddy Rush
While it's largely a single player experience, Buddy Rush allows players to take their friends' characters asynchronously on adventures like in most Facebook games of its kind. (The main draw, of course, being that you can do so across three platforms with the same character, and arguably whenever.) So, it pays to have lots of friends in this game that I likened to a saccharine take on Blizzard's popular if terribly dark Diablo RPGs. And now that it's on yet another gaming platform, you have no excuse.
Click here to download Buddy Rush for Android Now >
Have you tried Buddy Rush on either Facebook or iOS? What do you think of Sollmo's take on asynchronous, cross-platform gameplay? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Game of the Day: WHATword?
whatword what word game of the dayHalf match-3, half word game, WHATword? is an addictive word-making challenge. Line up letters to form words and knock them off the screen. But be careful because as soon as you clear a word, new balls will drop in to fill the gap. Line up various words, make an extra-long word, or use a special bonus letter; and you'll get heaps extra points. To advance to the next level, complete all the WHATwords!
See how far you can get before the WHATwords become too difficult!
Click here to play WHATword?!
whatword what word game of the day whatword what word game of the day
Pro Tips:
* When in trouble, mash the "Blast" button to rearrange the letters on the board.
* When you're lining up a WHATword, be careful not to create any other combos by accident. It might be a long time before the letters you need arrive in unison again.
Click here to play WHATword?!
How many levels did you clear in WHATwords?
See how far you can get before the WHATwords become too difficult!
Click here to play WHATword?!
whatword what word game of the day whatword what word game of the day
Pro Tips:
* When in trouble, mash the "Blast" button to rearrange the letters on the board.
* When you're lining up a WHATword, be careful not to create any other combos by accident. It might be a long time before the letters you need arrive in unison again.
Click here to play WHATword?!
How many levels did you clear in WHATwords?
Thứ Ba, 4 tháng 10, 2011
It's Talk Like a Pirate Day: Play our Top Five pirate Facebook games
Is there any other way to being this feature than with a hearty "Yarrgg?" Probably not. (In fact, let's use this entire introduction to talk like pirates, eh?) In case ye hadn't noticed, mate, today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So, I ask ye landlubbers, what better way to honor this joyous, silly holiday than with five of the best pirate games around on Facebook?
Avast, ye swabs! Look no further than right here for the five best seafarin' and land lootin' games on Facebook. Oh, right, and remember to click on the headers to jump off the plank right into each Facebook game:
Mighty Pirates
This release (pictured below) by CrowdStar explores the two most important things in a pirate's life: exploring and fighting. Players create, maintain and upgrade their very own vessel of piracy. And it's all in the name of surviving your next fight with your fellow pirate.
Mighty Pirates handles battles in turn-based affairs that add a bit of strategy to burning your enemies to the blue depths. In your off time, explore islands to dig up buried treasure and other resources to boost your ship with.
Mighty Pirates
Treasure Isle
While it may not directly involve pirates, the swashbucklers have invaded the shores of Zynga's island exploration game more times than not. In fact, players can even embark on Voyages with their own vessels, though simply to explore even more. Treasure Isle has players aiming to complete island maps by digging and digging ... and digging. But judging from more experienced players' islands, it certainly pays off. (In other words, there's lots and lots of treasure in it for you.)
Battle Pirates
Want a more ... serious approach to high seas fighting and looting? Then Kixeye certainly has that in spades with Battle Pirates, its strategy Facebook game centered around modern day piracy. (You know, like those bad dudes off the coast of Somalia?) The game plays much like the developer's previous strategy offerings, giving you a week to prepare your base for incoming attack from anyone playing the game. If you want a pirate game that puts the battle first, then look no further.
Battle Pirates
Pirates Saga
In this take on everyone's favorite sea-faring antiheroes, Can't Stop Games focuses almost entirely on your ship. More importantly, it's concerned with how you navigate it through the deep blue sea ... and away from enemy gunfire. Another battle-focused pirates game, Pirates Saga allows players to interact with each other in real time. As you transport cargo and fight back the forces of the infamous Blackbeard, be wary at all times of opposing ships that may or may not be fellow players.
Pirates Saga
Pirate Legacy
A somewhat smaller game than the rest in terms of monthly players, this game by 6waves and Paprika Lab throws a heavy RPG (role-playing game) layer onto the pirate game aesthetic. Pirate Legacy enlists you, a new corsair, to explore the ocean around your home port and hunt for monsters like giant serpents and ghost ships to acquire materials for contractors. Everything about the game is turn-based, giving it an impressive layer of strategy that's a little lighter on the action.
Pirate Legacy
[Lead Image Credit: Disney]
How are you honoring this most awesome Talk Like a Pirate Day? Which of these pirate-themed Facebook games do you like most, and do you know of any you'd personally recommend? Share with us in the comments. 2 Comments
Avast, ye swabs! Look no further than right here for the five best seafarin' and land lootin' games on Facebook. Oh, right, and remember to click on the headers to jump off the plank right into each Facebook game:
Mighty Pirates
This release (pictured below) by CrowdStar explores the two most important things in a pirate's life: exploring and fighting. Players create, maintain and upgrade their very own vessel of piracy. And it's all in the name of surviving your next fight with your fellow pirate.
Mighty Pirates handles battles in turn-based affairs that add a bit of strategy to burning your enemies to the blue depths. In your off time, explore islands to dig up buried treasure and other resources to boost your ship with.
Mighty Pirates
Treasure Isle
While it may not directly involve pirates, the swashbucklers have invaded the shores of Zynga's island exploration game more times than not. In fact, players can even embark on Voyages with their own vessels, though simply to explore even more. Treasure Isle has players aiming to complete island maps by digging and digging ... and digging. But judging from more experienced players' islands, it certainly pays off. (In other words, there's lots and lots of treasure in it for you.)
Battle Pirates
Want a more ... serious approach to high seas fighting and looting? Then Kixeye certainly has that in spades with Battle Pirates, its strategy Facebook game centered around modern day piracy. (You know, like those bad dudes off the coast of Somalia?) The game plays much like the developer's previous strategy offerings, giving you a week to prepare your base for incoming attack from anyone playing the game. If you want a pirate game that puts the battle first, then look no further.
Battle Pirates
Pirates Saga
In this take on everyone's favorite sea-faring antiheroes, Can't Stop Games focuses almost entirely on your ship. More importantly, it's concerned with how you navigate it through the deep blue sea ... and away from enemy gunfire. Another battle-focused pirates game, Pirates Saga allows players to interact with each other in real time. As you transport cargo and fight back the forces of the infamous Blackbeard, be wary at all times of opposing ships that may or may not be fellow players.
Pirates Saga
Pirate Legacy
A somewhat smaller game than the rest in terms of monthly players, this game by 6waves and Paprika Lab throws a heavy RPG (role-playing game) layer onto the pirate game aesthetic. Pirate Legacy enlists you, a new corsair, to explore the ocean around your home port and hunt for monsters like giant serpents and ghost ships to acquire materials for contractors. Everything about the game is turn-based, giving it an impressive layer of strategy that's a little lighter on the action.
Pirate Legacy
[Lead Image Credit: Disney]
How are you honoring this most awesome Talk Like a Pirate Day? Which of these pirate-themed Facebook games do you like most, and do you know of any you'd personally recommend? Share with us in the comments. 2 Comments
Capital One gets in Zynga's wallet with FarmVille, CityVille, Pioneer Trail
Capital One asks Zynga once again, "What's in your wallet?" To which the developer replies, "Why, FarmVille, CityVille and Pioneer Trail, of course!" Mashable reports that the national financial services firm has teamed up with Zynga again for three brand new in-game branding promotions involving Capital One's infamous goat character. Well, two outta three, at least.
Granted, keep in mind that these promotions are slowly rolling out to players, as I've yet to see most of them in my games. Starting with none other than FarmVille, Capital One returns (remember the Visigoths?) with its beloved goat to the game as a breedable animal, which comes just in time for the slew of Breeding Pens in the game.
CityVille, on the other hand, simply features a Capital One-branded Bank for players to use, and opening it offers players a bonus decoration as well as additional Coins, Energy and other resources. Pioneer Trail has its very own set of Goals to help the goat-on-arrival find his lost band mates, which ultimately reward players with a Capital One goat of their own.
This is the second time Capital One has worked with Zynga this year in a branding promotion, and it comes hot off of the heels of a Best Buy promotion conducted through CityVille. And this will be far from the last branded promotion to be featured in a Zynga game. (If anything, the work of Ecko|Code speaks to its popularity.)
The San Francisco-based (but global) developer is joining forces with Lucasfilm to bring Indiana Jones into Adventure World, Zynga Boston's debut Facebook game. Considering the game has been retitled, "Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game," it could be the first Zynga game built entirely around a brand. So yes, branded Facebook games are here to stay.
Are you psyched for these upcoming in-game promotions across the company's three most recognizable Facebook games? What do you think of the movement toward branding in Facebook games overall? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.
Granted, keep in mind that these promotions are slowly rolling out to players, as I've yet to see most of them in my games. Starting with none other than FarmVille, Capital One returns (remember the Visigoths?) with its beloved goat to the game as a breedable animal, which comes just in time for the slew of Breeding Pens in the game.
CityVille, on the other hand, simply features a Capital One-branded Bank for players to use, and opening it offers players a bonus decoration as well as additional Coins, Energy and other resources. Pioneer Trail has its very own set of Goals to help the goat-on-arrival find his lost band mates, which ultimately reward players with a Capital One goat of their own.
This is the second time Capital One has worked with Zynga this year in a branding promotion, and it comes hot off of the heels of a Best Buy promotion conducted through CityVille. And this will be far from the last branded promotion to be featured in a Zynga game. (If anything, the work of Ecko|Code speaks to its popularity.)
The San Francisco-based (but global) developer is joining forces with Lucasfilm to bring Indiana Jones into Adventure World, Zynga Boston's debut Facebook game. Considering the game has been retitled, "Adventure World: An Indiana Jones Game," it could be the first Zynga game built entirely around a brand. So yes, branded Facebook games are here to stay.
Are you psyched for these upcoming in-game promotions across the company's three most recognizable Facebook games? What do you think of the movement toward branding in Facebook games overall? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.
MapleStory Adventures hits over 3M players, new classes coming soon
You'd think an astronomical divorce rate would scare players away, but nay. Nexon announced today that its first crack at Facebook games, MapleStory Adventures, has touched the chibi-loving hearts of over 3.2 million monthly players. While this number pales in comparison to the 100 million players that have jumped into the original game, it's impressive considering.
But not necessarily surprising. First of all, have you ever met a MapleStory fan ... or should I say fanatic? Second, the "click things and cute things happen" approach could certainly keep players hooked. Now that the Facebook version has roped in a few million, we imagine the Korean studio looks to bring its 414,000 daily players, according to AppData, up closer to six digits.
And what do you know, the company just announced that new classes are coming to MapleStory Adventures to give players more variety to work with than merely "Magician" and "Warrior." (Admittedly, classes are a bit lean at the moment.) While Nexon didn't reveal any specifics, we hope the new classes somehow involve adorable dragons ... somehow.
In addition to the recently-introduced Sky Scraper area, Nexon plans to add multi-character slots, personal spaces that players can customize and to localize MapleStory Adventures in Spanish, French, German, Chinese and more. In short, this is Nexon's way of saying: Stay tuned, because there is plenty more to come. We guess some 400,000 of you have no issue with that.
Have you been playing MapleStory Adventures on Facebook? What do you think of the game so far, and what classes do you hope Nexon adds to the game? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
But not necessarily surprising. First of all, have you ever met a MapleStory fan ... or should I say fanatic? Second, the "click things and cute things happen" approach could certainly keep players hooked. Now that the Facebook version has roped in a few million, we imagine the Korean studio looks to bring its 414,000 daily players, according to AppData, up closer to six digits.
And what do you know, the company just announced that new classes are coming to MapleStory Adventures to give players more variety to work with than merely "Magician" and "Warrior." (Admittedly, classes are a bit lean at the moment.) While Nexon didn't reveal any specifics, we hope the new classes somehow involve adorable dragons ... somehow.
In addition to the recently-introduced Sky Scraper area, Nexon plans to add multi-character slots, personal spaces that players can customize and to localize MapleStory Adventures in Spanish, French, German, Chinese and more. In short, this is Nexon's way of saying: Stay tuned, because there is plenty more to come. We guess some 400,000 of you have no issue with that.
Have you been playing MapleStory Adventures on Facebook? What do you think of the game so far, and what classes do you hope Nexon adds to the game? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
New study finds Facebook games might do the economy good
The Facebook Economy
The success of Facebook gaming goes beyond Facebook. Based on an economic impact study released today (courtesy of the University of Maryland), Facebook games, applications, and social plugins (e.g. "Like" buttons, fan pages, Facebook Connect, etc.) are responsible for adding somewhere from 182,744 to 235,644 full-time jobs, and $12.19 billion to $15.71 billion into the US economy.
Seeing that the Facebook platform has only been around since May 2007, the growth has been tremendous. The study cites Zynga as an example as the most successful venture on the Facebook platform, primarily thanks to hits like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and Words With Friends. Zynga itself has 2,000 employees with the company valued at $15 to $20 billion. Whereas, Playfish was bought by EA for $300 million, and Playdom was bought by Disney for $763.2 million.
The study, created by professors of the Center for Digital Innovation, Technology, and Strategy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, moves on from counting the numbers of direct employment to uncovering jobs indirectly created by Facebook apps. It then estimates the economic value of all those jobs, which means analyzing salaries and benefits. Still skeptical? They're calling it the "Facebook App Economy" and you can read all about it here.
[Image Credit: Visual Economics]
[Via SFGate]
Do you still think that Facebook games are a waste of money? Do you know anyone who's been able to make a living thanks to Facebook games? Add Comment
The success of Facebook gaming goes beyond Facebook. Based on an economic impact study released today (courtesy of the University of Maryland), Facebook games, applications, and social plugins (e.g. "Like" buttons, fan pages, Facebook Connect, etc.) are responsible for adding somewhere from 182,744 to 235,644 full-time jobs, and $12.19 billion to $15.71 billion into the US economy.
Seeing that the Facebook platform has only been around since May 2007, the growth has been tremendous. The study cites Zynga as an example as the most successful venture on the Facebook platform, primarily thanks to hits like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, and Words With Friends. Zynga itself has 2,000 employees with the company valued at $15 to $20 billion. Whereas, Playfish was bought by EA for $300 million, and Playdom was bought by Disney for $763.2 million.
The study, created by professors of the Center for Digital Innovation, Technology, and Strategy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, moves on from counting the numbers of direct employment to uncovering jobs indirectly created by Facebook apps. It then estimates the economic value of all those jobs, which means analyzing salaries and benefits. Still skeptical? They're calling it the "Facebook App Economy" and you can read all about it here.
[Image Credit: Visual Economics]
[Via SFGate]
Do you still think that Facebook games are a waste of money? Do you know anyone who's been able to make a living thanks to Facebook games? Add Comment
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Take a bite out of Deanna2u's BLT burger farm
Is it farm art or food art? Is it a burger or a BLT sandwich? Either way, it looks delicious! Today, we put aside landscapes and abstract pieces to go for still-life with hay bales, because I can't remember a time where a FarmVille farm managed to induce as much drooling as Deanna2u's simple, perfect creation.
Deanna2u chose bold bright colors on a black outline and a blue field, layering the bun's insides with what looks like cheese, ham (or an ultra rare cooked patty), lettuce and tomatoes. Is it just me or do the tomatoes actually look like they're smiling?
What other objects would look delicious on a farm? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Deanna2u chose bold bright colors on a black outline and a blue field, layering the bun's insides with what looks like cheese, ham (or an ultra rare cooked patty), lettuce and tomatoes. Is it just me or do the tomatoes actually look like they're smiling?
What other objects would look delicious on a farm? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
If you have an AWESOME FarmVille farm that you want to see featured on Games.com, please email a picture to editors@games.com, Include a few words about the inspiration for your design and maybe a few tips for people who need an assist!
Chủ Nhật, 2 tháng 10, 2011
Zynga reveals Mafia Wars 2, to be a 'badass' Facebook game [Video]
To most, Facebook gaming is nothing but farmland, cows and rainbows with a dash of brand endorsement. Zynga, one of the stereotype's main offenders, hopes to set the record straight with Mafia Wars 2. A full-blown sequel to the original text-based Facebook RPG (role-playing game), Mafia Wars 2 will bring the franchise into "a vast 3D world where being bad never felt so good."
Judging from this early artwork and the ... interesting trailer below, it seems as if Zynga could make good on previous speculation that its next Mafia Wars game would take a more literal approach in paying homage to its inspirations.
The trailer is set to Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," you know, so its badassery really sets in. Jokes (about the narration) aside, the video is impressively-edited with its stylistic, "golden" approach to blood and gore.
Unfortunately, all we know about Mafia Wars 2 is apparently how badass it's going to be. While that may be all some need to get psyched, you can check out and "Like" the game's official Facebook fan page to find out more about the game.
Oh, and you'll score some early items for the game by hopping on board early like some accessories for your character and decorations. These already tell us a great deal about the game--fully customizable 3D avatars, anyone? Alright, now we know you're hyped.
[Video and Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited to get your clickers on some fresh gang bustin' in Mafia Wars 2? What did you think of the announcement trailer? Share with us in the comments. Add Comment
Judging from this early artwork and the ... interesting trailer below, it seems as if Zynga could make good on previous speculation that its next Mafia Wars game would take a more literal approach in paying homage to its inspirations.
The trailer is set to Jane's Addiction's "Mountain Song," you know, so its badassery really sets in. Jokes (about the narration) aside, the video is impressively-edited with its stylistic, "golden" approach to blood and gore.
Unfortunately, all we know about Mafia Wars 2 is apparently how badass it's going to be. While that may be all some need to get psyched, you can check out and "Like" the game's official Facebook fan page to find out more about the game.
Oh, and you'll score some early items for the game by hopping on board early like some accessories for your character and decorations. These already tell us a great deal about the game--fully customizable 3D avatars, anyone? Alright, now we know you're hyped.
[Video and Image Credit: Zynga]
Are you excited to get your clickers on some fresh gang bustin' in Mafia Wars 2? What did you think of the announcement trailer? Share with us in the comments. Add Comment
Finally, hang out with your Android buddies in Hanging With Friends
It looks like Tuesday is unofficially Zynga Game Day, as the company just announced that Hanging With Friends is now available for free on the Android Market. Keep in mind, this comes just minutes after the company revealed Mafia Wars 2. Even better news than the fact that Android players can get in on Zynga With Friends's second mobile game is that it's now cross-platform ready.
Yes, now you can play both your iPhone-toting friends and your best Android-owning enemies buds in this crazy take on the classic pen and paper game of Hangman. In case you're unfamiliar, Hanging With Friends takes the popular turn-based exchange of the wildly popular Words With Friends and applies that to a wacky game of Hangman, but with some twists.
For one, players who choose their word for an opponent are limited by the letters provided to them. Then, that challenge is sent to a player who must guess the word with a limited amount of guesses. This exchange of posing challenges and guesses continues asynchronously until one player loses all of their balloons and falls into a pit of lava or other various deathtraps.
Luckily, you have a series of power-ups at your disposal that can restore some of your guesses or reveal letters that may or may not be part of the word your friend chose in secret. Of course, these boosts cost Coins, which you can accumulate over time by winning Hanging With Friends matches or purchasing them outright in-game.
Gallery: Hanging With Friends on Android
Of course, the Android version contains all of the features that its iOS counterpart sports, like the ability to play up to 20 games at a time, in-game chat and push notifications. Finally, you can add friends via your existing With Friends account, or just connect to Facebook (like everyone else) to find more folks to crush with your wordsmithery. Have at thee, Fandroids.
Click here to download Hanging With Friends on the Android Market Now >
Are you psyched that Hanging With Friends has finally come to Android? What other Zynga games do you hope to see on Android phones on the future? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Yes, now you can play both your iPhone-toting friends and your best Android-owning enemies buds in this crazy take on the classic pen and paper game of Hangman. In case you're unfamiliar, Hanging With Friends takes the popular turn-based exchange of the wildly popular Words With Friends and applies that to a wacky game of Hangman, but with some twists.
For one, players who choose their word for an opponent are limited by the letters provided to them. Then, that challenge is sent to a player who must guess the word with a limited amount of guesses. This exchange of posing challenges and guesses continues asynchronously until one player loses all of their balloons and falls into a pit of lava or other various deathtraps.
Luckily, you have a series of power-ups at your disposal that can restore some of your guesses or reveal letters that may or may not be part of the word your friend chose in secret. Of course, these boosts cost Coins, which you can accumulate over time by winning Hanging With Friends matches or purchasing them outright in-game.
Gallery: Hanging With Friends on Android
Of course, the Android version contains all of the features that its iOS counterpart sports, like the ability to play up to 20 games at a time, in-game chat and push notifications. Finally, you can add friends via your existing With Friends account, or just connect to Facebook (like everyone else) to find more folks to crush with your wordsmithery. Have at thee, Fandroids.
Click here to download Hanging With Friends on the Android Market Now >
Are you psyched that Hanging With Friends has finally come to Android? What other Zynga games do you hope to see on Android phones on the future? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Game of the Day: Alchemy
alchemy game of the dayAlchemy is a game of strategy and wit. Carefully place runes and turn the entire board to gold. You can only place runes next to pieces of the same color or shape. However, you can place a rune of any color or shape next to a grey stone. If you can't place the rune, you may discard it. But be careful, discard four runes in a row and it'll be game over! If you fill a row or column with runes, they'll all disappear, opening up the board. Similarly, a skull will let you destroy any rune on the board.
Alchemy may seem complicated at first, but once you grasp the basics, you'll be hooked on its addictive gameplay. Good luck!
Click here to play Alchemy!
alchemy game of the day alchemy game of the day
What did you think of Alchemy? Where you able to turn lead into gold?
Alchemy may seem complicated at first, but once you grasp the basics, you'll be hooked on its addictive gameplay. Good luck!
Click here to play Alchemy!
alchemy game of the day alchemy game of the day
What did you think of Alchemy? Where you able to turn lead into gold?
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