April 2012

Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 Offers Players Full Control of The Field


Posted on April 25, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Konami announced the next entry in the Pro Evolution Soccer series for release this fall. The2013 edition of PES promises to include changes influenced by the series’ earlier games. In addition for the first time in the franchise’s history players will be able to have full control over their shorts.

PES 2013 is set to offer player’s unprecedented freedom using what Konami has coined Full Control.  The Full Control system allows you to control the ball upon first contact among other changes. Using the R2 button, for example, allows a player on the field to trap the ball. Konami has also tweaked ball physics in PES 2012 bringing the game in line with real world matches.

All of these additions sound like great enhancements to an already solid franchise. Check out the full list of enhancements & features that encompass the Full Control system. Read More


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Crytek: Next-gen used games block ‘would be absolutely awesome’


Posted on April 25, 2012 by Jesse Lord

In an article over at CVG, we learn that Crysis dev Crytek have some interesting thoughts about next gen, specifically as it pertains to keeping Piracy down and preventing the used game market from stealing their cash monies.

Rasmus Hojengaard, Crytek’s director of creative development, issued the following statement in an interview over at the site:

“The worst thing that can happen is they make something that’s very complex for developers, regardless of how awesome it might theoretically be,” he said. “So getting hardware that allows you to quickly get prototypes up and running, and any kind of scalability they can offer will be great as well, as long as everyone has that scalability and not just a select few.”

I completely agree with Mr. Hojengaard, there.  But when the interviewer then asks about the rumored anti-used-game measures that are purported to be in the next Xbox and Playstation consoles, he had this to say:

“From a business perspective that would be absolutely awesome. It’s weird that [second-hand] is still allowed because it doesn’t work like that in any other software industries, so it would be great if they could somehow fix that issue as well.”

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Dead Space 1 and 2: Five Whole Dollars Each on Steam


Posted on April 25, 2012 by Andrew Minott

Until 2pm Pacific on Thursday, April 26, Dead Space and Dead Space 2 are $4.99 each on Steam. Both of these games are incredible, and you should have them. The original is (if we’re being honest) better than the sequel, but that is akin to saying that $100 is better, objectively, than $93. What I’m telling you is that with this deal you can have $193 for $9.98 plus tax. This metaphor got unwieldy. Go kill necromorphs.


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Crysis 3 gets primal up in the Big Apple.


Posted on April 25, 2012 by Broken Joysticks

Today EA and Crytek gave us the announcement trailer for the upcoming third part of the Crysis series. Touting an open approach to the gameplay, more options for using the Nanosuit in and out of combat, seven different and distinct environments in the jungle that has become New York, and even more fantastic weaponry like a crazy new composite bow.

Check the trailer out after the jump.Read More


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Trials Evolution | Review


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Broken Joysticks

How many of us have had that “just one more” experience from a game? Just about any loot drop game sorta drives those feelings, finding yourself up at ungodly hours just trying to find that one piece to complete your gear. This game hits that button very hard, as you make your way though the single player levels you’ll find you just end up blowing though level after level, wanting to finish the next tick in the box, to reach the next test or unlock the next tier of races. Until you slam into the wall of skill that the game needs from you.Read More


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Dungeonland’s first Developer Diary Released


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Daniel Shannon

Paradox Interactive has just released the first developer’s diary for Dungeonland, Critical Studios’s upcoming game about sheep tossing and the exploits of adventurers trapped in a deadly medieval theme park.

According to the diary, the developers’ goal was to create a dungeon crawler where players would actually play together. When they say play together, they don’t mean a game where the players can go through their typical roles (e.g. player A tanks, player B heals, and player C throws sheep) simultaneously without actually talking to each other.

Instead, the Brazilian developers wanted the players “to collaborate in a meaningful way, to constantly talk, shout, laugh and curse at each other as they play.”

After a few prototypes, including one where different colored balls fight to survive 12 waves of monsters, Critical Studios came to the conclusion that, if they wanted people playing “together” rather than “simultaneously,” they would have to make the game play out differently each time.  They’d also have to make it pretty hard, forcing players to make the best possible use of each others’ skills.

You may read how the developers hope to do this, in their own words, after the trailer.

[youtube id=”YGqEir3BasM” width=”600″ height=”350″]

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Awesomenauts invade May 1st (or 2nd)


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Andrew Minott

Awesomenauts, a 2D 3-vs-3 side-scrolling MOBA variant, is set to launch on PSN on May 1 and XBLA on May 2. Developed by Ronimo Games, this downloadable title charges players with the task of assaulting their enemy’s Core while defending their own. Standing in their way, though, are three cartoon murderers (each possessing unique offensive and defensive abilities) and machine gun turrets ready to chew them to pieces.Read More


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Skype Comes To PS Vita With Video Conference Support


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

The PlayStation Vita will be receiving its own version of Skype, the popular voice/video chat software, in the latest PlayStation Store update. Skype will be available on both the 3G and Wifi models and will also support Video chat using the system’s front facing VGA camera.

If you’ve been looking for a way to replicate late 90s video conferences complete with muddy image quality and stray pixels the PS Vitas camera might be your best choice. Seriously Sony, only 640×480 on those bad boys? I know the Vita has been out for months but even cell phones from 2006 had better image quality!


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40% of Free 2 Play Players Spend Real World Cash


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

The free to play model has exploded in recent years with established games like Lord of the Rings Online and Team Fortress 2 adopting the model after being released at retail. Newer games like Phantasy Star Online 2 and Tribes Ascend have adopted the model in favor of a retail release all together. These games offer players a good portion of gameplay for free with additional items, add-ons and experiences available for a nominal fee.

Just how many players of these games spend their hard earned money on in-game items? According to the NPD group approximately 40% players report that they have spent real world money within Free to Play games. In the Freeium Games Market Report the NPD estimates that 40% of the United States population have played some form of Free To Play entertainment.

Do you spend any of your gaming time with Free to Play titles? One of my most anticipated games Phantasy Star Online 2 will be releasing under the model sometime later this year. Time will tell if larger games like World of Warcraf also adopt this model.


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Rayman Origins 2 Spotted In Online Survey


Posted on April 24, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

A sequel to last Novembers critical success Rayman Origins may be in the work over at Ubisoft. We know about this potential sequel well before a possible E3 2012 reveal thanks to an online survey the publisher may have commissioned.

Arkenford, an online marketing firm, included a few different screenshots of the rumored Rayman sequel alongside some details surrounding Rayman Origin 2‘s gameplay. The game will supposedly include all of what made the original game great (excellent 2D art and 4 play co-op) as well as new settlings featuring vampires, dragons and gods.

We’ve got three of the screenshots from Ubisoft’s marketing survey after the jump. Hopefully Ubisoft will reveal the game before E3. The original Rayman Origins was a big part of their 2011 press conference.

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Kirby 20th Anniversary Collection Coming


Posted on April 23, 2012 by Eric Regier

In the Japanese only Nintendo Direct webcast hosted by Satoru Iwata on April 21st, he announced that we will see the release of a Kirby compilation disk featuring a mixture of games from his career. It is unknown which games or more specifically, when the collection will be available.

Also announced, they will be making more Kirby available than before with related material through Club Nintendo and the possibility of more downloadable titles on the 3DS eShop. 3D Classics: Kirby’s Adventure released on the platform November of last year. What does Nintendo have in store for us this year now that our little pink puffball has aged to 20? All we know is that Nintendo has more up its sleeve than it did for Metroid’s 25th anniversary late last year.


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Hackers Break Open The Vita Again With Unnamed PSP Title


Posted on April 23, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Sony was very prompt with their response the last time hackers found an exploit in the PSP versions of Motorstorm and Hot Shots Tennis. Both of those games have been patched and are now available for purchase on the PSN but this hasn’t stopped hackers from showing off another exploit using a yet to be revealed PSP title currently available on the store.

In a one minute YouTube video, which you can watch below, YouTuber frwololo plays id Software’s classic Doom on Sony’s $250 handheld. Isn’t that what expensive handhelds are for?, playing 18 year old DOS games!. Presumably once the game used in the exploit is revealed Sony will remove it from the store, patch it and then repost it on PSN.

[youtube id=”q_eVaq5_PIY” width=”600″ height=”350″]


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Batman Arkham City GOTY Edition Announced


Posted on April 23, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Are you ready for more Batman: Arkham City? Warner Bros. Interactive announced the Game of the Year Edition this morning alongside the final piece of downloadable content for the game, Harley Quin’s Revenge.

The GOTY edition of the game is scheduled for release this September and includes the following pieces of DLC:  Wayne Manor, Main Hall, Freight Train and Black Mask maps, Catwoman, Robin and Nightwing playable characters, 15 different skins and the upcoming Harley Quin’s Revenge.

Speaking of Ms.Quin, her DLC episode is scheduled to be released on May 30th on both the Playstation Network and Xbox Live. This final piece of DLC has players cast in the roles of both Batman and Robin as they attempt to stop Harley from opening up the urban mega-prison. Check out some promotional screens from the Harley Quin’s Revenge after the jump.

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FIFA 12, Deus Ex, and Sword and Sworcery At the CVA’s


Posted on April 23, 2012 by Matthew Regier

Over the weekend at Fan Expo Vancouver the Canadian Videogame Awards (CVA) took place. The big winners this year were EA Sport’s FIFA Soccer 12 stole the show by taking Game of the Year. Eidos Montreal’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution earned Best Console Game, with Capybara Games’ Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP was given honours for Best Game on the Go, Best Indie, Best Original Music and even the Innovation Award.

“Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees tonight,” said Victor Lucas, executive producer of The Electric Playground and CVA co-founder, “the games we saw at the show this evening are world-class and illustrate once again that Canadian game developers are second to none when it comes to creating interactive entertainment!”

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Steel Battalion Heavy Armor Pre-Order Bonuses Announced


Posted on April 23, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Can’t wait for Capcom’s follow up to 2002’s Steel Battalion? The wait for the Kinect/Controller hybrid mech simulator Steel Batalion: Heavy Armor just got a little bit harder with the announcement of pre-order bonuses for both North America and Europe.

In a press release sent out this morning Capcom revaled three brand new pre-order packs for the game. By pre-ordering you can have your choice of either the Carbon Assassin Armory, the Chrome Bliztzer Armory or the Iron Guardian Armory.

No word on whether or not these pre-order bonuses will be locked to specific retailers. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor will be released on June 19 in North America and June 22nd in Europe. Check out the three promotional images for these packs after the jump.

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