June 2012

Hero Academy Coming to Steam


Posted on June 29, 2012 by Andrew Minott

Hit iOS strategy game Hero Academy is coming to PC by way of Steam on August 8. The game will be multi-platform, meaning your account you may already have on your iPhone or iPad will work on Steam, and vice-versa. The Steam version will also allow players to unlock a special Team Fortress 2 themed band of mercenaries, and all other teams (such as the Dwarves, Orcs, or Dark Elves) unlocked on Steam will reward Team Fortress 2 items in that game.

For more information, check out Robot Entertainment’s website.


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The Walking Dead: Starved For Help [Episode 2] Review


Posted on June 29, 2012 by Matthew Regier

In case you haven’t read the first review of this ongoing series you can find that here.

Have you ever been so hungry that you would be willing to do anything for a meal? What price would you pay for a single meal? Telltale’s The Walking Dead Episode 2: Starved For Help asks these questions and the choices  are never easy. The highly anticipated second episode to The Walking Dead story set in the comic universe of Robert Kirkman will send shivers up your spine and make your heart race with its perfect blend of atmosphere and drama and will make you question even your own limits in a dire situation.

The second chapter begins three months after the conclusion of the first episode in the Motor Inn that the ground created their base out of. Tensions begin high during a hunting excursion in the woods to find that a meal is difficult to find as even the wildlife is beginning to dwindle due to the “Walker” outbreak. The first scene alone sets the tone for the episode as you are immediately set with a decision that is necessary but very difficult to make and would make the most hardened men squirm in their chair.

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Top 5 Games Under $20: XBOX 360


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Andrew Minott

At least once a week, I get someone at work or a friend or relative coming to me with “hey, I just got a 360, what games should I get?” Generally, that’s a tough question to answer because everyone’s taste is different, especially for people who aren’t heavily involved in the gaming culture already. Some people like this, some people like that, some people can’t stand either of them. For that reason, I usually shy away from suggesting a brand new release, as $60 is a lot to plunk down on something that isn’t a sure bet (or very near to one).

So, in my brain, I keep a short list of games that can easily be acquired on a budget and are ones that I can be fairly confident that people will find a good entertainment value for the price. This is, of course, not an exhaustive list of every good game that has come out since 2007 since there are hundreds upon hundreds to choose from, these are just the ones I think everyone should at least be aware of.Read More


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New Persona 4: Arena Arcade Mode Screenshots


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Atlus’ Persona 4: Arena media assault continues with a new batch of colorful screenshots showcasing the games arcade mode. I’m not really sure what more can be said about the game, as it seems like were writing about it almost daily.

Check out the screenshots for yourself after the jump in our handy dandy gallery. We’ll have more on Persona 4: Arena when it becomes available on August 7 in North America.

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[Prototype] Developer No More


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Radical Entertainment, the Vancouver-based developers behind [Prototype], [Prototype 2] as well as last generation’s Hulk Ultimate Destruction and The Simpsons: Hit and Run have close their doors Activision confirmed today.

News of the closure spread around social media rather quickly with former members of the studio breaking the news over twitter. Oddly, updates to the companies’ Facebook and Twitter accounts happened mere hours before the closure was announced, suggesting that this closure came about rather quickly.

Activision, the parent company of radical entertainment, issued a statement regarding the closure.Read More


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Guild Wars 2 Launches August 28th


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Kirk Williford

After spending over 5 years in development, ArenaNet announced today what fans have been waiting for: Guild Wars 2 will be on shelves August 28th, 2012. The MMORPG takes place 250 years after the original Guild Wars and integrates traditional pay-to-play elements with unique combat systems and world events, all for the low monthly price of $0.

Those who preorder the game will have full access to the world starting Saturday, August 25th. Check out the new teaser, and Get Ready:

[youtube id=”t-CB0hheQRg” width=”600″ height=”350″]


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Metal Gear Solid Rising & Lords of Shadow 2 Playable At GamesCom


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Two of Konami’s biggest games for 2012 and 2013 will be playable by the public for the first time at Germany’s GamesCom in August. Fans of Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid franchise will get their first taste of Raiden’s blade with a playable demo of next spring’s Metal Gear Solid Risisng: Revengeance. For those in attendance looking for something a little less blood-soaked and a little more macabre there’s always Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate for the Nintendo 3DS.

Gamescom 12 will run in Colonge Germany from August 15th through the 18th. While we won’t be at the show itself, if any big announcements are made we will be sure to bring them to you.


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Blizzard Fixes ‘Act I’ Glitch For New Diablo Players


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Last week we reported that Blizzard had implemented several restrictions on new purchasers of Diablo III. Some of these restrictions were intentional, such as the inability to create private games or use the real money auction house, and some of them were the result of a glitch found after the restrictions were put into place.

Players who buy Diablo III digitally will no longer be subject to the level 13 or be restricted to the first act of the game. They would will however not be able to access public games, the auction house or trader received items for up to 72 hours. This allows Blizzard to verify the credit card information used to purchase the game and helps prevent gold farming and credit fraud.Read More


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SEGA Closes Multiple European and Australian Offices


Posted on June 28, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

The house that Sonic built certainly seen better days. The embattled publisher had already closed some operations in North America, and now they’re following suit with closures in Australia and Europe, which will affect an unknown number of employees. Just like the previous closures SEGA has stated that they will be shifting focus in Europe and Australia towards profitable franchises in digitally delivered content.

SEGA has partnered  Koch Media to assist with the publishing of physical goods (ie. packaged retail games) in Switzerland Austria and France, they will however continue to publish physical games in Australia.

We wish everyone affected by the closures all the best, and we hope to hear soon whether some of Sega’s key 2013 titles, like Phantasy Star Online 2 or the next Yakuza title will be affected.


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At Long Last, Meet Team Fortress 2’s Pyro


Posted on June 27, 2012 by Kirk Williford

After Team Fortress 2 was released back in 2007, Valve has steadily released “Meet The” videos for all of the games classes. There was a huge gap since the last video was released, leaving fans wondering when we’d finally get to “Meet the Pyro”. Today, that wait came to an end, as Valve finally released the video — and it’s quite possibly the best one yet. In addition to the video, you’re able to purchase an inflatable Balloonicorn, the Mayor of Valve’s “Pyroland,” for $29.99 on ThinkGeek.

Oh, and no, we still don’t know if the Pyro is male, female, or human at all. I, for one, hope we never find out. Check out the video!

[youtube id=”GZ4-obTw0VY” width=”600″ height=”350″]


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Kaz Hirai Steps Down as Chairman of the Board


Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jason Bassett

UPDATE: It has come to our attention that Kaz Hirai has just stepped down as a member of the board. He is still a member of the board part-time, but will now be focused on his CEO and Presidential duties.

News broke today that former head of Games at Sony, Kazuo Hirai will now be taking on the role as President and CEO of Sony as of today. Kaz, as we all know, used to be in charge of the video games division at Sony where he worked on the development and release of Sony’s Playstation 3. Today, during a shareholding meeting with Kaz and other members of the board, were engulfed in a blaze of questions charged right at the n0w CEO of the company, Associated Press reports.

This news comes as no surprise as Sony has been hit hard with tons of disasters including the Japan Tsunami that hit the land of the rising sun over a year ago; rising yen that very much affected the region for last few months and the tremendous flooding appearing in Thailand. On top of all that, Sony has been hit with 10,000 job cuts. The job cuts are a major part in Sony’s new Sony One initiative to tighten the core of Sony and deliver on it’s promises.

Kaz Hirai replaces former President and CEO Howard Stringer, as Stringer is now the Chairman of the Board.

 


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Haunt Free On XBLA For The Next Few Days


Posted on June 27, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Microsoft has released a brand-new section on the US dashboard called ‘Kinect Central’. To celebrate they’ve released Kinect Xbox live arcade title “Haunt” for free until now until July 2nd. If you live in the US and want a free game click here. We’re not sure if this offer is also available in Canada, which is where broken joysticks is based.

Major Nelson posted on his blog:

As part of a new dashboard feature that launched today in the US called ‘Kinect Central’ –  the Xbox LIVE Arcade title ‘Haunt’ will be FREE for a limited time!  This promotion runs in the US from Tuesday, June 26th through Monday, July 2nd and can only be accessed on the new ‘Kinect Central’ homepage on your dashboard.  So head on over and get your free game.


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Persona 4 Arena Bio: Chie Satonaka


Posted on June 27, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

Today’s Persona 4: Arena character profile, courtesy of Atlus, focuses on the familiar face that you’ve probably seen in the games artwork and on the various news stories we posted about Persona 4: Arena and Persona 4: Golden in the past few weeks.

Chie Satonaka’s green athletic jacket and skirt combination is certainly memorable, as with many of the Persona characters she has a very distinct style. Being a tomboy she’s not afraid to get involved in some rough and tumble behavior, and her signature temper sure doesn’t help that.Read More


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Celebrate Draft Day With NHL 13 Screens


Posted on June 27, 2012 by Rae Michelle Richards

There may not be an NHL season this year due to the collective bargaining agreement expiring that doesn’t mean we can’t live out our on ice fantasies with NHL 13. To celebrate the recent NHL draft electronic arts released several screenshots showcasing Indian action.

NHL 13 is not a mere upgrade includes new AI rules in the form of EA sports hockey IQ – a new AI system where computer-controlled teammates and players replicate the real clays used by the pros. Newton this year’s game is also a brand-new presentation style dubbed “team first presentation”. Team first looks to promote your favorite team, as selected when you first that the game, and can be fully customized by the player.

Check out several of the screenshots below and we’ll have more on NHL 13 as it approaches its September release.Read More


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