This year’s press conferences for the ‘Big 3’, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, have stirred up some controversy. Well, controversy in the fact that most of the internet found them to be boring, banal, and lacking in any real show-stoppers. As the shows that, in many way, define E3 and set the tone for the show, this is pretty dangerous. As we all know, the internet will just complain about anything; but it wasn’t JUST the ‘net. Even Forbes said that in the battle between the Big 3, all of them took 3rd. In truth, there were a lot of offerings…
Author: Maul
Maul
Dustin Hall is a megalomaniac from the small town of Baldwin in Kansas, now wandering the deserts of Las Vegas in search of new victims. He was probably conceived at a Van Halen concert and raised on a diet of sci-fi and horror movies, fed to him from a disturbingly young age by his uncle. A gamer from a young age, Dustin grew up on a diet of Atari 2600 and NES. He worked for 10 years as the manager of a game shop, and has owned and played nearly every system known to man. Somehow, this all led to a career in writing and collecting unemployment checks. He is also a contributor for the film site BrutalAsHell.com, and is working with PMP Productions on making a few horror films of his own.
In a word: Holypoop. I’ve always been a huge Castlevania fan, and I really enjoyed Lords of Shadow. This year, the story continues in the new Castlevania title for the 3DS, Mirror of Fate. This trailer is for next year’s follow-up, Lords of Shadow 2. I thought it looked pretty cool from the get-go, but its the ending reveal that gave me a little game-chub. Muster your strength!
Having just come off of Uncharted 2 and 3, one might have thought that Naughty Dog would take a break from blowing our minds with stunning PS3 exclusives… but they aren’t done yet. As if it weren’t enough that I’m a sucker for post apocalypse stories, the gameplay on this looks simple, yet stunningly rich. Break and I were among the privileged few at E3 to get a behind the scenes look at The Last of Us, and got an extended look at the game in play.
This summer comes the new Amazing Spider-Man movie, a reboot to the franchise, and a step away from the Raimi series. Along with that comes a fresh take on Spidey’s video game world. After two successful turns at bat using the comic book source material, Beenox musters their might to take on the movie game, hoping to prove that they can be more than shovel-ware, but high quality gaming experiences. In the process of showing off their achievements this week, they also revealed a little bit about the direction the franchise will take.
Disney’s newest upcoming release, Wreck-It-Ralph, is the story of a video game badguy who wants to break out of his mold, and try giving some other game genres a try. Maybe he could even be *gasp* a hero! Featuring the talents of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, and others, the game is loaded with throwbacks to all eras of videogames, from an unemployed Q-Bert crew, to a villain society with Bowser, Dr. Eggman, and M. Bison, and send-ups of Lost Planet and other modern war games. Hit the jump to check the trailer, brought to you by Disney UK.
Aside from, perhaps, Christmas and Gay Pride Parades, I cannot think of a single event in human history full of more excitement, joy, and revelry than E3. And so, while all of gamedom’s eye is fixed upon LA like a giant, sparkly Eye of Sauron, THQ has quietly announced the closure of their San Diego Studio.
Well, its Valentine’s Day. Or, as may of us refer to it, Tuesday. If you’ve got a special someone, then enjoy them, and if you don’t, let’s not be bitter. There’s plenty of love in the world, even if its not for another sentient being, or expressed by flowers, chocolates, or genitals. In the spirit of shared love and joy in the world today, I thought I’d share with you a few things I adore about our domain, video games, and why it is that we continue to spend our lives devoted to our fickle digital lover. Video games, how…
The video’s editor posted this to Destructoid back in November, but it just came to me via the page of the violinist. So I thought I’d share. The young lady in the Hyrulian garb is one Lindsey Stirling, once a contestant (not a winner, sadly) on America’s Got Talent or one o’ them shows. I’ve been following her since she’s been posting so much on Youtube lately, fan of the strings that I am, and I have to tell ya, this girl is a delight. She’s dancy, she’s silly, she’s a treat on the strings and on the eyes. …I…
Maul here, back with the annual tradition, a look at the state of our beloved industry. How do we fare? Well, last year, you’ll recall that a great deal of my article was dealing with the shit-storm of studio closings and lost jobs that were going on, so we’re a fair sight better than that. The year has still been a turbulent one, as the industry deals with technology morphing and economic hardship, but some fantastic games got released in spite of it all. More than anything, though, I think I’ll remember 2011 as the year that Angry Birds…
You know, it wasn’t that long ago that I mentioned a series of urine based games that were involved in the UK, with the hopes of garnering more curio-seeking patrons to various taverns. Now, we’ve got some samples from Japan. I wouldn’t have taken the time to report on a similar product, were it not for the fact that this game is developed by Sega. Yes, Sega, one of our time-tested mains. Sega’s new series of Toylets (ugh) are designed to score the urinating gamer based on accuracy, volume, and speed of urine, in order to collect a high score. Hopes…
Hey all. I’ve got some long ‘uns in the works, but class and work are a combination I’m only beginning to get used to again. So, to tide you over till I can complete the true news, I thought I’d share a little tidbit I came across via Machinima. I have to admit, the little SNES obsessed kid in me just goes a little nuts at this trailer. Its like a game I would have tried to dream up in the halcyon days of my Nintendo-fueled youth. Anybody play the previous build?
Nikkei reports today that Kaz “599 US Dollars” Hirai has been officially named President of Sony Entertainment. The position had been held interim by Howard Stringer, and it has been speculated since November of 2010 that either Hirai or TV/Camera head Hiroshi Yoshioka would take the position. Stringer, who will continue to serve as CEO and Chairman for Sony, finally stepped aside and appears to have made public his decision. This comes at a perfect time, with 2012 just starting, a new generation of platforms (likely) just around the bend, a time of fresh jumping off points for the company to…
Everyone on the staff noted its absence at E3 this year. It both exists AND doesn’t exist at the same time. The rocky road to completion for Sony’s Last Guardian has become a bit bumpier and harder to follow, after a pair of recently released news stories. In short, Gamasutra reported earlier this month that Lead Developer Fumito Ueda, mastermind behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, had left behind his employment at Sony before completing the third chapter of his game trilogy. Then, last week, Gamestop cancelled preorders on Last Guardian, their automated service claiming that the game was…
Archie Comics, let me just apologize to you for the flat out accusatory title above. That’s just how journalism works, you know? But, you have to admit, its kind of a weird situation you’ve got going on with your Mega Man comics. For those not in the know, Archie comics produces a pretty wonderful monthly Mega Man comic book, with slick anime styling, inspired by the original Japanese designs of the titular robotic hero and his expansive rogues gallery of bosses. *Edit: The community rather aggressively pointed out that Time Man was from a PSP Mega Man game, and not…
And now, I come to a delimma, one which this series, still so young, has not yet faced: if a ‘Game Haven’ sucks, is it still a ‘Haven’? Yes, Joystixx is about to get a bad review. I should issue forth this caveat, however: Joystixx is not a bad establishment, but the review is given from the point of view of a gamer, someone hunting out an establishment that meshes both social interaction and the love of gaming. One of these factors was found to be lacking. Onward, into adventure, into the very bowels of mediocrity…
Hey gang! I got me a shiny new comp-yootor program to try out, so I might have a very special post for you guys later today. In the meantime, though, to appease the bastard God of post deadlines, I’ve decided to lazily post a video link for you. This is the trailer for Time Ducks, a new game available now on the iPhone store. Its fairly entertaining. If you can tell from this anything about how this game plays, I’ll give you a medal. Or, no, I’m out of medals. I’ll give you a pearl necklace. Trust me, you’ll like…
Yes, of course, the reporter in this vid couldn’t help but reference the Wii, despite Nintendo having jack-shit to do with this device…. so far as I know. Some bar in the UK, not named in the newscast oddly enough, has added urine controlled video games in their mens’ rooms, allowing players to steer their characters left or right through obstacle courses via their pee. Once the main vein is fully drained, the game is over, and you’re left with a new high score. These urinals (or Yur-EYE-nals, as the reporter calls them, irrationally), bring new meaning to the term…
Yeah, that name says it all. Under the radar, a second Las Vegas Barcade has opened up, a response to the mega-hit, Insert Coin(s). Joystixx (psst, guys, the pun only works if its has THREE Xs) has opened inside of the Hooters Hotel and Casino on Tropicana Ave, and I’ll likely be hitting it this weekend to bring all you travelers out there a review of the joint. In the meantime, I leave you with their television/online ad; surely a precursor of the crazy shit that is to come. As my first exposure to this place… well the ad leaves…
I hate Black Friday. Its a trap. Store advertises a TV on sale, hundreds of people line up outside, waiting for hours to come and grab them but, oh wait, they only had 5 of that model. You jerks who stampeded and killed some of the other shoppers can have this one, but no one else. Then the store kindly offers you a more expensive model which, of course, you buy out of desperation. Classic bait and switch. Yet somehow, its legal, because Black Friday drives our nation’s economy. I also hate Black Friday because it tripled my orders to…
Have you guys got nothing better to do, honestly? I was going to leave this story alone, really. It was revealed yesterday that PETA has launched a campaign against Super Mario Brothers for their portrayal of Mario wearing a Tanuki suit. You know, the one from Super Mario Brothers 3. Yeah, that game I got for my birthday in friggin’ 1990. 21 years ago. I didn’t think much of it, thought it might be some sideways remark from PETA that would soon fade into obscurity. Today, I find that PETA has launched a page featuring full, playable video games…
I’m really not a big fan of Microsoft or the 360. When the original Xbox came out, I thought their game selection was terrible, limited, and lacking any sort of creativity or imagination. The Halo System, I called it, because that was all that was worth playing. Now that we’re in the 360 era, I see a massive improvement in the platform, in terms of innovation and variety, though their game selection is still a little too ‘bro-ham’ for me, and I’ll never forgive them for year after year of technological botches. But, looking ahead, Microsoft and their Xbox descendant might just…
The other day, I got sent on a nostalgia trip when a friend of mine posted a video of the worst Nick Arcade player ever. Wow, brings back memories. For those of you who didn’t watch the show, and many of you may be too young to remember it…. Jesus, just the fact that I have to utter that line on this page makes me feel the all-too-real touch of death upon my shoulder… but it was one of the first video-game based programs, from back in the golden (silver?) age of games, the bit-wars. It joined the ranks of…
Hate to say it, but it really doesn’t dazzle me. Not to say this won’t still be an excellent game. The brand has a lot of power behind it, and a track record of quality games. Still, I was hoping to something… new. Well, this is just the prelims. Maybe in trailer #2…
Round 1… FIGHT!! Ahh, misogyny. Hard to spell, fun to do… er,wait, no. Easy to do, that’s the slogan. Its easy to do. My bad. Gears of War 3 fans know what we’re talking about here. Anyway, over at Kotaku, they put up a pretty interesting story about a Capcom rep who was asked about the misogynistic nature of the Street Fighter series, and how his answer was a lot more honest and forthcoming than anyone would have ever expected. The conversation sparking from this was pretty involved, and I thought it was worth chiming in. So read it,…
Seriously, he’s adorable. Harrison Ford has been picked as the official spokesperson for Uncharted 3 in Japan, without a doubt borrowing from his reputation for derring-do earned by playing playing Indiana Jones in 3 classic films. … yes 3 classic films that in no way had a fourth, lesser sequel. *ahem* In addition to plastering Harrison’s giant head-shot to the side of every bus, billboard, and subway they could manage, Sony released this 7-minute clip of Harrison playing Uncharted 3 in his living room. Its probably the cutest thing I’ve seen all week, aside from maybe a little girl playing…
The moment I know you’ve all been waiting for, the first look at Phoenix Wright, the movie. We’ve got the trailer too, come inside!
True to fashion of the gaming industry, we were hit with a major non-news news story today. The news would be if the trailer actually hit. Rockstar, instead, told us that next week we will see the trailer to their newest record shattering creation, Grand Theft Auto 5, and then ran off tittering uncontrollably. Such a cock tease, you’d think they were a company run by Mormon school-girls. Well, at least they didn’t release a trailer for the trailer like some studios seem to enjoy doing. You know, the ones who enjoy masturbatory exercises in redundancy. *cough* GOW3 *cough* We…
Er, when non-horror games and horror meet, I guess I should specify. The idea was to mash-up video game properties with horror, and I guess that wouldn’t work with Resident Evil. I mean, would it be EXTRA Horrifying? Packed full like a Double Stuff Oreo? Mmmm… But I digress. G4, the insufferable lot of heavily funded, mind-numbing pap creating, bastards that they are, hired a few directors from around Hollywood to create said mash-ups, and make a little festival out of the bunch. I’ve watched the first one, The Hunt, which is a bit like Duck Hunt meets Cujo, and…
Is it just me, or is it a slow news day? Well, in the meantime, here’s one to tide you over. Seems the British tech/gaming TV show, The Gadget Show, has cobbled together their own VR chamber to play FPS games in. And then they’ve locked some unsuspecting prat into the room. So, whaddaya think? One day, all gaming homes have one of these built into the house?
Now there’s a little more Dick in your Batman game. Yep, we went there. Confirmed for a November 1st release, about $6 for download. Robin also breaks exclusivity on November 22nd. He looks nifty.