Thứ Tư, 26 tháng 10, 2011
FarmVille could crop up on the big screen, Toy Story writers say
That pretty much confirms it, but when contacted by IGN, the game developer declined to comment. That's most likely because no official announcement has been made regarding a film. (But we bet that some form of a press release is being written up right about now.)
Facebook soccer sim Top Eleven gets even more serious in Version 2.0
Training – the complete overhaul of the training mode now lets managers control every aspect of coaching their team. Decisions need to be made about which skills to focus a player on developing, how to balance the intensity of training with players physical condition, and whether to change a players career and train them for a new position
Club Finances – managers can now win more premium currency for free than ever before by strategically choosing sponsorships deals. They can sign a riskier deal linked the results of the team, or play it safe and gain tokens on a daily basis
New Interface – Top Eleven's sleek new look makes the game even easier to navigate and is built to update with new features in the future
Club Finances – managers can now win more premium currency for free than ever before by strategically choosing sponsorships deals. They can sign a riskier deal linked the results of the team, or play it safe and gain tokens on a daily basis
New Interface – Top Eleven's sleek new look makes the game even easier to navigate and is built to update with new features in the future
Masters of Mystery hits Facebook as, yes, another hidden-object game
More specifically, a model is found killed in the apartment of a prominent fashion designer, and it's up to you to figure out, well, whodunnit' through--what else?--hidden object gameplay. According to a release, the plot will only unfurl as you add more friends to your list of helpers, and for fans of the franchise, some familiar characters will return to help you.
Crysis maker Crytek looks to support Flash (and Facebook gaming?)
Edge reports that the developer will announce a "truly cross-platform solution" in the near future. More importantly, it will include support for Adobe's upcoming Flash Player 11, the next version of the technology found running beneath almost all Facebook games.
6waves Lolapps takes to the skies in Ravenskye City on Facebook
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.
Zynga readies, aims and fires its live Mafia Wars 2 round at Facebook
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.
Playdom leads gamers into double life in Secret Agent X on Facebook
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.
Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots lets the fur fly on iPhone, iPad this month
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.
Family Feud maker iWin hires Loot Drop's Laralyn McWilliams
Best known for its social renditions of popular game shows like Family Feud and 1 vs 100, iWin looks to use these strategic hires to get its list of casual downloadable games onto social and mobile platforms. Before joining Loot Drop for a short time and now iWin, McWilliams worked with Sony Online Entertainment on Free Realms and a number of Facebook games that were unfortunately axed before release.
Playdom co-founder: Facebook farming games aren't social games
"I tend to think that those will not be very interesting in another two years, and they aren't social games," Thompson said to ATD, referring specifically to the myriad of Facebook games that insist on farming mechanics. "They are single-player games with the possibility of visiting your friend's aquarium – that's not social." (And you should already know just where Thompson is pointing.)
Thứ Ba, 25 tháng 10, 2011
Thanks For Sharing This Metal Gear Drawing, Hideo Kojima!
Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima posted this drawing of Metal Gear Solid creator Raiden. It’s not clear if this is just a drawing or whether it’s in relation to the upcoming title Metal Gear Solid: Rising, which stars Raiden.
Man Named Knucklez Doubles Space Invaders World Record
On October 7, 2011, Flemington, New Jersey’s Richie Knucklez catapulted himself into the video game record books by racking up 110,510 points in the original 1978 arcade hit Space Invaders, more than doubling the previously held record. How did he do it? Owning his own arcade certainly didn’t hurt.
Richie Knucklez Arcade Games isn’t just a New Jersey institution; it’s a place where video game legends go to make their names. It’s where veteran professional gamer Steve Sanders set the tandem record for Joust with his son last year. Where some of the most famous arcade gamers converged this year for the Donkey Kong Kong-Off.
Now it’s home to the highest score Space Invaders has ever seen.
Knucklez generated the 110,510 points on October 7, the score verified by the record keepers of Twin Galaxies, the accepted authority on all things video game record-related. The previous record, set back in 2003 by classic gaming champ Donald Hayes, was only 55,160.
It also didn’t hurt that Knucklez learned some moves from Hayes himself.
Richie Knucklez Arcade Games isn’t just a New Jersey institution; it’s a place where video game legends go to make their names. It’s where veteran professional gamer Steve Sanders set the tandem record for Joust with his son last year. Where some of the most famous arcade gamers converged this year for the Donkey Kong Kong-Off.
Now it’s home to the highest score Space Invaders has ever seen.
Knucklez generated the 110,510 points on October 7, the score verified by the record keepers of Twin Galaxies, the accepted authority on all things video game record-related. The previous record, set back in 2003 by classic gaming champ Donald Hayes, was only 55,160.
It also didn’t hurt that Knucklez learned some moves from Hayes himself.
Thứ Hai, 24 tháng 10, 2011
Assassin’s Creed Line Dancing At New York’s Comic-Con
New York Comic-Con’s Just Dance 3 stage was always filled with an interesting mix of cosplayers, but these are my favorite: A dozen assassins from Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed line dancing to Sugarhill Gang’s Jump On It with the help of Ubisoft’s other major hit… Just Dance.
It’s a tad long, but you should probably skip over to three minutes in to see the special guest appearance.
It’s a tad long, but you should probably skip over to three minutes in to see the special guest appearance.
Playing With Fire Wants To Crowdsource A Video Game Movie
Even though many directors clearly play video games-Zack Snyder, Guillermo Del Toro and Christopher Nolan come to mind — and acknowledge them as a creative enterprise, there still hasn’t been a film that compellingly channels the appeal of the medium.
Author/critic Harold Goldberg, animator Bill Plympton and artist Dave Lowery thinks it’s because gamers themselves are missing form the equation. The creative minds have huddled together and launched Playing with Fire, a website where people can collaborate with a horror screenplay that deals with a group of teens playing a “strange, seemingly anthropomorphic fighting video game”. The site will reveal five scenes a day and users can submit their own drawings, trailer and script notes. If your ideas get incorporated into the Playing with Fire process you’ll be eligible for prizes. And glory. Don’t forget the glory.
Goldberg knows the industry from an insider’s point of view having written the cultural history All Your Base Are Belong to Us and worked at Sony Online Entertainment before that. Plympton’s an indie filmmaker whose brilliant, skewed shorts have appeared on MTV and Lowery’s a storyboard artist who’s worked on films like Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens. So, there’s a chance this thing might actually happen. You probably want to be a part of that, right?
Playing with Fire [Playing with Fire]
Author/critic Harold Goldberg, animator Bill Plympton and artist Dave Lowery thinks it’s because gamers themselves are missing form the equation. The creative minds have huddled together and launched Playing with Fire, a website where people can collaborate with a horror screenplay that deals with a group of teens playing a “strange, seemingly anthropomorphic fighting video game”. The site will reveal five scenes a day and users can submit their own drawings, trailer and script notes. If your ideas get incorporated into the Playing with Fire process you’ll be eligible for prizes. And glory. Don’t forget the glory.
Goldberg knows the industry from an insider’s point of view having written the cultural history All Your Base Are Belong to Us and worked at Sony Online Entertainment before that. Plympton’s an indie filmmaker whose brilliant, skewed shorts have appeared on MTV and Lowery’s a storyboard artist who’s worked on films like Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens. So, there’s a chance this thing might actually happen. You probably want to be a part of that, right?
Playing with Fire [Playing with Fire]
Prime Example Of An Exciting New Massively Multiple Sci-Fi Epic
Three races vie for control over the one planet in the universe that contains an abundant supply of the element necessary to further technological advancement in Prime: Battle for Dominusm an upcoming science fiction MMO I really should have told you about sooner.
What we’re looking at here is actual beta footage of Prime, a science fiction MMO in development for the PC at Phoenix, Arizona’s PitchBlack Games, a company made up of refugees from games like Warhammer: Age of Reckoning, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Guild Wars. The premise is that three factions — Human, Salent and Rodon — are each attempting to gain the upper hand in an ongoing war over the planet Dominus, where the tech-building flavour is. Players choose a faction, one of six character classes, and then start building up skill points so they aren’t a liability to their friends and allies. They’ll build bases and fashion equipment to help aid their cause, and when they’re done with that they’ll charge into battle like real men, Salent and Rodon, which will look a lot like what’s going on in the video above.
There’ll be plenty of player-versus-environment content as well, with plenty of missions, massive world encounters, and dynamic events driven by real people instead of being scripted.
There’s a lot more to learn about Prime: Battle for Dominus, and with release aimed at the second quarter of 2012, there’s plenty of time to learn it. This is just an introduction. Prime, meet readers; readers, meet Prime.
What we’re looking at here is actual beta footage of Prime, a science fiction MMO in development for the PC at Phoenix, Arizona’s PitchBlack Games, a company made up of refugees from games like Warhammer: Age of Reckoning, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Guild Wars. The premise is that three factions — Human, Salent and Rodon — are each attempting to gain the upper hand in an ongoing war over the planet Dominus, where the tech-building flavour is. Players choose a faction, one of six character classes, and then start building up skill points so they aren’t a liability to their friends and allies. They’ll build bases and fashion equipment to help aid their cause, and when they’re done with that they’ll charge into battle like real men, Salent and Rodon, which will look a lot like what’s going on in the video above.
There’ll be plenty of player-versus-environment content as well, with plenty of missions, massive world encounters, and dynamic events driven by real people instead of being scripted.
There’s a lot more to learn about Prime: Battle for Dominus, and with release aimed at the second quarter of 2012, there’s plenty of time to learn it. This is just an introduction. Prime, meet readers; readers, meet Prime.
Thứ Bảy, 22 tháng 10, 2011
Sony, Don't Ever Do This Again
So, I have been playing some Sports Champions. The games aren't bad, but some can be fairly frustrating. Some of them definitely take a lot of training to master, but they don't have modes that allow you to just train, only modes to compete with all the annoying load screens.
Anyway, I played a bit of Fallout: New Vegas today and went through the trophies for that game. Seeing as I hadn't seen all the trophies for Sports Champions, I skimmed it as well. And what do I see?
Trophy Type: Bronze
Trophy Name: Look Ma, 2 Hands!
Description: Play at least 1 match of Gladiator Duel, Archery and Beach Volleyball in Champion's cup or Free Play using two motion controllers.
Really Sony? You're going to have an elitist trophy there? I mean, I know eventually most people will have two wands if they end up liking the motion controller and can get it, but you went with a trophy that essentially is telling people to buy another controller even though you decide to release the damn game at a time when it has been nearly impossible to get a second motion controller outside of buying the full $99 package twice.
Sony, don't do this crap. Bad enough paying extra money for more peripherals, gamers don't need to have trophies designed around them buying extra peripherals for your products when one is good enough. What's next, a trophy for playing a local multiplayer game using 4 wands?
Anyway, I played a bit of Fallout: New Vegas today and went through the trophies for that game. Seeing as I hadn't seen all the trophies for Sports Champions, I skimmed it as well. And what do I see?
Trophy Type: Bronze
Trophy Name: Look Ma, 2 Hands!
Description: Play at least 1 match of Gladiator Duel, Archery and Beach Volleyball in Champion's cup or Free Play using two motion controllers.
Really Sony? You're going to have an elitist trophy there? I mean, I know eventually most people will have two wands if they end up liking the motion controller and can get it, but you went with a trophy that essentially is telling people to buy another controller even though you decide to release the damn game at a time when it has been nearly impossible to get a second motion controller outside of buying the full $99 package twice.
Sony, don't do this crap. Bad enough paying extra money for more peripherals, gamers don't need to have trophies designed around them buying extra peripherals for your products when one is good enough. What's next, a trophy for playing a local multiplayer game using 4 wands?
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.
Fallout: New Vegas (First Impressions)
(Originally posted on www.madoverdose.co.nr)
So after trading in a lot of dust covered games and a spare console or two, I picked up the highly anticipated Fallout: New Vegas for the PC. Now let me get this out of the way by saying that I !#@%ing LOVED Fallout 3. Many's the time I can remember sitting in front of my monitor in the early hours of the morning, just exploring the wasteland, about to turn it off when I come across some crazy new character with a quest he wants me to do and bam! -- another 2 hours of my life gone.
Sadly, I must have spent a little under 2 hours of my life getting this game to even load...
Yes, I should have come to expect bugs in games using the Gamebryo engine (Oblivion, Fallout 3) but this just took it to a whole new level. I quickly rushed to the official Fallout forums only to find a mob of other angry gamers who were not happy chappies either. I mean, take into account that this is the kind of release that people schedule time off work to play, fake being sick to get out of school...it's a big deal, and when you read some of the problems that people have been having, I can understand why they may be a little bit upset. I didn't expect my evening to consist of editing config files and searching desperately for answers. I didn't even expect to write this blog. It's all time that should be spent playing the game but I simply cannot.
I know Fallout 3 had bugs, I know Oblivion was plagued with them, I'm sure they still do have issues but it seems to be a general consensus that Fallout: New Vegas is by far the worst yet. We're talking crashes to desktops on main menu, not being able to even begin loading the game, performance issues, not being able to install the game, issues with losing save games, quick save not working properly, custom weapons displaying huge exclamation marks, dogs with no eyes to name a very few. Check it out for yourself. From what I've been reading, the PC version seems to be suffering it the most, with fans questioning whether or not they even tested it on PC whatsoever. As I have only played the PC version, that is the only version I will talk about.
The game itself installed just fine on my machine. I was a bit miffed to find out it used Steam as copy protection. So naturally, I enter the product key and sure enough, it activates and begins to install. So far so good. I launch the game from my Steam library and the launch screen comes up, accompanied with an error telling me that SteamOverlayGUI has caused an error and needs to close, bringing the game down with it. I try it again, same thing. I try it a third time and miraculously it works. I instantly hit play and the game begins to load. After starting a new game and watching the introduction cutscene, the game crashes to my desktop. I researched the issue on the Fallout forums and well, to cut a long story short, I finally get a game going. First thing I notice, missing character sounds. As in, the dialogue..it's not there. I later find I have to manually set the games priority to high in the Windows Task Manager. Strangely, it works. At this point I think to myself that I can just deal with it, I just want to play the goddamn game. I play for a good 2 or 3 hours. I notice various graphical glitches. The most disturbing of which being a dog with no eyes and instead, has two eyes coming out of it's neck. My first reaction was to chuckle and think of it as a mutant dog. I notice people half way in the ground, I noticed doors not opening for me when they were unlocked and available, all kinds of madness. My biggest issue I noticed while playing is probably the performance drops when interacting with characters. I would be exploring the wasteland at around 60+ frames per second, then as soon as I start talking to someone or so much as get near them, it would plummet to around 10-20 frames per second. I don't seem to be alone as pretty much every topic I've seen has been relating to this. I finally get to the town of Primm in search of the sharply dressed man when I decide to save it, exit the game and check on any other issues being reported. Ten minutes later I decide to go on the game only to find that only my first save game was available, and an autosave from a long ways back. It seemed to have only 'remembered' the first quicksave I made and at some point in time, the autosaves must have just...stopped. After researching this issue further, it seems to be the most troublesome. Something to do with Steam wanting to syncronize savegames and Fallout reading another location. I don't know, but it's something that I, the consumer, should not have to worry about. All I know is, I've played the game for a few hours and have absolutely nothing to show for it due to a broken save system. I can understand games having bugs but that is something major to have missed that.
I should probably end this mini rant here before I begin to ramble. Let me say that I am fully aware that all games have bugs. All games have issues that should be addressed and with games as open and as vast as these, it should come as no surprise. But for a series as well respected as Fallout, and considered a major release title, I'd expect to at least be able to save my game. Sure, there may be a third party fix or tweak to a config file that I may have to edit, and it's a good thing the game is genuinely as good as it is, because any other game I would simply shelf until an official patch was released.
...with all that being said, it's a brilliant game though. From what little I played, the atmosphere, setting and the characters seemed to interest me much more than those of Fallout 3. I wish I could share a more detailed opinion on the games new features, the storyline and what not but I simply have not been able to. I will hopefully give my full opinion on Fallout: New Vegas on the next episode of the Mad Overdose podcast. I don't like to
recommend games this early on. But if I had to rate it in it's current state:
So after trading in a lot of dust covered games and a spare console or two, I picked up the highly anticipated Fallout: New Vegas for the PC. Now let me get this out of the way by saying that I !#@%ing LOVED Fallout 3. Many's the time I can remember sitting in front of my monitor in the early hours of the morning, just exploring the wasteland, about to turn it off when I come across some crazy new character with a quest he wants me to do and bam! -- another 2 hours of my life gone.
Sadly, I must have spent a little under 2 hours of my life getting this game to even load...
Yes, I should have come to expect bugs in games using the Gamebryo engine (Oblivion, Fallout 3) but this just took it to a whole new level. I quickly rushed to the official Fallout forums only to find a mob of other angry gamers who were not happy chappies either. I mean, take into account that this is the kind of release that people schedule time off work to play, fake being sick to get out of school...it's a big deal, and when you read some of the problems that people have been having, I can understand why they may be a little bit upset. I didn't expect my evening to consist of editing config files and searching desperately for answers. I didn't even expect to write this blog. It's all time that should be spent playing the game but I simply cannot.
I know Fallout 3 had bugs, I know Oblivion was plagued with them, I'm sure they still do have issues but it seems to be a general consensus that Fallout: New Vegas is by far the worst yet. We're talking crashes to desktops on main menu, not being able to even begin loading the game, performance issues, not being able to install the game, issues with losing save games, quick save not working properly, custom weapons displaying huge exclamation marks, dogs with no eyes to name a very few. Check it out for yourself. From what I've been reading, the PC version seems to be suffering it the most, with fans questioning whether or not they even tested it on PC whatsoever. As I have only played the PC version, that is the only version I will talk about.
The game itself installed just fine on my machine. I was a bit miffed to find out it used Steam as copy protection. So naturally, I enter the product key and sure enough, it activates and begins to install. So far so good. I launch the game from my Steam library and the launch screen comes up, accompanied with an error telling me that SteamOverlayGUI has caused an error and needs to close, bringing the game down with it. I try it again, same thing. I try it a third time and miraculously it works. I instantly hit play and the game begins to load. After starting a new game and watching the introduction cutscene, the game crashes to my desktop. I researched the issue on the Fallout forums and well, to cut a long story short, I finally get a game going. First thing I notice, missing character sounds. As in, the dialogue..it's not there. I later find I have to manually set the games priority to high in the Windows Task Manager. Strangely, it works. At this point I think to myself that I can just deal with it, I just want to play the goddamn game. I play for a good 2 or 3 hours. I notice various graphical glitches. The most disturbing of which being a dog with no eyes and instead, has two eyes coming out of it's neck. My first reaction was to chuckle and think of it as a mutant dog. I notice people half way in the ground, I noticed doors not opening for me when they were unlocked and available, all kinds of madness. My biggest issue I noticed while playing is probably the performance drops when interacting with characters. I would be exploring the wasteland at around 60+ frames per second, then as soon as I start talking to someone or so much as get near them, it would plummet to around 10-20 frames per second. I don't seem to be alone as pretty much every topic I've seen has been relating to this. I finally get to the town of Primm in search of the sharply dressed man when I decide to save it, exit the game and check on any other issues being reported. Ten minutes later I decide to go on the game only to find that only my first save game was available, and an autosave from a long ways back. It seemed to have only 'remembered' the first quicksave I made and at some point in time, the autosaves must have just...stopped. After researching this issue further, it seems to be the most troublesome. Something to do with Steam wanting to syncronize savegames and Fallout reading another location. I don't know, but it's something that I, the consumer, should not have to worry about. All I know is, I've played the game for a few hours and have absolutely nothing to show for it due to a broken save system. I can understand games having bugs but that is something major to have missed that.
I should probably end this mini rant here before I begin to ramble. Let me say that I am fully aware that all games have bugs. All games have issues that should be addressed and with games as open and as vast as these, it should come as no surprise. But for a series as well respected as Fallout, and considered a major release title, I'd expect to at least be able to save my game. Sure, there may be a third party fix or tweak to a config file that I may have to edit, and it's a good thing the game is genuinely as good as it is, because any other game I would simply shelf until an official patch was released.
...with all that being said, it's a brilliant game though. From what little I played, the atmosphere, setting and the characters seemed to interest me much more than those of Fallout 3. I wish I could share a more detailed opinion on the games new features, the storyline and what not but I simply have not been able to. I will hopefully give my full opinion on Fallout: New Vegas on the next episode of the Mad Overdose podcast. I don't like to
recommend games this early on. But if I had to rate it in it's current state:
Thứ Sáu, 21 tháng 10, 2011
Do review scores determine which games are good, and which are not?
As an avid gamer, I'm also an avid reader of gaming media. I regularly check N4G for material to satisfy my insatiable hunger for gaming media. I also regularly visit sites like IGN, Gamespot, Kotaku and more.
This lends itself to being a game review junkie. I love reading game reviews and finding out which games are worth my money, and which games aren't. I regularly base purchasing decisions on reading reviews. Some people might say 'how retarded- game reviews don't mean squat'. Believe me, I know. I often purchase games only to find out this point. I've been slowly learning this lesson too. For example, some major gripes a reviewer has won't annoy me too much or some elements they consider a weakness I consider a strength, and so on.
So naturally with the release of GT5 recently, I was a little perturbed at the scores it was getting. This was one of the most hyped games of the decade, with one of the longest production schedules and it got mostly 8's. In context, that seems like a let down. I have to admit here, that I have what I consider to be a fair sized PS3 library at 23 games (most of my friends don't have close to 10 games), and most of them I've purchased based on reading reviews.
Gran Turismo 5 I purchased without reading its review, as I pre-oredered it- not something I do often. A pre-order locks in your decision to purchase a game, and once it arrives at your door there's no turning back. So a game I figured I'd hold out on, I ended up getting. Reviews I read the night previous had me believing I'd be more than a little disappointed with GT5. But how wrong I've been.
I personally am loving GT5 right now. I'm really into just about every aspect of the game. The standard/premium car divide isn't bothering me that much at all (one of my favourite cars to drive right now is a 'standard' Mugen/Motul Honda Civic), I think the graphics are stunning and the driving experience is just unrivalled. I personally like the course editor and the way it creates tracks, I really dig photo mode and I think the way online is set out is actually a good thing. I can see where a lot of the criticisms lie, but the point is- I really don't care about them. I'm not bothered by loading screens, jagged shadows. In a day and age where every big release game seems centered around killing or maiming people, aliens or monsters in some way or another, GT5 has been a breath of fresh air for me.
Then it got me thinking. Those review scores. Did they matter? Not in the slightest. What matters is how much I like the game. Not how much some guy does, who is paid to play games and write good and bad things about it.
Then how about all the other games I own? Well many that have had great review scores didn't turn out so good. Heavy Rain for example. The reviews I read labeled it as revolutionary and a great game. I played it and found it was just poorly executed and I never finished it. I just didn't like it. One day I might try at it again- but that's just my opinion of it.
Another game I previously owned, NBA2K10, was reviewed very highly at the time. But I found it to be horrible, and wished I had not traded NBA2K9 for it (sports games are the only ones I trade). It was full of glitches and issues and really pissed me off. Luckily 2K11 saved the franchise.
Black Ops is another classic example. Gamespot's review in particular is that it's a tremendous game worth every accolade, and many sites gave this game a glowing endorsement. Yet to me its the most disappointing release of the year. It's buggy, it has worse graphics than its predecessors and its campaign is confusing and at times very boring. This isn't to mention its near unplayable (on PS3 at least) multiplayer, which is plagued with issues, glitches and bugs. I loved Modern Warfare 2 (online at least, I didn't touch the campaign), and in comparison Black Ops is just a let down to me.
The point is, reviews in many cases don't matter. For someone who bases a lot of decisions on reviews, I often come to a different conclusion to the reviewers. It's not to say I don't agree with all reviews either. Many encapsulate exactly how I feel about a game too. Yet what needs to be remembered is they're just opinions, and opinions will always differ.
This lends itself to being a game review junkie. I love reading game reviews and finding out which games are worth my money, and which games aren't. I regularly base purchasing decisions on reading reviews. Some people might say 'how retarded- game reviews don't mean squat'. Believe me, I know. I often purchase games only to find out this point. I've been slowly learning this lesson too. For example, some major gripes a reviewer has won't annoy me too much or some elements they consider a weakness I consider a strength, and so on.
So naturally with the release of GT5 recently, I was a little perturbed at the scores it was getting. This was one of the most hyped games of the decade, with one of the longest production schedules and it got mostly 8's. In context, that seems like a let down. I have to admit here, that I have what I consider to be a fair sized PS3 library at 23 games (most of my friends don't have close to 10 games), and most of them I've purchased based on reading reviews.
Gran Turismo 5 I purchased without reading its review, as I pre-oredered it- not something I do often. A pre-order locks in your decision to purchase a game, and once it arrives at your door there's no turning back. So a game I figured I'd hold out on, I ended up getting. Reviews I read the night previous had me believing I'd be more than a little disappointed with GT5. But how wrong I've been.
I personally am loving GT5 right now. I'm really into just about every aspect of the game. The standard/premium car divide isn't bothering me that much at all (one of my favourite cars to drive right now is a 'standard' Mugen/Motul Honda Civic), I think the graphics are stunning and the driving experience is just unrivalled. I personally like the course editor and the way it creates tracks, I really dig photo mode and I think the way online is set out is actually a good thing. I can see where a lot of the criticisms lie, but the point is- I really don't care about them. I'm not bothered by loading screens, jagged shadows. In a day and age where every big release game seems centered around killing or maiming people, aliens or monsters in some way or another, GT5 has been a breath of fresh air for me.
Then it got me thinking. Those review scores. Did they matter? Not in the slightest. What matters is how much I like the game. Not how much some guy does, who is paid to play games and write good and bad things about it.
Then how about all the other games I own? Well many that have had great review scores didn't turn out so good. Heavy Rain for example. The reviews I read labeled it as revolutionary and a great game. I played it and found it was just poorly executed and I never finished it. I just didn't like it. One day I might try at it again- but that's just my opinion of it.
Another game I previously owned, NBA2K10, was reviewed very highly at the time. But I found it to be horrible, and wished I had not traded NBA2K9 for it (sports games are the only ones I trade). It was full of glitches and issues and really pissed me off. Luckily 2K11 saved the franchise.
Black Ops is another classic example. Gamespot's review in particular is that it's a tremendous game worth every accolade, and many sites gave this game a glowing endorsement. Yet to me its the most disappointing release of the year. It's buggy, it has worse graphics than its predecessors and its campaign is confusing and at times very boring. This isn't to mention its near unplayable (on PS3 at least) multiplayer, which is plagued with issues, glitches and bugs. I loved Modern Warfare 2 (online at least, I didn't touch the campaign), and in comparison Black Ops is just a let down to me.
The point is, reviews in many cases don't matter. For someone who bases a lot of decisions on reviews, I often come to a different conclusion to the reviewers. It's not to say I don't agree with all reviews either. Many encapsulate exactly how I feel about a game too. Yet what needs to be remembered is they're just opinions, and opinions will always differ.
Phineas And Ferb 3D Game – Disney XD Games 63
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!
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!
Play the Scary Maze Game With Your Friends!
Have you ever played the Scary Maze Game 8 now? If not, brotha you haven’t lived!!! This maze game is the most awesome game on earth! But in order to play it you MUST have a partner in the room with you. So go find a friend, co-hort, or even an enemy – it doesn’t matter! Then match your wits and your mouse skills with the game and see if you’re awesome enough to win the BIG prize at the end!
Thứ Năm, 20 tháng 10, 2011
In Praise of Autolog
I’m sure many of you reading this will have heard of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit’s much lauded Autolog feature. For those of you who haven’t I thought I would write a few words in praise of autolog. It’s basically a glorified leaderboard system that lets you know your friend’s times on any given track. What sets it apart from other online leaderboards, and has drawn the most praise from game critics, is that it also alerts you when your times have been beaten. Then, with the press of a button you can instantly take up the challenge to win back that coveted 1st position.
Chuck in a few half-arsed social networking features stolen wholesale from Facebook, such as a wall to post messages on and an ability to share in race or even garage based photos of your cars and you get what EA is calling an, ‘innovative approach to connected social competition’. I have been playing the game and would certainly agree that it is an awesome feature. It adds many hours of gameplay as you are consumed in a constant battle of one-upmanship that continues long after the single player mode has been finished.
I am, however, confused as to why no developers have done this before. To me it seems more like a natural progression than a massive innovation.
Of course it is easy to look at ideas others have come up with and claim it seems obvious, but in this instance I really think it was. I’ve been crying out for a system like this for years and even if you don’t know it yet so have you.
Gamers are a notoriously competitive bunch, and it is developers who have trained us to be that way. The structure and design of nearly all games is informed by a sense of competition. This is especially true of consoles, where even seemingly uncompetitive games like Flower have trophies that can be added to your collection for ultimate bragging rights (even if one of them is just for leaving your controller on the side for so long it turns off – best trophy ever). PC gamers have been playing online since time began and console gamers for the last few years. So it baffles me as to why it has taken so long for a feature like Autolog to appear. It’s not a complex idea and one that would cost next to nothing for developers to implement into their games.
I’m not bothered about the social-networking side of it. I can’t for the life of me think why anyone would want to post a picture of their in-game car let alone look at someone else’s, but I really do hope that most games in the future use a similar leaderboard system. For one thing, it would save me texting my mates to let them know I have just smashed their times on Trials HD!
Chuck in a few half-arsed social networking features stolen wholesale from Facebook, such as a wall to post messages on and an ability to share in race or even garage based photos of your cars and you get what EA is calling an, ‘innovative approach to connected social competition’. I have been playing the game and would certainly agree that it is an awesome feature. It adds many hours of gameplay as you are consumed in a constant battle of one-upmanship that continues long after the single player mode has been finished.
I am, however, confused as to why no developers have done this before. To me it seems more like a natural progression than a massive innovation.
Of course it is easy to look at ideas others have come up with and claim it seems obvious, but in this instance I really think it was. I’ve been crying out for a system like this for years and even if you don’t know it yet so have you.
Gamers are a notoriously competitive bunch, and it is developers who have trained us to be that way. The structure and design of nearly all games is informed by a sense of competition. This is especially true of consoles, where even seemingly uncompetitive games like Flower have trophies that can be added to your collection for ultimate bragging rights (even if one of them is just for leaving your controller on the side for so long it turns off – best trophy ever). PC gamers have been playing online since time began and console gamers for the last few years. So it baffles me as to why it has taken so long for a feature like Autolog to appear. It’s not a complex idea and one that would cost next to nothing for developers to implement into their games.
I’m not bothered about the social-networking side of it. I can’t for the life of me think why anyone would want to post a picture of their in-game car let alone look at someone else’s, but I really do hope that most games in the future use a similar leaderboard system. For one thing, it would save me texting my mates to let them know I have just smashed their times on Trials HD!
Video Game Sequels: Exceptions to the Rule?
Movie sequels are often unimaginative and derivative attempts to cash in on the success of the original. Film is a primarily narrative medium, and unless a sequel adds to the story of the first then it is pointless, serving only to line the pockets of greedy studios. They are horrendously transparent in their attempt to make money and establish a franchise, alienating many fans who don’t want to ruin their memories of the original. Some notable exceptions to this rule are Terminator 2, Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Godfather 2. These work as the worlds they portray are rich in detail and have plenty of interesting narrative material that can be further explored. Additionally, they are all blessed with fantastic writing, skilled direction and some truly memorable set-pieces.
Unlike film, games are primarily a mechanical medium. Quality is largely governed by the interface between player and game. Graphics and gameplay take pride of place over story in the majority of mainstream games, lending themselves well to sequels, as both can be objectively improved upon. Not only this but they are often much bigger in terms of scale and ambition.
Exceptions to this are titles like Bioshock and Heavy Rain. Their emphasis on narrative, like film, inhibits their potential to produce sequels. For example, although Bioshock 2 was technically outstanding, improving on the first in most areas, it held little appeal to some fans of the original. The first game brought the story to a natural and fitting conclusion. Many felt that the sense of curiosity, and wonder, of exploring Rapture, wouldn’t be so great the second time round. Having played both I am inclined to agree. Similarly, a direct sequel to Heavy Rain would be redundant; once the mystery of the origami killer has been revealed there is little reason to want to revisit.
On the whole, game story lines are nothing but a flimsy justification for the action that takes place. In most cases the smallest amount of context is needed so that we, the player, know what we are doing and why. In most instances this, or even less, is fine. The games are fun to play as their raw mechanics are well implemented. Obvious examples of these types of games are sports franchises and the COD series. As players we can put so much time into games that when its follow-up is released we are clamouring for more content. The same can’t be said for film. No-one buys a movie, watches it four or five times a week, then counts down the days until the sequel is released.
Of all the entertainment mediums, the gaming industry is unique in its ability to create game sequels that are expected to be better than their predecessor. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. As long as we still get original titles like The Last Guardian, and amazing sequels like Dead Space 2, I don’t care if COD starts releasing titles three times a year!
Unlike film, games are primarily a mechanical medium. Quality is largely governed by the interface between player and game. Graphics and gameplay take pride of place over story in the majority of mainstream games, lending themselves well to sequels, as both can be objectively improved upon. Not only this but they are often much bigger in terms of scale and ambition.
Exceptions to this are titles like Bioshock and Heavy Rain. Their emphasis on narrative, like film, inhibits their potential to produce sequels. For example, although Bioshock 2 was technically outstanding, improving on the first in most areas, it held little appeal to some fans of the original. The first game brought the story to a natural and fitting conclusion. Many felt that the sense of curiosity, and wonder, of exploring Rapture, wouldn’t be so great the second time round. Having played both I am inclined to agree. Similarly, a direct sequel to Heavy Rain would be redundant; once the mystery of the origami killer has been revealed there is little reason to want to revisit.
On the whole, game story lines are nothing but a flimsy justification for the action that takes place. In most cases the smallest amount of context is needed so that we, the player, know what we are doing and why. In most instances this, or even less, is fine. The games are fun to play as their raw mechanics are well implemented. Obvious examples of these types of games are sports franchises and the COD series. As players we can put so much time into games that when its follow-up is released we are clamouring for more content. The same can’t be said for film. No-one buys a movie, watches it four or five times a week, then counts down the days until the sequel is released.
Of all the entertainment mediums, the gaming industry is unique in its ability to create game sequels that are expected to be better than their predecessor. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. As long as we still get original titles like The Last Guardian, and amazing sequels like Dead Space 2, I don’t care if COD starts releasing titles three times a year!
A letter from the future
"Hello my fellow didleydoo (Didleydoos is the common term for gamers these days. Don't ask me why cause the explanation makes "The hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy" sound like pure logic).
The future is here, for you it is not, but for me it is but your time is my past and my time is your future and we can only meet in the present.
I want to thank all of you for pushing Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony to work on their respective consoles. Today the consoles roam the lands and has evolved into something that is similar to something I believe you call "Pokémons" back in your days. They are now intelligent machines that self-upgrade if they are nurtured right and put to test in different challenges.
The "Nintendo" is the easiest one to catch. Its more like a cuddly white bunny that doesn't scare no one. Although you have to be gentle, it easily breaks under pressure. Think of it as a "Magic Karp". Nurtured right its something completely different.
The "Xbox" however, is a bit trickier to catch. An Xbox is often seen with a giant shroom on its head that spits out read laserbeams that can fry your eyeballs in an instant, if directed straight at your eyes. If nurtured right, the Xbox will evolve into a creature that can do your dishes, or kill your grandma. Only these two things are possible careers for your Xbox. There have been numerous instances of flying Xboxes landing on old people burning them to death with their laserbeam. Naa I'm just kiddin, it can do more things. Its really good at fishing too. And reading books for young kids. Xbox is softer than the Playstation due to something i believe you called Konict or sumthin back in your days.
The Playstation is a devious device. The playstation species has a huge variety in skills, but is harder to nurture. It takes longer time for it to evolve than any other console. The playstation is a bit agressive, but even more so if close to an Xbox. If close to a Nintendo, it gets really calm and protective however. And when protecting something, then it is deadly. The Playstation can emitt an intense burst of sound that blows up any specific body part, and only that part. This is thanks to some device that has evolved over the years, I believe it was called PS YEY back in your days.
I take a lot of pride in catching consoles and nurture them into reaching their full capacity. Please support all of them so I can continue catching them. They do a lot of good stuff when they are trained, all of them.
The future is here, for you it is not, but for me it is but your time is my past and my time is your future and we can only meet in the present.
I want to thank all of you for pushing Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony to work on their respective consoles. Today the consoles roam the lands and has evolved into something that is similar to something I believe you call "Pokémons" back in your days. They are now intelligent machines that self-upgrade if they are nurtured right and put to test in different challenges.
The "Nintendo" is the easiest one to catch. Its more like a cuddly white bunny that doesn't scare no one. Although you have to be gentle, it easily breaks under pressure. Think of it as a "Magic Karp". Nurtured right its something completely different.
The "Xbox" however, is a bit trickier to catch. An Xbox is often seen with a giant shroom on its head that spits out read laserbeams that can fry your eyeballs in an instant, if directed straight at your eyes. If nurtured right, the Xbox will evolve into a creature that can do your dishes, or kill your grandma. Only these two things are possible careers for your Xbox. There have been numerous instances of flying Xboxes landing on old people burning them to death with their laserbeam. Naa I'm just kiddin, it can do more things. Its really good at fishing too. And reading books for young kids. Xbox is softer than the Playstation due to something i believe you called Konict or sumthin back in your days.
The Playstation is a devious device. The playstation species has a huge variety in skills, but is harder to nurture. It takes longer time for it to evolve than any other console. The playstation is a bit agressive, but even more so if close to an Xbox. If close to a Nintendo, it gets really calm and protective however. And when protecting something, then it is deadly. The Playstation can emitt an intense burst of sound that blows up any specific body part, and only that part. This is thanks to some device that has evolved over the years, I believe it was called PS YEY back in your days.
I take a lot of pride in catching consoles and nurture them into reaching their full capacity. Please support all of them so I can continue catching them. They do a lot of good stuff when they are trained, all of them.
Thứ Sáu, 14 tháng 10, 2011
Will Ninja Gaiden 3 lose the feel from its predecessors?
Everyone knows the Ninja Gaiden series for its blood, gore, great gameplay that makes you rage quit a thousand times and so many sexual themes. To this day Ninja Gaiden from the last decade is still my favorite Ninja Gaiden next to it is sigma for the ps3.
Now I bet everyone knows that Ninja Gaiden 3 is coming out and I officially announced but after viewing the gameplay trailer I felt very disappointing that it was greatly dumbed down for the casual gamer and this will make Ninja Gaiden veterans hate this and so do yes the game is hard but it gave skill and its such a relief that you beat the game and can feel so accomplished about the challenge you faced during the order. Reports from Team Ninja showed that only 13% of owners of Ninja Gaiden 2 beat while the rest have it sitting collecting dust and scared to pick it up and try and beat the first boss and only 507 people beat it on master ninja difficulty, this shows that a change is great to help out the franchise.
The Ninja Gaiden franchise will be remembered in the past for its brutal difficulty and challenge but change is needed for people to try out the game and have fun. Now ive seen the gameplay and it looks extremely easy I mean none of the enemies have swords just guns that barely do anything to Ryu and the AI is just mediocre I mean every time you're close to an enemy he just begs you to not kill him. Also when a large mech tank came instead of fighting the game tells you to run away from it now that's a little too much hand holding there. Now for the violence the gameplay looks fun and smooth but I don't see any body parts? Just lost off blood and corpses in solid condition.
I might get this game there's a chance that an average terrible story might be there, I can confirm the terrible voice acting but people we gotta admit would you rather play the game and have some fun or have a few busted TV's trying to beat the first level. I just hope the weird red arm helps the game and the action
Now I bet everyone knows that Ninja Gaiden 3 is coming out and I officially announced but after viewing the gameplay trailer I felt very disappointing that it was greatly dumbed down for the casual gamer and this will make Ninja Gaiden veterans hate this and so do yes the game is hard but it gave skill and its such a relief that you beat the game and can feel so accomplished about the challenge you faced during the order. Reports from Team Ninja showed that only 13% of owners of Ninja Gaiden 2 beat while the rest have it sitting collecting dust and scared to pick it up and try and beat the first boss and only 507 people beat it on master ninja difficulty, this shows that a change is great to help out the franchise.
The Ninja Gaiden franchise will be remembered in the past for its brutal difficulty and challenge but change is needed for people to try out the game and have fun. Now ive seen the gameplay and it looks extremely easy I mean none of the enemies have swords just guns that barely do anything to Ryu and the AI is just mediocre I mean every time you're close to an enemy he just begs you to not kill him. Also when a large mech tank came instead of fighting the game tells you to run away from it now that's a little too much hand holding there. Now for the violence the gameplay looks fun and smooth but I don't see any body parts? Just lost off blood and corpses in solid condition.
I might get this game there's a chance that an average terrible story might be there, I can confirm the terrible voice acting but people we gotta admit would you rather play the game and have some fun or have a few busted TV's trying to beat the first level. I just hope the weird red arm helps the game and the action
Is the rise of smartphone and tablet gaming actually good for console gaming?
I have been thinking slightly differently to most of the doom and gloomers out there. While most are thinking that I-phone/pad and android gaming will spell the end of console gaming, I think the reality is very different.
The way I see it is that they will actually help console and PC gaming. How? By getting rid of all the devs and publishers who are only interested in making a quick buck off the back of the casual market. As they defect to flogging their wares on smartphones and tablets it clears up our market. Along with those developing the games, also the casual gamers disappear from our market thus taking their drivel with them.
Devs will be able to stop making games that have to be accessible to morons and go back to making games that don't hold your hand the whole way through. I mean seriously, before this gen of consoles games were soo much harder (or maybe I just didn't try hard enough?) did anyone complete Desert Strike on the Mega Drive (Genesis for the Americans)? I know I did, but it took me forever, and bucket loads of sweat and tears! I put so much effort into that my Dad took me shopping for a new game as a reward! Nowadays the only requirement to finish a game is time, not skill.
I don't want games to be overly difficult just for the sake of it though, I mean they are still supposed to be fun not frustrating. But at least give me a challenge! Killzone on the PS2 for example took me ages to finish, Killzone Liberation on the PSP was even harder! But KZ2, easy peasy and KZ3? There were moments of difficulty but nah, it wasn't that taxing. Even the COD games used to be hard, hard to believe considering they were the first games to have regenerating health! Something I hate in shooters but it is pretty much the standard now. I mean really, can anyone remember the last time they played a shooter where you're health didn't re generate just by hiding for a few seconds? At least in Bad Company 1 you had to inject yourself. The injection pens might have been infinite, but at least you had to do something other than hide behind cover for 5 seconds. Being on the brink of death brings new excitement to a game, always praying there will be a health pack in the next room, edge of the seat stuff.
There are a few games on the horizon which seem to be going back to the old school (Hard Reset being one) and I for one am quite happy about that. Old school is the new, new school?
It's not just about difficulty and hand holding though. The overall quality of games will improve too, story, graphics, new gameplay ideas the lot. It'll all be better without the butt loads of shovelware on our shelves and publishers who just want to milk old tired casual franchises. As they leave for the money mounds of smartphone gaming only the serious devs and pubs who actually care about creating a quality gaming experience will remain.
Anyway, what do you think? Is casual gaming leaving our market good for us the core gamers? I think it is. It might not be good for the money men in suits, but I'm not one of those I'm a gamer and from our side of the desk things are looking up.
The way I see it is that they will actually help console and PC gaming. How? By getting rid of all the devs and publishers who are only interested in making a quick buck off the back of the casual market. As they defect to flogging their wares on smartphones and tablets it clears up our market. Along with those developing the games, also the casual gamers disappear from our market thus taking their drivel with them.
Devs will be able to stop making games that have to be accessible to morons and go back to making games that don't hold your hand the whole way through. I mean seriously, before this gen of consoles games were soo much harder (or maybe I just didn't try hard enough?) did anyone complete Desert Strike on the Mega Drive (Genesis for the Americans)? I know I did, but it took me forever, and bucket loads of sweat and tears! I put so much effort into that my Dad took me shopping for a new game as a reward! Nowadays the only requirement to finish a game is time, not skill.
I don't want games to be overly difficult just for the sake of it though, I mean they are still supposed to be fun not frustrating. But at least give me a challenge! Killzone on the PS2 for example took me ages to finish, Killzone Liberation on the PSP was even harder! But KZ2, easy peasy and KZ3? There were moments of difficulty but nah, it wasn't that taxing. Even the COD games used to be hard, hard to believe considering they were the first games to have regenerating health! Something I hate in shooters but it is pretty much the standard now. I mean really, can anyone remember the last time they played a shooter where you're health didn't re generate just by hiding for a few seconds? At least in Bad Company 1 you had to inject yourself. The injection pens might have been infinite, but at least you had to do something other than hide behind cover for 5 seconds. Being on the brink of death brings new excitement to a game, always praying there will be a health pack in the next room, edge of the seat stuff.
There are a few games on the horizon which seem to be going back to the old school (Hard Reset being one) and I for one am quite happy about that. Old school is the new, new school?
It's not just about difficulty and hand holding though. The overall quality of games will improve too, story, graphics, new gameplay ideas the lot. It'll all be better without the butt loads of shovelware on our shelves and publishers who just want to milk old tired casual franchises. As they leave for the money mounds of smartphone gaming only the serious devs and pubs who actually care about creating a quality gaming experience will remain.
Anyway, what do you think? Is casual gaming leaving our market good for us the core gamers? I think it is. It might not be good for the money men in suits, but I'm not one of those I'm a gamer and from our side of the desk things are looking up.
(My) Resident Evil 6 weapon list, and system.
I have for awhile now talked to my friends about my thoughts on a new weapon system and guns to be used in this system, I feel if you really try to understand where im coming from with this it will inject some tension and suspense back into a once proud horror series.
First the System:
The system in itself is easy to graps once you think about it, first drop the 3by3 squares deal, and also drop the suitcase system. My system I call the pouch system this restricts the player on how much gear he can not only carry but what type of gear. for example in Resident Evil 5 when we first see Chris Redfield he is carrying a back fannypack with pockets on each side and a dual mag clip. so my system would allow 3 slots plus the ability to carry 2 spare clips plus one in the gun.
Now before you Huff and Puff this system brings Horror ..persay back I feel at least suspense cause you cannot load down the charater with tons of items, healing aids, and clips. and the system works well into WHAT guns you carry...but I will explain that in a bit.
So now I have limited you in the carrying system and it leaves you to think do I want to carry so amount of eaither extra clips, grenades, or aid sprays/herbs, you will be able to pick items up as you move along but I also hamperd you there as well. for example say u carried grenades, and aid spray but your on your last clip and see a 9mm ammo box you can pick it up load your clips up ..but thats it you cannot carry that box with you unless your already carrying spare mags. because in realife Nobody would run around with ammo boxes it would make to much seneless noise.
Your probbly sitting there and wondering so what only 3 clips plus if we decide to bring extra empties along the way is the only way to get extra ammo? and the anweser is no, just like in RE3-5 the lead has beenable to uprade their item count you can do that in my system as well..but with a trade off( And the point of the trade off is I never want you to feel the game is to action or easy.) so with the trade you can customize your extra load out on your character so there will be customisation but say you want to carry extra items of A well that means you cannot of B or C. and if your carrying extra ammo/grenade pouches then you cannot wear bulletproofing armor so there is a trade.
And the reason for that is, say you want to co-op(optional NOT a must in my game) it makes you work as a unit to say lets trade this and this or you carry such and such. as Teamwork is always been key in Zombie/Horror films.
A quick refresher that means optional co-op, customizing riggings so not everybody will look the same least in clothing.
Now for the Gun system and this i think pleases Old and New fans alike. The system drops gun upgrading, im sorry if you liked it but this makes 1 the guns limited so your not ramboing your through the game but 2. bring a sense of realism and by that I mean the guns will be based off their real life counter parts in clip size and power(which i would need to sit down and map out.) also they will all have their pros and cons to using them.
Not only that but im bringing something back from re3 that was touched on but i feel was never fully used is custom ammunition, and this will serve as a new strategy and also will mix up the guns and not make them seem dull. Example: for the 9mm you will have Millitary parabelum, Hollowpoints, FMJ, starbusrt, and incinerary(yes its real.), and what will be known as the common rounds practice range rounds, and while these will be the common round you find laying around they will also have the ability to jam your gun under constant use.(such as in real life.) this will not only train you to shoot with more accuracy but also weed out those who drain rounds and their teammates rounds.(You know what im talking about.
All of this is to bring strategy back into the game, and once again I hope to create a sense of tension cause you will not be the most badass on the field you will be HUMAN.
Now that I have coverd my Weapon/ammo/ and slot-rigging system I want to move onto the actual gun list( btw I would like your thoughts and ideas on it.)
Gun List:
1.Beretta 92A1 9mm/15round/Jams the least.
2.Beretta PX4 Storm Inox 9mm/17round/Critical Headshot.
3.HK VP70 9mm/18round/uprade with stock to go into 3round burst.
4.Kimber Warrior 1911 .45acp/10round/quickest to reload.
5.Glock 18 9mm/33round/full auto but you loose accuary when laying down on the trigger.
6.TDI Vector .45acp/30round/Great knockdown.
7.HK MP7 4.6x30mm/40round/ammo pericing goes through armor/metal/and most other objects.
8.HK 416 with surefire grip, and aimpoint CompM4(upaded version of jills rifle in RE3)5.56Nato/30round/med to low power
9.AK-47 7.62/30round/***Headshot
10.AA12 30round drum/changeable rounds: Lead Slug/Buck/incinerary
11.Hydra 12gauge/3 barrel
12.The Crossbow from RE2/upgrade to 3 arrow spread.
13.The four barrel green launcher from RE1(upgrades to infinite launcher after beating game under set difficulty and hours.)
14.The Flame thrower from RE1
15.Albert Wesker M9 Samuri Edge II/high fire speed with releade and infinite ammo(though its infinite ammo you still have to relead.)
16.Barry Burtons .44magnum Colt Anaconda/6 round.
17.500 Magnum round
18.RE4 Chicago Type writter .45acp/50round/upgrades to infinit ammo
So those are my guns,yes somewhat ruff but it mixes real life guns with some classics from Resident evil universe.
Also inclosing I want to say you can only carry 1 handgun and 1 firearm at any given time unless you upgrade say to a shoulder holster to carry 2 handguns and by now if you read all this you get the point. and the Assult Rifles,SMG,and shotguns will have slings no more floating on my back.
*Update* after reading what some of the user have posted YALL gave me a interesting idea, what if the Merchent came back but instead of just buying guns from him we could also just buy gun parts as well to customize are own guns.
First the System:
The system in itself is easy to graps once you think about it, first drop the 3by3 squares deal, and also drop the suitcase system. My system I call the pouch system this restricts the player on how much gear he can not only carry but what type of gear. for example in Resident Evil 5 when we first see Chris Redfield he is carrying a back fannypack with pockets on each side and a dual mag clip. so my system would allow 3 slots plus the ability to carry 2 spare clips plus one in the gun.
Now before you Huff and Puff this system brings Horror ..persay back I feel at least suspense cause you cannot load down the charater with tons of items, healing aids, and clips. and the system works well into WHAT guns you carry...but I will explain that in a bit.
So now I have limited you in the carrying system and it leaves you to think do I want to carry so amount of eaither extra clips, grenades, or aid sprays/herbs, you will be able to pick items up as you move along but I also hamperd you there as well. for example say u carried grenades, and aid spray but your on your last clip and see a 9mm ammo box you can pick it up load your clips up ..but thats it you cannot carry that box with you unless your already carrying spare mags. because in realife Nobody would run around with ammo boxes it would make to much seneless noise.
Your probbly sitting there and wondering so what only 3 clips plus if we decide to bring extra empties along the way is the only way to get extra ammo? and the anweser is no, just like in RE3-5 the lead has beenable to uprade their item count you can do that in my system as well..but with a trade off( And the point of the trade off is I never want you to feel the game is to action or easy.) so with the trade you can customize your extra load out on your character so there will be customisation but say you want to carry extra items of A well that means you cannot of B or C. and if your carrying extra ammo/grenade pouches then you cannot wear bulletproofing armor so there is a trade.
And the reason for that is, say you want to co-op(optional NOT a must in my game) it makes you work as a unit to say lets trade this and this or you carry such and such. as Teamwork is always been key in Zombie/Horror films.
A quick refresher that means optional co-op, customizing riggings so not everybody will look the same least in clothing.
Now for the Gun system and this i think pleases Old and New fans alike. The system drops gun upgrading, im sorry if you liked it but this makes 1 the guns limited so your not ramboing your through the game but 2. bring a sense of realism and by that I mean the guns will be based off their real life counter parts in clip size and power(which i would need to sit down and map out.) also they will all have their pros and cons to using them.
Not only that but im bringing something back from re3 that was touched on but i feel was never fully used is custom ammunition, and this will serve as a new strategy and also will mix up the guns and not make them seem dull. Example: for the 9mm you will have Millitary parabelum, Hollowpoints, FMJ, starbusrt, and incinerary(yes its real.), and what will be known as the common rounds practice range rounds, and while these will be the common round you find laying around they will also have the ability to jam your gun under constant use.(such as in real life.) this will not only train you to shoot with more accuracy but also weed out those who drain rounds and their teammates rounds.(You know what im talking about.
All of this is to bring strategy back into the game, and once again I hope to create a sense of tension cause you will not be the most badass on the field you will be HUMAN.
Now that I have coverd my Weapon/ammo/ and slot-rigging system I want to move onto the actual gun list( btw I would like your thoughts and ideas on it.)
Gun List:
1.Beretta 92A1 9mm/15round/Jams the least.
2.Beretta PX4 Storm Inox 9mm/17round/Critical Headshot.
3.HK VP70 9mm/18round/uprade with stock to go into 3round burst.
4.Kimber Warrior 1911 .45acp/10round/quickest to reload.
5.Glock 18 9mm/33round/full auto but you loose accuary when laying down on the trigger.
6.TDI Vector .45acp/30round/Great knockdown.
7.HK MP7 4.6x30mm/40round/ammo pericing goes through armor/metal/and most other objects.
8.HK 416 with surefire grip, and aimpoint CompM4(upaded version of jills rifle in RE3)5.56Nato/30round/med to low power
9.AK-47 7.62/30round/***Headshot
10.AA12 30round drum/changeable rounds: Lead Slug/Buck/incinerary
11.Hydra 12gauge/3 barrel
12.The Crossbow from RE2/upgrade to 3 arrow spread.
13.The four barrel green launcher from RE1(upgrades to infinite launcher after beating game under set difficulty and hours.)
14.The Flame thrower from RE1
15.Albert Wesker M9 Samuri Edge II/high fire speed with releade and infinite ammo(though its infinite ammo you still have to relead.)
16.Barry Burtons .44magnum Colt Anaconda/6 round.
17.500 Magnum round
18.RE4 Chicago Type writter .45acp/50round/upgrades to infinit ammo
So those are my guns,yes somewhat ruff but it mixes real life guns with some classics from Resident evil universe.
Also inclosing I want to say you can only carry 1 handgun and 1 firearm at any given time unless you upgrade say to a shoulder holster to carry 2 handguns and by now if you read all this you get the point. and the Assult Rifles,SMG,and shotguns will have slings no more floating on my back.
*Update* after reading what some of the user have posted YALL gave me a interesting idea, what if the Merchent came back but instead of just buying guns from him we could also just buy gun parts as well to customize are own guns.
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.
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.
Phineas And Ferb 3D Game – Disney XD Games 63
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!
Thứ Năm, 6 tháng 10, 2011
f8 Developers Conference: Facebook game shares move to the Ticker
Super Mario Facebook Share
You know those annoying pop-ups Facebook displays whenever you try to share something in FarmVille or what have you? Soon, those might be a thing of the past, according to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook boss announced the change in brief during the f8 Facebook Developers Conference, referring to a particularly hilarious Internet meme.
This change applies to Facebook apps across the board, but, of course, we're concerned with the games. According to Zuckerberg, sharing activity will be directly and automatically published to the News Feed or the Games Ticker, depending on what exactly it is you're sharing. And with that comes the privacy concerns.
Judging from Zuckerberg's brief mention of the change, this would cause apps to inform users upon installation exactly what activity they will automatically share. This information is extremely early, but we imagine that, if developers like Zynga were to implement this change, that players would have the be informed of those changes.
Later in the presentation, Zuckerberg mentioned that games will take even more advantage of the Games Ticker, which launched earlier this summer. The Facebook chief showed an instance in which a friend played the word "TEXT" against another in Words With Friends, which was displayed on the Games Ticker. He then proceeded to mouse over that Ticker notification, and it displayed a snapshot of the game board.
Words with Friends Share
Of course, you could then jump into the game and start a match with either player. In short, the day of the game-stopping share notification will soon be over. In its place, much of the viral sharing in Facebook games seems as if it will take place in the Games Ticker. It appears that these changes have already taken place in Words With Friends.
When these specific changes will take place has yet to be announced, though we imagine much of them will be up to the developers. And if FarmVille players' reactions to when Zynga made similar changes to its flagship game is any indication, we're opinons will be ... mixed. We'll keep you posted.
What do you think of Facebook doing away with the game share notifications, automating them and moving them into the Games Ticker? Share with us in the comments. 1 Comment
You know those annoying pop-ups Facebook displays whenever you try to share something in FarmVille or what have you? Soon, those might be a thing of the past, according to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook boss announced the change in brief during the f8 Facebook Developers Conference, referring to a particularly hilarious Internet meme.
This change applies to Facebook apps across the board, but, of course, we're concerned with the games. According to Zuckerberg, sharing activity will be directly and automatically published to the News Feed or the Games Ticker, depending on what exactly it is you're sharing. And with that comes the privacy concerns.
Judging from Zuckerberg's brief mention of the change, this would cause apps to inform users upon installation exactly what activity they will automatically share. This information is extremely early, but we imagine that, if developers like Zynga were to implement this change, that players would have the be informed of those changes.
Later in the presentation, Zuckerberg mentioned that games will take even more advantage of the Games Ticker, which launched earlier this summer. The Facebook chief showed an instance in which a friend played the word "TEXT" against another in Words With Friends, which was displayed on the Games Ticker. He then proceeded to mouse over that Ticker notification, and it displayed a snapshot of the game board.
Words with Friends Share
Of course, you could then jump into the game and start a match with either player. In short, the day of the game-stopping share notification will soon be over. In its place, much of the viral sharing in Facebook games seems as if it will take place in the Games Ticker. It appears that these changes have already taken place in Words With Friends.
When these specific changes will take place has yet to be announced, though we imagine much of them will be up to the developers. And if FarmVille players' reactions to when Zynga made similar changes to its flagship game is any indication, we're opinons will be ... mixed. We'll keep you posted.
What do you think of Facebook doing away with the game share notifications, automating them and moving them into the Games Ticker? Share with us in the comments. 1 Comment
FarmVille Pic of the Day: Have fun getting lost in Aliciafay03's farm maze
Don't let the look of this farm fool you. Because the first thing someone would notice about Aliciafay03's FarmVille farm is that she's got "FARM VILLE" spelled out in an outline of red, orange, and blue hay bales, which I know isn't a big whoop. Hay bales as a design element have gotten pretty stale in the landscaping community. Bales are good for spelling out visual shout-outs, portraits, and the occasional fun art (care for a whopper?), but there's rarely any impressive ones anymore. But look closer at Aliciafay03's farm, and you'll realize that it's an interactive maze.
Originally designed to be a cornfield maze, Aliciafay03 was eager to debut her farm for Zynga's official Farm of the Week contest, so she released her entry before the corn had a chance to grow. This is probably better, cause a cornfield would've obscured all the clever lettering. What we know about hay bales is that there's a cheat for players to harvest crops faster by trapping your FarmVille farming avatar in hay bales -- now here's where the interactive part comes in -- so if you click one end of this farm, your avatar can't go anywhere but to run through the maze!
Have you ever played in a real cornfield maze? Sound off in the comments. 1 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.
Originally designed to be a cornfield maze, Aliciafay03 was eager to debut her farm for Zynga's official Farm of the Week contest, so she released her entry before the corn had a chance to grow. This is probably better, cause a cornfield would've obscured all the clever lettering. What we know about hay bales is that there's a cheat for players to harvest crops faster by trapping your FarmVille farming avatar in hay bales -- now here's where the interactive part comes in -- so if you click one end of this farm, your avatar can't go anywhere but to run through the maze!
Have you ever played in a real cornfield maze? Sound off in the comments. 1 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.
Stadiums full of people become Angry Birds players with Uplause
Could the Angry Birds replace the proverbial demands of "Make Some Noise" at your next baseball game? Maybe not your next one, but soon you could be cheering to fling the irate winged beasts into their plump green enemies. Pocket Gamer reports that Uplause, a Finnish developer of crowd-based games, has rebuilt Angry Birds with its creator, Rovio, into a version controlled by noise.
The self-proclaimed "social game maker for big crowds" has created similar games for use in stadiums for ice hockey games, soccer matches and even music festivals. Over the past summer, Uplause worked with Rovio to create a version of Angry Birds that is controlled using noise as an input device. (Namely, cheering, clapping, stomping and perhaps even booing, we assume.)
"As in the original, there's about a four second period before firing," Uplause CEO Veli-Pekka Marin explained to Pocket Gamer. "For live events, we'd expect each gaming session to take a few minutes." But in that time, thousands of folks will play at the same time. If anything, it's terribly efficient.
While all we know about this seriously social version of Angry Birds is that noise generates power for the game's slingshot, Pocket Gamer guesses that aiming is done automatically. Rovio and Uplause will first test this massive version of Angry Birds at a Formula 1 race taking place in Singapore this weekend, and the company's CMO Peter Vesterbacka sounds excited for its imminent global expansion.
"Through social participation, our fans will get to interact with the Angry Birds in an entirely new way," Vesterbacka said to Pocket Gamer. "We think this new form of gaming will give fans a great opportunity to form a strong emotional connection with the characters." I think Vesterbacka is confusing "emotional connection" with "drunken, crowd-fueled stupor." Check out the video below to get an idea of how it might work. Who knows you might be doing the same thing at the next World Series.
What do you imagine a noise-controlled version of Angry Birds would be like? What other games come to mind when you think of this approach? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
The self-proclaimed "social game maker for big crowds" has created similar games for use in stadiums for ice hockey games, soccer matches and even music festivals. Over the past summer, Uplause worked with Rovio to create a version of Angry Birds that is controlled using noise as an input device. (Namely, cheering, clapping, stomping and perhaps even booing, we assume.)
"As in the original, there's about a four second period before firing," Uplause CEO Veli-Pekka Marin explained to Pocket Gamer. "For live events, we'd expect each gaming session to take a few minutes." But in that time, thousands of folks will play at the same time. If anything, it's terribly efficient.
While all we know about this seriously social version of Angry Birds is that noise generates power for the game's slingshot, Pocket Gamer guesses that aiming is done automatically. Rovio and Uplause will first test this massive version of Angry Birds at a Formula 1 race taking place in Singapore this weekend, and the company's CMO Peter Vesterbacka sounds excited for its imminent global expansion.
"Through social participation, our fans will get to interact with the Angry Birds in an entirely new way," Vesterbacka said to Pocket Gamer. "We think this new form of gaming will give fans a great opportunity to form a strong emotional connection with the characters." I think Vesterbacka is confusing "emotional connection" with "drunken, crowd-fueled stupor." Check out the video below to get an idea of how it might work. Who knows you might be doing the same thing at the next World Series.
What do you imagine a noise-controlled version of Angry Birds would be like? What other games come to mind when you think of this approach? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Bravo gifts turtle with instant cable TV fame and a Facebook game
Andy Cohen Watch What Happens Live turtle mascot eating
Just when we thought we've seen everything, US cable TV network Bravo is launching a Facebook game where you get to dress up their latest celebrity -- she's a turtle. I don't mean she's reclusive or anything. I mean that literally: She is a turtle, but she's not just any turtle. This is a turtle that caught the eye of Bravo's Executive Vice President of Original Programming, also known as Andy Cohen, and host of Bravo TV's Watch What Happens: Live.
The turle has been selected as the show's new mascot and will make her first appearance on Sept. 25. Her Facebook game will be called "Turtle Time", named after a TV episode of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York, where one of the drunk stars made a toast at "Fat Turtle", a bar and dance club in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The Facebook game's objective is to design the turtle's tank and dress her up each week. There will be options to gift decorations to friends in the game, or to use Facebook Credits to buy special items. Results will be posted online, voting will commence, winners will be chosen and live versions of these designs will then be used on the show. Finally, when the season ends in December, Cohen will choose a past winner to fly to New York for a live taping and chance to meet the turtle.
What does the turtle have to say about all this? Here's a quote from Bravo's cheeky press release:
"Ever since I landed on the shores of Sag Harbor, I have been searching for my big break in show biz. When Andy Cohen came walking down those golden sands, I knew my dreams were coming true," Divulged Yet-To-Be-Named Turtle. "I can't wait to move into the Bravo Clubhouse and to be dressed in the latest fashions."
Oh, and before anyone runs to the nearest phone to alert PETA, Bravo has contacted the American Humane Association for an animal safety monitor who'll oversee the tapings according to the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals In Filmed Media. There's no word if there's someone to monitor the turtle's dignity, but I think that's irretrievable at this point.
[Hat-tip: The Hollywood Reporter]
Is this cruel and/or unusual treatment of animals? Or just some harmless and wacky fun? Have you lost your faith in humanity yet? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Just when we thought we've seen everything, US cable TV network Bravo is launching a Facebook game where you get to dress up their latest celebrity -- she's a turtle. I don't mean she's reclusive or anything. I mean that literally: She is a turtle, but she's not just any turtle. This is a turtle that caught the eye of Bravo's Executive Vice President of Original Programming, also known as Andy Cohen, and host of Bravo TV's Watch What Happens: Live.
The turle has been selected as the show's new mascot and will make her first appearance on Sept. 25. Her Facebook game will be called "Turtle Time", named after a TV episode of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York, where one of the drunk stars made a toast at "Fat Turtle", a bar and dance club in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The Facebook game's objective is to design the turtle's tank and dress her up each week. There will be options to gift decorations to friends in the game, or to use Facebook Credits to buy special items. Results will be posted online, voting will commence, winners will be chosen and live versions of these designs will then be used on the show. Finally, when the season ends in December, Cohen will choose a past winner to fly to New York for a live taping and chance to meet the turtle.
What does the turtle have to say about all this? Here's a quote from Bravo's cheeky press release:
"Ever since I landed on the shores of Sag Harbor, I have been searching for my big break in show biz. When Andy Cohen came walking down those golden sands, I knew my dreams were coming true," Divulged Yet-To-Be-Named Turtle. "I can't wait to move into the Bravo Clubhouse and to be dressed in the latest fashions."
Oh, and before anyone runs to the nearest phone to alert PETA, Bravo has contacted the American Humane Association for an animal safety monitor who'll oversee the tapings according to the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals In Filmed Media. There's no word if there's someone to monitor the turtle's dignity, but I think that's irretrievable at this point.
[Hat-tip: The Hollywood Reporter]
Is this cruel and/or unusual treatment of animals? Or just some harmless and wacky fun? Have you lost your faith in humanity yet? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Zynga profits plummet 90 percent, raises questions about imminent IPO
Will the big show still go on? That's what many wonder, as Zynga just revealed in an updated regulatory filing that its profits dipped by 90 percent in the June quarter, thanks to increased spending and a lack of major game releases earlier this year, Reuters reports. According to the news service, this raises questions as to whether the company can sustain growth ahead of its long-awaited IPO (initial public offering).
Zynga's net income took a nose dive to $1.4 million from $14 million a year earlier, and its net profit plummeted over 90 percent in three months from $16.8 million in March of this year. Reuters chalks this up to the fact that the filing shows that the FarmVille maker's expenses rose $149 million compared to a year earlier, and $59 million alone from the previous financial quarter.
We'd imagine a major chunk of those expenses are thanks to the 14 companies Zynga gobbled up in the past year. It's also worth noting that the developer didn't really release any major Facebook games in 2011 prior to Empires & Allies. (And no, we're not counting FarmVille English Countryside.) Since then, however, the company has been on a frenzy, launching three more Facebook games this summer: Words With Friends, Pioneer Trail and recently Adventure World.
This news speaks volumes to the fact that Zynga has reached a point where it constantly needs to produce in order to sustain its meteoric growth, and more importantly for them right now, the faith of investors. Since the company's last filing, Zynga conducted a third-party analysis that estimated the probability of an IPO at 75 percent. This is down from the 80 percent probability reported in Zynga's previous filing.
In other words, it looks like the anticipated Zynga IPO could be delayed, just as previous reports suggested, to wait for improved market conditions. However, EA is gaining on the company with The Sims Social, and fast. According to AppData, EA and Playfish's game has just about 1.6 million fewer daily players than CityVille's 12.9 million.
Do you think Zynga has anything to worry about, given the news? Would you ever invest in Zynga if given the chance? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Zynga's net income took a nose dive to $1.4 million from $14 million a year earlier, and its net profit plummeted over 90 percent in three months from $16.8 million in March of this year. Reuters chalks this up to the fact that the filing shows that the FarmVille maker's expenses rose $149 million compared to a year earlier, and $59 million alone from the previous financial quarter.
We'd imagine a major chunk of those expenses are thanks to the 14 companies Zynga gobbled up in the past year. It's also worth noting that the developer didn't really release any major Facebook games in 2011 prior to Empires & Allies. (And no, we're not counting FarmVille English Countryside.) Since then, however, the company has been on a frenzy, launching three more Facebook games this summer: Words With Friends, Pioneer Trail and recently Adventure World.
This news speaks volumes to the fact that Zynga has reached a point where it constantly needs to produce in order to sustain its meteoric growth, and more importantly for them right now, the faith of investors. Since the company's last filing, Zynga conducted a third-party analysis that estimated the probability of an IPO at 75 percent. This is down from the 80 percent probability reported in Zynga's previous filing.
In other words, it looks like the anticipated Zynga IPO could be delayed, just as previous reports suggested, to wait for improved market conditions. However, EA is gaining on the company with The Sims Social, and fast. According to AppData, EA and Playfish's game has just about 1.6 million fewer daily players than CityVille's 12.9 million.
Do you think Zynga has anything to worry about, given the news? Would you ever invest in Zynga if given the chance? Sound off in the comments. 1 Comment
Thứ Ba, 4 tháng 10, 2011
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?
Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski is awfully addicted to Angry Birds
Another falls to the power of casual games. Just as actress Emma Stone had to go cold turkey on FarmVille, Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski has admitted to Collider an acute Angry Birds addiction. The actress (and voice of Miranda Lawson in Bioware's Mass Effect series) told the website she's not just hopelessly addicted to the game, but has some serious bird-slinging game.
"I don't know if this classifies as a video game, but I have a terrible obsession with Angry Birds," Strahovski admitted to Collider. "I have 3 stared every single level that has ever come out ever except for this one in this moon thing that just came out." Well, she already has me beat, it seems, and likely many of you.
When asked whether she used YouTube or something else to cheat, the Australian starlet replied, "No. I am legitimate. The only thing I looked up is that I could't find the last two golden watermelons in the Rio version. I could't find them. I was like, 'Where are the watermelons?!' So I had to go online and find out where they were." Alright, we get it, so you know your stuff.
Her next mission? Clear every level in the game with 100 percent using the Mighty Eagle. Well, I guess that's about the only challenge she has left, considering she's obliterated every last level. After that, maybe she might consider voice over work for the upcoming Angry Birds movie when it goes into production in oh, I don't know, two years? And who knows, maybe you'll catch her in a Starbucks, flicking away to destroy your high score sometime soon.
[Via Kotaku]
[Image Credit: Collider]
Are you still addicted to Angry Birds after all this time? Have you accomplished more in the game than lovely Yvonne? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
"I don't know if this classifies as a video game, but I have a terrible obsession with Angry Birds," Strahovski admitted to Collider. "I have 3 stared every single level that has ever come out ever except for this one in this moon thing that just came out." Well, she already has me beat, it seems, and likely many of you.
When asked whether she used YouTube or something else to cheat, the Australian starlet replied, "No. I am legitimate. The only thing I looked up is that I could't find the last two golden watermelons in the Rio version. I could't find them. I was like, 'Where are the watermelons?!' So I had to go online and find out where they were." Alright, we get it, so you know your stuff.
Her next mission? Clear every level in the game with 100 percent using the Mighty Eagle. Well, I guess that's about the only challenge she has left, considering she's obliterated every last level. After that, maybe she might consider voice over work for the upcoming Angry Birds movie when it goes into production in oh, I don't know, two years? And who knows, maybe you'll catch her in a Starbucks, flicking away to destroy your high score sometime soon.
[Via Kotaku]
[Image Credit: Collider]
Are you still addicted to Angry Birds after all this time? Have you accomplished more in the game than lovely Yvonne? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
FarmVille Pic of the Day: AlexisSkrull's petting zoo
A few days ago, I featured a massive FarmVille zoo. However, plenty of folks complained that it was just too crowded and busy. While it was a super detailed zoo, the jumbled appearance diminished its aesthetic appeal. Today's featured zoo farm resolves many of the issues present in the old farm, by attempting a simpler approach to the FarmVille zoo.
Today's featured farm, created by AlexisSkrull, is in many ways quite humble. For instance, it doesn't even fill the whole farm plot and there are no fancy complex illusions to be found. However, the simplicity of the fenced in pens full of animals is charming. It reminds me of the early days of FarmVille and FrontierVille, when all I had was a few animals, crops, and some decorations that I was forced to buy in order to complete goals.
Of course, in reality this farm is far more detailed than my boring starter farm. There are unique habitats and exhibitions built for various animals. So make sure to look closely at the images below to get the full effect of AlexisSkrull's farm.
Click the images to make them larger.
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
What do you think of AlexisSkrull's zoo farm? Which zoo farm do you prefer?
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!
Today's featured farm, created by AlexisSkrull, is in many ways quite humble. For instance, it doesn't even fill the whole farm plot and there are no fancy complex illusions to be found. However, the simplicity of the fenced in pens full of animals is charming. It reminds me of the early days of FarmVille and FrontierVille, when all I had was a few animals, crops, and some decorations that I was forced to buy in order to complete goals.
Of course, in reality this farm is far more detailed than my boring starter farm. There are unique habitats and exhibitions built for various animals. So make sure to look closely at the images below to get the full effect of AlexisSkrull's farm.
Click the images to make them larger.
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm farmville featured alexisskrull zoo farm
What do you think of AlexisSkrull's zoo farm? Which zoo farm do you prefer?
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!
Google+ opens its doors to all, but (hopefully) mostly social gamers
The proverbial veil has been lifted, everyone. Google+ is finally open to the public, meaning anyone can join Google's social network regardless of whether they've been invited through a friend. More importantly, this means the service, which soft-launched back in August to a controlled amount of users through invites, is open to even more social gamers than before.
Granted, there are only 16 games so far on Google+ Games. But surely the company hopes, that with an influx of potential players, that developers will become even more interested in Google as a social gaming destination. However, there are several arguably basic social features that aren't yet a part of the Google+ developer API, or application programming interface.
Namely, the posts that players can push through to the Games Stream from a Google+ game are not interactive. This means that the viral nature of social gaming is severely hindered on the network--players cannot directly help one another through the Games Stream like the can through the Facebook News Feed. This essentially thwarts what is popularly believed to give social games their name.
At the moment, players can only post general updates such as, "I scored 5 bajillion points in Bejeweled Blitz!" However, Rovio played somewhat of a smarter game with Angry Birds on Google+ Games, and introduced a friend gate to most of its content, meaning players have to add so many friends to access new levels. Luckily, Google has already stated that it's working to introduce more robust features over time.
Regardless, omissions like this serve as proof that Google+ Games, while impressive in its scope, ambition and support, is still a nascent gaming platform when put up against competitors like Facebook. With this news, perhaps the race Google+ is running has changed track to whether Google+ Games can keep up with the demands and needs of its players, rather than its competitors.
[Via Inside Social Games]
Have you tried out Google+ Games yet? Do you think, after what you experienced, that Google has a chance at competing in the social games world? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Granted, there are only 16 games so far on Google+ Games. But surely the company hopes, that with an influx of potential players, that developers will become even more interested in Google as a social gaming destination. However, there are several arguably basic social features that aren't yet a part of the Google+ developer API, or application programming interface.
Namely, the posts that players can push through to the Games Stream from a Google+ game are not interactive. This means that the viral nature of social gaming is severely hindered on the network--players cannot directly help one another through the Games Stream like the can through the Facebook News Feed. This essentially thwarts what is popularly believed to give social games their name.
At the moment, players can only post general updates such as, "I scored 5 bajillion points in Bejeweled Blitz!" However, Rovio played somewhat of a smarter game with Angry Birds on Google+ Games, and introduced a friend gate to most of its content, meaning players have to add so many friends to access new levels. Luckily, Google has already stated that it's working to introduce more robust features over time.
Regardless, omissions like this serve as proof that Google+ Games, while impressive in its scope, ambition and support, is still a nascent gaming platform when put up against competitors like Facebook. With this news, perhaps the race Google+ is running has changed track to whether Google+ Games can keep up with the demands and needs of its players, rather than its competitors.
[Via Inside Social Games]
Have you tried out Google+ Games yet? Do you think, after what you experienced, that Google has a chance at competing in the social games world? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Mobile social game taps into 700K player base for children's charity
Parallel Kingdom 700,000K players
What do you do when you're a well-respected mobile game with 700K players worldwide? You design a virtual soup can helmet and sell it to your players for charity! At least, that's what Per Blue's Parallel Kingdom is doing (with Playmob) for the SOS Children relief in North Kenya.
SOS Children's Villages is an independently operated, international organization that's been saving kids since 1949. Currently, funds are needed for emergency food and medical aid due to a severe drought in the area. Soup Can Helmets cost 550 Food each (the virtual currency of Parallel Kingdom), which is the equivalent of $5.50 USD and enough to feed three children. Since the helmet is priced with Food, it's possible for you to not spend any real money on the helmet for it to still count. (In fact, for those of you who haven't liked the game's Facebook page yet, there's a free 100 Food offer that you can use towards a helmet purchase.)
According to Per Blue, this charity drive is at its halfway point with only a week left to go. So far, 550 Soup Can Helmets have been sold, which means 1,650 children have been cared for. If you play the game, you can buy the Soup Can Helmet in the PK Swag section of your local Trade Post until September 29.
Parallel Kingdom Donate Food
If you're new to the game and feeling adventurous, then after the tutorial stage, click on the Food tab on the bottom of your game screen to reach the Get Food menu. You'll see the Donate Food option, but it's really just a notice for the charity drive. Instead, you need to go to Travel, click on a Trade Hub (the one in Madison, WI is one of the two biggest ones), and locate your Local Trade Post, which should be a white building with a red roof buried under a dozen other players who are represented as little heads. Finally, you need to be at Level 2 to be allowed to purchase the helmet. (If you get lost, fire up the in-game chat. Special thanks goes to MisMoon, MoldyBanana, and ZeroGr@vity for their help.)
Parallel Kingdom Trade Post
Parallel Kingdom is best described as FourSquare meets a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). It surpassed a half million players in June, was voted 2009 Best Augmented Reality App Second Place (first place went to XMG Studio Inc.'s Pandemica) and 2009 Best MMO Game Third Place (beaten by ngmoco's Eliminate Pro, with Miraphonic's Epic Pet Wars in first place). Although Parallel Kingdom is not a true Facebook game (its Facebook game app simply links you to register on the website), it does possess Facebook Connect and can be played on your PC with a web browser.
Would you try out a game just to donate to charity? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
What do you do when you're a well-respected mobile game with 700K players worldwide? You design a virtual soup can helmet and sell it to your players for charity! At least, that's what Per Blue's Parallel Kingdom is doing (with Playmob) for the SOS Children relief in North Kenya.
SOS Children's Villages is an independently operated, international organization that's been saving kids since 1949. Currently, funds are needed for emergency food and medical aid due to a severe drought in the area. Soup Can Helmets cost 550 Food each (the virtual currency of Parallel Kingdom), which is the equivalent of $5.50 USD and enough to feed three children. Since the helmet is priced with Food, it's possible for you to not spend any real money on the helmet for it to still count. (In fact, for those of you who haven't liked the game's Facebook page yet, there's a free 100 Food offer that you can use towards a helmet purchase.)
According to Per Blue, this charity drive is at its halfway point with only a week left to go. So far, 550 Soup Can Helmets have been sold, which means 1,650 children have been cared for. If you play the game, you can buy the Soup Can Helmet in the PK Swag section of your local Trade Post until September 29.
Parallel Kingdom Donate Food
If you're new to the game and feeling adventurous, then after the tutorial stage, click on the Food tab on the bottom of your game screen to reach the Get Food menu. You'll see the Donate Food option, but it's really just a notice for the charity drive. Instead, you need to go to Travel, click on a Trade Hub (the one in Madison, WI is one of the two biggest ones), and locate your Local Trade Post, which should be a white building with a red roof buried under a dozen other players who are represented as little heads. Finally, you need to be at Level 2 to be allowed to purchase the helmet. (If you get lost, fire up the in-game chat. Special thanks goes to MisMoon, MoldyBanana, and ZeroGr@vity for their help.)
Parallel Kingdom Trade Post
Parallel Kingdom is best described as FourSquare meets a MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). It surpassed a half million players in June, was voted 2009 Best Augmented Reality App Second Place (first place went to XMG Studio Inc.'s Pandemica) and 2009 Best MMO Game Third Place (beaten by ngmoco's Eliminate Pro, with Miraphonic's Epic Pet Wars in first place). Although Parallel Kingdom is not a true Facebook game (its Facebook game app simply links you to register on the website), it does possess Facebook Connect and can be played on your PC with a web browser.
Would you try out a game just to donate to charity? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment
Chủ Nhật, 2 tháng 10, 2011
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
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