Kotaku: Gamepro

Resistance 2 Beta Keys, "Colossal" Secret In Next Gamepro

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:30:46 MDT

Want to get into the Resistance 2 beta? One place to start is the next issue of Gamepro magazine which, in addition to having a little Resistance 2 wingding, is also the home to some beta access keys. They're not just giving them away, unfortunately. You just have a chance to win one. How many are they handing? Not sure. We're guessing at least 60. But that's just a guess.

The issue teaser also hints at some sort of secret. The adjective "colossal" is used. We're instructed to sit down, it's that serious. What could it be?! Surely there's a countdown clock out there that will provide us with more information!

See GamePro's new Resistance 2 cover, win a beta code [GamePro - thanks, James!]

Halo Wars Gets Two-Player Co-op

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:30:18 MDT

The latest issue of GamePro magazine features cover story treatment on Ensemble Studios real-time strategy take on the Halo universe, Halo Wars. According to the mag, by way of TeamXbox, the Xbox 360 game will feature multiplayer for up to six via LIVE, with a two-player co-op campaign to keep things interesting. If you want more info beyond that, you'll have to seek out the July issue of GamePro for more.

In the meantime, the online arm of the publication has released four new Halo Wars screen shots—four obscenely watermarked and painfully blurry screen shots with a very odd perspective, but four screen shots nonetheless.

Halo Wars Screenshots [GamePro]

Oh, New Halo Wars Info!

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:30:00 MDT

Courtesy of this month's GamePro, which is as you read this working its way to subscriber's mailboxes. While the cover feature promises news on all future Halo titles, it only dishes out hard information (and gorgeous new screens) on Halo Wars. But that's OK. We'll take it. Because a console RTS is a new experience for Ensemble, they've stripped back their traditional playstyle in favour of something a little more Halo-esque. Which means only one economic unit - "supplies" - and fast, fast, fast battles, with the team promising you can be fighting "within ten seconds" of hitting the battlefield. Also revealed is at least a partial list of the units that'll be available.

UNSC Forces

Marines
Flamethrower Marines
Spartans
Warthogs
Scorpions
Cobras (anti-vehicle artillery)
Hornets
Wolverines (anti-aircraft vehicle)
Elephants (!!)
Cyclops (enormous UNSC mech unit)
Vultures (mysterious, enormous vehicle)

Covenant Forces (not all units revealed)

Grunts
Jackals
Hunters
Ghosts
Banshees
Scarabs
Elites

GamePro July 2008 [thanks Tom!]

Five Ways to Simplify Complex Controllers

ogood — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:00:00 MDT

Arriving yesterday in the mail, as if laughing at me, was Assassin's Creed, courtesy of my restarted Gamefly subscription. I had forgotten to change my game queue (I also got The Warriors on PSP. WTF?) So, really, if I were to seriously play Assassin's Creed within a week after getting GTA IV, we're talking about a length of time spent indoors that borders on being incarcerated.

Anyway, this is hardly news, but AC has a control system that will take me a week to get comfortable manipulating. The game is a perfect example of how increasingly complex controllers will give rise to increasingly complex-to-control games. GamePro has a list of 5 suggestions for paring down the buttons and options.

• Reduce the number of face and shoulder buttons
• Merge "Start" and "Select" into one button
• Lose the D-pad
• Use motion-sensing controls (Newton, anyone?)
• Add attachment peripheral (Newt-chuk, anyone?)

Sounds good to me, but I think this is more a question of developer discipline in keeping character control lean and uncomplicated. A lot of extra buttons on a controller will eventually be used of course, so a redesign that strips out some of the lesser-employed options can't hurt. But the controller is not the game.

Five Easy Ways to Fix Complicated Controllers [GamePro]

Epic Shoots Down GamePro's Gears 2 Exclusive

Mark Wilson — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:40:38 MST

The upcoming GamePro issue hitting newsstands February 12th entices gamers with a "special report" on Epic's Gears of War 2—the game we all know is coming but has yet to be announced to the world. So did GamePro score the scoop? According to Epic's Mark Rein, they did not.

It is complete nonsense. We have not announced a sequel to Gears of War to Gamepro or anyone else for that matter.

This response, of course, does not write off the possibility of hot gossip or legitimate leaks. But don't expect six pages of centerfold-quality Gears 2 porn or any official confirmation.

Gear Of War 2 [Announced?] In Special Report In Next GamePro [Epic via NextGeneration]

GamePro Sides with 360 and PS2

Mark Wilson — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:40:01 MDT

In GamePro's Fall 2007 report card, they've picked the Xbox 360 and PS2 as the systems to buy. While the Xbox lost a lot of points on its hardware grade (D-), the two consoles were chosen because of an incredible selection of games. As for the Wii and PS3—they simply haven't matured enough—so they are both put in the 'wait and see' category. (Ed note: I just made up said category on GamePro's behalf. I'm sure they won't mind.)

So without starting a flame war, which systems are your current must-have picks and why? I'm inclined to agree with GamePro, though no Nintendo DS on the list? Are they freaking crazy? Once again, are they freaking crazy??

Feature: Game Console Report Card — Fall 2007 edition [gamepro]

Give That Halo 3 Armor a Custom Makeover

fdemarco — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:00:00 MDT

The newest issue of GamePro magazine has a little feature on Halo 3 revealing screenshots of some heretofore unseen items like new weapons, maps and vehicles. But the real news comes in the form of the revelation that there will be customizable armor. You can finally give your soldiers the makeover they so richly deserve. I haven't received my issue to check it all out yet, but the folks over at The Hushed Casket are pretty excited about it. And if they are excited, I'm excited. You should be too! Aren't you?

Gamepro: create custom armor in HALO 3 [The Hushed Casket]

The Strategy of Game Delays

Mike Fahey — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:20:36 MDT

Who hasn't experienced the frustration of calling or going to a game store to see an eagerly anticipated game has arrived, only to find it's been delayed for days, weeks, or months? While game delays are often caused by developmental issues, sometimes the cause for delay are less flukes and more strategic marketing maneuvers on the part of publishers.

Blake Snow over at GamePro.com has written an article that explores this tactic, citing the famous example of Twilight Princess for the Gamecube, delayed in order to move more Wii's at launch. He speaks with industry analyst extraordinaire Michael Pachter on the subject.

But even though quality is a major reason for game delays, it's far from the only reason. "Delays occur for both strategic and quality reasons," says analyst Michael Pachter. Contrary to what you may think, publishers are just as likely to delay a game for strategic reasons as they are quality ones.

An interesting read, which would have been much more interesting if all but one of the game companies he contacted hadn't declined to comment. He at least got David Karraker from Sony, who would probably punch me in the gut before even giving me the time of day, so that's something. I suggest you check it out without delay. Michael Fahey

The Real Reason Behind Game Delays [GamePro.com]

Gaming Myths Busted

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:40:43 MST

Gamepro tackles some very gaming-centric myths in their latest feature, trying to clear up some confusion about the next-gen disc format wars, 1080p versus 1080i versus 720p, and why you shouldn't buy third party controllers.

"Great," you say, "but this is Gamepro. Am I really going to learn anything?" Maybe! Sure there are a few opinions disguised as "myths", such as the stance that console first-person shooters are on par with their PC brethren.

However, the fallacy that porn will settle the upcoming battle between HD-DVD and Blu-ray? Nonsense! Michael McWhertor

Feature: 14 Gaming Myths Exposed [Gamepro]

Reggie "Blown Away" By Wii Success

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:39:41 MST

Gamepro sat down with Nintendo of America prez Reggie Fils-Aime to talk about the Wii, its success, its public acceptance, and its future. Reggie admits to be taken by surprise at how well the latest Nintendo console is performing:

We knew Wii was a system for the masses, and yes, we were confident that was going to happen-but this fast? Personally, I'm just blown away.

Reggie doesn't drop any major bob-ombs in the interview, but does give hints about new Wii colors (after "once we've managed to meet the overwhelming worldwide demand for our current color"), the DVD-movie playing Wii ("available in the future in some markets"), and his thoughts on Sony and Microsoft. Fils-Aime sadly takes the high road for the most part when discussing his competition, meaning traffic grabbing headlines will have to wait.

Read on for more Wii insight and carefully worded answers. Michael McWhertor

Nintendo Q&A: Reggie Fils-Aimes talks future of Wii [Gamepro]

Played Out! The First, Crappiest Gamer Sitcom

kotaku.com — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:40:26 MDT

Two slacking, unkempt gamers have nightmarish hallucinations that their consoles — Jeff (the 360), Cube (the Gamecube) and Two (the PS2) — have anthropomorphically sprung to life. That's the premise of Played Out!, the world's "first gamer sitcom."

Is it funny? Not really. In fact, it's filled with fanboy ranting and corporate master nudge-nudging. Half the "jokes" are just lifeless readings of console spec bullet points. And cardboard cut-outs on popsicle sticks sticking up couches behind which crouch dorks squealing in falsetto is more depressing than entertaining. Although I think I have a soft spot in my heart for foul-mouthed, Brooklyn-accented Jeff.

I think I want to beat Dan Loht and Brian Stone clean to death now. Florian Eckhardt

Played Out! A video game sitcom for humans. [Games.net]

GamePro TV Episode Unearthed, Embarrasses Entire Internet

egauger — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 15:40:59 MDT

Gentlemen, this is your punishment for cramming my Kotaku box with approximately 600 comment requests in the past half-day, outstripping even the pleadings from exotic royalty, the promises of prodigious semenal output, and the offers for very reasonably-priced t-shirt manufacture.

I want you to stare deeply into the distended anus of the early nineties, come face to sphincter with the darling child-yous who probably looked up to these men, and I want it to hurt.

This is, as far as I or Nicholas Fricke over at Siliconera know, the only episode of GamePro TV currently available online. And it sounds like he spent a long time looking.

Watch how about halfway through, the surfer boy loses most of his accent. I guess he got tired. I know how he feels. Thanks for the tip, FurikiiEliza gauger

Read the entire harrowing tale here. [Siliconera]

Pimpin' It Like a GamePro Editor

Brian Crecente — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:36:46 MDT

This is my new favorite game-related ad. It shows, in a series of crappy cartoon panels, what life as a GamePro Editor is like. Apparently, as Kyle at VGMWatch points out, there's a lot of hot girls and sunglass wearing involved. For a sneak peek at life as a Kotaku editor see panel one. Repeat. Brian Crecente

Pimpin' Like a GamePro Editor [Video Game Media Watch]

GamePro Gives Delayed DOA4 100 Percent?

Brian Crecente — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 11:00:26 MST

A Kotaku reader wrote in to point out what he calls something fishy at GamePro. Apparently about two weeks ago the magazine pubished a review, not a preview, but a review of the yet to be released and constantly delayed fighter Dead or Alive 4. According to the reader, and Metacritic and Game Rankings, the mag scored the ethereal fighter a perfect 100 percent.

Metacritic attributes this quote from page 38 of the mag s January issue:

If looks could kill, DOA4 would be called Murderer's Row. This game is beautiful; even while you're beating the tar out of your opponent, you'll notice that your surroundings are among the finest you've seen in any fighting game... Hands down the best installment in the series.

I suppose they could have gotten an early version, but could they have received a finished (and apparently perfect) title if it s being delayed repeatedly? Who knows, maybe...

Either way, this couldn t have come at a worse time.

Hsu on Hsu [Kotaku]

Ask Jeeves and GamePro Buddy-Up

Brian Crecente — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 12:00:54 MDT

IDG Entertainment sends word that they have inked a deal with Ask Jeeves. Why do I care, you may ask? Well, under the agreement IDGE's Gamepro and Games.net will provide reviews, images, walk-throughs, links and FAQs to Ask Jeeves for use in their search results. In other words, Gamepro and Games.net will now be the top results in all videogame-related searches on the Ask Jeeves site.

I'm not a big fan of this concept, but it seems to be the way search engines are heading. Heck, newspapers started selling advertising on their front pages years ago, why not search engines?

A Search for Halo 2 [Ask Jeeves, thanks Rich]

Mad and GamePro Team to Mock Gaming

Brian Crecente — Mon, 01 Aug 2005 13:33:20 MDT

Mad magazine and GamePro are teaming up in September. That issue of GamePro will include a mini Mad magazine supplement which will mock GamePro and gaming in general. The mock issue will include a feature called the 50 Worst Things About Video Games, some satirical ads and an "expose" on the hidden socially redeeming features secretly added to Grand Theft Auto.

Talk about timely.

GamePro Magazine Collaboration Is A Little Bit Mad MediaPost]