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hot flashes
Back to the Present with Chronotron
My favorite part of "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" came when they figured out the paradoxes of time travel and, simply by saying "Must remember to bring a trash can!" one appears in Ted's hands and he stuffs it over a bad guy's head.
Not that you can do any of that in "Chronotron," but the idea is the same, think in the present, giving orders to yourself in the past. Sort of. In Chronotron, the idea is to Clone multiple versions of yourself, using a time machine, to get through a puzzle level. The catch — all past versions will spawn and recreate your actions, so you need to think in chronological order for each step of the puzzle, and leave enough time for your final self to get through the gates and ride the risers to your objective.
It's a hell of a fun flash game — my co-worker showed it to me yesterday, so I can vouch for its productivity killing effect.
Chronotron [Addicting Games]
wwdc 2008
Brian Greenstone from Mac game developer Pangea Software took the stage today during the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference to demo two new games coming to the iPhone when the App store launches.
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Pangea Bringing Enigmo And Cromag Rally To iPhone
Brian Greenstone from Mac game developer Pangea Software took the stage today during the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference to demo two new games coming to the iPhone when the App store launches.
More »
hot flashes
Outrunning Doom in Dino Run
Reader Rob H. pointed out this nice little mid-Sunday diversion: Dino Run. After you get the hang of it you realize nothing in the environment will kill you, just slow you down on your panicked quest to outrun extinction. But most importantly, it's a flash game with multiplayer across three servers, although I waited forever for a game to start up.
Still, to the designers, hat-tip for rendering it like an old 4-bit PC game. I dunno, the tone just seems to deserve that kind of treatment. And also note how your dino farts after you chow down on less fortunate sauropods. Hat-tip for that, too.
Dino Run [Pixeljam, thanks Rob]
academia is fun
The History of RPGs: A Reading List
We mentioned Michael Abbot (of the Brainy Gamer) and his efforts to put together a great syllabus for his history of RPGs class; as promised, he's now posted the reading list (required readings will be culled from this list, but it's a pretty nice little bibliography for background reading). At this point, it just includes traditional books and articles, but he's planning on expanding it to online and popular media sources, as well as other good ideas sent in by people who are keeping tabs on this project: More »
games
Rockstar Flash Fun, Just Like GTAIV, But Not At All
What will we do when GTAIV actually comes out? Play it for 1,000+ hours? How lame. We'd much rather waste our time on zany flash ads that only take 1 minute or 2 a pop. For instance, if you're as cool as us, you'll have an awkward conversation with a representative from Goldberg, Ligner & Shyster...which we're beginning to suspect may be more of an escort service than a law firm, but no harm, no foul.
Hit the jump for 3 quasi-games that will bring a few minutes of fun to a hardcore GTA fan. Oh, and the spastic theme music is coming from the third box. Click "beverage menu" to start and things get a lot quieter.
More »
politics
Obama Monotonously Bangs Game Drum
In a race for the Democratic nomination, Obama hasn't made any passionate speeches about video games with the fervor he has addressed health care, the war in Iraq or Hillary Clinton, but he has continued making jabs at games with little concern. In a recent speech at Wilkes Hall in Pennsylvania, he urged the public, "...turn off the television, turn off the video games..." in a similar rhetoric to just last February when he urged the public, "...parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children..."
No doubt, video games are easy fodder when speaking about "family values" for all the stereotypical reasons. But to lump all games together is a dated philosophy, ignoring—aside from what I'd argue could be familial benefits—their huge potential to revolutionize education through their ability to capture attention spans and motivate success...let alone the current ways they tacitly instruct the scientific method, resource management and spacial reasoning.
Barack Obama: 'Parents should clamp down on games' [MCVUK]
The Fallen Empire: Legions private beta is right around the corner, and we want to give you a chance to be among the first to jump into the fast-paced FPS melee. The 30 InstantAction users who get the most friends to sign up by 3/31/2008 will be granted access to the private beta. Winners will also get to invite 2 friends into the beta, and receive a limited edition Legions avatar.[blog.instantaction.com]
new
Week in Games: Bomberman Land Edition
It's a rather lean list of titles coming out this week. It's a good time for Bomberman fans with two games coming out on three different platforms. We also get handheld police pursuit action with Pursuit Force for the PSP and the Sims continue their quit overtaking of the planet. Anything strike your fancy this week?
Bomberman Land (WII, PSP)
Bomberman brings hot bombing action to the Wii and PSP.
Bomberman Land Touch! 2 (DS)
The follow up to the popular Bomberman Land Touch for the DS.
Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice (PSP)
Fight gang warfare in Capital City.
The Sims: Castaway Stories (PC)
It's like the Sims version of LOST except you actually know what's going on.
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Week in Games: Bizarre Mix Edition
It's a bizarre mix of games this week and seeing as I am busy unpacking a myriad of boxes, much of this week will be devoted to that rather than gaming. Although I'm sure I'll be able to sneak some in here and there. Are any of this week's releases going to make on your shopping list?
FlatOut: Head On (PC, PSP)
Crash cars and blow stuff up.
Samurai Warriors: Katana (WII)
Swing your katana in this Samurai Warriors spin off.
Rail Simulator (PC)
You can make trains too, just like the big boys.
Furu Furu Park (WII)
More mini games for the Wii.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence (WII)
The TV show comes to your Wii in game form.
Nanostray 2 (DS)
Part two of the trippy shooter
Nitrobike (WII)
Rocket bikes! Need I say more?
Miami Nights: Singles in the City (DS)
Virtually explore the hot, hot hot Miami singles scene.
Corvette Evolution GT (DS)
Race car driving on your DS.
sale
Kotakuite Jose sends in news of the most recent Toys "R" Us game deal. In this week's circular they are advertising a Buy 3 Get 1 Free deal on their entire stock of video games. The sale runs from tomorrow, Dec. 16th through Dec. 24th. This is a great opportunity to fill in some of the gaps in your collection or pick up some games for holiday gifts. The offer is also good online so you won't have to wade through the crowds of stressed out parents and unruly ankle biters to get to your favorite titles. Sure, it's not the greatest gaming sale that ever was, but free is free and that's all good in my book.
Toys "R" Us Offers Buy 3 Get One free
Kotakuite Jose sends in news of the most recent Toys "R" Us game deal. In this week's circular they are advertising a Buy 3 Get 1 Free deal on their entire stock of video games. The sale runs from tomorrow, Dec. 16th through Dec. 24th. This is a great opportunity to fill in some of the gaps in your collection or pick up some games for holiday gifts. The offer is also good online so you won't have to wade through the crowds of stressed out parents and unruly ankle biters to get to your favorite titles. Sure, it's not the greatest gaming sale that ever was, but free is free and that's all good in my book.
sale
Toys R Us: Buy Two Wii Games, Get a Third Free
This Sunday's TRU ad reveals a big sale on Wii games. Buy two and get a third one free. For those of you that got that $25 gift crad with your purchase of Super Mario Galaxy, now is prime time to put that bad boy to good use. This sale is only good through Wednesday, so put some hustle in your muscle and get out there before all the goods are gone!
[via: CheapAssGamer]
contest
Guitar Hero III Tournament: Win A Car!
Think you're the world's best Guitar Hero III player? Activision has just announced that your skills on the colored keys might net you a Pontiac G5. The only problem? You have to go to a Hot Topic store to enter the competition. Seriously. The song you have to play is undisclosed, and child prodigy Guitar Hero fans need not apply. (You have to be 16 or older, which makes sense given that they are giving away a car). If you want the schedule, put on your best emo rock band shirt and read the details after the jump. More »
new
Week in Games: Silent Hill Origins Edition
The flood of amazing game titles seems to have ebbed a bit this week which my beleaguered bank account is most thankful for. Silent Hill: Origins will be my purchase this week as I try to plow through the last two week's worth of purchases. Anything on the list catch your eye?
Silent Hill: Origins (PSP)
Take a prequel visit to creepy Silent Hill and see how it got so creepy.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (X360, PC, PS3, DS)
World War II is finally over.
Empire Earth III (PC)
take your empire from humble beginnings to outer space.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (WII)
A dubious pairing. But who will win?
Gears of War (PC)
Marcus Fenix and his scarred legions arrive on the PC.
The Simpsons Game (PSP)
D'oh! Just a week behind.
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War (X360, PS3)
Think Dynasty Warriors in medieval Europe.
Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (WII, X360, PS3, DS)
Relive Star Wars through the blocky world of Legos.
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (WII)
Charge of the Dawn Brigade.
F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate (PC)
I fear another expansion is in the works.
F.E.A.R. Files (X360)
Both F.E.A.R expansion packs in one fancy package
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance (PC)
If the original wasn't enough for you.
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (DS)
Hunt for monsters and make them do your bidding.
Bee Movie Game (WII)
Ok, let's be honest. Does anyone really care?
npd
Top September Games
The September NPD numbers are in. As we soak them in and try to turn the stream of numbers into something more manageable, check out this quick list of the top ten selling games for the month.
Halo 3 (This combines all three versions) 3.3 million
Wii Play with Remote 282,000
Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass 224,000
Madden NFL 08 PS2 205,000
Skate Xbox 360 175,000
Madden NFL 08 Xbox 360 173,000
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption 167,000
Bioshock Xbox 360 150,000
Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day 141,000
Heavenly Sword 139,000
sale
Toys-R-Us Video Game Mania
This week's Toys-R-Us Sunday circular is boasting a huge sale on all video games. Buy two games and get one free. In case you were curious about the asterisk at the end, it refers to a note at the bottom of the page that states the obligatory "The free game will be the one that's the lowest price of the three." The sale is available online and in store and goes from today Oct. 14 until next Saturday, October 20. My guess is that as the week goes on, the pickings will get slim, so put on your running shoes and warm up the credit card, we're going shopping! More »
collection
A Game Collection For The Ages
Kotakuite, Tristan recently cleaned out his game closet and assembled his collection for all to see. Covering over twenty different systems, his collection is quite impressive. It always warms the cockles of my heart to see games all gathered in one place and not be an auction on eBay. Guard your treasure trove well, Tristan, in another 75- 80 years some of those will be bona fide antiques which you can then present on Antiques Roadshow for a tidy sum.
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