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Let’s Meet An Australian Politician Who Loves Video Games
When Australia is mentioned in the same breath as video games, most people’s first thoughts are of something negative. Something unpleasant. So let’s meet an Australian politician who’s one of the good guys. His name is David Bartlett, Premier of the Australian state of Tasmania. That makes him the equivalent of, roughly, a US state…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
Assassin’s Creed Boss Joins THQ, Forms New Studio
We told you this back in June, but it’s today been made official: Patrice Désilets, the former creative director of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series, has joined rival publisher THQ, and will be setting up a new studio in Montreal. Désilets had been with Ubisoft for 13 years prior to his departure in June, during which…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
Against A Giant Cat, No Amount Of Combos Can Save You
When someone says “it’s a game of cat and mouse”, this isn’t what they’re talking about. Though it probably should be. This clip, by Marcus Blättermann and Susanne Wohlfahrt, is the Street Fighter of the animal kingdom. And in the animal kingdom, the term “balanced roster” doesn’t really apply. [Creature Combat IV, thanks Phil!]
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
A Short Film Shot Not With Cameras, But With Grand Theft Auto IV
Although it’s filmed entirely within Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV, don’t expect this piece of machinima – called Mastermind – to be about guns, hookers or push-ups. It’s more Heavy Rain than Liberty City, with its slow pace and…strange outlook, and while it’s far from exciting, it’s still professional enough to warrant a hearty round…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
Bulletstorm’s Action Figure Gets The Boots Right
Bulletstorm is an upcoming shooter that will have the words “Epic Games” and “Electronic Arts” on the front of the box. Which means not only men with guns, but action figures, too. Oh, and giant feet. Grayson Hunt is the star of the game, and also the subject of this figure, designed by NECA and…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
An Illustrated Guide To World Of Warcraft’s Scammers
Being a place where fools and money meet, World of Warcraft is as prone to scammers and swindlers as anywhere else on this planet (or any other planet). This handy chart shows just how prone it is. From power-levelling to gold scams, it’s an informative scroll for anyone who’s ever wondered what kind of money…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
Mother 4 In Development (By Fans, Not Nintendo)
The Mother series, known in the West as Earthbound, are some of the best games to ever grace a Game Boy. They’re so good, in fact, that Nintendo of America wants nothing to do with them. Despite years of asking, demanding and then begging for the third game in the series – never released outside…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
You Can’t Beat This Starcraft AI
Beating the computer at Starcraft can be tough enough as it is, but let university programmers at the AI and it becomes almost invincible The AIIDE 2010 StarCraft AI Competition, held last week at the University of California, pitted 28 teams against each other in a battle to produce the toughest artificial intelligence. There were…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 19, 2010 -
This Fable Game Is As Much An Improvement As It Is A Homage
Fable fan Jo-Remi is working on a “demake” of the series, a single retro-themed title combining not just the best elements of all three Fable games, but the best elements that were promised and never made it. So, for example, it takes the fishing system from the first Fable and improves it (think Bass Master!),…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
Happy 25th Birthday, Nintendo Entertainment System!
It’s not just Super Mario Bros. turning 25 this year. Today, October 18, marks the 25th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System going on sale in the United States. While a widespread release of the console wouldn’t take place until 1986 (the same year it was released in Europe), it was in late 1985 at…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
Mario’s New Red DSi XL Coming To America
That very snappy red DSi XL that was minted for Super Mario Bros’ 25th birthday? It looks like it’s coming to the US market, courtesy of a listing on Walmart’s website. As you can see, it appears to be the same red unit offered in Japan (and also confirmed for the European market), right down…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
These Halo: Reach Figures Don’t Know The Battle Is Already Lost
The first series of Halo: Reach action figures was missing a few key characters. Who are, of course, included in the second series from toy company McFarlane. Spartan 259, Carter, is the leader of Noble Team, and was missing from the game’s first wave of figures. He’s joined in this “advance wave” of series 2…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
Here’s A New Use For Your Old PlayStation 3
Turning an old PS3 into a George Foreman grill is silly. Those things get hot! You’re far better off turning it into something useful. Like a bed for your pets. So cuddly. Which upon further viewings also looks a lot like a coffin for your pets, which makes it cuddly and – ultimately – practical.…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
Final Fantasy XIII Developers Couldn’t Cater To Western Tastes
While we’d be hesitant to use the word “failure” in relation to Final Fantasy XIII, “disappointment” works just fine. If only Square had known people outside Japan wouldn’t like the game before they released it! Oh, wait. They did. The latest issue of Game Developer magazine has a fascinating insight into the development of Square…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 18, 2010 -
An Ikaruga Model Kit? Oh My…
I look at this amazing model kit on display at the 2010 All Japan Hobby Show in Tokyo and my first thought is a robot voice gargling PREHSZ STAAAHT BATTAN. My second thought is I need this. It doesn’t matter how much it costs. Actually, now I think about it, I’d need two, one to…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 16, 2010 -
Get Out Of That Giant Stone Ball’s Way, Gandalf
Rock of Ages is a good name for ACE Team’s (Zeno Clash) next project, but surely Super Monty Python Ball would have been better? I don’t know. Maybe it was taken. I do know, however, that any game which has you catapult a giant stone ball right into the junk of Michelangelo’s David is a…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 16, 2010 -
Blizzard Suing Starcraft II Cheat Makers
Remember those 5000 people Blizzard busted for cheating in Starcraft II? Well the developer is going after those responsible with a vengeance, taking three men to court for creating the hacks those users employed. “Just days after the release of Starcraft II, Defendants already had developed, marketed, and distributed to the public a variety of…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 16, 2010
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