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Culture
The Epic Art of Epic Mickey
For all the awesome art found in video game production—so awesome we run this regular feature on it—not too many publishers go to the trouble of releasing big, fancy coffee table books showing said art off. Which is a shame! So it’s nice seeing Disney do just that with the better-late-than-never release of The Art…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 8, 2011 -
CultureTotal RecallCall of Duty, You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Activision’s Call of Duty franchise occupies a fascinating place in the gaming landscape. It is the world’s biggest-selling annual series, yet each year offers only incremental improvements. It is beloved by millions, yet derided by many as well. Its production values bring out the best in video games, while its online multiplayer community often brings…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 8, 2011 -
CultureTotal Recall
This is When Activision Used to be Awesome
It’s fashionable these days to hate Activision. But those over the age of, say, 30-35 may be old enough to remember the time the company went above and beyond the call of duty to keep its fans happy with all kinds of touching gestures. The coolest of which, by far, was the company’s practice of…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 7, 2011 -
Culture
Warfare Recipients
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 releases on PC and all three consoles on Tuesday, (with a separate version for the DS). The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim arrives Friday for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is also out Friday. Tuesday also sees the special editions Metal Gear Solid HD Collection…
By Owen Good Published November 6, 2011 -
Culture
Sunday Comics: Generational Conflict
Welcome to your Sunday read of the week’s best in web comics. Make sure to click on the expand button in the bottom right to enlarge each comic. Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira published Nov. =4.—Read more of Nerf NOW!! Penny Arcade by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik published Nov. 2.—Read more of Penny Arcade…
By Owen Good Published November 6, 2011 -
Culture
The Week in the Business: ‘GTA V to Steal Everyone’s Attention in Front of E3′
What’s happened in the business of video games this past week … QUOTE | “GTA V to steal everyone’s attention in front of E3.” – Analysts explain how GTA V, in typical Rockstar fashion, is going to take the industry by storm next year, possibly by grabbing the limelight during E3. QUOTE | “PS3 has…
James Brightman Published November 4, 2011 -
Culture
Dota 2’s Character Art is Like Magic Candy for the Eyes
While the game’s not out yet, Valve’s sequel to the super-popular WarCraft mod already gets a thumbs up from this feature for its gorgeous character art. It’s being used once or twice a week to accompany the reveal of new characters and/or features for the game, and seeing as it hasn’t been plastered all over…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 4, 2011 -
CultureTotal Recall
The Wonderful, Shady World of Knock-Off Nintendo Consoles
The Nintendo Entertainment System, and its Japanese sibling the Famicom, were two of the most successful video game consoles to ever be released. Which led to a lot of, let’s say, imitators. OK, no, let’s say complete unlicensed rip-offs. But we’re not here to tut tut and point fingers. Today, we’re going to celebrate some…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 4, 2011 -
Culture
Treasure Yasushi Suzuki’s Art From Games Like Ikaruga, Sin & Punishment
While not a games artist per se, seeing as he does work for everything from books to comics, Yasushi Suzuki still has his fans in the world of video games. Particularly amongst followers of Japanese developers Treasure. Popping in as a freelancer for the studio, Suzuki’s bold style can be seen in Ikaruga and Sin…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 3, 2011 -
Culture
Stuff Your Gamer Mouth With the Nuts of Destruction
While I’m not too fond of food marketed directly at the gaming community in general, GamerFood has come up with some rather catchy names for their new line of energy-infused nut sacks. Packed with caffeine, taurine, ginseng and lysine, this is a serious collection of nuts and seeds right here. We’ve got Seeds of Victory,…
By Mike Fahey Published November 2, 2011 -
Culture
Bengus’ Capcom Game Art Will Knock Your Teeth Out
Since I’ve started a thing lately with Capcom artists, I may as well finish it by spending a morning showing off the work of Bengus. A bit of an enigma, Bengus’ art has been a big part of Capcom’s fighting games since 1987, with almost every title and series from the original Street Fighter through…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 2, 2011 -
CultureTotal RecallSo, a Giant Asteroid is Heading for Earth…Again…
Later this week, the asteroid YU55 will pass close to the Earth. How close? Like, between the moon and the Earth close. PC gamers may remember the last time this happened, in 1995. Back then, it was the asteroid Attila, and unlike YU55 – which should pass by harmlessly – it was headed straight for…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 2, 2011 -
Culture
A Celebration of the Art of the Uncharted Trilogy
Uncharted 3 is out today! In honour of the occasion, I thought now would be a good time to have a little Uncharted party here on Fine Art, and showcase concept and 3D art from all three games in the series. This is a massive gallery, so you might want to go make a cup…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 1, 2011 -
CultureTotal RecallBefore There was Nathan Drake, There was Pitfall Harry
The third game in the Uncharted series is out this week, and will once again bring to the fore the adventures of a man in sloppy clothing climbing all over stuff while stealing priceless artefacts. Which takes me back. Not the the first two Uncharted games. Way back. To the series that tipped its hat…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 1, 2011 -
Culture
Uncharted Territory
Uncharted 3 releases for the PS3 on Tuesday, along with GoldenEye 007: Reloaded, Sonic Generations and The Lord of the Rings: the War in the North. Batman: Arkham City and Gears of War 3 get downloadable content. Tuesday • GoldenEye 007: Reloaded (PS3, 360) • Sonic Generations (PS3, 360, PC) • The Lord of the…
By Owen Good Published October 30, 2011 -
Culture
Sunday Comics: Liar, Liar, Abs on Fire
Welcome to your Sunday read of the week’s best in web comics. Make sure to click on the expand button in the bottom right to enlarge each comic. Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich published Oct. 24.—Read more of Awkward Zombie Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira published Oct. 28.—Read more of Nerf NOW!! Penny Arcade by…
By Owen Good Published October 30, 2011 -
Culture
Take This Lollipop… If You Dare
Are you ready for Halloween? Have you gotten scared by anything recently? Perhaps a little creeped out that somewhere in the dark corners of your neighborhood, there sits a silent stalker in a white, blank mask, waiting… waiting… waiting for you to be alone? I think about what used to scare me as a kid…
By Kirk Hamilton Published October 28, 2011 -
Culture
Capcom Wouldn’t be Capcom Without Akiman’s Amazing Art
Japanese artist Akira Yasuda, better known by his pen name Akiman, is a legend in the video game art world, being responsible for more classic images, posters, box covers and characters than we’ve got space to share. So we’ll keep things brief, and just focus on some of his more memorable works. Akiman worked at…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 27, 2011 -
CultureTotal RecallThe Best Street Fighter Movie Starred…Jackie Chan?
You’ve seen the bad of the Street Fighter craze of the early 90s. Now see the good. No, not good. Amazing In this clip, from 1993 movie City Hunter, we see martial arts superstar Jackie Chan take a bit of a beating. After which he starts seeing things. Namely, characters from Street Fighter II. Then…
By Luke Plunkett Published October 27, 2011