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UncategorizedGrand Theft Auto: Iraq is no Game, It’s Just Assholes With Guns
Mercenary outfit Blackwater has been accused of some pretty terrible things during its time operating as a “security contractor” in Iraq. Something captured in these shocking videos. Part of a great feature over on Harper’s (registration required), they show what happens when angry men are overpaid and set loose on a country that, while everyone…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Guild Wars 2 Collector’s Edition is That Much More Enticing When Set to Music
Perhaps a mere picture of the Guild Wars 2 collector’s edition wasn’t enough for you. Perhaps early access and name reservation isn’t your thing. No, that’s not it. You just haven’t seen it in video form with a dramatic score. Prepare yourself. Guild Wars 2 pre-purchase begins tomorrow, giving gamers all around the world (well,…
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Has A Horde Mode, Too
Developer/publisher Ubisoft didn’t show off much of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier at PAX East. I experienced the tactical shooter through rounds of Guerilla mode, tackling up to 50 waves of increasingly difficult hordes of soldier enemies with three fellow elite Ghosts. For those not familiar with the franchise, it’s easy to recognize the heavy emphasis…
By Tina Amini Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedFighting Gamers Tell Their Stories of Loss And Redemption
Competitive gamers play to win — it goes without saying, really. The desire to come out on top is what motivates almost every conflict, especially among professional and competitive fighting gamers. But every time there’s a winner, there’s a loser. And even the best players can’t go forever undefeated. Fighting game site I Play Winner…
By Kate Cox Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedWatch One Unpredictable Match Of Skulls of the Shogun Right Now
Every time I write about Skulls of the Shogun, I use the same buzzwords: “Advance Wars.” “Wu-Tang Clan.” It’s one of the most stylish turn-based strategy games on the horizon. And it plays really well. It’s streamlined and complex at the same time. It’s stuffed with a 15-hour campaign and four-army multiplayer. Do I need…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedBook Two of Dragon Fantasy Is Pure Super Nintendo RPG Nostalgia
Book One of Adam Rippon’s Dragon Fantasy was non-stop 8-bit nostalgia. Book Two doubles that. You can get a brief glimpse of the upcoming indie role-playing game in this video, shot at PAX East last weekend. The first few episodes of Dragon Fantasy are already out on the iTunes Store, but the new-and-improved 16-bit second…
By Jason Schreier Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedA Heist Game Forever In the Making, Monaco Looks Spectacular
Later this week, the indie game Fez will be released, and so we’ll need to give some new game to title of Coolest-Looking-Indie-We-Can’t-All-Play-Yet. Which game deserves it? Spy Party? The Witness? I submit that Monaco, the co-op heist game from Andy Schatz, is a game for this throne. The video here makes the argument. Monaco…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedNew Characters, Monsters, Traps Ensure That Orcs Must Die Again
Here’s the PAX East demo of Orcs Must Die 2, the sequel to last fall’s popular downloadable tower defense game. Although we didn’t get a chance to check out the new cooperative mode in this PC-exclusive sequel, we did see the new Sorceress class and some of the new physics mechanics. And you can hear…
By Jason Schreier Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedTake This 20-Question Video Game Quiz. It’s Gorgeous.
This neat, super-tricky video will put your video game knowledge to the test. Can you guess all 20 games these planets are from? Check the YouTube description for the full list of answers. [YouTube]
By Jason Schreier Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
David Gaider, Ken Levine, and Chris Avellone Discuss What Matters Most in Games: the Words or the World?
This Saturday, at PAX East, I had the pleasure of attending the “Plot vs. Play” panel, moderated by Joystiq’s Ben Gilbert and Kotaku‘s own Jason Schreier. The panel brought together three developers who have all worked on landmark, story-driven games to discuss their differing philosophies on the presence and purpose of story in gaming. Ken…
By Kate Cox Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Cranky Merlin Hates All the Magical Flirting in This Demon Knights #8 Preview
Listen: all you gamers who grew up on Dungeon & Dragons, R.A. Salvatore or Gauntlet should be reading DC Comics’ Demon Knights. Written by Paul Cornell, the monthly series throws together a motley crew of medieval adventurers out to defeat powerful necromancers for personal reasons that vary wildly. The basic approach may sound like standard…
By Evan Narcisse Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Unlikely Fan Fiction Crossover Battle: Link Encounters Resistance
Colorful. Bright. Cartoonish. These are all adjectives used to describe the light-hearted and airy adventures found in Insomniac’s Resistance series. What happens when Nintendo’s dark anti-hero Link comes on the scene? Glorious chaos. In the realm of video game crossover fan fiction there are plenty of pairings that make perfect sense. Mega Man and Street…
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Let’s Hope This Wedding Had a More Satisfying Ending
Or at the very least they video taped it so they can add more context via cinematic scenes a few months from now. Reader Ryan sends us this shot of a cake from the wedding of his friends Pete and Mary. Note that this was the bride’s cake, and not the groom’s. Good going, Pete!
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedNot-So-Great Moments in Video Game Humor: How Much Dana Gould is Too Much?
Back in 1995 we gamers were still thrilled with the relatively-fresh concept that their video game characters could be voiced by big-name talent. Gex, Crystal Dynamics gecko with an attitude, quickly helped us get over it. In the 90s video game characters had to have attitude. Gex’s attitude manifested itself as an endless stream of…
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
The Dorkly Weekly: Mario The Axe Murderer
Sometimes Mario’s just gotta vent a little. And sometimes just stomping on turtles isn’t enough. The newest Dorkly video, which debuted during the comedy site’s hilarious panel at PAX East this past weekend, shows off just how violent Nintendo’s iconic plumber can get. It’s adorable For more sick and twisted video game comedy, follow the…
By Jason Schreier Published April 9, 2012 -
UncategorizedWhat Does Comic Book Guy Think About Mass Effect 3?
During their adventures at PAX East this weekend, our intrepid crew stumbled upon none other than The Simpson‘s resident geek culture reviewer Comic Book Guy, who offered his impressions of the final chapter in the Mass Effect saga. Damn, I was really hoping he had finally found something he wasn’t disappointed with. Maybe we can…
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Fake Gamer of the Week: Why Can’t Techno Soldier Control His Rage?
What made Techno Soldier so angry? Was it an unfortunate round of Call of Duty? Did someone call his mother nasty names? Is he cosplaying the angriest bird? The mainstream media might tell you that violent video games cause this kind of behavoir, but I believe I’ve discovered the true culprit: green and black backdrops.…
By Mike Fahey Published April 9, 2012 - Uncategorized
Penny Arcade Pranks ‘Ocean Marketing’ Nemesis. Here We Go Again… [UPDATE]
The founders of Penny Arcade pulled a fast one on one of their most notorious foes this weekend, hitting Paul “Ocean Marketing” Christoforo with a prank they say has been in the works for the past three weeks. Christoforo, who set off an Internet firestorm several months ago when he sent a series of inflammatory…
By Jason Schreier Published April 9, 2012