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Namco, You Dirty, Dirty Dog (Robot?)
Spotted by game localizer and author Matt Alt, this Namco ad from the mid-1980s originally ran in a toy industry trade publication. In it, an android looks up a woman’s skirt. At that time, Namco’s slogan was “We Create ‘Play'”, and the text at the bottom reads, “Professor! The beauty of your legs exceeds my…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 8, 2011 -
UncategorizedThis Game Wants You To Be a Stealthy Bastard
There are a lot of big, big games out (or coming out) about now. Which is great if you’re loaded with cash. But sucks if you’re broke. Never mind! Not all good games have to be paid for. Take Stealth Bastard for example, a free PC game that’s about light, dark, stealth and blood. Taking…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 8, 2011 -
UncategorizedCould Phoenix Wright Be the First Truly Great Game Movie?
Capcom’s had so-so luck with movies. That is, depending on your opinion of the Street Fighter movie, the Chun-Li picture, and the Resident Evil flicks. With the upcoming Phoenix Wright, n&eatcute;e Gyakuten Saiban, motion picture, that luck might be changing. The movie’s most recent trailers look fantastic. Maybe, I’m the eternal optimist, but I feel…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 8, 2011 - Uncategorized
Will This Real-Life Discovery Impact Uncharted?
Uncharted stars John Nathan Drake, a descendent of famed explorer Sir Francis Drake. In the first game, Drake searches for Sir Francis Drake’s remains and the lost city of El Dorado. Sir Francis Drake once again plays a key role in the latest Uncharted game, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. The games, like many good yarns,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 8, 2011 - Uncategorized
Senior Designer On Blizzard’s Next MMO Laid Off?
MMO specialist website Massively claims that, according to a “tipster”, Blizzard’s John Staats has been laid off. Who is John Staats? Only the senior level designer of the company’s next big MMO, the successor to World of Warcraft Staats (pictured), who has worked for Blizzard for a decade, been described as a “hero of the…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 8, 2011 -
UncategorizedMario Sounds Make Traffic Accidents Less Horrible
“Guile’s Theme” isn’t the only thing that makes life better. So does the Super Mario Bros. theme, as evident by this video. In it, a moped rider takes tumble in, I believe, Guizhuzi, Taiwan and, well, just watch. Glitches in Real Life [Daily Picks and Flicks] You can contact Brian Ashcraft, the author of this…
By Brian Ashcraft Published November 8, 2011 - Uncategorized
Mass Effect 3’s Story Leaks Online UPDATE
The accidental release of a beta for Mass Effect 3 over the weekend is the least of BioWare’s problems at the moment. More worrying is the fact the game’s story has leaked online. We’re not talking a few clips or scraps of info. We’re talking big chunks of the game’s plot, packed to the rafters…
By Luke Plunkett Published November 8, 2011 - Uncategorized
Next Xbox Codenamed “Loop”, Runs On Modified Windows 9
Insider blog MS nerd, which has been right on a few things coming out of Microsoft HQ from time to time, reckons it has some info on the next Xbox console. Currently codenamed “Loop”, the site says the console will have a single main processor that’s joined by “assistive cores” for “graphics, AI, physics, sound,…
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 - Uncategorized
On the Eve of Modern Warfare 3, a Very Cool Illustration of Soap and the Gang
As we gear up to dive into Modern Warfare 3 (Top question: will you be more of a Jonah Hill or a Sam Worthington?), it’s fun to pause for a minute and take a look back. Artist Sam Gilbey sent in this illustration that Activision commissioned him to do promoting Call of Duty Elite, the…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 -
UncategorizedA Passionate IndieCade Keynote from Uncharted‘s Lead Designer
A couple of weeks ago at IndieCade, Naughty Dog’s Richard Lemarchand, lead designer on the Uncharted series, gave the keynote address. That may seem like an odd fit for an “IndieCade” keynote—after all, video games don’t get more “Big Budget” than Uncharted But Lemarchand is a longtime supporter of indie games and indie developers, and…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
It’s Pretty Much My Favorite Animal
Hello everyone, and welcome to another week of off-topic discussion. What are you playing this week? And more importantly, what are you planning on playing this week? Feels like each fall has one biggest week, and this just might be it… Here are some conversation-starters just for you. Beyonce’s music isn’t selling that well, even…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
The Week in Dangerous Games: Shooting Drugs in Modern Warfare 3 (Not Like That)
It’s the height of the fall rush, and more and more games rain down upon us every day. And with so many games, whoever will tell us which of them contains objectionable content? The Entertainment Software Rating Board, that’s who! Each week, we take a look at the newest, most salacious ESRB ratings and assemble…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
Jamil Moledina Bets on a Platform-Free Gaming Future with Funzio
Some believe the future of video games lies in the web-based streaming of triple A titles. Others feel that game consoles and PCs will one day be replaced with mobile devices. Game industry luminary Jamil Moledina sees a future dominated by social action games that people can play regardless of platform. That’s why Moledina has…
By Mike Fahey Published November 7, 2011 -
UncategorizedKick Ass in Bulletstorm With Your Actual Boot, Courtesy of Kinect
I’ve yet to see convincing evidence that a first-person shooter (or indeed, any kind of non puppet-based shooter) could work on the Xbox 360’s Kinect motion controller. That said, if I had to pick an FPS that would work well with the hardware, it would probably be People Can Fly’s highly physical Bulletstorm So it’s…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
This is How Many People Are Already Playing Modern Warfare 3
Here’s a snapshot of what Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 looked like four hours before the game officially hit the U.S. This tiny map shows where the game’s 118,995 online players were signing in to log a few frags. As you can see, despite having not yet launched here, the U.S. is not underrepresented.…
By Brian Crecente Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
So Far, Super Mario 3D Land is a Breeze, But There’s Something Special Here
You can jump over the flagpole in Super Mario 3D Land. Nothing special happens. I figured that out this morning, while riding the F train in New York City and balancing myself just right so I could keep playing without falling over my fellow commuters. On that same train ride I learned that I can…
By Stephen Totilo Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
Modern Warfare 3: The Underdog?
It’s been a season of dueling titans, to be sure. We’ve got Uncharted 3 vs. Gears of War 3, Skyrim vs. Dark Souls… and of course, Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 This time last year, the Call of Duty franchise was top dog. Medal of Honor had been vanquished, and the Battlefield 3 promotional…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
Our First Look at the New Alan Wake
A Wake –Game Informer gives us our first look at the upcoming Alan Wake addition. One of my favorite modern games better be getting a worthy new experience. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception: The Kotaku Review Telling a story is as much about what isn’t included as it is about what is included. It’s easy to…
By Brian Crecente Published November 7, 2011 - Uncategorized
Skyrim Director: “Substantial” DLC Already in the Works
I don’t think I’m breaking any embargos when I tell you that Skyrim is a terrifyingly massive game. In the true Bethesda tradition, it goes on and on and on, and it’s hard to imagine adding content to what is already such a gigantic piece of work. But the other Bethesda tradition involves releasing downloadable…
By Kirk Hamilton Published November 7, 2011