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It’s Talking Ted, But It’s Not a Game
Since I live outside the U.S., many Hollywood movies often take their sweet time getting a release here in Japan. Ted is from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and follows the adventures of a grown-man who deals with his boyhood teddy bear that’s come to life. I didn’t know much about the flick, but after…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 9, 2012 -
Nature Declares War on Man in These Gorgeous Apocalyptic Screenshots
The year 2020 doesn’t look like it’s going to be a good one for mankind. Pollen allergies become deadly eight years from now and an eco-catastrophe wipes out most of humanity, leaving behind a few stragglers to try to survive after the world’s power grids go to hell. The lush, green hell seen in screenshots…
By Evan Narcisse Published July 9, 2012 -
Reality Check: First-Person Shooters Are Not Really Ruining Gaming
Last Friday, I heard that Activision and Terminal Reality would be making a first-person shooter out of the Walking Dead. Shortly afterward, I witnessed people (read: co-workers, folks I follow on Twitter, etc) freaking out. Why does everything have to be a first-person shooter?, people howled. This is not what The Walking Dead needs, others…
By Stephen Totilo Published July 9, 2012 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Mondays. The time when you think about the games you’ve left behind and the ones you’re going to get. Go on and talk about the games you’re playing, loving and hating. Head over to Talk Amongst Yourselves, the place where we gather on a daily basis to discuss all things video game and existential. Go…
By Evan Narcisse Published July 9, 2012 -
The Guy Who Played Magneto from X-Men: First Class Will Be Wearing The Assassin’s Creed Hood
Magneto will be killing evil Templars in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed movie. Michael Fassbender—the actor who played the Master of Magnetism in last year’s X-Men prequel movie—has signed up to be the lead star in the film adaptation of Ubisoft’s historical action games. The Variety article where news of Fassbender’s casting broke describes the move…
By Evan Narcisse Published July 9, 2012 -
There’s A Little Bit Of Persona In This New Japanese Adventure Game
There are a couple of new trailers out for Time Travelers, an upcoming role-playing adventure game by Dragon Quest IX developer Level-5 that will be out in Japan this summer for 3DS, PSP, and Vita. Looks a little Persona-ish, no? School uniforms, guns, ticking clocks… The second trailer (below) is particularly bizarre. This is a…
By Jason Schreier Published July 9, 2012 -
The Difference Between A Good Video Game and a Bad One
During my first 25 years playing video games I had no theory about what makes a video game good. I knew the good ones when I played them. I just felt it. Last year, however, I was forced to come up with a theory—a theory about what makes a video game good. I’ve been testing…
By Stephen Totilo Published July 9, 2012 -
The Walking Dead First-Person Shooter Begets a Most Gruesome Comic-Con Exclusive
There was no doubt in my mind that the first-person shooter based on AMC’s The Walking Dead television series would generate some truly horrific swag. I just didn’t think it would show up so soon. Activision gives fans four earfuls at San Diego Comic-Con this week. A necklace of ears was not on my Comic-Con…
By Mike Fahey Published July 9, 2012 -
Phantasy Star Online 2 Bravely Ventures Westward in 2013
The latest chapter in the epic online space fantasy action role-playing series is marching its Humans, Newmen and robotic CAST slowing across the ocean, as Sega announces a Western release for Phantasy Star Online 2 in 2013. Launched just last week in Japan, Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play PC game that sees teams…
By Mike Fahey Published July 9, 2012 -
Russia’s Billion-Dollar Rubber Curtain Saves Lives, Video Game Fighter Jets
This fake news report (an intentional fake, not a proper one) is notable for two things: use of farm animals in a naval situation, and maybe the best impersonation of a BBC newsreader I’ve heard in my life It was made using military sim ArmA 2, which explains both the janky visuals and the fact…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
Here are EVO 2012’s Champions
In case you’re just joining us, and/or didn’t sit down and watch all the big showdowns live, EVO 2012 – the world’s biggest fighting game tournament – has just wound up in Las Vegas. Winners have been crowned across all the major titles at the show, with the final title bout deciding 2012’s best Super…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
Maybe it Wasn’t a Good Idea to Let Players Fight Each Other to Run a Video Game
New MMO Tera isn’t just notable for its lavish visuals, it’s also trying something new with its endgame. Those getting to the pointy end of the game can be elected as a member of the “Vanarch”, Tera’s in-game parliament. Players are elected to the office, and once there can mess with all kinds of in-game…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
This Tekken Figure Sure is Frilly
Japanese toy company Kotobukiya will be at this week’s San Diego Comic-Con, offering attendees first dibs on this new Tekken piece from the company’s bishoujo line It’s Alisa Bosconovich, who as a 1/7 scale figure will be selling at the show for $65. Kotobukiya says there are “only” 1500 of them being made available, so…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
And Suddenly I Want to Play a Star Wars Trials Game
Given their disastrous performance at the Battle of Endor, it’s no surprise that Imperial forces have since opted to equip their Scout Troopers with something a little more reliable. Sure, wheels might be old news in the Star Wars universe, but the only time I saw a speeder bike pull off aerials like these are…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
That Call of Duty “Comedy” Series is About as Funny as Bone Cancer
It seemed like such a good idea! Get two guys who were very funny on a TV show together, get their production company to make a Call of Duty series, star in it themselves. Easy success, easy money. Or…not. This is an episode of Cocked Hammers, a machinima series starring Arrested Development’s elder Bluth brothers,…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
Big Conventions Bring Out The Best Cosplayers
Last week saw the 2012 edition of the Anime Expo, an annual showcase in LA that brings together fans of anime, video games, manga and all kinds of related stuff for four days of panels, merch, socialising and cosplay. Which brings us neatly to this week’s Fancy Pants cosplay gallery. Photographer Mike Kowalek was there…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 9, 2012 -
If You’re Living a Virtual Lie, MTV Wants to Put You on TV
MTV is putting together a new reality TV series based on people who are living virtual lives. And not doing a very good job of it. While it’ll feature people who use fake identities on sites like Facebook and eHarmony, the producers also want to feature gamers. Given the fact it’s on MTV you’d be…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 8, 2012 -
Fighting Game Tournament Marriage Proposal Makes at Least One Man VERY Happy
A predominantly male audience, hyped up for digital combat…it may seem the unlikeliest of places for a man to propose to his lady friend, but that’s exactly what happened during this weekend’s EVO festivities in Vegas You can see video of the aftermath above. Please, under no circumstances read the chat log to the right,…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 8, 2012 -
Dark Knight Rises Figure Might be the Most Realistic Toy Ever Made
The full name for this product is “Batman – Bruce Wayne DX Sixth Scale Collectible Figure”. That’s for retailers, though. People like you or I will just know it as “holy crap it’s a plastic Christian Bale”. The 12″ figure, made by Hong Kong-based Hot Toys (see here for their incredible Avengers range), won’t go…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 8, 2012 -
This Game Trailer is a Beautiful Way to Start the Week
This is a teaser trailer for Tiny Wings 2.0, the upcoming sequel to the smash iPhone game. Even if you couldn’t give a rat’s arse about the original, the clip is still worth a look, because it shows you can successfully advertise an iPhone game without resorting to bottom-shelf GIANT TEXT AND CARTOON STILLS all…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 8, 2012