Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

#1ReasonWhy You Should Pay Attention

Written By Kom Limpulnam on Rabu, 28 November 2012 | 23.37

GameSpot editors Laura Parker and Carolyn Petit discuss the importance of stamping out sexism in the games industry.

Yesterday, the Twitter hashtag #1ReasonWhy exploded into a tremendous outpouring of stories about sexism encountered by women who work in various aspects of the games industry. Over the course of this correspondence, GameSpot editors Laura Parker and Carolyn Petit analyse the importance of the hashtag, sharing thoughts on what the huge response to it means, and where the industry goes from here.

Carolyn:

The #1ReasonWhy is a rapidly growing collection of tweets from women who work in various facets of the game industry recounting negative experiences they have had in their respective fields.

Of course, stories about sexist attitudes in the games industry are nothing new: it's an issue that has been much discussed this past year. (Take the Kickstarter project by Anita Sarkeesian a few months ago about portrayals of women in video games for instance, which generated a great deal of discussion.) But what was immediately remarkable about #1ReasonWhy to me was the tremendous outpouring of stories and feelings from so many women, this groundswell of frustration and anger from so many sources.

On one hand, it was a painful reminder to me of the reality of just how rampant sexist attitudes and behavior are in this industry, an industry that should, I feel, reflect the fact that games can be enjoyed by all sorts of people, that they can bring people together, that they're certainly not just for men.

On the other hand, it was inspiring to see so many voices speaking out, sharing their stories, standing up and calling for change. I'm kind of flabbergasted by the extent to which the hashtag has exploded. To me, that speaks to long-simmering feelings about a pretty severe imbalance that needs to be discussed and addressed. What was your initial reaction?

Laura:

The swell of support for #1ReasonWhy over the last two days is a sign that things need to change. Sexism in the games industry is something that has been discussed more and more over the last two years, and it's so encouraging to see so many women from all parts of the game industry--developers, journalists, writers--speaking up to support each other and make their voice heard in this debate.

One of the things that became clear from reading some of the tweets--the hashtag has been used over 22,000 times on Twitter to date--is how similar some of these experiences are. Up to now it has been really hard to talk about this issue with a united voice because there are so many different attitudes and views in the industry surrounding how best to tackle sexism and attitudes to women. But the hashtag helped identify where some of these problems lie, and even inspired some industry leaders to take action via the #1ReasonMentor response: a call to arms to help connect young women in the industry to more experienced mentors.

For too long we've merely talked about sexist attitudes and behaviour in the games industry. Talk is good, but we need to take action. This is a step in the right direction.

What do you think should happen next? We can't let this fizzle out. How can the industry come together to make the most of this solidarity? How can this message reach the decision-makers and those who hold the power to incite change?

Carolyn:

It's a difficult question without easy answers, but I think the hashtag gives us some reasons to be hopeful. You mentioned the #1ReasonMentor hashtag that came out of it; this should lead to some connections being formed that result in at least a few more women getting into the industry.

One of the more disheartening recurring themes in the shared stories for me was that of hiring practices that overwhelmingly favor men, maintaining the status quo of gaming as a hugely male-dominated industry. Anything that gets more women involved in designing, writing and programming games is a very good thing. I hope that many individuals in the industry, women and men, are motivated by this organic Internet uprising to find ways large and small to challenge existing attitudes, criticize sexist behavior, and incite positive change.

I also think that those of us in the media have both an ability and a responsibility to keep this discussion going, to find ways to investigate and spotlight systemic imbalances like this. Many #1ReasonWhy tweets I saw were from women expressing a reluctance to speak out and share their stories out of fear of repercussions. That fear is a huge problem in and of itself. It's clear that the hashtag offers only a relatively small glimpse into a deep-seated problem that isn't going to go away overnight. If we in the industry get complacent, it may never go away. We need to keep finding ways to make these stories heard. We need to continue fighting for the idea that gaming is not a boys' club, that it doesn't make long-term sense culturally or financially for developers to exclude women from the creation of games, or to market games in ways that insult and alienate women.

I think the general perception of who games are for is already in the process of evolving. There's momentum that's (much too slowly) taking us toward a more inclusive, more equitable industry; we need to not only keep that motivation going but speed it along when we can. If journalists are aggressive in continuing to cover the problem of sexism in the industry in its many forms, and if people participating in programs like #1ReasonMentor keep the ball rolling, I believe it'll be a better industry ten years from now than it is today. It may sound silly, but I really think it's up to all of us to do what we can.

So hopefully this is, in a sense, just the start of what will be an ongoing discussion. Any last thoughts on this for now?

Laura:

I also hope #1ReasonWhy reached developers, publishers and gamemakers who are responsible for hiring talent in the industry. If influential development studios get onboard and pledge their support for this cause (as Bungie has done as well as Halo 4 developers Bonnie Ross and Kiki Wolfkill) and take some sort of stand to say that they do, and they will, pay more attention to how females in the industry are treated from now on, then I think something really positive can come of this.

I agree the media has a responsibility to keep this discussion going. It's not just the industry's practices that have to change, it's also the attitude of consumers and players. Sites like FatUglyorSlutty really highlight the extent of this problem and send a very clear message: this shit has to stop. You're right when you say that what needs to happen now is that the industry needs to re-analyse the way it makes and markets games. Women cannot and should not be excluded either in the creation of games, or in the way games are marketed.

So everyone has a part to play. Developers have a responsibility to ensure the development industry is an equal opportunity environment where women feel comfortable and valued for their skills; publishers have a responsibility to speak to both male and female gamers on equal terms and not alienate or insult one or the other; and consumers have a responsibility to accept the changes taking place in the gaming demographic and make gaming welcome and accessible to all.

#1ReasonWhy is a step in the right direction. All we have to now is make sure that people pay attention.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 20: Remote-Controlled Rocket Launcher

Ironclad Games' Blair Fraser confesses his sins to a voracious GameSpot team that's too busy eating a Bigfoot pizza to notice.

GameSpot GamePlay

Host Kevin VanOrd welcomes Ironclad Games' Blair Fraser, who talks bizarre bugs, Sins of a Dark Age, and the awesomeness of the Mega Man 2 soundtrack. The panel also includes Tom Mc Shea, who falls under Reggie Fils-Aime's spell; Chris Watters, who bounces Betties with the best of them; and Carolyn Petit, who manages to escape any genitalia that might populate the Miiverse.

Click here to subscribe to GameSpot Gameplay via iTunes.

Click here to subscribe to GameSpot Gameplay via Zune.

Subscribe to this RSS feed to receive new episodes of GameSpot GamePlay through your favorite RSS reader.

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 19: Deja Vu

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 18: The Cinnabon Engine

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 17: Space Noise

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 16: Press X to Batman

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 15: A Series of Death Screams

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 14: Splinter Shell

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 13: Double Jesus

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 12: All Pandas go to Heaven

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 11: Enter The Pee Zone

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 10: Adolf Critler

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 9: Out of the Closet

Kevin VanOrd
By Kevin VanOrd, Senior Editor

Kevin VanOrd is a lifelong RPG lover and violin player. When he isn't busy building PCs and composing symphonies, he watches American Dad reruns with his fat cat, Ollie.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Video Review - Dark Siders II

Written By Kom Limpulnam on Rabu, 21 November 2012 | 23.37

give wii u time.... remember early 3rd party game ports to PS3 were inferior to 360, but it improved over time and became the better version later on (except.... Bethesda ports.... *skyrim*...still irritated had to sell ps3 version) 

it will get better....


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Darksiders II Review

The Video Review

Kevin VanOrd takes you through Death's epic journey in this video review for Darksiders II.

The Wii U version of Darksiders II may suffer from some additional technical hitches, but this vast adventure is so absorbing, it's still easy to lose yourself in its oppressive world. And what a world it is, with architecture so sharp that every spire threatens to puncture the heavens and make them bleed. You needn't worry about too many confusing story details if you missed out on the original Darksiders: this sequel's narrative isn't so much about plot as it is about place and tone. And that tone is what sets Darksiders II apart. The skies are ominous, the armor is impossibly chunky, and the game's star--Death himself--speaks with gravelly, somber tones, save a few moments of sarcastic humor that betray his agitation.

In Darksider's II, Death is but only the beginning.

This port isn't the finest way to lose yourself in Darksiders II's fantastical universe, however. On the bright side, the Wii U release includes Argul's Tomb, downloadable content delivered for the earlier versions. The tomb isn't Darksiders at its best, with a protracted shooting segment lasting too long to be fun. (Though to be fair, you could take the melee approach in spite of all the guns scattered around.) This content can be accessed at any time, and provides you with the abilities necessary to complete it if you haven't unlocked them in the main campaign. But significantly, the game suffers from some frame rate problems, distracting loading times as you move through the overworld, and longer loading times when opening doors than in the other iterations.

Technical hiccups aside, Wii U owners get the same experience as everyone else, though with some gamepad tweaks: menus are accessible on the touch screen, special abilities can be (but don't have to be) activated by touching their icons, and tilting the pad changes your direction when swimming and pushing boulders. As for the basic mechanics, an icy opening introduces you to combat and movement. In traditional action game style, you slash away at clawed creatures with primary and secondary weapons. You run along walls and jump across beams like a devilish Prince of Persia. There are also role-playing elements: your enemies drop coins, armor, and weapons. You can don equipment, sell it to a merchant, or sacrifice it to level up rare possessed weapons, which you can customize at certain thresholds.

Darksiders II is clearly reminiscent of other games you have probably played. It recalls the structure of The Legend of Zelda, the parkour of Prince of Persia, and even the dimension-bending puzzles of Portal. Yet in spite of how heavily it wears its inspirations, Darksiders II establishes an identity all its own. The game's large scope and thoughtful pace allow you to breathe between battles, and each new mechanic has time to settle in before a new one is introduced. The leisurely sense of pace is obvious in the first level, where you can take in the frozen chasms beneath you, and enjoy the slick motion mechanics that have you defying gravity in heady flights of fancy.

If you played the original Darksiders, you might miss the up-front barrage of action at first, but Darksiders II is more about adventure than constant onslaught, though there are plenty of battles waiting ahead. As you ride your steed to the first main dungeon, you can relish the green fields of the first of multiple major regions, and simply enjoy the act of being. If you want, you can explore some of the surrounding ruins, where treasure chests protect valuable pauldrons and cloaks. Or you can slash up the baddies that roam the land, even from atop your horse. But once you get into the dungeons, Darksiders II becomes special--more cerebral than your average action game, and more energetic than your average exploration game.

As expected, each dungeon requires that you puzzle out how to get from one point to the next. At first, this involves scaling walls, throwing the naturally occurring bombs you stumble upon, and pulling a few levers. Then, you get a phantom grapple hook that allows you to swing from glowing hooks and extend your wall runs. Later, you split yourself in three, petrifying your main form and using two doppelgangers to stand on switches and move platforms. Ultimately, you fire portals to travel across great ravines and even through time itself--and these are hardly the extent of the tools you use to make progress through Darksiders II's clever self-contained puzzles.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Israel Defence Forces uses gamification to promote its part in Gaza conflict

The social-media campaign employed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in its latest conflict with Hamas over the Gaza Strip includes gamification.

The IDF blog features a virtual game, titled "IDF Ranks: The Virtual Army Game", which encourages visitors to the site to earn points and badges in return for spreading IDF content online through social media.

"IDF Ranks is an interactive game, directly implemented into all of the IDF's social platforms, allowing you to be a virtual part of the IDF," the blog states.

"Every action you take--reading, commenting, liking, sharing, or even just visiting--will earn you points, and help you climb the ladder of IDF Ranks. Specific actions will win you beautiful badges, and one day you might even become the chief of staff of IDF Ranks."

While the game was incorporated into the IDF blog in July, it has drawn more recent criticism from commentators who view the IDF's actions as a promotion of war in the current Gaza conflict.

"Israel is trying to enlist the people of the world in its campaign with military ranks, badges, and points," ReadWrite's Jon Mitchell wrote last week. "Innocent people are dying on all sides, and the IDF wants to reward people for tweeting about it. Israel has gamified war."

However, an IDF spokesperson refused to refer to the game as a gamification of the current conflict.

"In no way is 'IDF Ranks' meant to gamify Operation Pillar of Defense or any military actions during the operation," the spokesperson told ReadWrite.

According to Mitchell, 10 visits to the IDF blog gives users the "Consistent" badge, while searching the blog bestows the "Research Officer" badge.

"It's impossible to fathom how anyone could justify this trivialisation of war," Daily Life's Amal Awad added. "People are being killed, and the conflict is spiralling out of control, but observers can titillate themselves with a reward system for taking a side."

The game is positioned next to a "Rocket Counter" on the IDF blog, showing the number of rockets that have hit Israel since last year.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Intel Extreme Masters Singapore kicking off tomorrow

ESL World's Intel Extreme Masters Singapore is set to kick off this week.

The games that will be featured for the tournament will be StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and League of Legends. The event itself will be held at the SITEX 2012 exhibition at the Singapore Expo, Halls 4B-6. The schedules for the tournaments from November 22 to November 25 are below (GMT +8/SGT time zone):

November 22
Time: 11am – 9pm Tournaments: StarCraft II Open Bracket, League of Legends Group B

November 23
Time: 11am
Tournaments: StarCraft II Group Stage, League of Legends Group B

November 24
Time: 11am - 9pm, League of Legends finals start at 6pm
Tournaments: StarCraft II round of 16 and first three quarter-finals matches, League of Legends semi-finals and finals. November 25
Time: 11am – 5:30pm; StarCraft II finals start at 3:45pm
Tournaments: StarCraft II last quarter finals, semi finals and finals matches.

For more information, check out the official ESL page for the event. GameSpot will update this space with the livestream link.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wonderbook: Book of Spells touring Australia

Gamers who are curious about Sony's augmented-reality (AR) game Wonderbook: Book of Spells will have a chance to experience the puzzle game for themselves. Sony Entertainment Australia has announced that the PlayStation 3-exclusive game will be touring Australia, appearing in a variety of locations.

The game is played with a book, which needs to be used in conjunction with the PlayStation Move and PlayStation Eye peripherals to cast magic.

Wonderbook: Book of Spells marks a collaboration between Sony and Harry Potter author JK Rowling. Book of Spells is the first game to use Wonderbook, and works by tapping into the Harry Potter universe.

In the game, players will learn how to cast a range of spells, including Incendio, Wingardium Leviosa, and Expelliarmus, with the PlayStation Move controller taking the place of a wand. The game was well received in GameSpot's review.

See below for a full list of locations and dates where you can experience Wonderbook: Book of Spells.

NSW

Westfield Parramatta
November 15 – 18

Westfield Chatswood
November 22 – 25

Westfield Penrith
November 29 – December 2

Westfield Miranda
December 6 – 9

Westfield Liverpool
December 13 – 16

Qld

Westfield Chermside
November 15 – 18

Westfield Garden City
November 22 – 25

Vic

Westfield Fountain Gate
November 29 – December 2

Westfield Doncaster
December 6 – 9

Westfield Plenty Valley
December 13 – 16

Westfield Southland
December 20 – 24

WA

Westfield Carousel
December 20 – 24


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Adjusting Our 2D Shooting Viewpoint With Mirror War

GameSpot's Jonathan Toyad goes kunai and tarot cards-ablazing with two classes in L&K Logic's MMO nod to classic 2D shoot-em-ups, straight out of G-Star 2012. For a G-Star 2012 summary, head here: http://bitly.com/UryMfw


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dungeon Striker Class Playthrough

Missed out on G-Star 2012 and its elaborate show floor? Don't fret: we've got the whole experience on camera for your viewing pleasure! For our recap of the whole event, head here: http://l.gamespot.com/UryMfw

Posted Nov 16, 2012 | 3:55 | 5,663 Views


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Of Orcs and Men Review

Written By Kom Limpulnam on Rabu, 14 November 2012 | 23.37

Often relegated to the background as evil fodder for the blades of do-gooder humans, orcs don't usually get a chance to shine on center stage. Of Orcs and Men changes that, instead painting greenskins in a very different light while tackling heady topics of genocide and oppression through the eyes of its dual protagonists: a brutish orc, Arkail, and his reluctant goblin sidekick, Styx. Their dynamic relationship is the central pillar holding aloft a fun-but-flawed adventure that packs impressive depth in some areas, yet struggles with shallow design in others.

Turning traditional fantasy tropes on their head, humans are the villains in this tale. War ignites across the continent when the power-hungry human empire shows its monstrous tendencies by imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering the green-skinned inhabitants of the land. Brought together by a common foe, Arkail and Styx begrudgingly team up to push deep into the empire's territory and assassinate the emperor. Their quest sends the duo on a lot of wild tangents--one minute they're burning a church filled with inquisitor scum, the next they're rescuing an imprisoned wizardess to aid in their quest. Lines between good and evil are blurred constantly, often by the protagonists themselves. Despite their questionable methods, these fellows are oddly likeable, thanks to their strong personalities and enjoyable camaraderie.

The colorful interactions between the burly anger-prone orc and his witty comrade also provide some comic relief that helps counterbalance the somber tone of their bloody mission. Unfortunately, the humor seems forced and at times it misses the mark. Dialogue waffles between witty remarks and excessive F-bombs to the point where it feels juvenile and distracting. It's a shame, because their backstory and ongoing development throughout the adventure is genuinely interesting. They're compelling characters that hold up even as the pace of the story shifts gears--and it does so frequently. The ham-fisted attempt at extra edginess wasn't needed.

With an orc and a goblin walking around amidst a bunch of greenskin-hating humans, the vast majority of the encounters devolve into combat with ease, whether you intend them to or not. Of Orcs and Men's battle system blends action-heavy encounters and more thoughtful RPG strategy by letting you instantly dial down the excitement to a slow-motion crawl at the touch of a button. This gives you time to queue up different attack moves, change between offensive and defensive stances, and trigger abilities for both characters before letting loose again.

Since you can only directly control one character at a time, and the friendly A.I. isn't the most competent, a lot of micromanagement juggling comes into play. But instead of being tedious, it's actually fun to continually swap characters, switch up your strategy, and adapt to the flow of battle as it unfolds. It keeps encounters fluid and gives you a big strategic toolbox to pull from.

Both warriors' distinct personalities also play into their vastly different fighting styles, and it's these differences that make each one enjoyable to play when the need to swap them out arises. Arkail is a powerful but unpredictable melee fighter who wields giant blades and bludgeoning weapons. Every hefty blow he delivers or receives pushes him closer to flying into a berserk rage. When he does fly off the handle, all hell breaks loose. He's uncontrollable for a brief time, his damage is ramped up significantly, and he attacks anyone within range--friend and foe alike. Afterwards, Arkail is momentarily stunned, opening him up to attack, which is why managing his anger level so it peaks at just the right time is an important challenge.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 18: The Cinnabon Engine

Crytek's Mike Read starts his engine and 5th Cell's Jeremiah Slaczka rejects all limitations. Also on hand: Kevin VanOrd, Carolyn Petit, and more!

GameSpot GamePlay

Mike Read from Crytek (Crysis 3) joins the GameSpot crew to talk graphics engines and tasty treats. And since we can't get enough of him, Jeremiah Slaczka from 5th Cell (Scribblenauts Unlimited) appears for a segment all about Easter eggs--but not the kind you color. Host Kevin VanOrd and fellow GameSpotters Tom Mc Shea, Carolyn Petit, Tyler Winegarner, and (for a little while) Chris Watters are on hand to direct the action.

Oh, and we also talk about Halo 4. So there's that.

Click here to subscribe to GameSpot Gameplay via iTunes.

Click here to subscribe to GameSpot Gameplay via Zune.

Subscribe to this RSS feed to receive new episodes of GameSpot GamePlay through your favorite RSS reader.

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 17: Space Noise

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 16: Press X to Batman

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 15: A Series of Death Screams

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 14: Splinter Shell

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 13: Double Jesus

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 12: All Pandas go to Heaven

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 11: Enter The Pee Zone

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 10: Adolf Critler

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 9: Out of the Closet

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 8: Ladycrotch

GameSpot GamePlay Episode 7: Bald and Powdery

Kevin VanOrd
By Kevin VanOrd, Senior Editor

Kevin VanOrd is a lifelong RPG lover and violin player. When he isn't busy building PCs and composing symphonies, he watches American Dad reruns with his fat cat, Ollie.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

GameSpot Players Network

GameSpot Players Network, the hot spot for achievement hunts, play dates, competitions, and more. If you need a way to play you'll find it here!

Welcome to the GameSpot Players Network, where members can connect and get their game on! GameSpot is full of awesome and talented players looking for a good game - people who are good sports, and want to meet more people like themselves. But, you'll also receive missions and find out what other players are needing help with under the Looking for Players section. Drop by every week to find the latest announcements about live streams, achievement hunts, and more!

MISSION: BEAT THE PROS

US Date: Friday, November 16th
US Time: 4:00pm PT*
Platform: X360
This weeks mission is BEAT THE PROS, GameSpoters will take on MLG Pro Gamer MrsViolence, do you have what it takes to beat this fragging femme fatal? Click here for some insider info on your competition. To sign up for your chance to beat the pros, simply include your XBOX Gamertag HERE
*Start times subject to change

FEATURED PLAYERS

GameSpot is full of great players always looking for a good game, but sometimes we need a little help. If you're looking for your player two for a simple achievement hunt, quest completion, or just someone to help fill your queue, sign up here.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Natural Selection 2 Review

Some games are easy to pick up and play. Others require you to learn, improving and developing skills as you go. The multiplayer-only Natural Selection 2 proudly sits in the latter camp. The latter camp isn't for everyone, and that's okay. But as long as a game is designed well enough to allow you to learn, improve and develop, it's always great to see one push the envelope and not rely on the most tried-and-tested formulas. Often, these games end up being some of the most refreshing, the most celebrated titles around. Natural Selection 2 is one such game. It isn't the most accessible game on the market, but if you put in the time, this deep and complex strategy/shooter hybrid rewards you with plenty of engaging variety and lots of thrills.

It's important to stress from the outset: if you're a first-time player, your initial enjoyment of Natural Selection 2 will be entirely decided by how prepared you are to learn new gameplay systems. There's no interactive tutorial; all the game offers is a series of lengthy demo videos. These aren't ideal, they don't open within the game interface, and it's a lot to take in should you choose to watch them all back to back before diving in. That said, by far your best bet in picking up Natural Selection 2 is to play Natural Selection 2. The way the game is structured makes it very easy to learn by doing. Certain servers (highlighted in green) are defined as rookie servers, providing a great place to get to grips with the game's many systems, ideally under the watchful eye of a more experienced commander.

The commander's role forms the RTS portion of the experience. Here, one player controls resource management, base building, and upgrades. The commander directs units, issues orders, and tells the team where to go and what to do. The best rounds of Natural Selection 2 see the commander using full voice chat, communicating with the team vocally as well as through the interface. A good commander isn't the only thing that can make NS2 appealing, but having a competent leader goes a long way towards making the game more enjoyable.

Thankfully, it's usually easy to find plenty of welcoming, communicative matches; after all, NS2 is very much a team game. There's absolutely no incentive to ostracize or punish teammates for a poor performance. The best commanders know that to win, communicating with and nurturing your team is key. The best way to learn how to play commander is by not playing commander. Take a hands-off approach, stick to one of the ground troops, and it's very easy to pick up what makes for a successful--and unsuccessful--commander. On top of that there's Explore mode, which lets you play around in the RTS interface with a vast amount of resources, and tool tips for each structure.

The commander is just one role, however, and the rest of the players have a diverse array of options to choose from. There's a lot here, and chances are, after a bit of experimentation, you'll find at least one aspect of the game you really click with. The best way to approach the game isn't to think of it as having an overall learning curve, but a number of smaller spikes; focus on one aspect of the game, and you'll learn plenty by way of observation while doing so. Thankfully, the game's been designed exceptionally well to allow this. Every facet of both the Frontiersmen (marines) and Kharaa (alien) sides is important. It's very much like Team Fortress in that respect: every role has its place and purpose.

The roles themselves vary considerably depending on which side you're on. The Frontiersmen are the more traditional of the two; rather than focusing on individual classes, weapon and equipment upgrades allow you to outfit your character depending on your playing style and the demands of the situation. Through the commander's resource management, new weapons are made available, including shotguns, flamethrowers, grenade launchers, and mines. Then there's the prototype lab, allowing the research and purchase of jetpacks and exos (think the loader from Aliens, but with the ability to punch and shoot). On top of that there are numerous other research possibilities. There's the arms lab that provides permanent armor and weapon buffs as long as the lab remains active, a robotics factory that allows for the creation of commander-controlled support units, and various individual objects such as teleports, enemy detectors, and sentry guns.

Of course, nothing comes for free, and all these goodies can only be bought with resources. For both teams, resources take the form of team resources and personal resources. Team resources are used exclusively by the commander to build, upgrade, and generally get things done. Personal resources are used to buy the items on the ground. Both types of resource are generated based on the number of collection structures your team has put in place (extractors for marines, harvesters for aliens).

It's unlikely your team will be able to afford every single bit of kit, so you have to choose your purchases carefully, and this adds a layer of strategy to all aspects of the game. A good commander will have a game plan, focusing on specific research and development to shape the team into a suitable side. Fancy building up a ton of defenses and sending a strike team to meet your opponent? Or perhaps aggressively expanding your base across the map, choking the opposing team and cutting off their potential resources?


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

BioWare offers free copies of Mass Effect to Black Ops II players

Earlier today, it was reported that some gamers who purchased a PC retail copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops II also found a copy of Mass Effect 2 inside the box.

Responding to the report, Mass Effect developer BioWare has embraced the mistake, offering the first 50 players who can prove that they were affected by the shipping mistake a free PC copy of Mass Effect Trilogy.

"If you were one of the affected, chances are you thought it was a mistake, but we prefer to think that it was an omen, and when the universe talks, you should listen," BioWare wrote on its official blog.

"If the universe thinks that you should be playing Mass Effect right now, who are we to argue?"

To qualify, players must take a picture of themselves with their copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and send it to BioWare. More details can be found here.

The issue has been reported by users on the official Call of Duty and Steam forums, as well as from gamers on Reddit. The cause of the error is unclear, though it appears to be related to a mistake made on the game's production line.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Marvel online game set for Asian regions

Disney Interactive signs contract with Korean developer Smilegate for upcoming multiplayer online battle arena title; will be out in 2014.

The multiplayer online battle arena space dominated by DOTA 2 and League of Legends may have a new contender.

According to site MMO Culture, Disney Interactive has signed a contract with Korean developer Smilegate (Crossfire) to create a MOBA title using characters from comic property Marvel. The game, dubbed Project PK, will only be targeted for Asian markets and will be out in 2014.

No other details are currently present. Smilegate has yet to get back to GameSpot for more additional information. For more information on recent titles featuring the Marvel license, check out GameSpot's coverage on Marvel Heroes.

Jonathan Toyad
By Jonathan Toyad, Associate Editor

Born and raised from a jungle-laden village in Sarawak, Malaysia, Jonathan Toyad has been playing games since the early 90s. He favors fighting games, RPGs, and rhythm titles above every other genre, and occasionally spaces out like Pavlov's dog to video game music on his iPod.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bungie's Destiny 'quite like Halo' - Report

Written By Kom Limpulnam on Rabu, 07 November 2012 | 23.37

Bungie's next game, rumored to be titled Destiny, is reportedly not very different than the company's most famous body of work: Halo. Internet super sleuth Superannuation dug up a blog entry from a Demonware employee at Kotaku, who wrote about the day he spent at Bungie, including a description of the studio's new game as "still quite like Halo."

This person, reportedly a senior Demonware employee, described Destiny as boasting cooperative gameplay and numerous alien gun battles. He added that its sense of exploration was a strong point. Overall, though, he said "there is a lot of work still to be done."

He also claimed he was shown a video that demonstrated a live game game scene that featured numerous atmospheric items, including "huge amounts of trees and foliage," as well as particle effects, dynamic lighting, and a day-night cycle. Lastly, he wrote about Beatles member Paul McCartney's involvement with Destiny, which Bungie confirmed over the summer.

Demonware is an Activision-owned online software and services company. It has contributed to a range of Activision franchises like Call of Duty and Transformers and lists Bungie as one of its partners.

Destiny is Bungie's first project as part of a 10-year publishing deal with Call of Duty company Activision. Legal documents from May suggest that this game will release for the Xbox 360 and that console's successor in 2013, with a 2014 release slated for PlayStation 3.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Halo 4 'addiction' rewarded with MS points

Halo 4 players who log enough hours in the game's multiplayer department or spend enough money on Halo-related items will be rewarded for doing so. Microsoft has announced a new "Halo 4 Combat Tour" offer that gives Xbox Live Rewards members the opportunity to score as many as 800 MS points just for playing 343 Industries' new shooter.

"Are you ready to put your Halo addiction to good use?" reads a line from the promotion.

Gamers who play 35 or more hours of Halo 4 multiplayer by November 30 will receive 100 MS points ($1.25). Those who log 70 or more hours will score 300 MS points ($3.75), while those who spend 140 or more hours in Halo 4's multiplayer will receive 600 MS points ($7.50) for doing so.

Additionally, players who spend 3,000 MS points ($37.50) on Halo-related Xbox Live marketplace content will get 200 MS points ($2.50) back, while those who spend 1,500 MS points ($18.75) on Halo items will get 100 MS points ($1.25) in return.

This is not the only promotion that rewards Halo 4 gamers for playing. Eligible American Express card holders can receive a $25 statement credit for completing the game's campaign on Normal or harder difficulty.

Halo 4 launched worldwide yesterday exclusively for Xbox 360. For more, check out GameSpot's review.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Analyst: Grand Theft Auto V could sell 25 million

EEDAR analyst Jesse Divnich predicts Rockstar Games' upcoming open-world game cabable of moving many millions of copies in first year.

Rockstar Games' upcoming open-world action game Grand Theft Auto V is the company's most ambitious project to date, and according to one analyst, that deep investment will be rewarded with strong first-year sales. Electronic Entertainment Design and Research analyst Jesse Divnich told Now Gamer recently that he believes the hotly hyped game could sell 25 million or more copies during its first 12 months.

He explained that though the current high-definition game market is "softening" as the existing console cycle comes to a close, the market for big-budget AAA titles like GTAV remains healthy.

"In the case of GTAV, I have little concerns about when it is released," he said. "Whether April, June, or even Winter, I'd expect GTAV to sell in upwards of 25 million copies in its first 12 months."

Rockstar Games last week confirmed GTAV will ship for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 during spring 2013. Preorders for the game opened this week at select retailers in the United States and Europe. The game's second trailer will arrive November 14.

For more on GTAV, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He lives in Connecticut, works out of the company's New York City office, and loves extra chunky peanut butter.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Assassin's Creed Anthology not coming to US

Ubisoft today officially announced the Assassin's Creed Anthology and revealed it will launch November 30 exclusively in the United Kingdom through Amazon. No mention was made of a launch outside of the region, and a Ubisoft representative was not immediately available for comment.

As was rumored earlier this week, the Assassin's Creed Anthology will include all five Assassin's Creed console games. These are the original Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, and Assassin's Creed III.

Additionally, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation premium bundle will include all expansion packs and downloadable content for each game within the bundle, including the DLC season pass for Assassin's Creed III. The bundle also packs in five game-themed lithographs, a steelbook case, and a collector's box.

The Assassin's Creed Anthology will retail for £120, or about $192.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

PlayStation: The Official Magazine shutting down

Future US confirms Sony-focused magazine will cease publication after upcoming Holiday 2012 issue.

The list of gaming publications to cease production is growing. Publisher Future US confirmed to Game Informer that PlayStation: The Official Magazine's Holiday 2012 issue will be its last. No further information regarding why the magazine is coming to an end is available.

PlayStation: The Official Magazine editor-in-chief Roger Burchill remarked on Twitter, "And…I think it's time I say 'So long and thanks for all the fish,' and take a little break from Twitter. Check you on the flip side."

According to marketing material documents, the magazine boasted a circulation of approximately 139,000 and an audience of 956,320.

PlayStation: The Official Magazine is the second gaming-focused publication that Future US has canceled recently, following the closure of Nintendo Power in August. Additionally, the cancellation of PlayStation: The Official Magazine comes one year after GamePro shut down after 23 years of continual publication.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He lives in Connecticut, works out of the company's New York City office, and loves extra chunky peanut butter.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Steam for Linux beta client released

Full Linux support for Steam is one step closer. Valve has announced that it launched a "limited access beta" for the new Steam for Linux client. The client supports Valve's free-to-play shooter Team Fortress 2, as well as two dozen additional games, including World of Goo, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and Trine 2.

On top of that, the Steam for Linux beta client supports Steam's new Big Picture mode (itself in beta). This allows users to browse, purchase, and play all Steam games through TV sets they already own.

Valve president and cofounder Gabe Newell called the news a "huge milestone in the development of PC gaming."

Valve said it received more than 60,000 beta applicants during the first week the company asked for respondents. The first wave of Steam for Linux beta participants will be chosen from this group. The beta will widen to additional users at a later time, with a full Steam for Linux client launching when a "solid level of stability and performance" is reached.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gears of War: Judgment preorders get in-game weapon

Gamers gearing up for Gears of War: Judgment who preorder the upcoming shooter will receive an "exclusive" in-game multiplayer weapon, Microsoft has announced. This gun is the "Classic Hammerbust," which appeared in the first Gears of War as a Locust assault rifle.

Additionally, players who reserve Gears of War: Judgment will receive bonuses depending on which retailer they visit. A full list of participating retailers will be published in the coming weeks, but Microsoft said multiplayer character skins will be up for grabs. These include Young Marcus, Young Dom, Anya (at right), and Alex Brand.

Gears of War: Judgment is due out exclusively on Xbox 360 March 19, 2013 and is the first entry in the series since last year's trilogy-capping Gears of War 3. Developed by Epic Games in conjunction with Bulletstorm studio People Can Fly, the project focuses on series soldier Damon Baird and will not use the Kinect.

For more on Gears of War: Judgment, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.


23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger