VIDEO GAME FEATURES
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Why Japanese Developers Need New IPs Part 2Thu, Sep 2nd, 2010, 9:54 pm (EST) BY ADAM MALast time we covered what exactly is wrong in the mainstream Japanese gaming industry. The oversaturation of RPGs, longstanding titles that change very little, and of course the terrible attempts at reaching Western consumers certainly don't help much. There's really no reason for these developers (or publishers) to be so afraid of moving their products overseas, in fact there are a lot of great reasons to do so. The market is not only ready for Japan to take the lead again, they're almost begging for it. How do I figure? Allow me to explain. More » |
Things Older Gamers Like To Moan AboutThu, Sep 2nd, 2010, 7:32 pm (EST) BY BEN GRIFFIN
The gaming world has changed: videogames come on small, shiny things called CD's. A small child thousands of miles away in Korea can whip your ass at Starcraft II. Resident Evil is now considered to have bad voice acting. HD graphics have rendered the outside world obsolete. Hardcore gamers love EA and hate Activision. Yes, sir, the world has changed, and you can either nobly roll with the punches and embrace the future or sit in your favourite comfy, moth-bitten chair and bitch, bitch, bitch. These are some of the topics in gaming today that make old people feel cold and frightened. |
Countdown To Halo Reach: The StoryMon, Aug 30th, 2010, 10:02 pm (EST) BY COLIN
When I look back at my time spent with Halo 3, I immediately remember all of the competitive multiplayer matches with friends. Looking ahead to Halo Reach, I find myself excited for the campaign co-op experience. Why is that? There's just something about Halo's campaign mode that's addictively fun, despite its limitations. Sure there are only so many times you can run through the story mode, but while multiplayer may be what fans latch onto for months on end, the campaign has been (and will be) a massive driving force for Halo Reach's sales. Join me, as I unofficially declare this upcoming week to be 'Halo Reach Week', and take you on a journey that most PS3 fans will ignore. |
The Best StarCraft II Custom Maps Right NowMon, Aug 30th, 2010, 8:01 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
Starcraft 2 has been out for about a month now and while the multiplayer is certainly fun there are times where you just want something different. Most will immediately start thinking of DotA, but as luck may have it there are a lot of very cool, very different alternative games out there. Some require a lot of players to have a good time, others only need two or three, but all of them show off an impressive display of creativity. So if you're getting tired of the typical StarCraft grind, or are just looking for something fun to do with friends, why not check out a few of these custom maps. Guarantee they'll be worth your while. |
Top Ten RPGs Of This Generation... So FarSat, Aug 28th, 2010, 12:46 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
This console generation has seen a remarkable shift in what it means to be a role-playing game. Elements that have traditionally been exclusive to RPGs - such as leveling/upgrading characters and equipment, branching, non-linear plots, and collectible items - have begun to be incorporated in numerous other genres, blurring the lines between them. However, the core RPG genre remains intact, featuring a wide variety of the best Western and Eastern game designers have to offer. This is Gaming Union's top ten RPGs of this console generation (roughly 2005 to present), in alphabetical order. |
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Fans Unhappy With StarCraft II 1.1 PatchFri, Aug 27th, 2010, 7:26 pm (EST) BY ADAM MARecently addressing a lot of problems occurring in StarCraft II, Blizzard announced a few big balancing changes to the multiplayer. While the original goal was balance, many fans have taken a good look at the proposed changes for the first major patch and are finding themselves a little disappointed. It's been no secret that many professional players have left Zerg in favour of Terran due to certain balancing issues already and now it appears that the Protoss are up next on the chopping block, seemingly, for no reason at all. More » |
5 Peripherals That Will Improve Your GameFri, Aug 27th, 2010, 4:07 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
Sometimes just practice isn't good enough. Any good athlete will tell you that the tools you use will be just as important as the training and mentality you bring to the field. The same holds true for the gaming world and while being a natural shot or an intuitive strategist helps, having the right equipment makes all the difference in the world. So what exactly should the console/PC gamer be looking for when it comes to accessories? There's a lot, and much of it boils down on personal preference, but it's always nice to be pointed in the right direction. |
Analysis: Is Medal of Honor Tasteless?Wed, Aug 25th, 2010, 11:14 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
Games have become an easy target for politicians and the mainstream media. The latest controversy comes as Britain's Defense Secretary Liam Fox calls for a retail ban of the "disgusting" and "tasteless" Medal of Honor reboot coming this fall, set in present day Afghanistan. Fox's complaints lie in the portrayal of the Taliban in Medal of Honor, which allows players to take control of the terrorist group versus other player-controlled US soldiers in online, competitive multiplayer. Statements such as these often come from those looking to score cheap points or get attention by attacking a medium they do not understand - the Defense Secretary seems to fit the mold rather well. |
What Expectations Should Rise From Dust?Mon, Aug 23rd, 2010, 5:26 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
It's always difficult to look at a game that really challenges modern design concepts and what qualifies as being fun. From Dust is a game that was recently shown at GamesCom 2010, and it already has me wondering how well it will sell. The concept looks fantastic, the graphics look great, and the replay value seems endless to me. But then again, that what most 'God Games' look like. In theory they sound, and sometimes even look great, but in practice things tend to fall apart. Does From Dust have the potential to be its own natural disaster? |
iGame of the Week: Monster DashSat, Aug 21st, 2010, 10:48 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLASMonster Dash, from Halfbrick Studios, is an addictive platformer that successfully builds on the constant forward motion concept popularized by Canabalt. Alongside the randomly generated environments and obstacles, seen in numerous other titles in this genre, are weapons that give the game an added layer of depth. It all comes together into a solid package Canabalt fans should definitely check out. More » |
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RAGE Release Date Announcement Signals Shift In Game ProductionFri, Aug 20th, 2010, 6:11 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
id Software, the iconic team behind the Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake franchises, is currently working on their first new IP in over a decade, RAGE. The upcoming cross-genre title, largely considered a first-person shooter with driving and open world elements, was recently given a firm release date of September 13th, 2011 in North America. The announcement comes over a year prior to the planned launch, a rarity in an industry that tends to reveal launch details at the last possible second in production. id's release announcement shows a degree of consideration and planning that the larger gaming industry should work to adopt. |
Top Ten Development Studios Right NowThu, Aug 19th, 2010, 10:43 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
Games have always been behind other creative mediums - such as film, music, and literature - when it comes to making consumption choices based on the team behind a product, as opposed to its franchise tag or brand. That being said, the "hardcore", enthusiast crowd has always had a deep appreciation and sense of loyalty toward the select group of studios that continually produce quality. Thankfully, that trend is slowly beginning to penetrate mainstream gaming. |
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Why Japanese Developers Need New IP's (Part One)Wed, Aug 18th, 2010, 4:01 pm (EST) BY ADAM MAMany Japanese developers are struggling to keep up with the big numbers drawn in by western games. This isn't as much speculation, as it is fact. Outside of Nintendo, Square Enix, and Platinum Games (and a few select others), it's difficult to really pin down a developer that's been a hit overseas which Japan can directly claim. But the reasons behind these failures are not hard to identify. In fact, it can all be summed up in one pretty simple question: Where are the new IP's? More » |
iGame of the Week: The IncidentMon, Aug 16th, 2010, 10:49 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLASThe Incident, from Big Bucket Software, is an addictive, retro jumper that tasks players with surviving against hordes of absurdly randomized objects falling from the sky. The controls are responsive and the premise is simple, making The Incident a great experience to come back to on any occasions. More » |
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BioShock: Infinite Bodes Well For The Future Of The SeriesMon, Aug 16th, 2010, 5:43 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
After a long period of silence following their last project, Irrational Games, the team behind BioShock, have finally let the world know what they've been working on - a continuation of their critically acclaimed franchise, BioShock: Infinite. |
Are PC Games Finally Hitting Their Stride?Mon, Aug 16th, 2010, 1:05 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
This has been a fantastic year for PC gaming. Steam has gone to Mac, StarCraft 2 hit shelves, and Civilization V is just around the corner. Whether or not PC gaming is still viable when consoles have such a firm grasp on the market is something that gamers love to debate. Some say PC gaming is the only way to go, with mods (and a mouse) making a lot of experiences unbeatable. Others go down the console route, citing less expensive platforms and more developer support as the reason to make the switch. But in recent times, things have been different. Things have definitely changed. That 'thing' is PC gaming, and its identity crisis may finally be over. |
Halo: Reach's Marketing Campaign Should Be EpicThu, Aug 12th, 2010, 7:38 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
Most huge game releases have gone hand-in-hand with some extremely expensive marketing pushes. Web advertisements, mass emails, promotional goodies flying everywhere, and of course commercials are all part of the mix. A lot of the time it's all in-game footage, with maybe a few cheeky nerd jokes tossed in there. But Bungie has always done something different, for which they'll always be remembered. Looking back at Halo 3's Believe campaign, it's not hard to wonder why the franchise has such a strong following. It was staggering, beautifully crafted, and leagues beyond the typical gaming advertisements that had come before it. |
Capcom: The King of FightersWed, Aug 11th, 2010, 8:37 pm (EST) BY ADAM MA
Capcom is, at the moment, the dominant force in the fighting game industry. There's no sense in denying it, regardless of what style of fighter you may prefer. From their popular Versus series of games (Marvel vs Capcom, Tatsunoko vs Capcom), to their original IPs such as Street Fighter, they're successfully holding a lead that most other developers would die for. But is their position really that hard to reach? Is there a secret formula to Capcom's success that no other developer can copy? Not really, it just takes a little bit of time and listening to a few of your fans to ensure a spot as number one. |
Madden 11 Pre-Launch: Top Five Series MilestonesMon, Aug 9th, 2010, 9:35 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLAS
In gaming, August goes hand-in-hand with the arrival of a new Madden game. It's the time of year that signals the upcoming end of a typically long summer drought in major retail releases. Madden 11 is upon us. To mark the occasion, we decided to chronicle some of the biggest milestones throughout Madden's storied past. |
iGame of the Week: Mr. BounceSat, Aug 7th, 2010, 5:50 pm (EST) BY JORDAN DOUGLASMr. Bounce, made by Pixelate and Spaces of Play, is a unique ball-and-paddle arcade game, similar in concept to Arkanoid. Mr. Bounce expands on the classic formula by introducing a slow motion feature, as well as multiple moving objects and obstacles. The crisp, neon visuals and electronica soundtrack also make the game stand out. More » |
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