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Retro Round-up for May 8th
Article by: Cyril Lachel
Cyril takes a look back at another slow week in retrosville READ FULL ARTICLE...
Think of the Children for May 8th
Article by: Dan Keener
Dan checks in to see what the ESRB has been cooking. READ FULL ARTICLE...
Razer Destructor
Review by: John Yan
It's Razer's latest gaming surface. Does it hold up to their previous efforts? READ FULL REVIEW...

New Alone in the Dark website is very dark, you are likely to be eaten by a grue

by: Chuck - - Comments (1)
Atari has launched a new website for Alone in the Dark which allows you to explore the world of the game before it hits shelves.  With the company being delisted this from the NASDAQ this week it's hard to underestimate how important this game is to the company.  What I've seen looks really good but it remains to be seen if the final product will be enough to help turn the company around.

Gaming Gibs for 5/9/2008

by: Chuck - - Comments (0)
Here are a few things I missed while watching the first seven minutes of Speed Racer:
  • Law of the land talks about how to create real video game legislation
  • Activision is shelving the Tony Hawk series for this year, it's amazing what competition can do
  • No video game tie-ins for Indiana Jones or Batman, this isn't necessarily a bad thing
  • Aaron Goldberg trashes the PS3, RROD of irony escapes without notice
  • Silicon Knights talks about the Mana system in Too Human
  • Bizzare Creations is no longer doing DLC for Project Gotham Racing 4, up to Microsoft for new content

Big bad ass bosses shown off in new Assault Heroes 2 video

by: Dan - - Comments (0)
Here's a new video showing off some of the ginormous boss battles you'll see in Assault Heroes 2 when it's launched next week.  

Spectral Force 3 screens released

by: Dan - - Comments (0)
Atlus has been busy today, releasing six more screens for the upcoming Xbox 360 title Spectral Force 3. The game is part Fantasy, part strategy and part RPG, and is set to release on July 29th. The screens show off a bit of the character interaction and battle systems.
[READ MORE]

New Age of Conan screens

by: Dan - - Comments (0)
Funcom and Eidos released eight new in-game screens for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Every time I see new screens, this MMORPG seems to look better and better. The screens are from the Poitain area.
[READ MORE]

Don't forget, first Gears of War 2 footage on GameTrailers TV tonight

by: Chuck - - Comments (0)
We posted this a few weeks ago but just a quick reminder that the first Gears of War 2 gameplay footage will be on GameTrailers TV tonight along with new footage from the upcoming Ghostbusters game and a new trailer for Space Siege.  The show airs at 1AM on Spike TV so set your DVR if you don't want to stay up that late. [READ MORE]

First info on Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Characters

by: Dan - - Comments (0)
Atlus has released profiles on three characters appearing in their upcoming Nintendo DS RPG Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard. The Alchemist, Landsknecht and Gunner are the first three profiles, and show off the diversity of the game. Also, check out some character concept art after the break.

Alchemist
There isn’t a type of damage that these magic-users can’t dish out: in addition to their mastery over Fire, Ice, and Voltage, they have adopted spells that inflict Slashing, Striking, and Piercing damage to the entire enemy party. Their Return skill is also a lifesaver for parties who have forgotten to bring along a Warp Wire.

Force Skill: Eschaton
This forbidden magic unleashes a wave of pure, untyped energy to obliterate the entire group of enemies.

Landsknecht
Though landsknechts still tend to specialize in either swords or axes—swords for multiple hits, axes for single, powerful blows—they’ve learned to use either weapon in their elemental strikes. They can still abandon all defenses to improve their offense, but now if the enemy should take advantage of this to weaken them, they have new abilities to become even stronger when critically injured.

Force Skill: All Out
A powerful berserker charge that slashes every enemy.

Gunner
These marksmen employ a wide variety of bullets and firing techniques that make them one of the most versatile single-target damage-dealers. Their specially treated ammunition can bind any part of an enemy, inflict any type of elemental damage, or even stun an enemy to allow the rest of the party a chance to move in. Naturally, their trusty firearms allow them to do all this from the back line.

Force Skill: Riot Gun
The gunner focuses all of its will into a single, powerful bullet guaranteed to stun an enemy.
[READ MORE]

Demo of Bad Company coming

by: John - - Comments (0)
For Xbox and PS3 owners,  June 5th is the date you can download a demo of Battlefield: Bad Company that will feature both single and multiplayer gameplay. You can also get in if you pre-order the game. The single player portion will let you play a little of the beginning while the multiplayer map consists of Oasis with the Gold Rush mode. The final game will hit stores in the US on June 25th so you get a good 20 days to try it out and see if you like it. [READ MORE]

Everyday Shooter comes to Steam, go buy it now

by: Chuck - - Comments (2)
Johnathon Mak's Everyday Shooter is now available on Steam and if you're looking for something fun and different to play this weekend it's well worth your $9.99 (although you can get 10% off this weekend).  Sure it's plays a bit like a Geometry Wars clone but the use of sound and graphics really make the game stand out against all the other Geometry War clones on the market.  I bought the game on the PS3 when it came out and I can't recommend the game enough.

PC getting Burnout

by: John - - Comments (0)
This is interesting. Looks like Electronic Arts is going to be putting the console hit Burnout Paradise on the PC. Not only that but it's going to be rebuilt specifically for the PC. Don't know what that entails yet but I'm wondering if this won't be another test bed for their new copy protection scheme with SecuRom. With all the peripherals available for the PC, you can build a pretty kicking rig to race around the city. [READ MORE]

Codemasters steals away F1 license from Sony

by: Chuck - - Comments (1)
Codemasters announced today that they have secured the license to create Forumula One games that was previously held by Sony.  Sony was reported to have balked at the high price of the license and decided to pass on it leaving it open for Codemasters to pick up.

It's a smart move Codemasters as they will be releasing cross platform F1 titles in upcoming years, something that Sony was obviously unable to do.  It's a bit of a shame as Dave really liked F1 Championship but it's not like Codemasters doesn't have a great reputation with racing games.  [READ MORE]

LBP trailer from Sony Day warms the dark cockles of Chuck's heart

by: Chuck - - Comments (0)
I've made no attempt to cover up my love of Little Bit Planet since I saw it at E3 last year.  Here's the new trailer from the game which debut at the Sony event in London this week.  There's some new gameplay shown off as well as some new Killzone 2 inspired sackboy creatures.   This footage is almost enough to offset the news that we won't be getting a beta of the game before it's released this fall.

Would you kindly not be the next Uwe Boll?

by: John - - Comments (0)
Looks like the BioShock movie has a better than expected director. Gore Verbinski is set to direct what he hopes to be an R-rated BioShock movie and I think it's a good choice. The guy turned a theme park ride into one great movie and two OK movies. The game's ripe with great imagery and should produce some incredible set pieces so we just need a good translation of the story here.  Just as long as they change the ending. Just kidding. I threw that in there to poke Cyril a little. :) Anyways, Gore seems to be into video games as there's a little tidbit in an interview alluding to interest in a Portal movie.Who would you want to play the roles?

-Update with Press Release- [READ MORE]

MLB Power Pros 2008 coming to Wii, PS2, and DS

by: Randy - - Comments (0)
2K Sports is continuing with their light-hearted tribute to America's favorite pastime, MLB Power Pros 2008.  In addition to the series' traditional Practice, Exhibition, League, and Home Run Challenge modes, this year gets even more up-close and personal as players act as general manager in Season mode, and engage in the Success and MLB Life roleplaying modes.  MLB Power Pros 2008 is coming to the Wii and PS2 this July, and to Nintendo DS later this fall. [READ MORE]

Projectile Dysfunction got you down? Take Stroyent today!

by: Randy - - Comments (0)
Activision and id Software are taking a much more humorous approach to their new official site in support of the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars console release.  The 2-in-1 health and ammo of the Strogg Race, Stroyent, gets one of those warm, sunny commercials dealing honestly with the problem of Projectile Dysfunction.
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Gamecock shoved into GamersGate

by: Randy - - Comments (0)
With FireFly Studios putting the finishing touches on Stronghold Crusader Extreme (due May 20), Gamecock Media has opened a door for it through PC download portal site, GamersGate.  Further, bisodic action-adventure game, Insecticide, is to follow with the first episode in June.  Upcoming additions include titles like Velvet Assassin aiming for Q3 2008. [READ MORE]

THQ signs exclusive deal for Marvel Super Hero Squad

by: Randy - - Comments (1)
While THQ has helped push more mature games like Saints Row, Company of Heroes, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to the tops of store shelves, they're also working on branding themselves as "the pre-eminent developer and creator of kids' games."  And, by signing as exclusive deal with Marvel Entertainment, THQ will have a videogame monopoly on the new kids-oriented (ages 4 - 10) Marvel Super Hero Squad property.  The initial Marvel Super Hero Squad game will don its cape in Fall 2009.
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[READ MORE]

News Roundup: The Ninja Mask of Elefunk

by: Randy - - Comments (1)
Articles
Videos, Screens
Thanks to WarCry, AtomicGamer, and Techgage for today's news roundup.

[Pictured: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]
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New Killzone 2 trailer shows off new Killzony goodness

by: Chuck - - Comments (0)
Here's the official version of the Killzone 2 trailer that Sony released at the Sony day earlier this week.  I can't say that my socks were knocked off by this but we've got a while before the game ships and I'm way more stoked for Resistance Fall of Man 2.

Thou Shall Not Pass!

by: John - - Comments (0)
The folks at Pandemic Studios are working to bring hobbits, orcs, and Balrogs to life as they have just announced The Lord of the Rings: Conquest today. This time around you'll be able to join the evil forces of Sauron instead of playing as the good guys only. Some images of the game can be found on the official website but June 20th will be the date that you'll get to see game footage on GT TV. I'd really like to see how the game works taking the part of a Cave-troll or the Balrog.  With the recent announcement that Ian McKellem is set to reprise his role of Gandalf for the two Hobbit movies, there seems to be a good amount of Tolkien news coming about these days. [READ MORE]

Recharge that balance board

by: John - - Comments (0)
The Wii Fit Balance Board is coming to the US soon and like the WiiMote, it takes batteries to operate. Nyko's got a solution for you if you don't want to buy batteries. The Energy Pak for the Wii Balance Board installs on the underside of the board and will let you play and charge at the same time. They claim you can play for 20 hours on one charge and is expected in stores on May 19th for $20. I'm surprised Nintendo doesn't just create these products with rechargeable options in mind but hey, it's nice that Nyko's around to help out. [READ MORE]

Gaming Gibs for 5/8/2008

by: Chuck - - Comments (0)
Here are a few things I missed while checking if my ISP was throttling my bandwidh:
  • The Analog Gamer is back with a D&D Bar Fighting game...I'd kick ass my with +4 Tankard of ass kicking brew
  • Totilo wonders if reviewers needs to finish games, the overhype of Bioshock comes to mind
  • GameSetWatch looks at the good, the bad, and the kind of ugly of the PlayStation Network.
  • The NES re-imagined
  • Ars Technica examines how Activision will still be milking the ESA even though it's not paying dues anymore

Looking for a few good Sea Men

by: Nathan - - Comments (1)
Shrapnel Games is looking for a few good testers. Open Beta testing for their game War Plan Pacific is starting soon. The game is PC based war strategy goodness that takes place in a war torn World War II era Pacific ocean. The game is mostly Naval warfare but I wouldn't be surprised if there were perhaps some mini strategy games where the action focuses on the capturing small islands since taking islands was key in the Pacific. Details on who qualifies and how to sign up for the open beta after the jump. [READ MORE]

Come talk video games tonight in Columbus

by: Chuck - - Comments (5)
If you live in Columbus and can pry yourself away from Grand Theft Auto IV for 90 minutes you might want to head down to Columbus State's Nestor Hall Auditorium from 6-7:30 to listen to a panel talking about video games as the Convergence of Art and Technology.  The Q&A panel will feature several smart people as well as one idiot from a local video game website (me).  The topics will range from the morals and ethics of video games to ARG's and more.  The panel will open up to the public at some point so you can ask me fun pointed questions that I will answer with vague yet satisfying answers.

There's also the Downtown Digital Arts festival going on which will be open before and during the panel.  Thanks to the Fuse Factory for inviting me to participate.

GTA IV on Xbox Live and the Xbox 360

by: Dan - - Comments (0)
Here are the stats sent out by Microsoft on the performance of Grand Theft Auto IV on the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. The numbers provided are quite impressive, but this is Microsoft's internal take from retailer feedback on the sales figures. We probably wont know the true impact until both the April and May NPD numbers have been released.

-Xbox 360 consoles increased by 54% week-over-week
-Retailers are telling Microsoft that 60% of GTA sales are on the Xbox 360
-The game is being attached to new console sales at a 40% clip (retailer info)
-2.3 million people played GTA IV on Xbox Live in the first week
-GTA IV is the #1 game on live
-There were one million concurrent users on live over the weekend
-Over 12 million achievements for 100 million gamerscore points unlocked
-Set a record of four hour average time spent playing GTA IV on Live [READ MORE]