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Popchix Interview
Article by: Charles Husemann
Chuck talks with one of the head GamerChiX's about their new website. READ FULL ARTICLE...
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Preview by: Sean Nack
Sean plays the new Transformer tie in game and comes away shocked at the implications of a good movie game. READ FULL PREVIEW...
Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
Review by: Matt Mirkovich
Matt finds that porting a GBA game to the PS2 has a lot of ups and downs and they are mostly downs READ FULL REVIEW...

Digital Distribution hits it's first speed bumps

by: Chuck - posted: 11/6/2009 1:12 PM -
Digital distribution is widely hailed as the future of gaming and while it's been relatively smooth sailing for a while the system hit a few major snags on the PC this week.  We've seen bumps in the past with Steam's early days (the Half Life 2 launch wasn't exactly painless for a lot of people) and Games For Windows has been one cluster after another but this is the first time we've seen problems that aren't specific to one service.

The first was all of the hurdles users had to jump through to get Dragon Age:Origins working correctly.  Of course a lot of these issues were created because each entity along the way had their own pass mechanism which needed to be navigated to get the game working correctly.  This is one of those nasty things that will eventually go away as companies figure out how to get their services working together better.

The second big bump was Impulse, Direct2Drive, and Gamersgate refusing to sell Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 on their services because it includes a mandatory install of Steam for things like DRM and saved game management. This grants Steam a de facto monopoly on selling Modern Warfare 2 digitally on the PC.  This will be a bit trickier to navigate as Valve has so tightly woven their Steamworks tools set with their online service and there's no way anyone is going to help their competitor sell more of their product.  I don't see this really hurting sales of the game that much but it has to be a bit scary for those who don't want Steam to have a monopoly on the digital distribution market and will further the calls for Valve to start decoupling their various components.

It's not unexpected to see these kind of problems as a technology matures but it is a somewhat painful reminder that we are still in the early days of this new distribution mechanism.  These won't be the last bumps we have but they do represent a small inflection point in the system.

What do you think?  Are these big issues for you or should we just got ahead and welcome our new Steam overlords?  Let us know in the comments.

Rock Band DLC sees some more bands making their debut

by: Tina - posted: 11/6/2009 11:23 AM -
Although Jack White of The White Stripes has already made a few musical appearances in Rock Band via The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, he’ll be making a debut with his sister this time around. Three tracks from The White Stripes will debut next week: “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground,” “Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine,” and “Icky Thump” from their albums across the years. They aren’t the only bands making their debut next week; The Damned featuring “Smash It Up (Part II)” adds to the punk rock tracks in Rock Band. Kasabian with “Club Foot” joins these tracks on the 360, Wii, and PS3.

I guess No Doubt has no issues with Harmonix, because they’re setting their track “Excuse Me Mr.” for the PSP’s Rock Band Unplugged. Next week’s DLC for Rock Band Unplugged also includes “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys. As always, you can check the Rock Band site for a list of full tracks now currently available for download. [READ MORE]

News Roundup: No Dedicated Servers for Call fo Duty Modern Warfare 2 gives your Spirit Rage

by: Nathan - posted: 11/6/2009 9:00 AM -

Psychonauts, Bloodrayne series, and Advent Rising now available on GOG

by: Chuck - posted: 11/5/2009 12:27 PM -
If you need a Tim Schafer fix and don't want to deal with the RTS elements of Brutal Legend then head over to GoG.com as they've got Psychonauts wrapped up in a nice DRM free bow for you for the low price of $9.99.

Also available today isAdvent Rising ($9.99)  with Bloodrayne and Bloodrayne 2 soon to follow.  Don't let the horrible movie lull you into thinking these are terrible games though as they aren't nearly as bad as the movie. [READ MORE]

News Roundup: Gromit Gourmania used to light Dead Street

by: Nathan - posted: 11/5/2009 2:40 AM -

News Roundup: visit your Valiant Hero soon

by: Nathan - posted: 11/4/2009 3:24 AM -

Prince of Persia movie trailer released, teases that movie could not suck

by: Chuck - posted: 11/3/2009 9:32 AM -
Here's the first trailer for the movie adaption of Prince of Persia:The Sands of Time and it's not bad.  It's even possible to think that after viewing the trailer that the movie won't just be another mish-mash of CGI and corny dialog as it looks like the filmmakers have captured not only the action of the game but the sly sense of humor and personality that made the first game good. 

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

News Roundup weekend edition: Call of Company Crystal Combat Chaos

by: Nathan - posted: 11/2/2009 11:22 PM -

Minitorial: Modern Warfare 2 to do more harm than good?

by: Chuck - posted: 11/2/2009 11:23 AM -
I'm not sure what's gotten into the water over at Infinity Ward but my enthusiasm for Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 2 has been dying a slow death over the last few weeks.  First we had Infinity Ward killing off dedicated servers for the PC side of the house which I could label as IW trying to own the process a bit more and to make a little extra advertising coin off of PC gamers.  That's certainly their right despite stripping PC gamers of their ability to host and configure their own servers (which is a fairly big deal for that demographic).  I was probably going to buy the Xbox 360 version of the game so this doesn't impact me too much.  The downside is that the door is now open for more PC developers to do the same which would have severe repercussions in the PC gaming community over the next few years

Then came word that the game would allow you to play as a terrorist as part of one of the levels.  You can skip the level if you want
to but the fact that Infinity Ward has the hubris to allow gamers to play the role of terrorists opens the game and the industry up to an enormous amount of criticism.  While I didn't lose anyone close to me during 9/11 (although I know people who did) I did have to live with terrorism on a daily basis while I lived in Germany in the early 1980's.  The windows in my father's office were damaged by a bomb so I'm probably a little more sensitive than others about the topic.  I do see how Infinity Ward is pushing the narrative envelope but this feels like one of those psychology experiments of the 1970's gone wrong.  When this hits the mainstream press no one will hear how you can skip the level and no one will hear how you are playing a secret agent trying to protect their cover.  All people are going to hear is "You play as a terrorist and you get to kill civilians without repercussion in Modern Warfare 2".

Infinity Ward then tops this off by killing team voice chat and releasing a mildly inappropriate video which makes me wonder what exactly is going on at IW HQ.  I don't doubt that the game will sell well and will receive a ton of accolades but I do wonder if Modern Warfare 2 is going to end up harming the industry through the controversial content and if the game's approach to PC gamers will end up harming them in the long run.  Time will tell but I'm a bit worried.

Rock Band DLC overview for next week

by: Tina - posted: 10/30/2009 7:19 PM -
Next week is rock-track packed for Rock Band, as you’d imagine it should be.

Harmonix decided they really like Nirvana and Foo Fighters. Four tracks from Foo Fighters, and three from Nirvana will be featured in the DLC packs for next week. There’s also a single from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

Rock Band Unplugged for the PSP gets two new tracks: “Waking the Demon” by Bullet For My Valentine, and “Toxicity” by System of a Down. Although, I think Bullet For My Valentine should’ve named their track “In His Dreams: Revenge of the Metal Head.” You’ll have to watch their video if the reason isn’t immediately apparent. [READ MORE]

Signed Mirror's Edge Faceplate up for auction, benefits Childs Play

by: Chuck - posted: 10/30/2009 11:06 AM -
The folks at Faceplate addict are auctioning off a pretty kick ass Mirror's Edge faceplate on Ebay with 100% of the proceeds going to Child Play.  The faceplate has been signed by developers of the game and could make a cool gift for the Mirror's Edge fan in your life.  The bidding is only at $60.99 which seems kind of cheap for something this cool plus it's for charity.

News Roundup: special Party slaps your bittos+

by: Nathan - posted: 10/30/2009 2:26 AM -

News Roundup: Crystal Mac is mysterious: available for free

by: Nathan - posted: 10/29/2009 2:36 AM -

Playstation 2 turns nine!

by: Jake - posted: 10/28/2009 4:36 PM -
Happy ninth birthday, PlayStation 2! Did you know one in three households in the U.S. owns a PlayStation 2? Pretty amazing, ain't it? And by the end of the year, there will be a total of 10,000 PS2 titles available for the system! Anyways, congrats on nine years of incredible, endless, undying, classic console fun! And may you live to see another nine! See you again next year, on the tenth anniversary, PS2! [READ MORE]

News Roundup weekend edition: ultimate Dance Game getting Epic

by: Nathan - posted: 10/27/2009 3:07 AM -

Rest in Peace Rannie Yoo

by: Chuck - posted: 10/26/2009 10:45 AM -
As the Editor in Chief of Gaming Nexus I deal with a lot of PR people on a day to day basis and most of them are young professionals who are about the same age or younger than I am so it was a bit of a shock when I found out that Rannie Yoo passed away over the weekend from a rare form of cancer.

I dealt with Rannie on and off over the last few years and she was always fun to deal with.  She was amazingly helpful and almost always returned e-mails and phone calls which is a plus when you're working for a smaller independent website.  I do remember a long call with her where we booked four E3 appointments and she was very patient as we tried to get people to all over her clients.
I can't recall ever meeting her in person but from other reports online she was a fun person to be around.  That said the world is a sadder place without her in it. 

News Roundup: super Elves Top Zombies, Ninja, wolves on Big Air

by: Nathan - posted: 10/24/2009 1:28 AM -

Zombies and wolves in Rock Band

by: Tina - posted: 10/23/2009 1:02 PM -
Next week your Rock Band DLC will be infested with zombies and wolves. That’s right, Rob Zombie and Wolfmother are bringing you some tracks to perform in Rock Band in the spirit of Halloween. Other not-so-festive tracks are coming to you from Liz Phair and Morningwood. Read on for the specifics.

The bands listed above are for the PS3, 360 and Wii but the PSP will be getting two tracks: one from Sonic Youth, and one from Steely Dan. [READ MORE]

News Roundup: "Polk a Dragon" new survival guide bringing Extreme to Windows 7

by: Nathan - posted: 10/23/2009 2:33 AM -

News Roundup: tickets out now for Murder cards

by: Nathan - posted: 10/22/2009 1:19 AM -

News Roundup: Ninja abilities at brand new exspensive specials

by: Nathan - posted: 10/21/2009 1:02 AM -

News Roundup weekend edition: Abbey Star launches on a Trek to Learn art a.k.a Mass Invaders not coming for Entire High School date

by: Nathan - posted: 10/20/2009 1:21 AM -

Konami announces ship date and complete song list for DanceDanceRevolution

by: Jake - posted: 10/19/2009 3:31 PM -
Konami has announced not only the ship date for this years DanceDanceRevolution, but its full track list as well. The newest addition to the DDR family is set for release on October 27th for the Wii and PlaySation2. Also, for the full song list, just click here. [READ MORE]

We Will Rock You next week with Queen and The Offspring

by: John - posted: 10/16/2009 3:13 PM -
Queen's unleashing a great 10-track pack for Rock Band next week and that means I have to add more points into my MS points queue. 10 of their greatest hits will be available and they are as follows:
  • Another One Bites the Dust
  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love
  • Fat Bottomed Girls
  • I Want It All
  • I Want to Break Free
  • Killer Queen
  • One Vision
  • Somebody to Love
  • Tie Your Mother Down
  • Under Pressure
Cool, that means I don't have to pick up Guitar Hero 5 for Under Pressure. I love that song so I'm happy to see that and the others make it out next week.

Rock Band Unplugged will get a Blink-182 and The Offspring song for their game next week. They are:
  • The Rock Show - Blink-182
  • All I Want - The Offspring
[READ MORE]

News Roundup: dirty creepy Naughty gaming Zombies!

by: Nathan - posted: 10/16/2009 2:19 AM -