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Star Wars Pinball Interview
Article by: Charles Husemann
Chuck chats with the creative director from Zen Studios about the recently released Star Wars tables READ FULL ARTICLE...
I'm Over Starting Over
Article by: Randy Kalista
Randy has a restarting fetish. It's why he rarely finishes games. And that's got to stop. READ FULL ARTICLE...
I'm Over Starting Over
Article by: Randy Kalista
Randy has a restarting fetish. It's why he rarely finishes games. And that's got to stop. READ FULL ARTICLE...

Now Loading for the week of December 2, 2012: One Last Push Edition

by: Jeremy - posted: 12/3/2012 9:05 AM - Add a Comment
Here we are: the one last final push of releases for the 2012 Holiday Season! Things will get ridiculously quiet after this week, until at least February. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t new games coming, it just means that they will be spread out a lot more than we have seen in the past few months.

There are still some nice titles dropping into stores for those of you looking to pick up something for the gamer on your Holiday shopping list!

12/4/2012 12/5/2012

Plants vs. Zombies, now in trading card form

by: Russell - posted: 11/28/2012 12:45 PM - Add a Comment
With the success of Plants vs. Zombies, there's so many PvZ related items it makes you wonder "what will they think of next?"

Apparently trading cards.

Over at www.pvzstore.com you can now pick up Plants vs. Zombies trading cards.  You can get either a four pack bundle for $16 or a 24 pack retail box for around $79, with each pack consisting of 7 cards.  If you get a retail box you'll get all fifty base cards, all ten chase cards (such as scratch 'n' sniff, tattoo, and sticker cards), along with a press sheet and either a signature card OR a sketch card from original Plants vs. Zombies artist Rich Werner.

The prices listed above are good until November 30th and all profits will go to charity.

Final Walking Dead episode out next week

by: Chuck - posted: 11/15/2012 7:38 AM - Add a Comment
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the folks at Telltale have announced that the last episode of their amazing Walking Dead games will be released next week.  The PS3 version will be available for download on Tuesday, November 20th while all other platforms (PC, Xbox 360, and iOS) will get it the next day.  Titled No Time Left, the episode will conclude what is arguably one of the best series that Telltale has ever done.

Personally I bought a season pass when the game originally launched but have yet to finish the first episode as my plan is to just power through them over a few days.  Part of this was due to the giant influx of games but part of it was because I did not want to have to wait between episodes.  It looks like I now know what I'll be doing over after I finish my Thanksgiving dinner.

Xbox iOS apps convert to SmartGlass

by: Dan - posted: 11/8/2012 5:46 AM - Add a Comment
The folks on Android have had it for a while now, but iOS users finally got access to SmartGlass on Tuesday Nov 6th with the conversion of the old Xbox App into the new SmartGlass App.  The update is for both the iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch apps, and while we know what it was touted to do per the launch trailer, here is the list of everything you should expect:

• Navigate your Xbox 360 with swipe and tap
• Use your phone’s keyboard to type to your Xbox 360
• Browse the Internet on your Xbox 360 with full keyboard and zooming
• Play, pause, fast forward, rewind, and stop videos and music on your Xbox 360
• Search the full Xbox catalog of music, video, and games
• Enjoy rich, interactive experiences from select game and entertainment content creators
• Track and compare your achievements with your Xbox friends
• Change up your 3D avatar
• Message your Xbox friends
• Edit your Xbox profile

At this point, I am sure the app will need some fine tuning and we need more games with integration, but I like the idea behind it.

RUMOR: The Verge is reporting Microsoft is developing an Xbox Surface

by: John - posted: 11/6/2012 7:33 PM - Add a Comment
Microsoft's Surface tablet arrived a few weeks ago making it Microsoft's first foray into the tablet world dominated by Apple's iPad. But, Microsoft might not be stopping there. The Verge is reporting that they are secretly developing an Xbox Surface gaming tablet.

The Xbox Surface is supposedly a 7" tablet with hardware that's tailored towards gaming. The internals can change, but the initial design sounds like it will include a custom ARM processor. Going to an Intel solution isn't out of the question though. 

Talks are that several Xbox-related facilities are locked down and uses the similar hardware production process as the Surface tablets.

I picked up a Microsoft Surface on launch day and to be honest, I haven't fiddled with it that much. The OS doesn't seem to bad, but there aren't the apps to really pull me into it yet. I will say the Type keyboard is rather awesome on it. 

A 7" gaming specific tablet would be a big gamble for Microsoft. I don't know if there's a market for it, but provided this project doesn't get the canceled sign, we might be in for something of a surprise from them with this one. 

Would you consider carrying around a tablet that was game oriented? 

Get your Legos for cheap in the latest Amazon digital deal of the week

by: Travis - posted: 11/5/2012 11:00 AM - Add a Comment

 
The Lego Batman and Harry Potter games have received huge discounts this week over at Amazon's Digital Games store. The complete list of games include:
  • Lego Batman - $4.99
  • Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes - $7.49
  • Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 - $4.99
  • Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 - $4.99
Amazon is also offering a bundle of the games titled the The Harry Batman Pack, which is retailing for $13.99. All of the games are activated and downloaded through Steam. Also, don't forget that Lego Lord of the Rings releases next week on November 13 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Windows PC.

iOS 6.0.1 update is live this morning

by: Dan - posted: 11/2/2012 6:42 AM - Add a Comment
Apple released an update to iOS6 this morning primarily filled with bug fixes.  Ideally, there will be an update that isn’t announced that will help deal with the battery drain that many folks have seen since iOS 6.0 went live earlier this year.  In the meantime, here is a list of updates and bug fixes:

iOS 6.0.1 Software Update
•  Fixes a bug that prevents iPhone 5 from installing software updates wirelessly over the air
•  Fixes a bug where horizontal lines may be displayed across the keyboard
•  Fixes an issue that could cause camera flash to not go off
•  Improves reliability of iPhone 5 and iPod touch (5th generation) when connected to encrypted WPA2 Wi-Fi networks
•  Resolves an issue that prevents iPhone from using the cellular network in some instances
•  Consolidated the Use Cellular Data switch for iTunes Match
•  Fixes a Passcode Lock bug which sometimes allowed access to Passbook pass details from lock screen
•  Fixes a bug affecting Exchange meetings

 

The Walking Dead, coming to a retail disc near you

by: Nathaniel - posted: 10/22/2012 11:05 AM - Add a Comment
I think we all knew this was going to happen, and I'm sure many that distrust downloadable titles because they can't hide them under their mattress with their life savings are going to be thrilled that this is happening: The Walking Dead, previously only available via episodic download, is being prepped for a retail disc release.  

But that's not all, for the die-hards and completionists out there, The Walking Dead will receive an elaborate GameStop exclusive collector's edition appropriately titled The Walking Dead - Collector's Edition.  

The Walking Dead - Collector's Edition will feature The Walking Dead compendium One featuring cover art by Charlie Adlard that includes the first 48 issues of Robert Kirkman's comic book series, a collector's edition box with Charlie Adlard artwork, and the game disc featuring the entire first season including episodes 1 though 5.

If you just want the game minus all the extra goodies, you can get that for only $29.99.  The Walking Dead - Collector's Edition, meanwhile, will run you a still-very-reasonable $69.99.

For more details, follow the jump.

[READ MORE]

iOS x Borderlands 4ever

by: Nathaniel - posted: 10/22/2012 10:32 AM - Add a Comment
Gamesradar.com is reporting today that Borderlands will be made the cutest thing ever by virtue of simply being smaller than normal.  Or at least the device you'll play it on will be smaller than normal.  Apparently iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches will become the home for Borderlands Legends which will be out in October according to the alleged iPad advertisement in the Borderlands 2 Strategy Guide that you can see by looking down.
 
Borderlands Legends will star Roland, Lilith, Mordecai, and Brick - also known as the original cast of characters.  It will feature XP, the ability to level-up, 36 unique powers and abilities, Fight for your Life mode, and "thousands of different weapons."  It doesn't say whether those guns will be randomly generated or if the characters' action skills will return in some way, shape, or form.  Borderlands Legends will also feature a "strategic cover system" which is something big boy Borderlands and Borderlands 2 are definitely missing (not really).

So...thoughts?  Best idea ever?  Worst idea ever?  
 

First cinematic trailer released for Arcane Legends

by: Russell - posted: 10/11/2012 11:05 AM - Add a Comment
Spacetime Studios has released the first cinematic trailer for their upcoming mobile RPG game Arcane Legends.  The trailer features the three different character classes (Warrior, Rogue, and Mage) along with their loyal battle pet.  While party members can combine their abilities to create explosive combos with devastating effects and can specialize in certain skills as they level up, their pets will also engage in combat and perform various actions based on their skill sets and grant a unique bonus.  In other words, they're there to do more than just look cute and cuddly.

PSA: Woot having big Gunnar Gaming Glasses sale

by: Dan - posted: 10/9/2012 6:44 AM - Add a Comment
The folks at Woot are once again helping gamers with a  big sale.  This week, there is a whole load of Gunnar Gaming Glasses marked anywhere from 39% - 77% off.  There are a total of 10 styles still available, and you can head over to the Woot sale page here to take a look.


Angry Birds Star Wars formally announced

by: Dan - posted: 10/8/2012 5:32 PM - Add a Comment
After the hints being dropped last week, it comes with no great surprise that Rovio unveiled Angry Birds Star Wars today.  Not much was unveiled other than the Angry Birds will be Jedi and Rebels, while the Piggies will be the Empire (I know, shocking!)  Looking at the image, I think we nmay have a new bird or two, and at a minimum some new colors.  It also looks like we may have some Piggie Tie-Fighters and one big-ass Pig Star!

Check out the teaser screen and trailer below, and grab your copy on November 8th when its hits retails and mobile stores.



The Waking Dead is getting accolades

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 9/25/2012 4:04 PM - Add a Comment
After a less-than-spectacular Jurassic Park reboot, I was worried that Telltale Games had bitten off (heh) more than they could chew. Not so, as their episodic Walking Dead series has been scooping up praise from haunted gamers and critics alike. This trailer shows a few of the obligatory accolade quotes for Episode 3: Long Road Ahead, but Telltale isn't just bragging--Episode 4 is coming out just in time for Halloween next month, with Episode 5: No Time Left coming later this year. I'll probably hold out for the full five-part series that Telltale is promising. In any case, Walking Dead seems to suit Telltale better, as I think they are primarily storytellers as opposed to action developers.


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iOS 6 update day brings plethora of changes

by: Dan - posted: 9/20/2012 6:50 AM - Add a Comment
Yesterday was the day that Apple released iOS 6 for its iPhone and iPad devices.  With it comes tons of changes, most we already knew about, some we did not.  I like the maps update (switch from Google to Apple brand) and the new way to refresh your mail.  I haven’t had a chance to figure out how to work Passbook yet, but the logic appears to be sound behind its design.  Regardless, here is a comprehensive list from Apple of the updates:

iOS 6 Software Update, which contains over 200 new features, including the following:

•  Maps
  • Apple designed vector based maps
  • Turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions on  iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (2nd and 3rd generation)
  • Real-time traffic information
  • Flyover for photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major metro areas on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation), and iPod touch (5th generation)
  • Local search results with Yelp photos, ratings, reviews, and available deals
  •  Siri integration for requesting directions and finding places along a route
•  Siri improvements
  • Sports: scores, player stats, game schedules, team rosters, and league standings for baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey
  • Movies: trailers, showtimes, reviews and facts
  • Restaurants: reservations, reviews, photos and information
  • Send a Tweet
  • Post on Facebook
  • App launch
  • Eyes Free in supported automobiles
  • Local search available in Siri supported countries (availability may be limited during initial rollout)
  • Additional country and language support for Canada (English and Canadian French), China (Mandarin), Hong Kong (Cantonese), Italy (Italian), Korea (Korean), Mexico (Spanish), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (Italian, French, German), Taiwan (Mandarin), US (Spanish)
  • Supported on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation) and iPod touch (5th generation)
•  Facebook integration
  • Single sign-on from Settings
  • Post from Photos, Safari, Maps, App Store, iTunes, Game Center, Notification Center and Siri
  • Add location and choose audience for any post
  • View up-to-date Facebook profile photos and contact information in Contacts
  • View Facebook events and birthdays in Calendar
  • Like content and see your friends' Likes in App Store and iTunes Store
•  Shared Photo Streams
  • Share selected photos with the people you choose
  • Friends can view shared photos in Photos app, iPhoto and Apple TV
  • Friends can like and make comments on individual photos
•  Passbook
  • One place for boarding passes, store cards, movie tickets and other passes
  • Barcode display for boarding flights, buying coffee, getting into movies and other actions
  • Passes displayed on Lock Screen based on time or location
  • Passes can be automatically updated
  • Supported on iPhone and iPod touch
•  FaceTime improvements
  • FaceTime over cellular support for iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (3rd generation)
  • Receive FaceTime calls, sent to your iPhone number, on your iPad and iPod touch
•  Phone improvements
  • Do Not Disturb to suppress incoming calls and notifications
  • 'Reply with message' option when declining a call
  • 'Remind me later' option based on time or location when declining a call
•  Mail improvements
  • VIP mailbox to quickly access mail from important people
  • Flagged email mailbox
  • Insert photos and videos when composing email
  • Open password protected Office docs
  • Pull down to refresh mailboxes
  • Per account signatures
•  Safari improvements
  • iCloud tabs to see open pages on all your devices
  • Offline Reading List
  • Photo upload support
  • Full screen landscape view on iPhone and iPod touch
  • Smart app banners
  • JavaScript performance improvements
•  App Store and iTunes Store improvements
  • Updated store design
  • iTunes Preview history
  • Complete my season
  • Complete my album
•  Game Center improvements
  • Challenge friends to beat high scores and achievements
  • Post high-scores and achievements to Facebook and Twitter
  • Friend recommendations based on your Facebook friends
•  Accessibility improvements
  • Guided Access to limit device to one app or restrict touch input on certain areas of the screen
  • VoiceOver integration with Maps, AssistiveTouch and Zoom
  • Support for Made for iPhone Hearing Aids for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S
•  Improved privacy controls for Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Photos and data shared over Bluetooth
•  Reminders can be reordered in the Reminders app
•  Custom vibrations for alerts on iPhone
•  Clock app for iPad
•  Clock alarm with song
•  Search all fields in Contacts
•  Automatic movie mode for improved video sound quality
•  Definitions of a selected word for Chinese, French, German and Spanish
•  New keyboard layouts for French, German, Turkish, Catalan, Arabic and Icelandic
•  Keyboard shortcuts shared across devices via iCloud
•  Bluetooth MAP support
•  Global network proxy for HTTP
•  Features for China
  • Baidu web search
  • Sina Weibo integration
  • Share videos to Tudou
  • Share videos to Youku
  • Improved text input for handwriting and Pinyin
•  Bug fixes

Crazy Fairies gains new features including clans and tournaments

by: Travis - posted: 9/13/2012 8:00 PM - Add a Comment
The browser-based, cross-platform, and free-to-play Crazy Fairies from Spicy Horse Games has players selecting from various fairy tale characters and battling villains or other players in turn-based multiplayer matches. There are eight fairy tale characters available for selection, which range from Godfather Death to Master Cat. Characters can be customized with an assortment of weapons, armors, and other items that are purchasable through an in-game store.

In the past couple of weeks, the game has been receiving a wealth of new features that include clans, tournaments, and Deadeye mode that sets each player at level one along with level one equipment. The game can be accessed through the official Crazy Fairies website, Facebook, Kongregate, and Spicy World. Android and iOS versions are planned to be released later this year.

200 FREE copies of Unmechanical being given away Sunday, 9/16

by: Sean M - posted: 9/13/2012 4:04 PM - Add a Comment
Indie studio Talawa Games has just announced that they will be giving away 200 free copies of Unmechanical.

The giveaway, which is hosted on Steamgifts.com and can be found here, takes place on Sunday, September 16. The game itself is visually beautiful and reminiscent of some Tim Burton films (at least in my opinion) with great music to boot.

For more information, check out Travis's interview with Unmechanical developer Marko Permanto here.

Now Loading for the week of September 9, 2012: Hat Trick Edition

by: Jeremy - posted: 9/10/2012 9:14 AM - Add a Comment
If you are a gamer, you absolutely love Fall and this is why: the releases INSANE! This week is the perfect example of just how insane they can be. There is a little bit of everything launching this week across pretty much all platforms, and the best part is that next week is as big if not bigger!

What are you picking up?

9/11/2012 9/12/2012
  • Double Dragon NEON for Xbox Live Arcade
  • Red Johnson’s Chronicles: All Against One for Xbox Live Arcade
9/14/2012

Game Developers Choice Awards opens voting

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 8/30/2012 2:04 AM - Add a Comment
The third Annual Game Developers Choice Online Awards have opened online voting for the audience award. The show is in October, but the voting is open August 27th to September 14th. The voting pertains to online persistent games, including MMO, free-to-play titles. There's a lot of growth and innovation currently in that field, with previous winners including the phenomenally popular League of Legends, so it's always interesting to see what the audience award yields. In any case it's a lot more enjoyable than the TV-through-window-inducing Spike VGAs. Check out the list of nominees here. [READ MORE]

PAX 2012: BitFlip's Minion Master plans

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 8/30/2012 1:45 AM - Add a Comment
PAX Prime is a mere day away and publishers and developers are laying out their plans, vying for attention from the attendees. I like PAX because it's a place for indie studios, some really small and obscure, to get the attention they deserve. BitFlip is just such a studio, presenting their new card/strategy hybrid title Minion Master. There will be 6 stations at the BitFlip booth, with prizes including limited edition collector's cards and a chance to preorder the game at 25% off. Additionally, anyone who tweets #MinionMaster during the show will have the chance to be immortalized in the game. Now that's what I call dedicated game promotion. [READ MORE]

Archos set to release gaming tablet in Europe

by: Dan - posted: 8/29/2012 3:59 PM - Add a Comment
The folks at Archos announced today that they will be bringing a new gaming tablet to the European market late Summer/early Fall called the GamePad.  I have been visiting with them at CES the last few years and it has been interesting to follow them as the have evolved their tablet lineup all the way to the announcement of today’s hybrid gaming tablet.  Based on the specs and design, the GamePad appears to be after those core gamers than have jumped to the mobile gaming world, but love their traditional gaming controls. 

The GamePad will ship with Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream sandwich, with the 7” screen powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and an ARM Mali 400mp quad-core GPU.  There are dual analog sticks for precise gaming as well as auto game recognition and mapping tools to ensure the game compatibility.  It also looks to have 8 GB internal storage, HDMI video out, and microSD slot and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Although the design appears similar to what the Wii U is trying to pull off with its controller, the GamePad has over 1,000 games already compatible and access to over 10,000 total games via Google Play.  As a bonus, it can do anything a traditional Android tablet is capable of such as browsing the internet, mail, movies and more.  The GamePad will retail for less than 150 Euros (just under $190 U.S.) and have a European launch date near the end of October 2012.

I know the big question is will it be coming to the U.S..  Well, I spoke with representatives of ARCHOS this afternoon and they confirmed that the GamePad is also on its way to the U.S. market, but pricing and a release date were not available at this time.

Unreal Engine 3 ported to Windows 8 RT

by: John - posted: 8/29/2012 10:01 AM - Add a Comment
The Unreal Engine 3 is a staple in many games both desktop and mobile today. With the immanent release of Windows 8 RT and Windows 8, ASUS showed off the engine running on their just announced Windows 8 tablets in both Pro and RT version.

The RT version is powered by a Tegra 3 chip, which is pretty popular these days in Android tablets. Both Epic and NVIDIA worked together to bring the engine to life on the upcoming Microsoft OS. Seeing the engine in action, it's great that the new OS will have support from Epic and perhaps we'll see some great games coming to Windows 8 RT.

Gametel controller for smartphones hitting the U.S.

by: Dan - posted: 8/29/2012 6:21 AM - Add a Comment
Last January at the 2012 CES, Sean and I stopped by to check out the booth that Fructel had set up to show off their new Bluetooth controller, Gametel.  We spent about 30 minutes talking with the Fructel folks about the controller and played around with it paired up to my iPhone 4S and Sean’s Android phone.  It was extremely comfortable to hold and operate and fit both devices very well.

It looks like the Gametel Controller will finally be making it to the states, as the company announced this morning that it is now available on Amazon for $49.99.  The controller will work with well over 100 titles from both Apples App Store and Google’s Google Play.  Check out the Gametel at its product page, or purchase one directly from Amazon.

[READ MORE]

Steve Perlman was in, now he's out

by: John - posted: 8/28/2012 8:05 AM - Add a Comment
So, OnLive originally retained Steve Perlman as CEO when it had all its restructuring party. Well, it didn't last long as Steve is now "departing to work on his myriad of other project". In place will be Gary Lauder, the lead investor.

Talk about a hectic two weeks for the company. I was at the E3 booth in June and had a nice time talking one of the folks there. Who knew that a few months later, all this was going to go down. They had a huge booth too so that must have cost them a pretty penny.

What's next for OnLive? Time will tell and I wouldn't be surprised if we heard even more news in the coming weeks.

You can see Steve's last message before he departs the company here.

Thanks Engadget. [READ MORE]

Galaxy on Fire 2 arrives in boxed and digital versions for PC

by: Travis - posted: 8/22/2012 3:00 PM - Add a Comment
Fishlabs in collaboration with bitComposer Games have announced the arrival of Galaxy on Fire 2 Full HD for Windows PC. Originally released for iOS devices, Galaxy on Fire 2 has since launched on multiple platforms including Mac, Android smartphones and tablets (only devices that include the Tegra 2 chip), and BlackBerry PlayBook. The Full HD edition introduces brand new high resolution graphics for owners of the game on either PC or Mac.

I reviewed the Mac version after launch and found that various aspects of the game were well polished, but it lacked exciting or interesting content resulting in a lackluster gameplay experience. Galaxy on Fire 2 Full HD is available now for Windows PC with boxed and digital versions selling for $20. For a limited time, Origin is selling the game with a 20% discount from its original price. As well, the game is available on Steam.


[READ MORE]

Gamescom 2012: New Castlestorm screenshots released

by: Chuck - posted: 8/20/2012 6:09 AM - Add a Comment
It's interesting to see Zen Studios branch out from their line of pinball games into more interesting and diverse games.  Not are they actively working on Kickbeat but they also have Castlestorm in the development pipeline.  Zen describes the game as a "castle vs. castle physics based destruction, real-time strategy game" but to me the game plays a bit like a 2D version of Rampart but with a tower defense twist.  

I didn't see much of the game at E3 due to another journalist having to crash my appointment but the game does look interesting if only for the fantastic art style of the game.