2012 Video Games Thread

[mckerney]

Firaxis Re-Making XCOM: Enemy Unknown | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/05/firaxis-re-making-xcom-enemy-unknown/)

They're finally making a new XCom game!

[CrimsonFox]

Don't you threaten US with video games, Mister! :)

[Lonnie]

Is that a threat or a promise?

Awesome news indeed.

[spleen1015]

I want Firaxis to remake Alpha Centauri.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Awesome. Awesome news!

I have been waiting for this for well over a decade.

[spleen1015]

I do think this is good news, though.

[mckerney]

I want Firaxis to remake Alpha Centauri.

The rights to Alpha Centauri are owned by EA and Fixaris' is currently witk 2K as a publisher, so if there is a sequel or remake it won't be done by Firaxis.

[Matthean]

Sometime in 2010/2011 this was a rumor that went nowhere. Originally it was talked about why they skipped on Bioshock 2 was they wanted to do another X-Com game.

[EagleFan]

The rights to Alpha Centauri are owned by EA and Fixaris' is currently witk 2K as a publisher, so if there is a sequel or remake it won't be done by Firaxis.

parade pisser...

[chinaski]

errrr, um, hoooray!

[Honolulu_Blue]

This is going to blow. X-Com as a fps, with no strategic elements. Meh, grumpy old man mode initiated.

Did you read the article in the link? I don't think so.

Try this one:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/05/february-cover-revealed-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx


"The huge feature in February's Game Informer goes into all the gory details of XCOM's destructible tactical environments, the interaction between the real-time strategic view and the turn-based combat, how the XCOM organization improves its capabilities as the war rages on, and much more."

This aint no FPS. This is X-COM, baby. Real time strategic/global view and turn-based combat.

Sounds like plenty of strategic elements.

[chinaski]

Did you read the article in the link? I don't think so.

Try this one:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/01/05/february-cover-revealed-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx


"The huge feature in February's Game Informer goes into all the gory details of XCOM's destructible tactical environments, the interaction between the real-time strategic view and the turn-based combat, how the XCOM organization improves its capabilities as the war rages on, and much more."

This aint no FPS. This is X-COM, baby. Real time strategic/global view and turn-based combat.

Sounds like plenty of strategic elements.


hahah, yea... I was thinking about the *other* X-Com game being worked on. This is good news indeed!

[cartman]

Some screen shots of the upcoming South Park RPG. Looks just like the TV show.

South Park RPG Looks Like South Park | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/06/south-park-rpg-looks-like-south-park/?sp)

It’s to be small parties and side-on combat, with classes chosen from fighter, mage, thief, cleric and Jew.

[mckerney]

An Exciting List Of PC Games For 2012 | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/04/an-exciting-list-of-pc-games-for-2012/)

I don't know how I missed this, but another Thief game is in the works and it's being done by the same studio that made Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Hopefully they've learned their lesson about boss battles.

[DeToxRox]

Report: BOTH New Xbox and PS4 Will Be Shown At E3 - Games News at IGN (http://games.ign.com/articles/121/1215948p1.html)

A supposed informed source saying that PS4 and Xbox 720 will be shown off at E3 this year.

[jeff061]

An Exciting List Of PC Games For 2012 | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/04/an-exciting-list-of-pc-games-for-2012/)

I don't know how I missed this, but another Thief game is in the works and it's being done by the same studio that made Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Hopefully they've learned their lesson about boss battles.

Eidos Montreal admits Deus Ex boss error - Edge Magazine (http://www.next-gen.biz/news/eidos-montreal-admits-deus-ex-boss-error)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Firaxis Re-Making XCOM: Enemy Unknown | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/05/firaxis-re-making-xcom-enemy-unknown/)

They're finally making a new XCom game!

Some more info on this and a screenshot:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/01/09/first-screens-and-details-of-xcom-enemy-unknown.aspx

Wasn't there another XCOM game?
Yes, 2K Marin is developing a previously announced first-person shooter, simply called XCOM. That game was originally scheduled to come out last year, but has since been delayed out of 2011.

How do those games relate to each other?
The shooter takes place earlier in the fiction, chronicling the aliens' first attacks in the United States. The strategy game we're talking about here deals with the global response to the later full-blown alien invasion of Earth.

So this is some kind of RTS?
No, not in the way the term "RTS" typically applies to games like StarCraft. The real-time element of XCOM is confined to the global view, where the player keeps track of known UFOs and abductions going on around the world. Managing research and development at the XCOM organization's secret base can be done at the player's leisure, and all combat is completely turn-based.

You switch between real-time and turn-based?
Yes. When your aerial transport lands at an abduction site, the game switches to a tactical view and you command your squad of personalized soldiers in battle against an unknown alien threat.

So what do you do in the real-time global view?
On the strategic layer, players direct research into alien technology, give their engineers and foundries fabrication requests, interact with the nations of the world (who have to be mollified to secure funding for XCOM), intercept airborne UFOs with jet fighters, level up their soldiers and recruit new ones, and dispatch the Skyranger transport to engage alien incursions on the ground.

Is this a remake of the original?
Kind of. Re-imagining is probably a better term. Firaxis' XCOM: Enemy Unknown doesn't directly copy the underlying game systems – for instance, soldiers have different stats than they did in the 1994 original – but the concepts are still here. Players still have to manage multiple resources and threats on a global scale in a seemingly hopeless war against extraterrestrial forces with far better technology and capabilities.

Is this going to be dumbed down for the "wider console audience"?
Firaxis is undeniably streamlining aspects of the game and removing no small amount of micromanagement, but from what I've seen I wouldn't call it "dumbing down" the game so much as getting rid of tedium and uninteresting mechanics. Soldiers still die permanently, fog of war and line of sight are hugely important in combat, and you absolutely can lose the game if you screw up too badly.

Does it look awesome?
I came away from our visit to Firaxis' studio extremely impressed by XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The project is far from done, but I am personally thrilled at the prospect of playing the final game.

[mckerney]

XCOM Remake: Screens, Details, Worries | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/09/xcom-remake-screens-details-worries)

OK, here we go. Brace for impact. Barricade yourself in your home. An American magazine has just put the first screenshots of the XCOM remake ‘reimaginging’, some teasy details, plus the vital answers to to whether it’s linked to the XCOM shooter and if it’s been… altered for consoles.

Good news! Well, ish.

Two key things to stuff in your head first:

1) “The shooter takes place earlier in the fiction, chronicling the aliens’ first attacks in the United States. The strategy game we’re talking about here deals with the global response to the later full-blown alien invasion of Earth.”

Which is why the aliens on show look like lanky G-Men rather than trad. X-COM baddies, I guess. (Pure speculation here, but I bet that hints at some kind of multiplayer, with an even humans vs human-likes playing field).

2) “Firaxis is undeniably streamlining aspects of the game and removing no small amount of micromanagement, but from what I’ve seen I wouldn’t call it “dumbing down” the game so much as getting rid of tedium and uninteresting mechanics.”

Uh. Um. Aaargh. I’ll reserve judgement until that’s clarified, but “tedium and uninteresting mechanics?” What tedium and uninteresting mechanics? You don’t throw that kind of vague insult at such a revered game unless you’re fully prepared for angry consequences from the internet or you just have no idea what kind of fire you’re playing with. That’s the magazine writer summarising the game as he sees it rather than the devs’ line, so hopefully they’d explain things less dismissively and in detail rather than generalisations. Yeah, there’s a fair bit of annoying/outdated interface stuff in the original but that sounds like features being thrown out wholesale. I am okay with that in theory – Firaxis are seasoned strategy devs, after all – but I want to know what and why rather than be left to worry what “streamlining” means.

By way of reassurance, there’s “Soldiers still die permanently, fog of war and line of sight are hugely important in combat, and you absolutely can lose the game if you screw up too badly”, but, well, the micromanagement was always a big part of X-COM. I want to micromanage! I like micromanaging! Micromanagement is my middle name! (Or I wish it was, anyway. My real middle names are far more embarrassing. Yes, ‘names.’ Sigh).

Also confirmed: global management view, soldier levelling, interceptions, managing R&D, chasing funding, more. So the major ingredients are there – it’s a matter of which minor ones have been thrown out in order to make XUO gamepad-friendly, I guess. Worried! Also, hopeful. But worried. Worriedly hopeful.

The screens I just find confusing. They don’t much evoke X-COM in either aesthetic or interface, but then I didn’t want a straight retread anyway. The use of 3D terrain (terrain! This is like 2002 all over again) and cover is promising on a tactical level, I like the bulky body armour look, and there’s a reasonable amount of info scattered around the screen without taking up too much real estate. The base appears to be a full-fat base but in 3D, which I like – I want to explore my home as well as build it. There’s a lot to be excited about in there, but on the whole. I just don’t know what to make of it yet: I need more screens and a video. And a lie down.

More details and full-size versions of the screens at the magazine’s website.

No matter what, at least it’s not a shooter – this new XCOM really is a turn-based strategy game with a real-time management view. We didn’t think that was ever going to happen.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I know a ton of people love "Rock Paper Shotgun", but I find almost everything written on that site to be close to incomprehensible. I am not sure if it's the language barrier (them being British, but I've read a ton of stuff written by Brits and watched plenty of Brit TV/movies and have never had this problem) or just the style folks adapt. I am not fan of that site at all.

That said, there are pently of things to be "worried" about regarding the XCOM re-imganing or whatever the hell you want to call it. I do believe that it's a bit early to start now based on a couple of screen shots and some vague comments.

The original XCOM remains one of my favorite games ever. It's still on my PC. That said, it could use some streamlining in places, such as, for example, not having to re-equip your guys after each mission. It would be nice if the game saved your preferred load out for each soldier (assuming they survive) and just re-ammoed them (to the extent you have sufficient ammo).

[Vince, Pt. II]

The original XCOM remains one of my favorite games ever. It's still on my PC. That said, it could use some streamlining in places, such as, for example, not having to re-equip your guys after each mission. It would be nice if the game saved your preferred load out for each soldier (assuming they survive) and just re-ammoed them (to the extent you have sufficient ammo).

A million times this.

I also agree that it's far too early to get reasonably worried. While I don't think they should change much, I wouldn't mind at all if they streamlined the "Manufacture cheap crap to sell on the black market to stay in the black" mechanic from the original. I loved the IDEA of having to come up with ways other than mindlessly relying on funding from the countries of the world every month for cash, but it quickly got to be a mindless repetition of how many Laser Rifles/Laser Cannons you could pump out to keep your coffers full.

[mckerney]

A game made 17 years ago could certainly use some UI upgrades and improvements to make play easier, the problem is that usually when "streamlining" and "reducing micromanaging" are used it's a nice way for the devs to say they're dumbing it down and cutting features. Too early to tell that this will be the case with X-Com, and I wouldn't expect that out of Firaxis at this point, but those phrases are never good to hear.

[Atocep]

and I wouldn't expect that out of Firaxis at this point

Did you play Civ 5 out of the box? :D

I'd rather see a full remake than a re-imagining that dumbs the game down. This is the game I've been waiting a decade for so I'm going to be nervous about the screwing it up until I get the chance to play it and see for myself.

I hope Firaxis realizes that this is something fans have been waiting a long time for and it'd be stupid to burn bridges between them and the fans in order to make the game "more accessible" for the console audience.

[MJ4H]

Anyone played Q.U.B.E.? Looks pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lacW1uOJ2oc&feature=BFa&list=SP32DAF66D99FCA8BA&lf=list_related

I'm interested to see if it has decent graphics options for lower end specs before I buy it, so if anyone has tried it, I'd love to know about that stuff. This type game is right up my alley. Lots of Portal influence here it looks like.

[gstelmack]

I'd rather see a full remake than a re-imagining that dumbs the game down.

Then what would you have them do exactly, just pretty up the graphics? You can download and play the original on Steam right now.

[BrianD]

Then what would you have them do exactly, just pretty up the graphics? You can download and play the original on Steam right now.

For those of us who have never played XCom and would like to experience it, what would be the Steam option to go with? There appear to be 5 individual options and a collection pack. Are all 5 worth playing? Is there a definitive one to play?

[gstelmack]

For those of us who have never played XCom and would like to experience it, what would be the Steam option to go with? There appear to be 5 individual options and a collection pack. Are all 5 worth playing? Is there a definitive one to play?

X-COM: UFO Defense: X-COM: UFO Defense on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/7760/)

Interceptor and Enforcer are not strategy games, they are a "flight" sim and an FPS respectively (I think that's right). Apocalypse and Terror from the Deep are real sequels, but start with UFO Defense, the original.

[Groundhog]

X-COM: UFO Defense: X-COM: UFO Defense on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/7760/)

Interceptor and Enforcer are not strategy games, they are a "flight" sim and an FPS respectively (I think that's right). Apocalypse and Terror from the Deep are real sequels, but start with UFO Defense, the original.

Warning: You will die. A lot. :D

[Honolulu_Blue]

X-COM: UFO Defense: X-COM: UFO Defense on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/7760/)

Interceptor and Enforcer are not strategy games, they are a "flight" sim and an FPS respectively (I think that's right). Apocalypse and Terror from the Deep are real sequels, but start with UFO Defense, the original.

I never played Apocalypse, but I would avoid "Terror from the Deep." It's a horrible sequel. Just awful.

Just stick to X-COM: UFO Defense. That's all you'll need.

[CrimsonFox]

An Exciting List Of PC Games For 2012 | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/04/an-exciting-list-of-pc-games-for-2012/)

I don't know how I missed this, but another Thief game is in the works and it's being done by the same studio that made Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Hopefully they've learned their lesson about boss battles.

Everyone and their mother has made fun of the Thief 4 logo....that it's spelt

T H I 4 F

:D

But oh man I can't wait for it. The first 2 are my favorite games ever.

[Tasan]

For some XCOM:TFTD action, see this http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=73741

[sterlingice]

Warning: You will die. A lot. :D

I hate to say it, but it's a game where you should read the FAQ as you are playing or you will get snowed under. Even better is when you get in a 5~10 hour death spiral where you don't realize that it's already checkmate until you get much closer to the end. It's from an unforgiving era of gaming.

SI

[Vince, Pt. II]

I hate to say it, but it's a game where you should read the FAQ as you are playing or you will get snowed under. Even better is when you get in a 5~10 hour death spiral where you don't realize that it's already checkmate until you get much closer to the end. It's from an unforgiving era of gaming.

SI

"Nintendo hard."

[Groundhog]

I don't think I've ever re-loaded a game as much as I have X-Com. Even games like HL/FO3 etc. where I save/load a fair bit (usually after doing something stupid).

[Marc Vaughan]

X-COM: UFO Defense: X-COM: UFO Defense on Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/7760/)

Interceptor and Enforcer are not strategy games, they are a "flight" sim and an FPS respectively (I think that's right). Apocalypse and Terror from the Deep are real sequels, but start with UFO Defense, the original.

My therapist warned me about people like you, dangling my addictions in front of me ... enabling a relapse ... I won't give in damn it, I've been free for years now ....

Well maybe just one short burst won't hurt ;)

[whomario]

very long but worthwile read over at grantland on Madden/video sports games today (and tomorrow): Tom Bissell on the making of 'Madden NFL' - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7473139/tom-bissell-making-madden-nfl)

[Matthean]

Got into the Path of Exile(F2P hack 'n' slash) beta. I give it a solid thumbs up so far. Patch number is 0.9.5h with 0.9.6 coming soon. Still some technical issues to be hammered out, but for the most part it plays fine.

[Matthean]

Done with Act I. I figured out how to get past the one thing that was annoying the hell out of me. I felt like hanging my head in shame after I did since it was so logical of an answer. The game could run smoother, but it's still in beta. This has potential to surpass Titan's Quest for me. I would say it's past Torchlight, but that had near zero depth to it due to how quickly they made the game. So far there are only two acts and then higher diff settings.

[Lonnie]

I signed up for the beta for Path of Exile back in September after seeing the Total Biscuit WTF, still haven't heard anything yet.

[DeToxRox]

Resident Evil 6 Trailer

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BmC1lZeQad4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mckerney]

Level playthrough of Monaco.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NtpLP4_losA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Matthean]

I signed up for the beta for Path of Exile back in September after seeing the Total Biscuit WTF, still haven't heard anything yet.

I have a key to give so I will PM it to you.

[CleBrownsfan]

very long but worthwile read over at grantland on Madden/video sports games today (and tomorrow): Tom Bissell on the making of 'Madden NFL' - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7473139/tom-bissell-making-madden-nfl)

One of the Madden devs I spoke to still remembers 2K5's day of sneak-attack infamy: "It scared the hell out of us." NFL Gameday proved an arguably tougher opponent (from the same dev who was scared by ESPN NFL 2K5: "We were always nervous about Gameday. We wanted to crush them"), in that it was a PlayStation exclusive and had all of Sony's considerable resources backing its development. In 2005, the Madden franchise outmaneuvered its rivals by securing an exclusivity deal with the league, effectively putting every other pro-football game out of business. :banghead: :rant: :banghead:

[MizzouRah]

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Demo

Anyone download this yet? I hope to get some time with it tonight and was wondering what anyone thought.

[hoopsguy]

I signed up for the beta for Path of Exile back in September after seeing the Total Biscuit WTF, still haven't heard anything yet.

Same boat for me. Good to hear that someone from here made it into the beta and is enjoying the experience.

I played the heck out of Titan Quest, considerably less Torchlight. But I'm looking forward to Path of Exile, Torchlight 2, or Diablo 3 whenever one of these companies gets around to releasing their games.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

is the xcom remake a shell of the original? kinda starting to feel like it..

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/20/gollop-gossips-about-the-new-xcom/

[Atocep]

is the xcom remake a shell of the original? kinda starting to feel like it..

Gollop Gossips About The New XCOM | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/20/gollop-gossips-about-the-new-xcom/)

Game Informer's preview was really positive. They're designing the camera to work similar to how it worked with Dragon Age: Origins. Because of hardware limitations console players will have a closer camera perspective while PC players will have the choice to go zoomed out like the original was or they can zoom in and play like the console players.

They made some minor changes to the disk of death alien, but it it's actually adding abilities rather than removing them. Outside of that it really sounds like Firaxis is trying to streamline things rather than dumbing them down.

This is the game I've been waiting for since I played the original many years ago so I'm incredibly worried that they're going to screw things up, but so far Rock, Paper, Shotgun has been the only place I've seen that's been really negative about it so far.

[Lonnie]

I have a key to give so I will PM it to you.

Highly ironic that after five months of waiting, as soon as you PMd me a key I also got an email that I was invited to the Beta.

So I didn't use your key and you can use it for someone else, maybe hoopsguy.

[Matthean]

Same boat for me. Good to hear that someone from here made it into the beta and is enjoying the experience.

I played the heck out of Titan Quest, considerably less Torchlight. But I'm looking forward to Path of Exile, Torchlight 2, or Diablo 3 whenever one of these companies gets around to releasing their games.

Since Lonnie got his invite, I'll pass you the code.

Highly ironic that after five months of waiting, as soon as you PMd me a key I also got an email that I was invited to the Beta.

So I didn't use your key and you can use it for someone else, maybe hoopsguy.

Sweet. I got my main up to level 23. I finally died and maybe possible errors in my build prevented me from killing something(lack of DPS). I had a high level join me and he smacked it in one hit. I've had numerous close calls, but for the most part there have been few deaths. I'm playing a ranger. As always, if you get caught, you can get screwed. I have one of everything but my witch is in the hardcore league. I may reroll to the default league. There is currently two acts but four difficulty settings so you will repeat content a lot. The maps for Act II are huge though. Instances reset after 15 minutes of being empty. Note, this means your portal can go away if you play around in town too long. I died and didn't see a waypoint so I had a long walk back to where I wanted to and the previous area was already reset. I'm getting to the point where I don't really have much of any complaints, but the chat system needs work.

FYI, Without_Pause is my main but I can list my others if need be. I'm mostly sticking with the one until they "complete" the game but can switch if need be.

[hoopsguy]

Thanks for passing that key along, downloading the beta now.

[mckerney]

Report: Microsoft Points Will Be Phased Out | News & Opinion | PCMag.com (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399281,00.asp)

Microsoft is preparing to discontinue Microsoft Points, the virtual currency used to buy content on the Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live, according to a report.

Inside Mobile Apps reports that Microsoft will be scrapping its Points system in favor of real currencies - pounds sterling in the United Kingdom, for example, or dollars in the United States. Microsoft hasn't commented on what it calls rumors and speculation.

The transition will take place at the end of 2012, according to the site.

[Big Fo]

I should be playing A House Divided (the Victoria II expansion) right now but it got delayed until February 2 due to some kind of distribution issue. And Crusander Kings 2 was pushed back a week as well.

[mckerney]

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Demo

Anyone download this yet? I hope to get some time with it tonight and was wondering what anyone thought.

Finally got my video card today so trying this out tonight.

[mckerney]

Steam key giveaway, Serious Sam: The First Encounter 2C9JZ-4DI4I-VA0Z9

[stevew]

Thanks, i've always been curious about the series.

[MJ4H]

Serious Sam Double D's youtube trailer is an absolute must watch.

I've probably posted it before, but man is it awesome.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LAvyj-3PNIE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mckerney]

And here's a Steam key for Double D.

66FNX-2YRNQ-2HQL3

[chinaski]

And here's a Steam key for Double D.

66FNX-2YRNQ-2HQL3

Grabbed it, thanks much!

[MizzouRah]

This might be the first Tiger Woods game I've purchased since the 360 came out.

TW 13 - Kinect

Kinect for Xbox 360 Integration (http://www.ea.com/tiger-woods/1/kinect-integration)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJlr5JU01g

[CrimsonFox]

Thanks, i've always been curious about the series.


It's a game on crack! Always loved the first one! :)

[CrimsonFox]

This might be the first Tiger Woods game I've purchased since the 360 came out.

TW 13 - Kinect

Kinect for Xbox 360 Integration (http://www.ea.com/tiger-woods/1/kinect-integration)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJlr5JU01g


I bet the kinect version of a golf game is every bit as fristrating and artery-popping as a real life game of golf.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Pretty heavy backlash in the gaming community over this MS720 leak. I'm guessing they'll back off the used game stance at some level.

Sources: The Next Xbox Will Play Blu-Ray, May Not Play Used Games (And Will Introduce Kinect 2) (http://kotaku.com/5879202/sources-the-next-xbox-will-play-blu+ray-may-not-play-used-games-and-will-introduce-kinect-2)

[Ryan S]

Pretty heavy backlash in the gaming community over this MS720 leak. I'm guessing they'll back off the used game stance at some level.

I would be shocked if the 720 blocked used games. Assuming the 720 and the new PS are released at a similar time, it would give Sony a huge selling point for their system (as long as they don't copy Microsoft)

[mckerney]

Rayman: Origins Coming To PC, DRM Free | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/26/rayman-origins-coming-to-pc-drm-free/)

Well here’s a thing. The absolutely superb platformer, Rayman: Origins, is making its way from console to the PC on the 30th March. Michael “Beyond Good & Evil” Ancel returned to the 2D side-scroller he created, and the result is genuinely splendid. You can pre-order it now at the UbiShop for £20, which is half the price it launched at on 360 and PS3 (although the price most places are selling it at by now). Of course, the big question is: Woah, Ubi, what DRM will it come with? We’ve asked, can tell you that the digital download versions will only have a one-time activation, and retail copies, according to Ubi, will have “no DRM at all”.

Excited for this one, great to have another good platformer coming out on PC this year with Dustforce already released also.

[Big Fo]

It's not just used games. It'd be lame if you couldn't bring your disc over to a friend/relative's place and play over there for a bit. I think this rumor will prove to be false.

edit: and Rayman: Origins is quite good indeed.

[mckerney]

I played through the Kingdoms of Amalur demo and it was enjoyable but probably not something I'll be buying anytime soon. Not for someone who's looking for an indepth RPG, and if you're buying it on PC make sure you have a 360 pad as the keyboard and mouse controls are dreadful.

It feels a lot like Fable to me. The combat is good and the story seems like it could be interesting. As far as the open world aspect i couldn't really tell too much from the demo, but it doesn't have a traditional open world type feel to it from what I saw. Seemed like towns connected through outdoor hallways. Kingdoms of Amalur didn't feel like something that's going to pull me away from Skyrim though when it still feels like I have plenty to do even 80 hours in.

[mckerney]

It's not just used games. It'd be lame if you couldn't bring your disc over to a friend/relative's place and play over there for a bit. I think this rumor will prove to be false.

edit: and Rayman: Origins is quite good indeed.

If they do prevent playing used games I'd think it would be a system where the game comes with a code that gets tied to an account, so as long as you were able to sign into your account on a friends system you'd be able to take it over to their house to play.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I think this rumor will prove to be false.

Very doubtful this is a rumor. I think Bill Harris hit the nail on the head when he said this is likely a trial balloon of sorts by Microsoft to see how users react before they make a firm decision on what they will and will not restrict.

[oykib]

This buy 65% of a game and then we'll dole out the rest as DLC over the next few months is bad enough. If this rumor becomes reality, M$ can forget about my gaming dollar.

[MikeVic]

My gaming has gone down a ton in the last 5-7 years, and I pretty much only play used games except for maybe a game or two a year. If there was some sort of used game restriction, I'd pretty much be done with gaming.

[MizzouRah]

I bet the kinect version of a golf game is every bit as fristrating and artery-popping as a real life game of golf.

:D

[MizzouRah]

My gaming has gone down a ton in the last 5-7 years, and I pretty much only play used games except for maybe a game or two a year. If there was some sort of used game restriction, I'd pretty much be done with gaming.

It's media BS to get everyone talking about the x720.. there is no way in hell that will fly.

[sterlingice]

Hell, sounds as much like a Sony trial balloon as a Microsoft one

SI

[SackAttack]

Comment someone made at another site seemed plausible; the Online Pass, or Project $15, or whatever you want to call it...you know how that's been proliferating with the various studios, and you have to input a code to unlock your multiplayer (or included mission/character/whatever)?

It's not likely that the next Xbox or PlayStation are going to slam the door on used games for all of the reasons that have been cited - making someone buy a new copy of the game to play at a friend's house would never fly, and there would likely be lawsuits (from rental places, if nobody else) on fair use grounds.

But taking the Online Pass/Project $15 and bringing that all under one umbrella so that the system automatically activates those things for new copies would make sense. It would cut down on the number of unique 25-character codes needed for Xbox Live redemption, for example, and it would streamline things for the consumer. Does anybody really think the Online Pass is going away at this point? If that's a given, doesn't it make more sense for the system to handle that aspect of things automatically instead of going "where the $*#! did I put the manual so I can input that code"?

[cartman]

I bet the kinect version of a golf game is every bit as fristrating and artery-popping as a real life game of golf.

Based on how it is in Kinect Sports Season 2, this is a resounding YES! :)

[frnk55]

Any thoughts on King Arthur 2? I see it unlocks in about 2 hours. I've never played the first one and this one looks kinda cool.
Oh crap I see there is a demo for it. Must try it out.

[bhlloy]

King Arthur was a really really good game that was insanely hard but fun. I think I started five or six times over and never got close to finishing it. Probably the most value I've got out of any game in the last five years.

If they tweaked the balance a little bit and left most of the rest of the game alone I'd definitely purchase it. Excited to check this one out.

[SackAttack]

Damn. Apparently MLB 12: the Show is going to utilize cloud saving capabilities to make franchise/road to the show carry over between the PS3 and the Vita.

While I have a feeling that some of the bugs from MLB 10 that kept me from buying MLB 11 will still be present, that alone might get me to cave and buy 12.

[mckerney]

Xbox 720 Spec Leaks - What if The GPU Rumours Are True? (http://www.nowgamer.com/columns/nowgamer-team-blog/1220630/xbox_720_spec_leaks_what_if_the_gpu_rumours_are_true.html)

Xbox 720 rumours have been spreading like a bad rash, and the current favourite is that the Xbox 720’s GPU is due to be derived from, or close to an AMD Radeon 6670.

Hopefully it ends up with a better GPU than that.

[Scoobz0202]

I'd be curious to know what type of card previous systems used in comparison to where the state of GPUs were at the time. I mean, it's a tested card that should be reliable. Would hate to see them throw something new in there and it complete fuck up and be RRoD v2.

[Matthean]

Got through normal difficulty setting with a guy in Path of Exile. What stuff is there I like a lot. They need to add a lot before I can say more though. Next update is Soon(tm) and the three after that will help form what goes live. The base of the game feels rather solid to me. I just hope the rest polishes it off nicely.

[MizzouRah]

Kingdoms of Amalur coming out on Tuesday, I can't wait.

[spleen1015]

Kingdoms of Amalur coming out on Tuesday, I can't wait.

Curt Schilling was on the NFL stations on XM this morning talking about this. I might have to pick it up.

[MizzouRah]

Curt Schilling was on the NFL stations on XM this morning talking about this. I might have to pick it up.

He's been everywhere promoting.. I think he's on X-PLAY tonight.

I love the demo.. the combat alone is worth the price of admission, imho.

[Groundhog]

Decided to use my 33% off Valve voucher on Steam by finally picking up Portal 2. Went into the game screen and ... discovered I already owned it?! Sheesh. I have no recollection of ever purchasing that game.

[hoopsguy]

Got through normal difficulty setting with a guy in Path of Exile. What stuff is there I like a lot. They need to add a lot before I can say more though. Next update is Soon(tm) and the three after that will help form what goes live. The base of the game feels rather solid to me. I just hope the rest polishes it off nicely.

Just got into Act 2 on Normal last night, been playing it in spurts. The storyline hasn't felt particularly epic up to this point, but I thought they did a good job building mood with the scenery and music as I got near the end of Act 1.

I've barely kicked the tires in terms of trying stuff out in the game. I have almost completely neglected the passives, have only played my initial character, and just recently switched from ranged to melee builds to see how I liked them. So hard for me to give a fair "review" of the game because my overall play has been narrow, relatively speaking.

[Matthean]

Just got into Act 2 on Normal last night, been playing it in spurts. The storyline hasn't felt particularly epic up to this point, but I thought they did a good job building mood with the scenery and music as I got near the end of Act 1.

I've barely kicked the tires in terms of trying stuff out in the game. I have almost completely neglected the passives, have only played my initial character, and just recently switched from ranged to melee builds to see how I liked them. So hard for me to give a fair "review" of the game because my overall play has been narrow, relatively speaking.

Patch 0.9.6 is coming next week with 100-150 new passives. Seriously. :lol: I think this is why people don't even try to recommend builds. I am looking at rebuilding my ranger based on what I know but that's about it. I don't think there is much of a storyline yet because even the ending is a placeholder.

Act II has huge maps so you might want to look up the map on the beta forums to help with that.

[jeff061]

Hmm, I seem to have been invited to the Diablo 3 beta. Surprised me, I'm not a voracious Blizzard player. Some SC2, but nothing else. Are they common?

Anyways, didn't have a lot of interest in the game but will still check it out.

[CrimsonFox]

Decided to use my 33% off Valve voucher on Steam by finally picking up Portal 2. Went into the game screen and ... discovered I already owned it?! Sheesh. I have no recollection of ever purchasing that game.

if you haven't played the 2 player version yet, I'm still looking to play that with someone :)

[MizzouRah]

This came out awhile back.. but it's a good video to see what Kingdoms of Amalur is all about.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/119/1192713p1.html

[MizzouRah]

KOA

IGN Live Presents: Reckoning and Twisted Metal - Games Feature at IGN (http://games.ign.com/articles/121/1217519p1.html)

Live streaming the game at 1 PM CST today and releasing the IGN review.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

KOA

IGN Live Presents: Reckoning and Twisted Metal - Games Feature at IGN (http://games.ign.com/articles/121/1217519p1.html)

Live streaming the game at 1 PM CST today and releasing the IGN review.

Live streaming of Twisted Metal is at 3:00 PM CST. That's the one I'm looking forward to seeing.

[MizzouRah]

The IGN video review showed after the live stream and KOA received a 9.0 and was called, "amazing".. 38 studios has my money.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dropped by Gamestop yesterday to look at games with my daughter. Got a chance to play the PS Vita demo model. Didn't play more than a few minutes. Two things I noticed right away......

-Model is much lighter than it looks. Was really surprised by it compared to the PSP weight.
-Dual analog really helps with ease of gameplay. Makes the PSP seem really antiquated in comparison. I'm guessing any ports from PS3 to Vita should be helped quite a bit by the control change.

[MizzouRah]

It's almost here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lhzDkaKi1w

[Big Fo]

I love some of the new additions in the Victoria 2 expansion. The added information on election year events, being able to tell your units to hunt down rebels automatically, excess influence working against the efforts of other nations influencing countries in your sphere, etc. I'm about 2/3 of the way through my first game and really enjoying it.

[Matthean]

Patch notes for PoE build 0.9.6 are up. Ice got the obvious nerf. Lightning and fire got a little bit of love but lightning got a touch more. A number of new passives and such. They condensed the passives a bit so there isn't literally 100-150 new ones. I like a number of the specifically named ones. Patch notes are in the general forum so there's no need to be secretive about it.

[spleen1015]

It's almost here..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lhzDkaKi1w

I played the demo over the weekend and I really liked what I saw. I like the way this game looks better than Skyrim. I prefer more cartoony, bright colors and not the more realistic looking, dull colors that are in Skyrim.

I won $75 with my 0-9 square in the Super Bowl pool last night to pay for this game tomorrow. :D

[MizzouRah]

I played the demo over the weekend and I really liked what I saw. I like the way this game looks better than Skyrim. I prefer more cartoony, bright colors and not the more realistic looking, dull colors that are in Skyrim.

I won $75 with my 0-9 square in the Super Bowl pool last night to pay for this game tomorrow. :D

I'm with you.. and I won $35 with our square football pool last night. :)

[DataKing]

Anyone else looking forward to SSX at the end of the month? I played Tricky a ton...definitely looking forward to a long-overdue reboot.

[mckerney]

From the latest update on the Dota 2 blog,

<i>We are working on a new update process that will allow us to build new features while minimizing the risk of destabilizing the game for everyone. To achieve this we are creating a new version of the game specifically for testing purposes. Everyone that has access to Dota 2 will find the new test version in their Steam games library, under the name “Dota 2 Test”. Instead of releasing the new content directly to Dota 2 each week, we will put it on this Test version first, where we’ll be monitoring it for any glaring issues. The week afterwards, we will update Dota 2 with the previous week’s Test version (while also releasing more new content in the Test).</i>

Valve has done what I never though possible, they've created a beta version of a beta version of a game.

[Matthean]

In Psychonauts 2 news.

Basically Tim Schafer recently talked to Digital Spy (http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a363781/psychonauts-2-pitched-several-times-says-tim-schafer.html) mentioning how he'd "love to do that game, but I'd have to convince someone to just give me a few million dollars, that's all."

Which lead to Rock Paper Shotgun (https://twitter.com/#%21/rockpapershot/status/166822537869787137) doing a story on it and tweeting about it.

To which Markus "Notch" Persson, creator of Minecraft, tweets in reply "How many millions exactly?" (https://twitter.com/#%21/notch/status/166832955677884416) followed by a tweet to Tim Schafer's twitter account @TimOfLegend Let's make Psychonauts 2 happen. (https://twitter.com/#%21/notch/status/166838426207924224) later stating that he is serious. (https://twitter.com/#%21/notch/status/166843982683451392)

Tim Schafer later tweets It's always unsettling to wake up to five text messages that say, "You'd better check your Twitter." (https://twitter.com/#%21/TimOfLegend/status/166937914134102017), followed by Man, so many tweets. I assume this is all people asking for codes to Happy Action Theater and Rise of the Martian Bear? (https://twitter.com/#%21/TimOfLegend/status/166941808591503360) then finally, when he gets to Notch's tweet (supposedly) he finally tweets Oh wait. Hm. This is interesting. (https://twitter.com/#%21/TimOfLegend/status/166941929861427200)

Now take this with a grain of salt. This may all fall through and/or work out to be nothing at all. But if this goes through, we may actually get a sequel to Psychonauts.

[mckerney]

In other Tim Schafer news, yesterday Double Fine started a Kickstarter funding project for a new adventure game with a funding goal of $400,000. The goal was reached in 8 hours, currently the funding is $715k.

Double Fine Adventure by Double Fine and 2 Player Productions &mdash; Kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/66710809/double-fine-adventure)

[Matthean]

Looks like another round of closed beta invites went out for Path of Exile, so if anybody wants one, let me know.

[mckerney]

The Double Fine adventure game Kickstarter has raised over $1 million in less than 24 hours. Have to wonder now if Tim Schafer will try something similar for Psychonauts 2 at some point.

[spleen1015]

The Double Fine adventure game Kickstarter has raised over $1 million in less than 24 hours. Have to wonder now if Tim Schafer will try something similar for Psychonauts 2 at some point.

I read some where, something about the Minecraft dude said on twitter he would fund a Psychnauts sequel.

[mckerney]

I read some where, something about the Minecraft dude said on twitter he would fund a Psychnauts sequel.

I know Notch had said he'd be interested in funding the development of Pscyonauts 2, though it if Double Fine were able to raise enough money to pay for development through Kickstarter or another crowd funding source it would be even better for them than having Mojang as a publisher.

[Abe Sargent]

Anyone get Jagged Alliance: Back in Action yet? It just came out two days ago, and I was wondering if anyone had tried it yet?

[JPhillips]

Anyone get Jagged Alliance: Back in Action yet? It just came out two days ago, and I was wondering if anyone had tried it yet?

I will eventually, but I doubt I'll pay its current price. I loved Broken Alliance with the current mods.

[Groundhog]

I was super excited about the new Jagged Alliance, but this has scared me off:

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action for PC Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/jagged-alliance-back-in-action)

[mckerney]

I was super excited about the new Jagged Alliance, but this has scared me off:

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action for PC Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/jagged-alliance-back-in-action)

Total Biscuit had a few tweets about the new Jagged Alliance game that made it sound terrible.

[Abe Sargent]

The reviews seem hit and miss. For example:

2.0 out of 10 at CalmDownTom Action Review, and then 8 out of 10 by Gamestrend Review and Hooked Gamers. There are fours and 6s and all sorts of rankings, and I don;t know what to think, that's why I was hoping folks here had played it.

[EagleFan]

UFC Undisputed 3 - A couple early impressions

- Like the addition of Pride and the ruleset specific to those fights.
- Fighter creation has been tweaked and seems to be smoother.
- Will need to see how it progresses through my first career but it seems that a career will not be all about babysitting your skills and fewer of the tedious between fight options.
- Actually ended up watching the first event that came up when I started my career because it had one incredible card plus I wanted to see how the CPU matches played out. A huge negative with the previous version is that every CPU watched match ended up with a flash KO or a TKO. More details on this after the list...
- Career presentation, so far it is less annoying (not all the trainer talk crap).
- Fight presentation (walk ins and prefight angles gives it even more of a feel of a real event). I like the minor changes to the crowd which feels more responsive to the action so far.
- The corners seem to be responsive to the action in the fight too. I hear a few comments coming out of the corners during the round which seemed to be right in line with the action and not just generic comments.
- The virtual Arianny is hot! :)
- Too many reversals.
- Like the new submission control more than the old just keep spinning the stick style.
- Not a fan of that graphic showing during the CPU fights as it is distracting but that is very minor thing.


Now about the CPU fights. The very first fight that I watched saw much more ground action and moments which would have led to a flash knockout or TKO in the last version didn't. That is what has me the most optimistic about this game. There was one point late in the 2nd when a takedown was stopped by a knee which knocked the attacker down, the other fighter quickly followed it up with a diving hammer fist as he jumped right on him. The other fighter looked mildly dazed but managed to cover up. The third round was actually won by the fighter who was getting rocked the first two and he won it by controller the ground even though he was bloodied up.

So far three fights into the CPU fights and not one knockout. All went the distance.

[DaddyTorgo]

UFC Undisputed 3 - A couple early impressions

- Like the addition of Pride and the ruleset specific to those fights.
- Fighter creation has been tweaked and seems to be smoother.
- Will need to see how it progresses through my first career but it seems that a career will not be all about babysitting your skills and fewer of the tedious between fight options.
- Actually ended up watching the first event that came up when I started my career because it had one incredible card plus I wanted to see how the CPU matches played out. A huge negative with the previous version is that every CPU watched match ended up with a flash KO or a TKO. More details on this after the list...
- Career presentation, so far it is less annoying (not all the trainer talk crap).
- Fight presentation (walk ins and prefight angles gives it even more of a feel of a real event). I like the minor changes to the crowd which feels more responsive to the action so far.
- The corners seem to be responsive to the action in the fight too. I hear a few comments coming out of the corners during the round which seemed to be right in line with the action and not just generic comments.
- The virtual Arianny is hot! :)
- Too many reversals.
- Like the new submission control more than the old just keep spinning the stick style.
- Not a fan of that graphic showing during the CPU fights as it is distracting but that is very minor thing.


Now about the CPU fights. The very first fight that I watched saw much more ground action and moments which would have led to a flash knockout or TKO in the last version didn't. That is what has me the most optimistic about this game. There was one point late in the 2nd when a takedown was stopped by a knee which knocked the attacker down, the other fighter quickly followed it up with a diving hammer fist as he jumped right on him. The other fighter looked mildly dazed but managed to cover up. The third round was actually won by the fighter who was getting rocked the first two and he won it by controller the ground even though he was bloodied up.

So far three fights into the CPU fights and not one knockout. All went the distance.

Liking this game. Only really played exhibition fights so far, random v. random, but on the 2nd difficulty-level I'm finding that I seem to lose when I should and win a fair % of the even matchups, and win when I should.

One thing I'm finding myself having trouble with is how if you hold the left stick towards the opponent and throw a kick/punch it's a power-strike and gasses you quicker. Having trouble adjusting to that, as I always seem to be wanting to move into a guy when striking him and thus I gas.

Also tricky blocking...I find I can block the head okay, but then I get pounded in the ribs. Maybe I just need to like...slow down my fights. Less frantic...more measured.

[rockboy70]

The reviews seem hit and miss. For example:

2.0 out of 10 at CalmDownTom Action Review, and then 8 out of 10 by Gamestrend Review and Hooked Gamers. There are fours and 6s and all sorts of rankings, and I don;t know what to think, that's why I was hoping folks here had played it.

I've spent about 8 hours with JA:BIA, and I'm enjoying it so far. That being said the interface is clunky, and I can see why it is getting hit and miss reviews. Right now I'd say wait for either some game updates or a price drop. If you are on the fence there is a demo and I watched game play video on Giantbomb that helped with my decision to buy.

[Abe Sargent]

I decided to grab a different game and I'm playing through Tropico 4 now. I'll come back to it sooner or later though, so thanks.

[Lonnie]

Anyone picking up Conquest of Elysium 3 ? I know there are some Dominions 3 players on here. It's still on sale until release for 25.49 on Desura. Apparently Steam turned them down.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gsS1Y3Io6a4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[jeff061]

So I just finished Rage. Was better than I thought it was going to be. Couple things I wish were better and definitely was bit by the console bug. But it has a lot of content(racing, mini games, crafting, loads of weapons, very very cool maps) and more than a few adrenaline pumping id classic shooter moments. Really gets better the further in you get. Seems to me it's well worth the $30 price point if you have the hardware to run it.

Of course I just bought a 7970 and a 30" monitor, it was the first game I played on it, running decked out at 2560x1600. So it could have been that :D.

[MizzouRah]

Liking this game. Only really played exhibition fights so far, random v. random, but on the 2nd difficulty-level I'm finding that I seem to lose when I should and win a fair % of the even matchups, and win when I should.

One thing I'm finding myself having trouble with is how if you hold the left stick towards the opponent and throw a kick/punch it's a power-strike and gasses you quicker. Having trouble adjusting to that, as I always seem to be wanting to move into a guy when striking him and thus I gas.

Also tricky blocking...I find I can block the head okay, but then I get pounded in the ribs. Maybe I just need to like...slow down my fights. Less frantic...more measured.

Never in a million years did I think I would get a game like this, I've never watched much UFC, but I decided to play the demo after reading several excellent reviews and picked it up today.. loving it so far.

[Scoobz0202]

Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/GuildWars2/status/172471281407623170)

Guild Wars 2 beta sign up is open for a couple days. FYI

[SirFozzie]

One of the best games of 2012 may be.. one of the best games of the year 2000.


Jet Grind/Set Radio is back....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cfDlHdERxrE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DeToxRox]

Very excited by this news.

[DataKing]

:D

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MCWJUSulnro" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

[frnk55]

Damn now I gotta play some Borderlands. Great game.

[mckerney]

Has anyone played Unity of Command - Stalingrad? The RPS Wot I Think (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/25/wot-i-think-unity-of-command-stalingrad-campaign/#more-96195) made it seem like something I might be interested in an someone who would like to try out wargames but isn't sure about the learning curve and price typically associated with them.

[terpkristin]

This video belongs in 3 threads here, but I think it makes the most sense in this one...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RXL3Ys5e3Z0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

Wargame: European Escalation

-any impressions?

[Big Fo]

Dues Ex: Human Revolution is cheap on Steam this weekend and I'm going to buy it. Does anyone have an opinion on the DLC?

[Tasan]

Wargame: European Escalation

-any impressions?

I'm interested in this as well. Anyone play it yet?

[SegRat]

UFC Undisputed 3 - A couple early impressions

- Like the addition of Pride and the ruleset specific to those fights.
- Fighter creation has been tweaked and seems to be smoother.
- Will need to see how it progresses through my first career but it seems that a career will not be all about babysitting your skills and fewer of the tedious between fight options.
- Actually ended up watching the first event that came up when I started my career because it had one incredible card plus I wanted to see how the CPU matches played out. A huge negative with the previous version is that every CPU watched match ended up with a flash KO or a TKO. More details on this after the list...
- Career presentation, so far it is less annoying (not all the trainer talk crap).
- Fight presentation (walk ins and prefight angles gives it even more of a feel of a real event). I like the minor changes to the crowd which feels more responsive to the action so far.
- The corners seem to be responsive to the action in the fight too. I hear a few comments coming out of the corners during the round which seemed to be right in line with the action and not just generic comments.
- The virtual Arianny is hot! :)
- Too many reversals.
- Like the new submission control more than the old just keep spinning the stick style.
- Not a fan of that graphic showing during the CPU fights as it is distracting but that is very minor thing.


Now about the CPU fights. The very first fight that I watched saw much more ground action and moments which would have led to a flash knockout or TKO in the last version didn't. That is what has me the most optimistic about this game. There was one point late in the 2nd when a takedown was stopped by a knee which knocked the attacker down, the other fighter quickly followed it up with a diving hammer fist as he jumped right on him. The other fighter looked mildly dazed but managed to cover up. The third round was actually won by the fighter who was getting rocked the first two and he won it by controller the ground even though he was bloodied up.

So far three fights into the CPU fights and not one knockout. All went the distance.

Any more impressions?

[DaddyTorgo]

Any more impressions?

I've been gone for the last week. Haven't picked it up since I got back honestly (been cleaning out all the stuff I DVR'd).

But I enjoyed it on Weds/Thurs/Fri.

[MizzouRah]

Just read an article on this game, sounds fun.

I Am Aliveâ„¢ | The Official Website | Ubisoft (http://iamalive-game.ubi.com/iamalive/en-us/index.aspx)

[EagleFan]

Any more impressions?

Also haven;t had a lot of time with the game. We're looking at houses with a quickly approaching deadline to get into something so the time hasn't been there.

It seems harder than last year's as I can't just go and pound the opponent until he drops. I actually have to worry about being gassed as it seems to happen much quicker this year.

[DeToxRox]

I love Undisputed 3. I finally won the Middleweight Title in my career after outlasting Anderson Silva in a 5 round war. I am 41-7 now with 2 of my losses to Anderson. I also won a PRIDE GP at Welterweight. I am about done with this career though. I'll be using a BJJ guy on my next go around.

I have been playing on the 2nd hardest level (Expert I believe) and it's incredibly challenging but lots of fun.

[Carman Bulldog]

How's the submission game? I heard that once again that was one of the big downfalls.

[Flasch186]

Just read an article on this game, sounds fun.

I Am Aliveâ„¢ | The Official Website | Ubisoft (http://iamalive-game.ubi.com/iamalive/en-us/index.aspx)

Looks cool.

[DaddyTorgo]

How's the submission game? I heard that once again that was one of the big downfalls.

Really? I've been using a BJJ guy in my career, and given I'm just getting started in it still really, so I haven't leveled up my submissions barely at all, but I find it appropriately hard.

Playing exhibition matches it's definitely...well...as close to right as any of these games have got it I'd have to say (even if I miss the EA graphics of the bones and all).

Takes a little...getting used to sure...but light years ahead of the last version (ugh).

[BYU 14]

RG III is the cover athlete for NCAA 2013. I like how they have the pre-order open already before they even speak about any of the features for this years release.

NCAA 2012 is my favorite to date and I am still playing it, so it will be interesting to see what they add to this years version. I think pass coverage needs to be tweaked to rely more on individual player ability and not sliders. Would also like to see Linebackers tuned down even more in coverage as well, they still make too many plays.

Still would love to see recruiting be less time intensive too.

[DataKing]

Picking up SSX on the way home from work tonight, and looking forward to it. The demo was pretty good, and I'm hoping it's as much fun as they were back in the PS2 days.

[MizzouRah]

Picking up SSX on the way home from work tonight, and looking forward to it. The demo was pretty good, and I'm hoping it's as much fun as they were back in the PS2 days.

Let me know your impressions.. going to play the demo tonight or tomorrow.

[mckerney]

One of the best games of 2012 may be.. one of the best games of the year 2000.


Jet Grind/Set Radio is back....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cfDlHdERxrE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Eurogamer says it will be out for PC too, awesome news.

Namco is trying to get in contact with the person who started the Dark Souls to PC petition, so hopefully there is progress there.

There's also some good news in the area of old school CRPGs. Brian Fargo is getting ready to launch a Kickstarter for a new Wasteland game (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/27/kicking-up-the-dust-fargo-on-wasteland/), and there's a new Baulder's Gate website up (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/02/29/new-baldurs-gate-website-suggests-remake-sequel/) with speculation about either a new game or an HD re-release.

[DataKing]

Let me know your impressions.. going to play the demo tonight or tomorrow.

Managed a couple hours of play time last night, and so far I am enjoying it overall. The tracks are extreme and you can pull off some absolutely insane stunts, so it feels very much like an updated version of the old games. You have two options for doing your board grabs. You can use the buttons just like the old games, or you can use the right stick. I tried the new way, but somewhere deep in my muscle memory are the old button grabs and I found myself reverting to those on instinct. I'm still trying to get used to wind-ups as I head towards a jump, but I seem to recall that took some getting used to in the older games as well.

One of the neat new features I found last night are global events. Basically these are open events on different runs (races, tricks, etc) and you score in tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on how you do against everyone else who performs in the same event. Events last for an hour, and you are awarded credits (which you can use to buy gear, boards, etc) based on your performance. Plus you will see other riders who are making the same run as you at the same time, so it's not just a blind competition.

Probably my biggest knock so far are the characters themselves. They seem a little flat. One of my fondest memories of the old games is hearing Eddie Wachowski's quips as he plows down a mountain. Maybe I was too busy button-mashing to notice, but I just don't hear as much banter as I remember. (Eddie is a pre-order exclusive character, BTW).

The demo should give you a decent idea of how the gameplay itself is. If anyone decides to pick up the game, hook me up with a friend request. Gamertag is DataKing1.

[mckerney]

NeoGAF with artwork and an article from a German mag confirming SimCity V with a planned 2013 release.

SimCity V (2013, EA/Maxis) - screens/artwork [Up: Details, Should Be More March 6th] - NeoGAF (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=35585202)

[MizzouRah]

Managed a couple hours of play time last night, and so far I am enjoying it overall. The tracks are extreme and you can pull off some absolutely insane stunts, so it feels very much like an updated version of the old games. You have two options for doing your board grabs. You can use the buttons just like the old games, or you can use the right stick. I tried the new way, but somewhere deep in my muscle memory are the old button grabs and I found myself reverting to those on instinct. I'm still trying to get used to wind-ups as I head towards a jump, but I seem to recall that took some getting used to in the older games as well.

One of the neat new features I found last night are global events. Basically these are open events on different runs (races, tricks, etc) and you score in tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on how you do against everyone else who performs in the same event. Events last for an hour, and you are awarded credits (which you can use to buy gear, boards, etc) based on your performance. Plus you will see other riders who are making the same run as you at the same time, so it's not just a blind competition.

Probably my biggest knock so far are the characters themselves. They seem a little flat. One of my fondest memories of the old games is hearing Eddie Wachowski's quips as he plows down a mountain. Maybe I was too busy button-mashing to notice, but I just don't hear as much banter as I remember. (Eddie is a pre-order exclusive character, BTW).

The demo should give you a decent idea of how the gameplay itself is. If anyone decides to pick up the game, hook me up with a friend request. Gamertag is DataKing1.

Thanks.. I'll probably wait until it gets down to the $30 range.. but I did have fun with the demo last night.

Have FIFA street and MLB 2k12 to mess around with. I've just been downloading a bunch of demos.

[SegRat]

Engadget reports that Microsoft flight is available for free download. They will add upgrades you pay for. Wish I had a computer that could handle it.

[cartman]

I was part of the beta for MS Flight. It isn't a sequel to Flight Simulator, it is made to be more accessible and less hard-core. It is still a very cool flying experience.

[mckerney]

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/121/1219745/accc_1330566813.jpg

[MizzouRah]

Was just going to post that mckerney..

Official Assassin's Creed 3 box art confirms American Revolution setting &bull; News &bull; Eurogamer.net (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-01-official-assassins-creed-3-box-art-confirms-american-revolution-setting)

[DaddyTorgo]

Huh? I thought that was a joke.

[Matthean]

I think I'm at the point Path of Exile needs to come out with 2-3 updates before I get excited again.

[MizzouRah]

I'm actually having fun with the MLB 2k12 demo.. still the best pitching interface and I love the new fielding controls.

Will definitely give this a look when I can snag it for $30.

[Matthean]

Lesson one in playing Icewind Dale. You can have more than one person in your party from the start. :lol:

[mckerney]

http://i.imgur.com/dDWkX.png

[Young Drachma]

Pretty good spot even if you all have seen it already.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JVGAfA15U1I?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Matthean]

I have now gotten a character through normal diff for each of the patches in Path of Exile I have played during closed beta. I'm thinking 7.5 with 1.5 potential either way based on what gets added.

[CrimsonFox]

http://i.imgur.com/dDWkX.png

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHYAHA HEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johninja]

Crusader Kings 2 is one of the best games I have played in a long time.

[stevew]

Darn, the Steam Console is a no-go

[Johninja]

you can get it through gamers gate as well I beleive. Steam is a bit of a pain yeah. Has it's advantages though.

[Matthean]

Path of Exile crashed on me and when I went back into the game it won't boot up. I looked on the forums and the best advice was to delete a file and then load the game up so it would patch in a new copy of the file. The file is 3.4GB. *sigh* I'm leaving that for an overnight kind of thing.

[gstelmack]

you can get it through gamers gate as well I beleive. Steam is a bit of a pain yeah. Has it's advantages though.

I think he meant "Valve is not going to produce its own console hardware for playing Steam games", not "I won't buy Crusader Kings 2 because it's on Steam".

[mckerney]

The game we've all be waiting for is finally here!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qmeva-pfOAQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[SirFozzie]

MechWarrior Online Video Game, GDC 2012: Role Warfare Interview HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gdc-2012-mechwarrior-online/727870?)

Give. Me. This. Game. NOWNOWNOWNOWNOW.

I've always been a sucker for Battletech/Mechwarrior games, and between this, MechWarrior Tactics, MechWarrior Tactical Command and possibly a new Mech Assault game, 2012 is a good year for BIG STOMPY ROBOTS.

[Scoobz0202]

Any PS3 people getting Journey next week?

[SirFozzie]

I don't think there's much the PS3 can do to improve a 30 year old arcade game:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5OlO-7MZZxU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

yes, I know, NOT that journey :)

[stevew]

Any PS3 people getting Journey next week?

Is the main character a singer in a smoky room?

[SirFozzie]

smelling of wine and cheap perfume?

[Scoobz0202]

Played Journey for PS3 (exclusive to PS3)tonight. Available on the PSN. $15 for about 2 hours of game. It was worth it if you ask me. Beautiful game. When the next debate comes up about video games being art this should be exhibit A for those in support.

Basically, the entire game is built around you attempting to reach the top of this mountain. You can only do three things; Run, Jump, and "Chirp."

It has a really interesting multiplayer Co-op mechanic to it. You just press start to start the game. As you progress, the game will automatically merge you with another player. There's nothing that indicates it happened, you just notice somebody else near you. You can't talk to the other person other then the "Chirp" button. They have no name tag. The only way to find out who they were is at the end of the game, and it will be in in the credits. (No idea if you can find out if you quit prior to the end. I just played start to finish.)

The soundtrack is beautiful. One of the better soundtracks I've ever heard in a video game. I played with the lights off and with my headphones on and I really don't think I'd play another way after doing that.

It's one of those games that I have no qualms spending $15 on if for no other reason then supporting a gaming company doing something different. Thankfully, I got my $15 worth.

[CrimsonFox]

I don't think there's much the PS3 can do to improve a 30 year old arcade game:

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5OlO-7MZZxU" allowfullscreen="" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>

yes, I know, NOT that journey :)


oh gawd, curse you for bringing that game back to memory. That was such a shitty game too.

[MJ4H]

you misspelled greatest game of all time

[Matthean]

Obsidian hit with layoffs, South Park team im - Shacknews.com - Video Game News, Trailers, Game Videos, and Files (http://www.shacknews.com/article/72861/obsidian-hit-with-layoffs-south-park-team-impacted)

Obsidian Entertainment, developers of Neverwinter Nights 2, Alpha Protocol, Fallout: New Vegas, and the upcoming South Park game, has been hit with layoffs. While the company has yet to return Shacknews' request for comments, messages (https://twitter.com/#%21/JasonFader/status/179733652597518336) on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#%21/gelatin/status/179782683931582464) and the company's message boards (http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/57290-layoff-hits-obsidian/page__st__60) appear to confirm the downsizing.
According to a tip received by Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/report-obsidian-hit-with-layoffs-south-park-team-affected-fut/), the layoffs will impact the studio's in-development South Park team. "Approximately 20-30 people from all disciplines, including one person who started yesterday, as well as one who started last week" were axed. Apparently, a "future next-gen project" the company was working on was canceled, which likely led to the sudden cuts.

[Lonnie]

baldursgate.com countdown teaser set for an announcement tomorrow. A lot of speculation that it will be a high def remake.

Website is unresponsive now.

[Atocep]

baldursgate.com countdown teaser set for an announcement tomorrow. A lot of speculation that it will be a high def remake.

Website is unresponsive now.

Evidence does suggest it's a HD remake. That's probably enough to get me to buy it a 3rd time.

Now a Torment HD remake would get me really excited. I'd gladly throw money at kickstarter project to make that happen.

[cartman]

The game we've all be waiting for is finally here!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qmeva-pfOAQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Meh, how customizable is it? I want to use Canadian dump trucks at an Italian marble quarry where they can also mine blood diamonds in Sierra Leone. Also, I don't see a beer tent anywhere in that screen shot.

[CraigSca]

Meh, how customizable is it? I want to use Canadian dump trucks at an Italian marble quarry where they can also mine blood diamonds in Sierra Leone. Also, I don't see a beer tent anywhere in that screen shot.


Can my foreman have dreads?

[Mota]

Most importantly, can you customize the shoes?

[HarryLime]

I am scared for Baldurs Gate.. Just another Bioware classic that EA can get their hands on and destroy in the name of making $$$

[Atocep]

I am scared for Baldurs Gate.. Just another Bioware classic that EA can get their hands on and destroy in the name of making $$$

Atari owns the rights to it IIRC. EA and Bioware can't do anything with it and that's the main reason Bioware decided to start a new IP with Dragon Age rather than go with another sequel to Baldur's Gate.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

Atari owns the rights to it IIRC. EA and Bioware can't do anything with it and that's the main reason Bioware decided to start a new IP with Dragon Age rather than go with another sequel to Baldur's Gate.

Good thing... Fxck EA

[Lonnie]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>We're happy to announce the Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition.Our servers are much less happy. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523bgee">#bgee</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523baldursgate">#baldursgate</a></p>&mdash; Trent Oster (@TrentOster) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrentOster/status/180372922949566464" data-datetime="2012-03-15T19:20:30+00:00">March 15, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


No real details yet since their web sever blew up, but patiently waiting.

[Matthean]

Well, if they don't know enough to handle the announcement with servers able to handle the load, I'll put it at wait and see.

[HarryLime]

Atari owns the rights to it IIRC. EA and Bioware can't do anything with it and that's the main reason Bioware decided to start a new IP with Dragon Age rather than go with another sequel to Baldur's Gate.

ah i did not know this! that is great news! hopefully the studio developing it can do it justice..

[RainMaker]

I'm looking to get caught up on the Assassin's Creed series. Last one I played was AC2. What is the next one I go to? Would it be Brotherhood and then Revelations?

[Big Fo]

I was kind of surprised to see an Assassin's Creed 3 commercial today, it's almost six months before the game comes out.

[Matthean]

Path of Exile - Public Weekend (http://www.pathofexile.com/publicweekend/)

Path of Exile having an open to public weekend for stress test purposes.

[Atocep]

So Bioware announced that they cancelled plans for a Dragon Age 2 expansion and had instead started work on Dragon Age 3. They also made a post on their fourms asking for feedback from the community on how they can make the game better because they realized DA2 disappointed a number of people. Some of the biggest complaints were the Dialogue wheel, a voiced main character, and the combat being pushed more toward action-RPG combat rather than tactical RPG. Bioware's response thus far is that the main character in Dragon Age 3 will be voiced, the dialogue wheel will return, and they're looking at Skyrim for inspiration for Dragon Age 3.

If anyone is expecting Dragon Age 3 to be more like Origins and less like 2 they should brace themselves for disappointment now.

This is right after the backlash they took after an employee posted some dirt on the company on the Penny Arcade forums a few days ago. Bioware claimed it was someone imitating a Bioware employee, but the account had been confirmed a few years ago to be a Bioware employee and was used every now and then up until he posted some stuff on what happened with Mass Effect 3 which was quickly deleted and forced Bioware to make a statement.

I know some people like Dragon Age 2 so this is probably good news for them. I hated it. I thought it was easily the worst game they've made. It's sad to see a company that could do no wrong when it comes to RPGs push their games toward being standard action RPGs like everyone else. Very disappointing for me.

[Honolulu_Blue]

So Bioware announced that they cancelled plans for a Dragon Age 2 expansion and had instead started work on Dragon Age 3. They also made a post on their fourms asking for feedback from the community on how they can make the game better because they realized DA2 disappointed a number of people. Some of the biggest complaints were the Dialogue wheel, a voiced main character, and the combat being pushed more toward action-RPG combat rather than tactical RPG. Bioware's response thus far is that the main character in Dragon Age 3 will be voiced, the dialogue wheel will return, and they're looking at Skyrim for inspiration for Dragon Age 3.

If anyone is expecting Dragon Age 3 to be more like Origins and less like 2 they should brace themselves for disappointment now.

This is right after the backlash they took after an employee posted some dirt on the company on the Penny Arcade forums a few days ago. Bioware claimed it was someone imitating a Bioware employee, but the account had been confirmed a few years ago to be a Bioware employee and was used every now and then up until he posted some stuff on what happened with Mass Effect 3 which was quickly deleted and forced Bioware to make a statement.

I know some people like Dragon Age 2 so this is probably good news for them. I hated it. I thought it was easily the worst game they've made. It's sad to see a company that could do no wrong when it comes to RPGs push their games toward being standard action RPGs like everyone else. Very disappointing for me.

I liked Dragon Age 2 well enough. I liked Dragon Age: Origins more. I really didn't feel like there was a ton of difference in the combat between the two. I felt like the combat in DA2 was just as tactical as in the first. The camera control wasn't as good and I prefer the more top-down view than the 3/4 view or whatever it was, but I didn't feel a ton of difference.

As for the talking character and dialogue wheel, I have no problem with these. These are both a staple in the Mass Effect series and those are some of the best RPGs ever made.

My main issues with DA2 were the repeated use of environments and some of the overall structure to the story.

I consider DA2 to be every bit RPG that any of Bioware's other titles were going back as far as you can and I'm someone who loves turn-based combat.

[terpkristin]

Interesting news for fans of Brandon Sanderson's "Mistborn" books. Could be interesting...coming to PC, Mac, and consoles.*Mistborn Fantasy Series Is Getting A Video Game Prequel (http://kotaku.com/5896512/mistborn-fantasy-series-is-getting-a-video-game-prequel) . I'll admit, I don't know much about the developer, but I'm looking forward to heating more about the game!*Mistborn: Birthright (http://www.mistborngame.com/)

I think of the Game ofThrones RPG does well, it could inspire quite a few book-based video games, especially for epic fantasy worlds.

/tk

[mckerney]

Preorders are available for old school style RPG Legend of Grimlock, $11.99 through either their website (with DRM free version and Steam key), or GOG.com, it will be released April 11th.

Release Date Announced – Pre-order Now! » Legend of Grimrock (http://www.grimrock.net/2012/03/27/release-date-announced-pre-order-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=release-date-announced-pre-order-now)

What is Legend of Grimrock?
Old-school dungeon crawling game inspired by Dungeon Master, Eye of the Beholder and Ultima Underworld.
Explore a vast dungeon riddled with hidden switches, pressure plates, sliding walls, trapdoors and more.
Discover secrets, cast spells with runes and craft potions with herbs.
Fight murderous monsters and seek lost artifacts in ancient tombs.
Create a party of four characters and customize them with different races, classes, skills and traits.

[mckerney]

Good Old Games has changed their name to just GOG.com as they are now starting to sell new games.

[CrimsonFox]

God help me I started playing this and now I can't stop humming these songs!

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tBMswBI5fR4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pMPf9jvLSdM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nZvrlL5G8hU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Atocep]

Kotaku has an article up that says their sources are saying the next Playstation will also have anti-used game measures built in. Essentially your PSN account will work like Steam. You activate a game on your PSN account and it's available to play. If you buy a used game the disk will allow you to play some sort of a trial and you'll have to log onto your PSN account and pay a fee to unlock the full game.

The same sources say that there won't be any attempts at having backward compatibility for the new console either.

The Next PlayStation is Called Orbis, Sources Say. Here are the Details. (http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-playstation-is-called-orbis-sources-say-here-are-the-details)

[bhlloy]

Kotaku has an article up that says their sources are saying the next Playstation will also have anti-used game measures built in. Essentially your PSN account will work like Steam. You activate a game on your PSN account and it's available to play. If you buy a used game the disk will allow you to play some sort of a trial and you'll have to log onto your PSN account and pay a fee to unlock the full game.

The same sources say that there won't be any attempts at having backward compatibility for the new console either.

The Next PlayStation is Called Orbis, Sources Say. Here are the Details. (http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-playstation-is-called-orbis-sources-say-here-are-the-details)

So no more gamefly/renting then? At that point I'm completely out of the console market, it's just not worth it. Yes, the PC has Steam but those games aren't usually $60.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

So no more gamefly/renting then? At that point I'm completely out of the console market, it's just not worth it. Yes, the PC has Steam but those games aren't usually $60.

Yeah, this is going to be a key. IF the rumors are true that both the new MS and Sony platforms are getting rid of used games, they're going to be hurting badly UNLESS they offer a more competitive price point (i.e. new games at $60 aren't the standard anymore).

With that said, they can change course on whether they allow used games relatively easily. We're a long way from launch yet.

[Matthean]

I just don't think Sony is in the position to be restrictive in what the next generation console can do. We are at the point where graphic upgrades aren't nearly as significant as they use to be. As long as PS3 games are coming out, buyers will find it hard to switch to a newer system. Same with MS and the 720 or whatever it is going to be called. At least with the 720 you get a blue-ray player out of it and there has been no talk that I know of about no backwards compatibility.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Anyone given the Age of Empires Online game a try? Saw it up on Steam with pretty cheap pack to get all the add-ons.

[MizzouRah]

Sniper Elite V2 | 505 Games (http://sniperelitev2.com/us/)

Coming in May, I'm preordering this one!

"Amazing kill cam technology showcases what really happens when a bullet enters an enemy's body, allowing players to see hearts and lungs tear, livers burst, bones and teeth shatter and entrails fall out"

http://forums.digitalsportspage.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif http://forums.digitalsportspage.com/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif http://forums.digitalsportspage.com/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif

Saw some game play on x-play and it looks like quite a thought process induced shooter.

[sterlingice]

I just don't think Sony is in the position to be restrictive in what the next generation console can do. We are at the point where graphic upgrades aren't nearly as significant as they use to be. As long as PS3 games are coming out, buyers will find it hard to switch to a newer system. Same with MS and the 720 or whatever it is going to be called. At least with the 720 you get a blue-ray player out of it and there has been no talk that I know of about no backwards compatibility.

Not buying it in the least. Sony thought they were invincible coming off the PS2 into this generation and have had a massive splash of cold water in their face. There's no way they take their market position for granted again unless they somehow know Microsoft is willing to do the same.

And if that's the case, viva la PC renaissance.

SI

[stevew]

When EA or some other company can charge $10 for an online passport and kill resale, Microsoft/Sony don't get a kickback I bet. If they aren't going to enforce/threaten to enforce some sort of used ban, then they will be at a significant disadvantage.

[Matthean]

Not buying it in the least. Sony thought they were invincible coming off the PS2 into this generation and have had a massive splash of cold water in their face. There's no way they take their market position for granted again unless they somehow know Microsoft is willing to do the same.

And if that's the case, viva la PC renaissance.

SI

Old and it's loading ever so slowly, but I think it hits it on the head.

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[Groundhog]

I haven't switched on my PS3 in at least 3 months.

[A-Husker-4-Life]

my 360 is a great Netflix device, that's all it's been used for in the last year. Console's really are sad... no football games at all to speak of, nothing really special about them anymore..

[RainMaker]

Yeah, I feel like I'm almost growing out of my console for gaming purposes. There are things like Skyrim I still pick up, although don't need a console for it. But it was primarily a sports game machine for me and most of the sports games suck.

[Fidatelo]

The only game I play on my 360 is NHL 12, and that is maybe once every 10 days or so. My Wii has turned into a Netflix viewer, which is actually nice because it basically collected dust for a couple years prior.

I play far more games on my iPad now, and actually I've really started getting into solo board games which I am finding much more rewarding than most video games.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have an Xbox 360 and PS3 and I rarely use them for gaming. I use my Xbox for Netflix streaming and the PS3 as a Blu Ray player. I think "Heavy Rain" on the PS3 is probably the only solo game I have ever really played on those consoles. I usually only play games on the console when I have a friend or friends over and we play some sports game or some other co-op type shooter - GRAW, Gears of War, Left 4 Dead, Rainbow Six, etc.

[TroyF]

Kotaku has an article up that says their sources are saying the next Playstation will also have anti-used game measures built in. Essentially your PSN account will work like Steam. You activate a game on your PSN account and it's available to play. If you buy a used game the disk will allow you to play some sort of a trial and you'll have to log onto your PSN account and pay a fee to unlock the full game.

The same sources say that there won't be any attempts at having backward compatibility for the new console either.

The Next PlayStation is Called Orbis, Sources Say. Here are the Details. (http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-playstation-is-called-orbis-sources-say-here-are-the-details)

That will be it for me with Sony consoles. (and if Microsoft follows suit, I will be 100% finished with new consoles.) I love MLB: The Show and other console games I cannot get on the PC, but I'm not going to purchase consoles for a game or two.

At some point enough is enough. I purchased Deus Ex for 18 bucks on a Steam sale. I'm not sure I can get it used for that cheap. If they go this route, I'm going to buy a superpowered PC for ny gaming purposes. Outside of a handfull of games, I am mostly a sim type player now anyway. (FM, OOTP, Gary's basketball games, etc.) or RPG. (which are always better on the PC)

There will be some games I really love that will come out and I won't be able to play them. You know what? Life will go on.

[bhlloy]

That's a much more eloquent way of saying it but exactly how I feel. There's less than zero chance of me buying a new gen console with a feature like this unless they are going to make the price points on games at least half what it is now. And I'm guessing there's about a zero chance of that happening. The only reason I keep the 360 set up right now is as a DVD player and for games I get from gamefly. Sounds like a lot of us are basically in the same situation with console gaming

[Fidatelo]

Sounds like a lot of us are basically in the same situation with console gaming

I wonder, though... aren't we mostly of similar demographics? I would guess that the average FOFC-er is a male somewhere between 30-40. Perhaps we've all just outgrown consoles and video games to a degree? I would wonder if there are nearly as many 15-25 year-olds that would seriously consider skipping a console based solely on inclusion of a feature like this.

[sterlingice]

Considering I have about 1200 games and, at most, 100 of those were bought at full price- my choice would be made if this came to pass. Then again, Nintendo always goes to the beat of their own drum so who knows what they do

SI

[TroyF]

I wonder, though... aren't we mostly of similar demographics? I would guess that the average FOFC-er is a male somewhere between 30-40. Perhaps we've all just outgrown consoles and video games to a degree? I would wonder if there are nearly as many 15-25 year-olds that would seriously consider skipping a console based solely on inclusion of a feature like this.

To a degree maybe, but keep in mind I just bought a Vita. I have a 3ds. I have an IPad I use around 60% of the time for gaming.

I haven't outgrown video games and my income is that where if I wanted to, I could purchase a gaming system for one game. My problem is less a video game burnout issue than it is with the console companies simply not giving a damn anymore.

Now, have I matured a little? Of course. One game used to be more than enough to sell me on a new system. I wanted to play every big game, no matter what. That isn't the case anymore. If not getting a console causes me to miss a game or two, I'm not going to be crushed like I used to be.

At some point though, I have to look at how the game industry is treating its customers. That I've outgrown.

[Scoobz0202]

I remember reading Kotaku saying this exact same thing a few months back. They've been the only ones to say it and I'm already not the biggest supporter of Kotaku. This is something Im going to reserve judgement on until there is something official.

That being said, IF that were the case, I'd be done with consoles as well. I, like you guys, don't play enough of my PS3 to have to fork out 60 bucks every time I want to play. Not to mention, with no competition from used game sales what are the chances that older games wouldn't have to drop price so quick?

I just don't see it happening, though. It just seems so evil and alienates a large segment of gamers. About the only thing I see happening is the lack of backward's compatibility.

[gstelmack]

INot to mention, with no competition from used game sales what are the chances that older games wouldn't have to drop price so quick?

They were dropping long before used games became vogue. Older games price drop because of competition from NEW games, not used games. C'mon, EB sells the used game for like 10% off the new game, it's not THAT much price pressure.

[Scoobz0202]

They were dropping long before used games became vogue. Older games price drop because of competition from NEW games, not used games. C'mon, EB sells the used game for like 10% off the new game, it's not THAT much price pressure.

Good point. I didn't really put too much thought into that one. :redface:

[Philliesfan980]

I'm 31, and pretty much haven't played a console game in over a year. I'm having fun with text sims and quite frankly, I'm just too busy with work and such (I'm one of these guys who works 60-65 hours a week) that I just don't have the motivation to button mash when I get home.

I am considering into getting into tabletop games though. I feel it might be a good deviation for someone who is tied to technology all day.

[mckerney]

They were dropping long before used games became vogue. Older games price drop because of competition from NEW games, not used games. C'mon, EB sells the used game for like 10% off the new game, it's not THAT much price pressure.

If you look at digital PC sales it's clear that not having to compete with used sales doesn't stop prices from dropping. There are plenty of games that drop to $20 to $30 less than a year after release. The fact is that a few months after release the number of people willing to pay full price for a game drops significantly, plus with DLC there's an incentive for publishers to have a lower base price so they can get more players so they have a larger audience who will buy additional content.

[RainMaker]

I wonder, though... aren't we mostly of similar demographics? I would guess that the average FOFC-er is a male somewhere between 30-40. Perhaps we've all just outgrown consoles and video games to a degree? I would wonder if there are nearly as many 15-25 year-olds that would seriously consider skipping a console based solely on inclusion of a feature like this.

I dont' know. I still enjoy a good console game. Put in over 100 hours into Skyrim recently. Was also a huge Bad Company 2 fan.

One of my problems is that there isn't a lot of innovation in games these days. If one game becomes popular, they have to make 10 new versions of it. Almost every game is an FPS in some form. Even popular games like Red Dead Redemption weren't that exciting once I got past the novelty of it being in the Wild West. It was basically the same Grand Theft Auto game I had played years before.

I understand why companies do it. It's safe, they are guaranteeing sales. But I've played enough Call of Duty style games to last a lifetime. I'd like some innovation.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

If you look at digital PC sales it's clear that not having to compete with used sales doesn't stop prices from dropping. There are plenty of games that drop to $20 to $30 less than a year after release. The fact is that a few months after release the number of people willing to pay full price for a game drops significantly, plus with DLC there's an incentive for publishers to have a lower base price so they can get more players so they have a larger audience who will buy additional content.

Having children has taught me this better than anything else. Outside of a couple of games, I don't have time to get the latest and greatest games. As a result, I usually am buying console games a year or so after release at substantial savings. I also stock up on Steam games twice a year during the big sales. I think it easily saves me around $1000/year on gaming thanks being busy with the kids.

Now if the kids would just get off their 5 and 2 year old asses and work for their food.........

[Kodos]

I'd have no problem sticking with my 360 and PS3 from here on out, if need be.

[Groundhog]

The only games I've been playing lately have tended to be titles that are both PC and console, and I've opted for console each time, mainly because with NBA 2K12 I can download rosters, cyberfaces, jerseys, etc. and edit the rosters outside of the game.

NCAA football is really the only console-specific game I find myself interested in each year, but I didn't grab last year's version.

[RainMaker]

Having children has taught me this better than anything else. Outside of a couple of games, I don't have time to get the latest and greatest games. As a result, I usually am buying console games a year or so after release at substantial savings. I also stock up on Steam games twice a year during the big sales. I think it easily saves me around $1000/year on gaming thanks being busy with the kids.

That's where I'm at too. There are still so many games I have to get caught up on and it's nice to be able to pick them up for $20-$30. Skyrim is the last console game I've bought at launch and I don't have plans to buy any in the near future.

[sterlingice]

I'll ask this horrible question: Are most of us getting too old to be in their wheelhouse now anyways? "I'm old! I want games that are awesome like when I was growing up." I mean, if you can churn out another Call of Duty and get 11M sold, maybe it's best to aim for that audience. Sucks for us, but great if you're Activision.

SI

[RainMaker]

It might be a different audience, although I'm not sure age is the factor. It's sort of like movies. They're going to make Transformers sequels because it's a safe bet as opposed to taking a chance on something original. With the money that goes into the games now, no one wants to take a chance. Just like Hollywood. Your innovation is coming in the indie scene both in movies and games. Some really cool stuff going on with the iPad.

[Philliesfan980]

I've never really gotten into tablet gaming, can someone give me some good games to try?

[Fidatelo]

I am considering into getting into tabletop games though. I feel it might be a good deviation for someone who is tied to technology all day.

This is what's been happening with me lately. I'm much more interested in board games and card games than sitting in front of a TV or computer screen in the evening after I've just done that all day at work. It's to the point where over the last 2-3 months I've been actively searching for good solo board/card games that I can play by myself in the evenings after the kids are in bed.

[terpkristin]

I've never really gotten into tablet gaming, can someone give me some good games to try?

I presume this is Tabletop?

If it's tablet, what kind?

/tk

[aran]

I'm pretty excited about A Game of Dwarves (http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/a-game-of-dwarves). It's like if Dwarf Fortress were actually aiming to be fun!

[mckerney]

Legend of Grimrock review embargo is up today, first reviews has me looking forward to this even more.

Wot I Think: Legend Of Grimrock | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/04/04/wot-i-think-legend-of-grimrock/)

[mckerney]

I'm pretty excited about A Game of Dwarves (http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/a-game-of-dwarves). It's like if Dwarf Fortress were actually aiming to be fun!

I'm exited to see how this one turns out too. A game like Dwarf Fortress that is more accessible while retaining some of the depth could be really good. When I've tried Dwarf Fortress in the past the atrocious UI has kept me from getting into it.

[BrianD]

I'm exited to see how this one turns out too. A game like Dwarf Fortress that is more accessible while retaining some of the depth could be really good. When I've tried Dwarf Fortress in the past the atrocious UI has kept me from getting into it.

Have you tried any of the Dwarf Fortress mods? It doesn't change the input functions of the game, but adding graphics that make sense helps with the visualizing of what is going on. The Lazy Newb pack is very nice.
Lazy Newb Pack [0.34.07] [V12] (http://tinyurl.com/7hgp4c9)

[mckerney]

Have you tried any of the Dwarf Fortress mods? It doesn't change the input functions of the game, but adding graphics that make sense helps with the visualizing of what is going on. The Lazy Newb pack is very nice.
Lazy Newb Pack [0.34.07] [V12] (http://tinyurl.com/7hgp4c9)

I had tried some of the sprite packs, the lack of any decent mouse interface was my issue with it.

[Groundhog]

I've always been more attracted to the idea of Dwarf Fortress than the actual game itself. Definitely excited about Paradox's effort.

[mckerney]

The latest veteran game developer turning to Kickstarter to fund a project he's wanted to make is Jordan Weisman with a new Shadowrun turn based RPG (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1613260297/shadowrun-returns). It has raised $360k of a $400k goal in under 48 hours.

[CrimsonFox]

The latest veteran game developer turning to Kickstarter to fund a project he's wanted to make is Jordan Weisman with a new Shadowrun turn based RPG (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1613260297/shadowrun-returns). It has raised $360k of a $400k goal in under 48 hours.


I think the answer is ANYONE but Microsoft is allowed to make a Shadowrun game from now on.

[Matthean]

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/04/05/release-date-for-civilization-v-gods-amp-kings.aspx

Civ 5: Gods & Kings expansion pack to be released June 19th.

[mckerney]

Petition Attrition: Dark Souls Confirmed For PC | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/04/07/petition-attrition-dark-souls-confirmed-for-pc/)

Dark Souls coming to PC in August with additional new bosses.

[MizzouRah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW9sUC7KBfA&feature=player_embedded#!

Cannot wait until May 1st!

[mckerney]

Really enjoying Legend of Grimrock so far. It does a great job capturing the feel of an old school dungeon crawl, I'm liking going around with 3 humans and a Minotaur that punches everything. I'm still not too far in though the puzzles have been good so far, though with finding secret areas I'm not sure if I should feel smart for what I've found or dumb for missing a lot without knowing how many there are on the first few levels.

[sterlingice]

Quite a bit of Nintendo out and coming out that makes me with KMart hadn't pulled the plug on their gaming department coupons. I could easily see a coupon train for me involving:
03.23 Kid Icarus
04.06 Xenoblade Chronicles (I feel dirty that I had to give money to GS)
06.18 Pokemon Conquest
06.19 The Last Story
06.26 Heroes of Ruin
07.03 Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
07.31 Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
09.30 Pokemon: Black/White 2

Also, I'm quite excited about the recently announced Project X Zone but that won't be out until next year, I'm sure.

But that late June/early July gap is going to result in a big backlog.

SI

[MizzouRah]

Really enjoying Legend of Grimrock so far. It does a great job capturing the feel of an old school dungeon crawl, I'm liking going around with 3 humans and a Minotaur that punches everything. I'm still not too far in though the puzzles have been good so far, though with finding secret areas I'm not sure if I should feel smart for what I've found or dumb for missing a lot without knowing how many there are on the first few levels.

For $13.49 I might pick this one up today.

[mckerney]

In addition to seeing Grimrock at or near the top of the Steam best sellers chart the last few days and in the top 20 of games played it was great to see this.

Launch Week Update » Legend of Grimrock (http://www.grimrock.net/2012/04/13/launch-week-update/#more-1686)

Oh yeah, we’ve had many inquiries on how the sales have been doing and, well, we couldn’t be happier with them! We were sitting solidly as the #1 Steam top seller for a while but it seems like we have now been dethroned… So if you still know anyone who might be able to help us in our struggle to regain dominance, let them know ! Anyways, the development costs of the game have now been covered many times over so the future of the company seems pretty secure. So, everyone who has bought our game and supported us, you have our gratitude!

Awesome that a 4 man team can put out a game like this and see a profit almost immediately.

[PurdueBrad]

Thanks to the Dungeon game going on in the WW Forum (run by Abe Sargent) and the recommendations here, I picked it up and am currently downloading.

[gstelmack]

I have one key for the Xbox360 Ghost Recon Future Soldier beta for anyone who is interested. First PM gets it.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Interesting read about used gaming/removal of used games from future consoles.

Dubious Quality: The Real Cost Of Bullshit (http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2012/04/real-cost-of-bullshit.html)

[Kodos]

Like I said earlier, if a console does not allow me to play used games, I won't buy the console. The current gen has good enough graphics that I can stick with it from here on out.

Madden used to be my favorite game, but I've only bought 2 versions of it this gen, and have played less than 15 games on either version. I am quickly getting to the point where I will find the best existing version of a game franchise and stick with it from here on out. That could enable a long-term dynasty which might be more rewarding anyhow.

[DataKing]

Pre-purchase for Torchlight II is now available via Steam (and I've heard via Perfect World as well).

[jeff061]

Like I said earlier, if a console does not allow me to play used games, I won't buy the console. The current gen has good enough graphics that I can stick with it from here on out.

Madden used to be my favorite game, but I've only bought 2 versions of it this gen, and have played less than 15 games on either version. I am quickly getting to the point where I will find the best existing version of a game franchise and stick with it from here on out. That could enable a long-term dynasty which might be more rewarding anyhow.

But what happens when new games stop being made for current gen. You can stick it out for a bit, but this is the way things will be. Hell we were headed for pure digital distribution anyways, the end result would be the same even without these controversial measures.

[Mota]

I don't think we really have a choice. Games that were $59.99 a few years ago are still $59.99 but you're now getting 1/2 a game. You're really looking at $79.99 - $99.99 for a game if you want the complete experience which I'm guessing quite a few people do.

As this generation rolls on, I've found myself playing less 360/PS3 and more PC. My experience with Steam has been excellent, and I'm getting more gameplay out of my sub $10 games than I have been with the super high budget / super low customer focus console games. There's still some great games coming out on consoles, but I definitely feel a shift in the love/greed ratio these days.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

As this generation rolls on, I've found myself playing less 360/PS3 and more PC. My experience with Steam has been excellent, and I'm getting more gameplay out of my sub $10 games than I have been with the super high budget / super low customer focus console games. There's still some great games coming out on consoles, but I definitely feel a shift in the love/greed ratio these days.

This. I still play a few PS3/Vita games, but don't buy nearly as many as I used to. Steam is my main platform.

[mckerney]

The demo for Warlock: Master of the Arcane (Steam Install (steam://install/210840)) is worth checking out. A spiritual successor to Master of Magic in the style of Civ V. Releases in about a week for $19.99.

Hands On – Warlock: Master Of The Arcane | Rock, Paper, Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/23/hands-on-warlock-master-of-the-arcane/)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0ydHz7X4GF8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[JonInMiddleGA]

BioShock Infinite Delayed Until February 2013 to Make the Game ‘Even Better’ | Techland | TIME.com (http://techland.time.com/2012/05/09/bioshock-infinite-delayed-until-february-2013-to-make-the-game-even-better/)

[oykib]

BioShock Infinite Delayed Until February 2013 to Make the Game ‘Even Better’ | Techland | TIME.com (http://techland.time.com/2012/05/09/bioshock-infinite-delayed-until-february-2013-to-make-the-game-even-better/)

I guess I'm not the only one that read that as, "We just realized that no matter how good our game is, we'll be buried by Assasin's Creed 3, Halo 4 and, of course, COD Black Ops 2."