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Game File, Games and Software, Industry Now

The Best of E3 2015

E3 has always been one of the most exciting events for gamers everywhere. It’s a prime opportunity for developers to show their latest work and for journalists to become nocturnal. Ever since the days of G4, in which Sessler and Webb reigned supreme, I’ve huddled around the tv, full of anticipation. Each expo brings showmanship, new technology and, most importantly, more games.

Although E3 has settled down over the years due to it being closed to the public, it remains the most exciting event in the industry. The following list is a collection of things that blew me away this year, but feel free to share with us your favorite moments.

5). Minecraft Hololens

Hololens was announced before E3, but never before had a live audience been able to experience this amazing tech. By using a special camera that projected the experience, Microsoft proves just how capable and viable Hololens is. This presentation also showed off the showmanship of the Microsoft staff, making them fun to watch. Buying this intellectual property was a good move for the company as Minecraft has been a milestone in gaming history; Hololens will hopefully take that one step further.

4). Horizon: Zero Dawn

One of the most unique games to come out of E3 2015 was Sony’s reveal of Horizon: Zero Dawn. Thematically, the game combines elements from prehistoric times and a bleak, robot ruled future. The gameplay shown is awe-inspiring as the main character stalks what is presumably a food critter, only to be intercepted by a metallic T-Rex. Battle ensues, as the heroine is forced to take the beast down. It appears players will have to use weapons created from scraps scattered around the world and slowly dismantle the defenses of large creatures, all while trying to survive. Hopefully more information on this dynamically different game will be revealed soon.

3) Nintendo World Championships

Before the days of online multiplayer and getting pentakills, players had to physically attend tournaments, often traveling thousands of miles and having to record their skills on tape to enter. One of the most notorious of these early events was the Nintendo World Championships. These competitions had players playing a special tournament cartridge with several challenges built in. These cartridges are now sought after by collectors, being some of the most expensive games on the system.

Unfortunately, the World Championships faded into nostalgic obscurity, the last one held in 1990. However, in 2015 Nintendo comically announced the classic event is coming back. It was awesome.

Players, hand picked by Nintendo for various reasons, competed in Splatoon, Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, Mario Maker, and more to be crowned the champion. Each player brought out awesome skills for each game, making every moment exciting.

Hopefully this event becomes an annual tradition.
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2) Final Fantasy VII

Sony floored its audience with a single trailer.

While most believe this reveal to mean that one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time will finally get a remake, I’m convinced that there could be more to the story. I’ll elaborate more on my theories in a later post. More official information will be shared this winter.

Fallout 4

Before E3 officially began, Bethesda held its press event—one of the best presentations I’ve seen in a long time—showing off titles like Dishonored 2 and Doom. Their energy was abundant, the games were fantastic, and the fans were loving every second of it. Of course, everyone patiently waited for Fallout 4.

I had my doubts about the project after the trailer was released. However, I was completely blown away by what was shown at E3. The sheer amount of content being jammed into this game is staggering. Combat will be streamlined, fitting more in line with a shooter than an RPG, while retaining the classic elements established in past installments. Random junk is no longer just fun to horde as each piece can be used to construct other things. Many, many aspects of the game can be personalized from armor to weapons and beyond. Mods will also be playable on the console versions, even though the Xbox One will be getting them before the PS4.

While my list of improvements may seem like a lot, the official list of what’s being added is several pages long. Seriously. Not only that, but the collector’s edition of the game comes with a working Pit Boy  that can be connected to a smart phone. Its everything I’ve ever wanted from the Fallout franchise, presumably. We won’t know till the game comes out in November, but its not going to stop this title from being another Bethesda masterpiece.

To truly experience what’s been revealed for Fallout 4, watch the video below.

Now that E3 has come and gone, I feel that there are true strides being made in the gaming industry. I do wish someone would teach Square Enix how to do a proper gaming presentation, but I digress.

Game File, Games and Software, Industry Now

Glitches, Glitches Everywhere: How the Industry Deals With Buggy Games

To err is human. I’m not one of those unreasonable forum ranters who nitpicks every tiny issue in every game. When players in Madden walk through the goal post or when the background of the Skyrim landscape seems to be developing in front of my eyes, I let it rock. I’d like to believe I’m fairly aware of the time, technical skill and dedication necessary to create the wondrous worlds that I love.

dragon age meme
Source: http://forum.bioware.com

However, be it because of unrealistic yearly deadlines or a general lack of attention to detail, there are certain things that are unacceptable at this stage in gaming. Actually, let’s say there’s a frequency of things that are unacceptable at this day and age. Now, it is no secret I am a Bioware fan. From Knights of the Old Republic 1 and 2 to the Mass Effect Trilogy to the recently completed Dragon Age Trilogy, I’m with it all. My issue here is the same bugs and defects that were issues on the original Xbox still plague gamers today. At least back then, you could blame skips and freezes on scratches. I was completely fine with accepting that I couldn’t get to disk 2 on Final Fantasy VIII because I didn’t take care of my game and it froze on the last cut scene (SN: I just borrowed my friend’s disc one. To this day, I think I still have it smh).

Now, even a digital copy of a game isn’t safe from random error crashes, music mysteriously cutting out, characters disappearing and reappearing for no rhyme or reason, I mean the list is almost endless. The killer is, Bioware doesn’t make bad games. Actually, it’s created genre defining work. For the level of its work and for the formula it uses, at the very least, it has to cut down on the frequency of ALL of these issues and at best, eliminate them completely. I mean, I couldn’t even respec my character without the game freezing, but they’re pumping out multiplayer DLC. Priorities people, priorities.
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So, what they mean to ever so kindly tell me is, it’s more important to put new content into a damaged (because it’s not quite broken) game instead of fixing what they had to know was wrong before they even released it? With the advent of patching console games, I don’t see how issues like this persist more than a couple months, if that. You know there’s an issue, your forums are overflowing with your fanbase, your CUSTOMERS, asking for you to fix it and instead of pushing back superficial content and correcting your mistake, you plow forward with the gameplan as if nothing is wrong. It’s pretty disheartening to see honestly. Yes, I’m fully aware DLC is planned in advanced and there’s all kinds of self imposed deadlines to get the most out of the market and blah blah blah, but I don’t know anyone who would buy a product for any price and seek additions before making sure the core functions work.

Unfortunately, it will probably never change. If they can put out a subpar product, with little to no real competition, and we buy it anyway, why would they bother putting in the extra time to fix decade-old glitches? There’s an entire economics lesson on how to get it to change, but we all know we’d rather just yell voicelessly in forums.

 

Games and Software, Industry Now, Pop Culture, Tech World

Nintendo Direct: January 2015

Nintendo Direct videos are becoming one of the highlights of gaming news. The newest video to arrive featured some interesting news from Nintendo.

Nintendo 9
What’s with Link and going into impossible dungeons of water? Prepare to feel true anger again.

Software

Several previously announced games recieved more news during this event. The remake of the N64 classic Majora’s Mask will be making use of the New 3DS’ C Stick, allowing players to rotate the camera a full 360° around Link. While this may not seem substantial, this could completely change the way the game is played.

Another interesting feature comes from the folks behind Code Name STEAM, a strategy game that mixes action with traditional turn based combat. Fire Emblem characters can be unlocked via their Amiibo figures. Ike, Marth, Lucina, and Robin will all be available as playable characters with their own unique weapons and play styles.

Nintendo 4
In a game with assault rifles, aliens, and Abraham Lincoln, Ike actually fits pretty well with a unique approach to combat.

Nintendo also announced that Wii titles will soon be available for download on the Wii U. These games will no longer need to be played in Wii Mode for players to access some amazing titles. In fact, Super Mario Galaxy 2 should be available now, while the Metroid Prime Trilogy and Punch Out!! will be released in the coming months. Many games that were playable with the Wii Classic Controller will also be fully playable with the Wii U Game Pad. If this means Metroid Prime will finally be playable with two analog sticks, minds will be blown.

Nintendo 3
Arguably one of the best Mario games ever made. Now let’s hope it will be available for less than fifty bucks.

As far as new games, only a few were revealed. At the start of the event, a new Fire Emblem game was teased for the 3DS. Following on the heels of Fire Emblem: Awakening’s success, this isn’t a huge surprise. However, I expected the next Fire Emblem to be on Wii-U. Yet, they always seemed to be more popular on handhelds.

Nintendo 11
This dancer was one of the highlights of a gorgeous trailer for the new Fire Emblem. Expect cosplays next week.

A series that’s seen quite a bit of popularity in Japan is coming to the states in May. Puzzle and Dragons Z is a quirky puzzle game in the style of Bejeweled, combined with RPG elements. If that wasn’t enough, Nintendo is also packaging Puzzle and Dragons: Super Mario Edition with it. Both look like fun and addictive puzzle games.

Speaking of puzzle games, Nintendo is apparently keeping tabs on the wildly successful Candy Crush Saga. Pokemon Shuffle is coming to 3DS in February and will feature limited moves, a timed energy system, and collectible Pokemon that effect how the game plays. The game will be free to play.

Nintendo 2
Gamers everywhere will soon be able to shuffle with the master for free, unless you get stuck and can’t take it, then you can pay Nintendo a dollar.

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While Nintendo’s main focus for this event was the New 3DS (I’ll get to more on that later) it did announce several new Amiibo Figures. In Spring, Nintendo plans on releasing a Super Mario series of toys to coincide with the release of Mario Party 10. Most of these figures are just different models of those already available (Mario, Luigi, Peach, etc.); however, Toad will be released for the first time and he will have compatibility with last year’s Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

Nintendo 7
Expect Ike to sell for way more than intended a month after being snatched up by scalpers. No Toy R’ Us is safe.

Amiibo collectors should also be happy that Nintendo isn’t ignoring desperate pleas and ridiculous purchases of Marth. For some reason, Marth is one of the rarest characters so far, selling way above 13 USD. Nintendo will be shipping more Marth figures soon, hopefully diluting the rarity and the feverish collection.

One of the main reasons for today’s post is the new 3DS. This system boasts more processing power than the rest of the 3DS family, alongside several hardware features that most gamers are already aware of. The console will be releasing February 13 alongside Majora’s Mask 3D.

This system will be compatible with NFC figures, so in theory Skylanders and Disney Infinity could be compatible as well without peripherals. Oddly enough, Nintendo revealed that the New 3DS will not be coming with an AC Adapter. Don’t worry, all previous adapters will work with the new system. Why they chose to do this is an obnoxious mystery.

Other than that, it’s strange that Nintendo is only releasing the XL versions of their new consoles. What bothers me is the Gamecube and Super Famicom models of the new 3DS are more appealing to nostalgic geeks and collectors like myself. Whether these are even coming to the states is a mystery, but it may have to do with their relatively low price point of 153 USD after conversion. Come to think of it the New 3DS LL is only 180 USD in Japan, while the suggested retail is 199.99 USD in the US.

Nintendo 5
But Nintendo, what if I want the cheaper, more nostalgic version?

The final bit of news is of two special editions of the New 3DS, one being the already leaked Monster Hunter 4 version.

The other version is none other than a beautiful, golden Majora’s Mask edition. Presumably these two 3DS systems will have their respective games loaded digitally, but that’s yet to be confirmed.

All in all, Nintendo continues to impress and baffle with their online press events and decisions. I’ve already planned on pre-ordering the Majora’s Mask edition of the New 3DS later today. What did you think of Nintendo Direct this time? Leave a comment below or on any one of our social media pages.

Until next time, stay cool.


Watch live video from Nintendo on Twitch

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Dear Digital Extremes, Thank You

There are a lot of things people gripe about in gaming: day-one DLC, micro-transactions, digital verifications, etc. It is always easier to find someone shouting from the mountaintop about everything that’s wrong as opposed to anything that’s right. Well, after a long and arduous climb, I kindly asked that guy to sit down for a bit and let me shout a little positivity from his precious mountaintop.

Digital Extremes, the company that brought us Warframe, has and continues to provide the console world with a perfect example of how well free-to-play gaming can work. Though, many complain about “free-to-play” and “pay-to-win” games, Warframe finds the perfect balance. Any warframe, weapon, sentinel or kubrow can be assembled, found or purchased all in game. There is a fair amount of grinding required for particular items, but if you really want it, you’ll never have to worry about seeing another player with an amazing weapon that you don’t have access to. In a stroke of genius, the only things you actually HAVE to pay for are cosmetic. Purchasing new paint colors, ceremonial armor, weapon patterns and the like, which have nothing to do with battle capabilities, require players to purchase platinum with actual money. You would be surprised how difficult it can be to resist the urge to pimp your ninja. I’ve spent well over $100 over time and I’m probably in the low end of purchasing.

As far as DLC goes, everything is free. Well, i suppose to be more accurate, the updates are all free.  It is to be noted that these updates are always game changing. With no cost, Digital Extremes has added new warframes, new weapons, new mission types, updated maps, new events and a slew of visual and audio upgrades. Other free-to-play titles such as DC Universe Online and Blacklight Retribution can and do nickel and dime you for all their additional content. Warframe is up to version 15.5 (PS4 and Xbox One) and 15.8.1 (PC) and they’re consistently giving their community reason after reason to never put the controller down.

One of these products is diva herbal deeprootsmag.org levitra prices. Same interferon have been shown to be effective for that particular activity, but they are not a levitra online australia http://deeprootsmag.org/2013/05/24/cristina-braga-samba-jazz-love/the-one-who-sings-sends-his-sorrows-away-2/ permanent solution. Some males do not show interest for levitra on line sale lovemaking after hectic day schedule. After talking with your partner you should consult a doctor for starting an appropriate treatment. cialis generic pharmacy Finally, the work that Digital Extremes puts into working with their community is beyond impressive. Its DevStream gives gamers a chance to see the inner workings of their favorite title, new insights into how to use available weapons and warframes and show glimpses into the future of the franchise. The website also has tools for fans to create channels and fansites. It’s even possible to be featured on the site to generate more traffic.

I stand and salute Digital Extremes for its work with a free title. It has managed to build a game that expands from PC to the console world and stands as a prime example of how free-to-play can not only work, but can flourish. Thank you Digital Extremes. May you inspire others to not drop the ball in the future.

PS: Have you guys see the Archwing missions they added!?! Someone get these guys a license to make Gundam Wing games. Can’t you just see the same gameplay working for the Wing Zero!?!? OK, I’m done now. Enjoy your day.

Game File, Games and Software, Industry Now

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft – Amateur Open Tournament

Good Gaming has announced an official Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft – Amateur Open Tournament with Blizzard Entertainment. Players of all skill levels will get a chance to battle for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.

Hearthstone Tournament Promotional Video from Good Gaming on Vimeo.

To enter, interested contestants must be registered members of Good Gaming by December 18, 2014. For a limited time, Silver Memberships start at $5 and include a free entry ticket into the tournament and 1,000 Good Gaming Points, which can be used to access premium content on the site.
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The tournament consists of a series of Constructed Play Phases, each player in the tournament will be required to bring and declare constructed decks to be used throughout the single elimination. The tournament will take place in a best of five match style play tournament format.

The tournament begins on December 19, 2014 and will last through December 21, 2014. For those who can’t be there, watch it live on Good Gaming’s official Twitch channel, shoutcasted by eSports personalities Kevin Knocke and Ken Mitts.

Good Gaming is “an eLearning and social networking platform that empowers a new generation of eSports gamers to Game Better.” For more information on the tournament eligibility requirements, official rules and regulations visit Good Gaming.