It may have just been a matter of time or possibly the result of some bad business decisions but today Sony Online Entertainment confirms the cancellation of The Agency and the closure of their Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios.
Along with the cancellation and closures comes the termination of 205 positions at SOE which comes "As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce".
The Agency is a long delayed MMO, which cancellation will allow SOE to focus on "delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties".
Along with the cancellation and closures comes the termination of 205 positions at SOE which comes "As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce".
The Agency is a long delayed MMO, which cancellation will allow SOE to focus on "delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties".
If you have digitally purchased a PC game, chances are you have done it on Impulse, which is (was) part of Stardock.
Today GameStop announced that it has purchased Spwan Labs, creators of the console streaming box, as well as Impulse.
Impulse is a large digital distributor which allows GameStop to become competitive in the digital age as it becomes a more viable option every day.
In their official press release the retailer detailed what customers, clients and developers can expect from Impulse in the future.
While this acquisition is still in its infancy it could mean big things for GameStop's future and establishment within the digital space.
Today GameStop announced that it has purchased Spwan Labs, creators of the console streaming box, as well as Impulse.
Impulse is a large digital distributor which allows GameStop to become competitive in the digital age as it becomes a more viable option every day.
In their official press release the retailer detailed what customers, clients and developers can expect from Impulse in the future.
* Impulse::Client - allows gamers to have instant access to a library of more than 1,100 games on day one as well as the ability to manage their game-related downloads and purchases.
* Impulse::Reactor - provides content publishers customer friendly DRM and copy protection tools. It also allows developers to enable achievements, account management, friend lists, chat, multiplayer lobbies, and cloud storage within their games.
* Impulse::Publisher - allows publishers to manage all aspects of their game with powerful real-time reporting and management tools.
While this acquisition is still in its infancy it could mean big things for GameStop's future and establishment within the digital space.
Mojang has just released a new update to the hit Minecraft that adds adorable wolves, the ability to change respawn location, and delicious cookies. View the full list of details below.
Added tameable wolves
Added cookies
Sleeping in a bed now resets your spawn position
New Minecraft logo
Holding shift while climbing will hang on to the ladder
Spiders will no longer trample crops
Lots and lots of infrastructure for Statistics lists and Achievements
Note: Achievements and statistics are not enabled at this time. Mojang has said they will be available in the next patch/update.
Added tameable wolves
Added cookies
Sleeping in a bed now resets your spawn position
New Minecraft logo
Holding shift while climbing will hang on to the ladder
Spiders will no longer trample crops
Lots and lots of infrastructure for Statistics lists and Achievements
Note: Achievements and statistics are not enabled at this time. Mojang has said they will be available in the next patch/update.
GameInformer got their hands on the debut trailer for the upcoming open worlder (yes, worlder;) Saints Row: The Third. The trailer shows a bunch of logos, a guy getting punched in the balls and a holiday 2011 release date, that's it. Nothing else. Check it out below!
Do you love racing? How about explosions? Do you love racing and explosions at the same time? Yes? Great because Remedy Entertainment's new game Death Rally is for you! Death Rally has been designed for the iPhone and iPad by Remedy the creators of Max Payne and Alan Wake.
Death Rally features amazing graphics, lots of weapon and car unlocks, neat guest drivers like Duke Nukem, John Gore and Barry Wheeler. It also works with Apple's Game Center for leaderboards and achievements.
Download Death Rally now form the App Store.
Death Rally features amazing graphics, lots of weapon and car unlocks, neat guest drivers like Duke Nukem, John Gore and Barry Wheeler. It also works with Apple's Game Center for leaderboards and achievements.
"Players start out with the trusty Vagabond, a reliable vehicle armed with a pea shooter. It’s not the fastest, doesn't have the best handling or armor, yet it’s just enough to survive the initial Death Rally. With each new bracket, Death Rally introduces more experienced opponents with faster cars and bigger guns looking to destroy anyone and everyone that gets in their way. Surviving and winning each race gives players more money to tune-up, repair, and upgrade their car. They can also upgrade to meaner guns and better cars to out drive and blow away the competition."
Download Death Rally now form the App Store.
We have another beta key giveaway for everyone this week. This time it's for an upcoming 3rd person MMO like shooter for the PC called War Inc. Battlezone. This is a closed beta and keys are limited.
To win a code you need to leave a comment below telling us what your favorite color is and a way to contact you.
For extras points follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook.
[Update: We are all out of codes, congrats to all the winners!]
To win a code you need to leave a comment below telling us what your favorite color is and a way to contact you.
For extras points follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook.
[Update: We are all out of codes, congrats to all the winners!]
Activision has revealed today that another Spider-Man game is in the works over at the Activision owned studio Beenox. The next Spider-Man is titled Spider-Man: Edge of Time. You will be playing as Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099 to help correct the future and save Peter Parker from an early death.
Spider-Man: Edge of Time is set to release later this fall. No consoles have been announced at this time but I would guess all the main ones (PS3, 360, 3DS and PC.)

Spider-Man: Edge of Time is set to release later this fall. No consoles have been announced at this time but I would guess all the main ones (PS3, 360, 3DS and PC.)
"Spider-Man: Edge of Time is a focused, action-packed adventure set in two connected and evolving timelines, from the contemporary times of the Amazing Spider-Man to the corrupted future world of Spider-Man 2099, against the backdrop of a rich, tightly crafted narrative by acclaimed Marvel veteran Peter David (co-creator of the comic book series Spider-Man 2099). The game features all-new "cause-and-effect" gameplay, where players will see how the immediate and sometimes unexpected effects of their actions as one Spider-Man changes the timeline of the other Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Edge of Time is slated for release this fall."

Konami has just sent word that Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot is now available on both PSN and XBLA. Rush'N Attack costs 800 MSP ($9.99) and can be downloaded here.
In Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot, a clandestine struggle exists between Russia and the United States for military intelligence during the shadows of the Cold War. When the CIA discovers that the Russians have found never-before-seen material used to create devastating nuclear missiles, they form a secret branch called "Harvest" to infiltrate and investigate the Soviet weapons program. The Cold War soon ends without a bang and the operation is discontinued. Decades later, new operative Sergeant Sid Morrow, call sign "Wolf Spider", is tasked with retrieving an abandoned member of Harvest, re-evaluating the missile threat, and sabotaging it if necessary.
Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot takes players through three massive environments of a Siberian prison complex, a bio-weapons laboratory, and a nuclear weapons base. In each location, gamers will have to complete a variety of missions and survive encounters with a variety of Russian soldiers from prison guards to elite paratroopers, snipers, and more.
It is a well known factoid that I love racing games and motorsports. I am a rally enthusiast that notices all the little details in racing games and so do the guys over at Codemasters. Today the UK studio released a new video pointing out some of the greatest rally cars of all time.
Group B was banned by the FIA in the 80s due to safely concerns. The only concern in this video is not getting too many goose bumps!
Group B was banned by the FIA in the 80s due to safely concerns. The only concern in this video is not getting too many goose bumps!
SEGA and Avalanche Studios have just revealed a brand new ip they are working on for XBLA, PSN and PC called Renegade Ops. RO is a military co-op shooter and they say it will provide tons of "mayhem and exhilarating destruction." Check out more details of Renegade Ops below!
Renegade Ops puts players in a mobile commando unit sent behind enemy lines to defeat Inferno, a madman intent on global domination. Defeat enemies across a range of stunning environments using a wide variety of vehicles, from dispersing electromagnetic shock waves to the deployment of a huge Gatling gun armed to the teeth. Players have the choice to fight alone in single player mode, team up offline with two-player split screen or join the dynamic 4-player online co-op experience. Blast your way through enemy lines by working together, or compete for achievements as you and your friends aim to top the online leader boards.
Unleash your full arsenal of weapons and destroy anything that stands in your path as you battle to protect the free world in any way possible. Madman Inferno, the commander of a sinister terrorist organisation, has detonated a devastating bomb to demonstrate the power of his new deadly weapon. Furious at the world’s leaders decision not to fight against Inferno, General Bryant has recruited a crack team of military specialists, known as the Renegade Ops, from around the globe to wage war against Inferno’s promise of world domination.
Yesterday Capcom officially revealed Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City and today they released a teaser trailer that takes a quick looks at the outbreak that is spreading across Raccoon City. Check the video out below.
The third video of four in the Battlefield 3 Fault Line series is here and it is just as epic as the last two! Hurry up and click that play button! - The final Fault Line episode releases on April 17th.
Telltale Games makes awesome point and click adventure games, right? Sam and Max, Back to the Future and Tales of Monkey Island all are pretty sweet but the new kid on the block maybe contending for the top game in the lineup.
Jurassic Park: The Game is available for pre-order now. The game is episodic and will be delivered in a 5 episode series. If you pre order the game, you'll get exclusive access to the special access forum and a post release DVD.
Jurassic Park is 29.99 as a pre order special and the first episode will hit in April 2011.
Jurassic Park: The Game is available for pre-order now. The game is episodic and will be delivered in a 5 episode series. If you pre order the game, you'll get exclusive access to the special access forum and a post release DVD.
Jurassic Park is 29.99 as a pre order special and the first episode will hit in April 2011.
Have any of you had the pleasure of previewing any of the past Xbox 360 Dashboards in previous years? In case your answer is no, this year is your golden chance. Sign ups are limited so make sure you act fast.
This year the update will be 'disc based' and the program will include a copy of Halo Reach and other 'possible rewards'.
The preview program is limited to US residents only and does NOT require a Gold Membership. Also, note that the update will not affect voice or party chat as last year's update did.
The notice was posted on Major Nelson's blog today. Good luck.
This year the update will be 'disc based' and the program will include a copy of Halo Reach and other 'possible rewards'.
The preview program is limited to US residents only and does NOT require a Gold Membership. Also, note that the update will not affect voice or party chat as last year's update did.
The notice was posted on Major Nelson's blog today. Good luck.
There has been quite a bit of excitement around the third Saints Row entry. Previously Game Informer revealed the game via a cover story and the magazine, again, leads the way with a batch of brand new images for the upcoming title.
Saints Row: The Third is looking to keep the tradition of an open world, over the top action game going and these images are making be look forward to a taste.
Saints Row: The Third is looking to keep the tradition of an open world, over the top action game going and these images are making be look forward to a taste.
When we went to PAX East earlier this month, I came across a gem of a game on the show floor called 'Shoot Many Robots', read our preview here. Demiurge Studios has been running a contest called 'Design Many Robots'. If you are an aspiring game designer or simply a fan you could get your design into Demiurge's shoot em up.
The contest ends in just a few days though, so hurry. April 4th is the last day to submit a design and hope it makes it into the game. Head over to the developers website and give it a go. Good luck!
The contest ends in just a few days though, so hurry. April 4th is the last day to submit a design and hope it makes it into the game. Head over to the developers website and give it a go. Good luck!

Holy instant notification batman, my twitfeed is alive with XBLA news! According to @Bethblog, Dead Money DLC, and other XBLA titles will be getting some April Fools' loving... no, this is no prank.
Hurry, though! It ends on April 1st!
RT @Bethblog Xbox LIVE sales this week. DOOM II 400 points, Quake Arena Arcade 800 points, and on Friday only, Dead Money will be 400 points
If you are looking to pick up some crappy SEGA games on the cheap to play this week, then keep reading this post! SEGA is discounting both After Burner Climax and Crazy Taxi by 50% starting now and ending April 1st. Get the download links below.
Download After Burner Climax here -800 / 400
Download Crazy Taxi here -800 / 400
Download After Burner Climax here -
Download Crazy Taxi here -
With the release of WWE All Stars today, THQ sent us this action packed launch trailer that shows off all your favorite wrestlers from past years kickin butt. Check the trailer out below.
Bethesda and id Software are getting ready to put the final touches on RAGE, the post apocalyptic shooter to hit in September. While you anxiously wait for the game's arrival, you'll now be able to anticipate a novel, too.
Bethesda and Del Rey Books announced that a novel, entitled RAGE, will accompany the game and release in North America on August 30th, 2011. The book is being written by best-selling and award-winning author Matt Costello who worked on games previously as well as movies and TV Series.
Bethesda and Del Rey Books announced that a novel, entitled RAGE, will accompany the game and release in North America on August 30th, 2011. The book is being written by best-selling and award-winning author Matt Costello who worked on games previously as well as movies and TV Series.
I don't think that I could ever get bored of Aperture Science, Portals and 'Bots'. Today Valve released the second in a four part series of 'Investment Opportunities'. The second video features some serious trust issues.
The Back to the Future series probably touches the most sentimental spot in my gamer-heart. Telltale just announced that Episode 3, Citizen Brown, is now available for PC and MAC. What are you waiting for, get out of here and try not to break the space-time continuum.
InXile Entertainment is ready to unleash a classic game into the era of HD consoles. Choplifter HD will make its way to PlayStation 3 and PC later this fall.
In Choplifter HD, players take on the role of an up and coming rescue pilot asked to join the elite, international helicopter rescue team C.H.O.P.R. (Coordinated Helicopter Operations, Preservation and Rescue). Pilots will be trained to command a variety of helicopters deployed on more than 20 different missions ranging from captured military prisoner extraction to saving survivors of viral outbreaks. Pilots must bank, hover and touch-down in perilous conditions in order to make their rescue and complete their mission. Developed and published by inXile Entertainment, Choplifter HD dares players to risk their lives in order to save others.

In a world of gritty first person shooters and 3rd person hack and slash action games, it can sometimes become repetitive to be a gamer - this is where Swarm comes in. Hothead Games and Ignition Entertainment have teamed up to create an irresistible action platformer that consists of 50 Swarmites crazily huddled together, running across a given level and getting to the other end with the most points possible.
The concept of Swarm sounds simple but reaches a healthy level of complexity which will have players coming back for more, long after they have beaten each stage. Mama Swarm needs to be fed and sends out her tiny Swarmites to gather her ‘food’ in the form of orbs and the occasional DNA sequence. There really isn’t much of an overarching plot in Swarm and the game doesn’t need it, at all. The motivation in this title solely consists of getting the most points possible in order to unlock the next stage and beat all of your friends on the leaderboard.
Swarm takes place in a dark and brutally dangerous dungeon environment; there are dozens of ways for your Swarmites to die – over and over again. And there will be plenty of dying in this game, make no mistake, Swarm can be brutally punishing if the Swarmites are not being used appropriately. By that I mean, keep at least a few Swarmites alive until the next checkpoint, at which your ‘swarm’ will regenerate and 50 blue blobs are ready at player’s disposal again. Earlier I was talking about getting a high score to unlock levels; this requires players to create a multiplier and fast time bonus which will be applied to your score at the end of each stage. In order to get a multiplier and keep it going players will need to collect orbs without dying or slowing down – if played properly a multiplier of 20+ is fairly attainable and should get a score in the million range and believe me, once you pop the first million, you cannot stop. It is extremely infectious to keep getting a higher score and going back to previous levels in order to beat a prior high water mark.
Gameplay in Swarm is something that may look complicated at first because you have to navigate 50 wild blobs across death traps, fire, spears, explosives and giant ledges but once the controls are mastered, it becomes very natural and fun. Controlling the 50 Swarmites is actually fairly simple, with the push of a button the Swarm can huddle, spread out or dash while the combination of huddle and jump builds a Swarmite-Tower of Joy to reach higher up areas or jump onto a tall ledge. The Swarm can also punch through things and dash jump. This is all you’ll need to maneuver the traitorous environments and solve some puzzles along the way. Several times players will need to sacrifice a few Swarmites to live on and continue the journey. Death is a big part of the game as you’ll need to strategically kill a few blobs in order to save the rest – that’s why Hothead made dying awesome! I won’t get tired of the dozens of death animations like being speared, burned, sliced or smashed. Swarm is a game full of whimsy and fun build on top of a solid action platformer that has players keep trying to improve and best their scores. The puzzles are very enjoyable and just challenging enough to keep it from being frustrating and cause a rage-quit. Rarely have I played a modern day platformer and enjoyed it as much as Swarm. The game looks great and plays well, controlling a bunch of nutty blobs actually works really well and makes this more unique than most titles in the genre.
Score: 8.5 / 10
Swarm was developed by Hothead Games and published by Ignition Entertainment for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 22nd/23rd. A review code of the PS3 retail version was provided to us by Ignition for reviewing purposes.
Today, Activision community manager Dan Amrich aka One of Swords, revealed on his blog that we can expect to find out what exactly Activision's Beenox developed Spiderman game will be all about.
Amrich told us on his blog that will be treated to the following:
Amrich will be moderating the panel as well, it starts at 4:30pm on Saturday, April 2.
Amrich told us on his blog that will be treated to the following:
Next, be the first to check out exclusive details, screenshots and videos of the next Spider-Man game, with game development talent from Beenox, acclaimed Marvel writer Peter David (co-creator of Spider-Man 2099), voiceover talent Josh Keaton (voice of Spider-Man inThe Spectacular Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions) and Marvel’s VP of games production.
Amrich will be moderating the panel as well, it starts at 4:30pm on Saturday, April 2.
Today Capcom officially revealed Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (a mouthful) which is a reinterpretation of the events that occurred in RE2 and RE3. Raccoon City will feature a new style of third person team based shooter action. The latest Resident Evil game is being developed by Slant 6 Games for the Playstation 3, PC and Xbox 360.
Along with Operation Raccoon City, Capcom also announced that anyone who buys Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D on the Nintendo 3DS will receive a playable demo for Resident Evil Revelations.
Along with Operation Raccoon City, Capcom also announced that anyone who buys Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D on the Nintendo 3DS will receive a playable demo for Resident Evil Revelations.
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City: "It is September 1998 and the action centers once more on the ill-fated Raccoon City and the horrific consequences of the deadly T-virus outbreak from the Umbrella facility. With a cover up required, Umbrella orders an elite team into Raccoon City to destroy all evidence of the outbreak and eliminate any survivors. Hearing of this plan, the US Government dispatches its own special forces to uncover any evidence that exposes the cause of the viral infection and Umbrella’s actions. Players take on the role of an Umbrella Security Services soldier (U.S.S.), competing alone or in four player co-op in a battle against all the competing forces at play in Raccoon City.
Expect the return of original Resident Evil enemies, iconic landmarks such as the Raccoon City Police Department and fan favorite characters, including Leon S. Kennedy, who as a rookie police officer in Raccoon City is on your hit list to eliminate. Players will experience a retelling of classic moments from past titles Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 and watch the events unfolding from the menacing perspective of the Umbrella Security Service, giving fans the chance to rewrite the history of the Raccoon City outbreak."
The Nintendo 3DS released today and our awesome friends over at TV and Lust got their hands on one and did a great unboxing/first look for it. Check the video out below!
Hey guys, I checked my watch and yup, it is time for another edition of onSwag in the form of a Beta Code Giveaway. We have a few beta codes for the upcoming SOCOM 4 to give to readers and there are 2 ways to get them:
- Follow us on Twitter and @reply with the hash tag #NavySeals and tell us why you deserve a code.
- LIKE us on Facebook and leave a comment on our wall, telling us why you should get a code.
The contest will run until Wednesday, US only. Good luck!
- Follow us on Twitter and @reply with the hash tag #NavySeals and tell us why you deserve a code.
- LIKE us on Facebook and leave a comment on our wall, telling us why you should get a code.
The contest will run until Wednesday, US only. Good luck!
Andreas and Ronnie talk about the seventeenth Duke Nukem Forever delay, SILK voice codec available now on Steam, Nintendo 3DS part cost, along with Homefront, SWARM and SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta.
Right click to download
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News:
Pitchford: DNF Multiplayer 'Capture the Babe' does not have Face Slapping
Black Ops First Strike DLC to hit PCs on March 25
SILK Voice Chat Coming to Steam Today
Stronghold 3 Release Window Pushed Back
Ex-Bizarre Creations Devs form Hogrocket
Duke Nukem Forever Delayed - Again
Codemasters: F1 2011 out in September 2011
Homefront sells 1 Million Copies, 2.4 MM Shipped
Nintendo 3DS parts cost 101 Dollars
Games:
HomeFront
Black Ops
SOCOM 4 Multiplayer Beta
SWARM
Other
Rebecca Black - Friday
SOCOM 4 Call
SWARM Preview
Review: James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Halo: Reach Defiant Map Pack Review
Twitters:
Ronnie: @RonyDean
Andreas: @RacingFreak
Derrin: @DernKuhn
Email us:
PauseThat@onPause.org
Remember to subscribe and review us on iTunes!
Right click to download
Subscribe: RSS - iTunes

News:
Pitchford: DNF Multiplayer 'Capture the Babe' does not have Face Slapping
Black Ops First Strike DLC to hit PCs on March 25
SILK Voice Chat Coming to Steam Today
Stronghold 3 Release Window Pushed Back
Ex-Bizarre Creations Devs form Hogrocket
Duke Nukem Forever Delayed - Again
Codemasters: F1 2011 out in September 2011
Homefront sells 1 Million Copies, 2.4 MM Shipped
Nintendo 3DS parts cost 101 Dollars
Games:
HomeFront
Black Ops
SOCOM 4 Multiplayer Beta
SWARM
Other
Rebecca Black - Friday
SOCOM 4 Call
SWARM Preview
Review: James Bond 007: Blood Stone
Halo: Reach Defiant Map Pack Review
Twitters:
Ronnie: @RonyDean
Andreas: @RacingFreak
Derrin: @DernKuhn
Email us:
PauseThat@onPause.org
Remember to subscribe and review us on iTunes!
The Nascar Sprint Cup is well underway and the official game, Nascar The Game 2011 is about to get players into the action. Are you ready to enter the speedways in Activision's licensed stock car game? In order to wet your taste buds some more the publisher sent along another video, this time it is the Auto Club Speedway, site of this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400.
The release of Codemasters' DIRT 3 is now only 2 months away and I already cannot wait to dig my virtual tires into asphalt, gravel, sand and of course, snow. 2 new images for the game's winter stages have been added to their facebook page, showing off the Ford RS200 and the Fiesta.


You may have never heard of Gamers Digital, have you? Well, today is the day we make sure you know about them. Gamers Digital are a digital games publisher that brings apps and games to different platforms including iOS, Nintendo and Windows.
Their latest game is a WiiWare title called Zombii Attack. What is the game all about? Zombii Attack deals with the plot of a zombie outbreak where one sole survivor is making a stand against the zombie apocalypse. How, you ask?
In order to fight the ever increasing infection, the survivor (you!), will launch different environmental items at zombies and buildings using a massive rubber bands. Sounds awesome, I know!
In order to be successful at being awesome at Zombii Attack, players will need to improvise and use zombies, explosives and other things to destroy zombies and their nesting grounds before you, in fact, become a zombie. Players will be able to earn cash to improve and stock up on their slingshot and collect certain zombies to help find a cure. Players will also be able to upgrade their barriers and repair them as they become damaged.
Zombii Attack will hit WiiWare this spring and cost 500 Wii points.
Their latest game is a WiiWare title called Zombii Attack. What is the game all about? Zombii Attack deals with the plot of a zombie outbreak where one sole survivor is making a stand against the zombie apocalypse. How, you ask?
In order to fight the ever increasing infection, the survivor (you!), will launch different environmental items at zombies and buildings using a massive rubber bands. Sounds awesome, I know!
Lone survivors must use strategy when launching anvils, tires, experimental highly-explosive z-bombs and even the undead themselves at the endless waves of zombies using the Wii Remote™ with realistic natural motions.
In order to be successful at being awesome at Zombii Attack, players will need to improvise and use zombies, explosives and other things to destroy zombies and their nesting grounds before you, in fact, become a zombie. Players will be able to earn cash to improve and stock up on their slingshot and collect certain zombies to help find a cure. Players will also be able to upgrade their barriers and repair them as they become damaged.
Zombii Attack will hit WiiWare this spring and cost 500 Wii points.
A new piece of hardware always gets ridiculed and broken apart in order to see what the 'bits' are within the new machine. The Nintendo 3DS is set to release this Sunday and UBM TechInsights has done exactly that. According to this report posted by Eurogamer, the 3DS components cost just over 100 bucks.
While the bits and pieces of the 3DS are valued at 101 Dollars there are other things to consider before screaming 'RIP OFF' and other offensive tag lines. Every device ever to be developed costs much more than its parts. There is Research and Development, production, marketing and distribution.
While this will bring up the cost, Nintendo surely priced the 3DS to make a profit on day one. The device will retail at 250 Dollars.
While the bits and pieces of the 3DS are valued at 101 Dollars there are other things to consider before screaming 'RIP OFF' and other offensive tag lines. Every device ever to be developed costs much more than its parts. There is Research and Development, production, marketing and distribution.
While this will bring up the cost, Nintendo surely priced the 3DS to make a profit on day one. The device will retail at 250 Dollars.
Are all you Halo fanboys ready?!?! Microsoft has finally released a Halo: Reach map pack and I have had the pleasure of reviewing it for you today. The Defiant map pack costs 800 Mega Space Pennies (MSP) and comes with two competitive maps; Highlands and Condemned, along with one Firefight level; Unearthed.
With Bungie no longer being involved in Halo projects, Microsoft has enlisted 343 Industries and Certain Affinity to carry on the Halo name. If you don't know who Certain Affinity is, they are ex Bungie members who created the Halo 2 maps Tombstone and Desolation a few years back. So these guys definitely know a thing or two about Halo.
Alright, enough back-story, let's review these maps shall we!
First up we have is Highlands a big open map with lots of caves, buildings and crashed ships for you to hide in and around so you don't get your a** sniped. Highlands reminds me and plays a lot like the map Zanzibar from Halo 2/3. It has loads of different routes to take and always a vehicle around to get you where you need to go. I had nothing but epic moments and a great time playing this map. This one is easily up there with the best Reach maps and possibly one of the best throughout out Halo.
Next up is Condemned, a very small map set in a UNSC space station. Condemned plays a lot like Midship and Elongation from Halo 2. Super tight areas and usually no breathing time in between fights. A really cool thing about this level is at anytime you can quickly get across the level going through the middle which is a zero G room, nothing but craziness happens when taking this route. Sure to some people the map sounds great, but I hate it with a passion. Every time this map was picked all I wanted to do is rip out my copy of Reach and put it through a shredder.
Condemned has everything that I hate about levels in video games. Stupidly small to the point you feel like you have no room at all to move around and you get caught on any little object in your way, along with it being set in the boringness of a space station. ENOUGH WITH SPACE STATION'S IN GAMES ALREADY!!!!
And finally Unearthed the only Firefight level of the three. Certain Affinity has done an awesome job here. Unearthed is easily the greatest Firefight level of them all. It has a very nice open feeling with lots of areas to go and multiple levels so you don't ever feel cramped, yet it still feels small enough so you can still quickly get across the level to save a friend who is in trouble.
All three maps look stunning and have loads of detail and fit very well in the Halo universe.
If you are still playing Halo: Reach's multiplayer and are craving some new maps, you will most likely find some enjoyment here, but for everyone else who has stopped playing Halo you should just skip the Defiant map pack, it won't keep you playing for long.
With Bungie no longer being involved in Halo projects, Microsoft has enlisted 343 Industries and Certain Affinity to carry on the Halo name. If you don't know who Certain Affinity is, they are ex Bungie members who created the Halo 2 maps Tombstone and Desolation a few years back. So these guys definitely know a thing or two about Halo.
Alright, enough back-story, let's review these maps shall we!
First up we have is Highlands a big open map with lots of caves, buildings and crashed ships for you to hide in and around so you don't get your a** sniped. Highlands reminds me and plays a lot like the map Zanzibar from Halo 2/3. It has loads of different routes to take and always a vehicle around to get you where you need to go. I had nothing but epic moments and a great time playing this map. This one is easily up there with the best Reach maps and possibly one of the best throughout out Halo.
Next up is Condemned, a very small map set in a UNSC space station. Condemned plays a lot like Midship and Elongation from Halo 2. Super tight areas and usually no breathing time in between fights. A really cool thing about this level is at anytime you can quickly get across the level going through the middle which is a zero G room, nothing but craziness happens when taking this route. Sure to some people the map sounds great, but I hate it with a passion. Every time this map was picked all I wanted to do is rip out my copy of Reach and put it through a shredder.
Condemned has everything that I hate about levels in video games. Stupidly small to the point you feel like you have no room at all to move around and you get caught on any little object in your way, along with it being set in the boringness of a space station. ENOUGH WITH SPACE STATION'S IN GAMES ALREADY!!!!
And finally Unearthed the only Firefight level of the three. Certain Affinity has done an awesome job here. Unearthed is easily the greatest Firefight level of them all. It has a very nice open feeling with lots of areas to go and multiple levels so you don't ever feel cramped, yet it still feels small enough so you can still quickly get across the level to save a friend who is in trouble.
All three maps look stunning and have loads of detail and fit very well in the Halo universe.
If you are still playing Halo: Reach's multiplayer and are craving some new maps, you will most likely find some enjoyment here, but for everyone else who has stopped playing Halo you should just skip the Defiant map pack, it won't keep you playing for long.
Have you defended your Homefront yet? While THQ and Kaos Studios' Homefront was not an extremely critical success it sold well during its first week at retail. According to the publisher Homefront sold a decent 1 Million copies to consumers worldwide while it managed to ship 2.4 Million.
Homefront has a good but short single player campaign with spotty multiplayer servers during launch week, yet THQ's shooter has done well in sales which is probably due to the aggressive marketing campaign.
Homefront has a good but short single player campaign with spotty multiplayer servers during launch week, yet THQ's shooter has done well in sales which is probably due to the aggressive marketing campaign.
Well, someone over at Deep Silver is a real tease. Every week we receive some new screenshots of Techland's Dead Island but have yet to see a gameplay trailer. The upcoming zombie slayer has been in the press quite a bit but unfortunately we missed an opportunity to play it at PAX East since the game did not make it there. Maybe it went on a 'vacation' to a tropical island?
Either way, here are 3 new images of the game showing of the locale, the 'Ram' and the female character Xian Mei.


Either way, here are 3 new images of the game showing of the locale, the 'Ram' and the female character Xian Mei.


Bethesda's Hunted is a 2 player coop game at heart and the publisher wants to make sure you know about it. Today Bethesda released a new gameplay trailer showing off the sweet cooperative mode.
The sequel to a game that I really enjoyed last year has gotten a release window. Codemasters announced via Twitter that F1 2011 will release in September this year. Codies also revealed a competition to play the game early.
If you submit a youtube clip asking a question about the game and LIKE the facebook page you are entered into challenge to play the game early at Codemasters. Good luck!
If you submit a youtube clip asking a question about the game and LIKE the facebook page you are entered into challenge to play the game early at Codemasters. Good luck!
Well, you probably won't be surprised by this, not even angry, but Duke Nukem Forever has been delayed again. Yes, I am being serious. This is not some funny, twisted joke I came up with this morning to ridicule our readers because I am cranky.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford revealed via a video clip that the Duke will be shipping a month later than previously announced. While DNF was scheduled to arrive in stores on May 3rd, the game has been pushed to June 14th in the US and the 10th for International territories. In a follow up tweet Pitchford had this to say:
Don't be too sad people, we all know, after 12 years, a month isn't earth shattering.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford revealed via a video clip that the Duke will be shipping a month later than previously announced. While DNF was scheduled to arrive in stores on May 3rd, the game has been pushed to June 14th in the US and the 10th for International territories. In a follow up tweet Pitchford had this to say:
Yes, it's real. Yes, it's necessary. Yes, we know everyone is going to make a big deal about it. No, we didn't plan it.
Don't be too sad people, we all know, after 12 years, a month isn't earth shattering.
Today Zipper Interactive held a conference call for press outlets to talk about the studio in general and very specifically about their upcoming tactical third person shooter, SOCOM 4.
The call is just about an hour long and details a lot of what will be seen in SOCOM 4 when it releases in just a few weeks. The two Zipper staff participating on this call are Brian Soderberg, President and Co-Founder of Zipper Interactive, and Travis Steiner, Lead Designer on SOCOM 4.
Direct Download Link: [MP3]
The call is just about an hour long and details a lot of what will be seen in SOCOM 4 when it releases in just a few weeks. The two Zipper staff participating on this call are Brian Soderberg, President and Co-Founder of Zipper Interactive, and Travis Steiner, Lead Designer on SOCOM 4.
Direct Download Link: [MP3]
Many gamers, including me, were upset when Activision decided to shut down the excellent developers over at Bizarre Creations who created games like Geometry Wars, Blur and most recently Blood Stone.
Today a new website called hogrocket.com went up and revealed that three of the ex-Bizarre staff formed a new studio called 'Hogrocket'.
Pete Collier, Ben Ward and Geometry Wars creator Stephen Cakebread are shown proudly on the indie studio's website. The site is currently bare bones and only hints that the indie startup is 'developing on multiple platforms' and will soon show their progress.
Today a new website called hogrocket.com went up and revealed that three of the ex-Bizarre staff formed a new studio called 'Hogrocket'.
Pete Collier, Ben Ward and Geometry Wars creator Stephen Cakebread are shown proudly on the indie studio's website. The site is currently bare bones and only hints that the indie startup is 'developing on multiple platforms' and will soon show their progress.
This is a reminder that the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow DLC 'Reverie' is now available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Reverie Add On will have players "return to the Castle as Gabriel to help Laura, the former servant to the vampire Carmilla, to destroy the unruly evil that was previously kept in check by the recently slain Queen."




Aaron W 