Assassins Creed II Lineage - Full Video

For those of you who missed it, the folks at Ubisoft made a live action prequel for Assassins Creed II and well... it's amazing! Beautifully crafted and directly tied to the new game this live action film sets up the story for the newly released title. Originally released in multiple episodes, below is the full length (30+ mins) version. Enjoy...

Borderlands DLC - ZOMBIES!!!

Not tired of killing Zombies just yet? Can't get enough undead fun? Well good because Borderlands is jumping on the Zombie band wagon with an all new DLC add-on. The download, titled The Zombie Island of Dr Ned, will be available on November 24th for both the PS3 and 360 and is expected to cost $10. This all new DLC will bring new locations, monsters, and missions with a very dark and creepy feel mixed with the classic Borderland humor we have come to love.

So what do you get for your 10 bucks? A pretty good bit as it turns out. Gearbox claims somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-10 hours of new gameplay along with new enemies, bosses and dungeons to explore.

Oh and in case your wondering, No, the level cap is not raised with this addition but I would be willing to bet that future downloads might be in the works. Perhaps we will see new expansions later down the road. Stay tuned.

Thanks to IGN.com for the screens and check out their Preview. It's a good read with lots of info.

Best Wal-Mart Ad Ever?

Well, I think so. Wal-Mart's newest 'fastest way to play' ad is one of the best yet. Featuring the same guys from the Madden ad earlier this year, this time they have just picked up a copy of Modern Warfare 2. Trash talking and hilarity ensue. This one had me rolling. Check it out...

Forza 3 - Final Verdict

Well, the guys at Turn 10 set out to develop the definitive simulation racer of this generation... So, were they successful? The answer is a resounding Yes. They managed to take all that was good about Forza 2 and add to it creating one of the best racing experiences ever. Fantastic cars, wonderful graphics, amazing physics and great tracks are just the start. This game is a deep and rewarding sim racer. Everything from the tuning/upgrade options to the robust custom paint program allow you to truly create an original one of a kind car. The cars in my garage are different from anyone else. I created them and they are unique to me. It's upgraded different, tuned different, drives different and looks different.

Being able to truly make your very own version of any car in the game adds a real sense of pride and ownership. It's very satisfying to make a car, take it online and beat the competition knowing that YOU made it. You took this stock car, upgraded, tuned, tweaked it and made it into a perfect racing machine. Then you took that car online and destroyed. It's really an almost surreal experience and you certainly get a greater sense of accomplishment then you would in a standard arcade style racer.

Of course that is exactly why I like sim racers. You win largely based on skill. Tuning aside, if you can't hack it on the track, your not going to win. In fact, I have beaten faster cars simply because I was able to drive the course better. Fortunately, Forza 3 has all the tools in place to help out the novice and turn him into a pro. From driving assists to the auto-upgrader, the average joe has all the tools needed to compete with the big dogs.

Now the best place to start is the Single Player portion of the game. It's a great place to get your bearings and begin your road to glory. A perfect place to test cars, learn tracks and generally get your feet wet. The Single Player mode is all about what they call 'Season Play' which is basically a streamlined (and better designed) version of the events from Forza 2. There are 6 seasons to play through and each one is longer and more difficult than the last. As you play through you'll earn both money, which is used to buy and fix up cars as well as experience which gifts you new cars with each level you progress.

Each season is filled with one main 'World Championship' event which you race every other week and many smaller weekly events in between. Now while the 'World Championship' events are set and mandatory the weekly events are of your choosing. As you start each week, you will get to choose a specific series you want to race for the next two weeks. These will also change based on what car you are driving. So, if you want to race 'A Class' races simply get in your 'A Class' car and select an event to race.

Note: One race takes up one full in-game day and races are usually spread out 2-3 days apart.

As you chug through the multiple seasons you will begin to learn the tracks and which cars are your favorite. You'll start to find out which cars are competitive in which classes and what the best driving lines are around the course, all of which will be invaluable when you take the game online later on. And trust me you'll want to play through a few seasons before you head online. With over 400 cars and 100 tracks you are going to need to spend some time getting to know the game before you jump into the deep end of the swimming pool.

To further help you on your way to becoming a Pro are the driving options mentioned earlier. The options include everything from the standard options you'd expect to full driving assists. Standard options include things like being able to select automatic or manual transmissions or turning on or off the traction control and stability control. These are the basics that the more seasoned drivers will tweak to their liking to get the car to handle and break like it should. But beginners can dive even deeper and mess with some of the more advanced assist options.

One such option is the driving/breaking line which tells you what line to take, when to accelerate as well as when to brake. Not good enough? No problem because you can also turn on the auto brake assist which will actually apply the brakes for you. With these assists on you can basically go around the track problem free. All you have to do is hold in the gas and follow the line. Perfect for the beginner trying to get a hang of the game and how it works. The only real problem (and this only really applies to the auto brake feature) is that it's not going to be quite as fast as a seasoned driver. You see, the computer will often break too much and error on the side of caution. After all the idea is to allow the user to make it all the way around the track and slower is safer.

Still it's a good starting point for most new comers and allows them to jump right in. My best advise is to use it as it's intended, which is as a learning tool. If you are someone who needs such assists, by all means use them. But as you practice and get better, start turning them off one by one (or at the very least the auto brake) until you are driving under your own power. In the end you'll be a better driver and faster around the track.

One more helpful tool is the "rewind" button which allows you to actually rewind the action if you make a mistake. This feature is a benefit for all users, regardless of skill. Even the best of the best will be using this bad boy. Mostly because it allows you to erase even the smallest error during the single player seasons (not available in online multiplayer matches). With the single press of a button you automatically rewind the action a couple 2-3 seconds at which point the game pauses and asks you if you want to continue from here or move back some more. Once you have reach the desired amount of rewind, simply select the continue button and off you go... again. Only this time with a better understand of what you need to correct in order to avoid whatever it was you messed up the first time. It's really great for when your learning a track for the first time and have no idea how to judge the corners. A truly priceless learning tool.

Of course once you learn what your doing and have some cars built up, it's time to try your hand at the online multiplayer portion of the game. Forza 3 shines just as brightly here as it does anywhere. Allowing players to put up their own custom rides against each other in the ultimate test of driving. You think the computer was tough on 'hard'? Try racing against a real person. There is no greater test of skill than lining up in a full room of real people from across the world and going a few rounds. How will you react? Can you keep up? All this and more is put to the test and it's a ton of fun.

You can also create private matches and race with your friends. Get together, check out each others cars and see who is the best around the track. And with tons of changeable settings you can custom make the race to your liking. Pretty much everything is available for you to mess with and tweak. Car classes, tracks, lap numbers, damage, collisions, assists, HP rating... you name it. The end result is an incredibly enjoyable online experience. It even has a party system so you can take your friends with you into public rooms.

At the end of the day, when you take into account all of the above, you have possibly the best racing simulator games ever made. Tons of cars, full customization, great tracks, wonderful physics, full damage molding... the list goes on and on. And that's not to say the game is without it's faults. I have experienced some minor audio glitches and some strange AI glitches when using the rewind feature (every now and then one of the AI car suddenly crashes into the wall for example) but the total package more than makes up for any of the minor flaws. Forza 3 has accomplished what it set out to do and has set the bar very high.

Final Verdict - 9.2/10

Gaming on a Budget - How to Spend Your Hard Earned Money

The holiday rush is almost upon upon us and games will be flowing like water. We just had games like Uncharted 2, Demons Soul's and Forza Motorsport 3 launch in the last few weeks and within the next three weeks a good number of top quality games will begin pouring out onto store shelves all over the country. Games like Modern Warfare 2, Assassins Creed 2, Dragon Age: Origins, Left 4 Dead 2 and many, many more! That is a lot of games hitting all at once. So many games, so little time (and in my case, so little money). So how do you decide what to play and when? Do you buy or rent? If you buy, do you buy them all? And if so, do you get them all as they are released or hold off and get one or two at a time? For me it is a combination of all of the above.

Sure everybody wants to get the new game as soon as it's released but that's just not always possible. Yes, you are going to have friends playing these games there is definitely that feeling of envy if your not one of them but unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy every game (at least not right away). That is where a little planning and common sense will really help you out.

First off, let me say that I like buying and owning games. There is just something about it. I like having a collection and I never trade my copies after I am done. It's kind of like having a movie or music collection. There is a certain pride I take in a good collection of games. That said, I certainly can't afford to buy every game I want to play. So how do we get around this dilemma? Well there are two basic options... Rent a copy or Buy it later (at a used or reduced price).

To buy or not to buy?

Now, while I prefer to buy games I do rent some titles. Especially lately as money is a little tight. Plus, some games are just hard to justify spending $60 on. Generally speaking, games that fall into this category are single player only adventures. Games that offer little more than a 6-8 hour adventure are hard for me to to pony up for right out of the gate. Sure they might be great games but $60 for a few hours entertainment just doesn't seem worth it. Especially when there are plenty of titles out there vying for you attention. So my general philosophy is to let these games go for now and pick them up at a later date once the price drops (or pick them up as a rental). Sure you might not be playing on day 1 but you will still get to enjoy the game later and not feel like you got ripped off after finishing the game in one sitting.

Now some single player games are definitely worth $60. RPG's are a good example. Games that require you to spend 60+ hours to complete and can provide different experiences with multiple playthroughs are certainly worth the money but aside from hype, is there really any reason to pick it up right away? It not like the game is going to go bad sitting on the shelf. Why not pick it up later and save some money? Sometimes it's hard to convince yourself to wait but the game won't lose any of it's charm or quality over time. For me games like this can go either way just depending on what else is available at the time. A little self control can go a long way and if we are going to prioritize our gaming purchases we have to look at more than just value for money. So what is more important than value for money?

Value for money + a multiplayer experience

What I look for in a "must buy" title is a solid gaming experience and the endless hours that a good multiplayer game can offer. And it's not just about being able to play online but it's also about being online early and ahead of the curve. You see, games like Modern Warfare 2 not only provide great value for you dollar (more hours or gaming than I care to admit) but they also have a constantly evolving player base. Gamers that get better and better with every passing day. These are the guys you will be playing later down the road and if you want to be competitive (which I do), you want to get in early and really get to know the game. Not to mention the fact that your friends will be playing and getting better too. Nothing like playing catch up to all your friends because you waited a few months to pick it up. This can actually ruin the experience to some degree. You finally get the game only get get pwned every time you jump in a room. That's not much fun for anyone (except the guy pwning you).

So as I head into this holiday season you can bet that I will be looking at a lot of things before I purchase. And if you are like me and really need to prioritize your purchases the best advise I can give would be to take a good look at the games you are interested in before you buy. Don't just head out to the store because you think a game is going to be awesome. Take a look at the preview and reviews. How long is the game? Is there multiplayer? How long will I be playing this game? Of course a lot of it is personal opinion and how excited you are to play, but I really try to look at the big picture before I walk up to the counter and plop down 60 bones. It might be hard to pass up a really anticipated single player game but in the end you'll be a lot happier with your purchase.

Multiplayer and replay-value play the largest roles in my decision making but "to each his own" as they say. Find the most important features to YOU and prioritize based on those points. Be smart and do your research. Do that and you'll be all set.

Happy gaming!

Borderlands - Final Verdict

Good news everybody! I was able to get my hands on a copy of Borderlands a few days ago and have been playing it ever since. I must say that this game is a lot of fun, especially in Co-Op. It's not for everybody, but most of you are going to love it.

First off, this is one of those games that just has a good feel to it. It's not too serious and never tries to be. Right from the opening, with its stylized credits and great song choice, I was hooked. From there you are able to pick your character and get started on your quest... for guns! Not really, there is a story line... I think... Oh is that a new gun? But seriously when you boil down to it this game is about Shooting, Loot, Leveling and Guns. Mostly shooting things and guns!

It's not that the other things are not well done, but because the guns are so much fun to collect, swap and sell that you will spend a good deal of time looking for guns. So many variations and something better is always out there. And even more impressive is the fact that each gun feels different and has it's own drawbacks and benefits. You might find some with massive power and some with elemental effects. Each one feels unique and is different from the gun the guy next to you is carrying.

Speaking of the guy next to you... This game offer up to 4-Player drop-in/drop-out Co-Op gameplay. Oh yeah! And this is really the other key feature to making this game as good as it is. The game itself is a little on the dull side. The story and missions are all a little bland and boring after you have done a few. Each one is basically the same. Go here, kill this, collect that and return for your reward. But if you add in three of your friends, all that boredom melts away. In its place is a gang of crazy bandit killin' hombres. Battles are intense and looting is a free for all frenzy. Fortunately, if your playing with friends, you can go over who got what and drop items that are useful for your friends. Playing with randoms might not be quite as enjoyable but still should be an exciting experience.

The rest of the game is solid as well. Take graphics for example. The game is very nice looking. The cell-shaded graphics are clean and the overall art direction really fits with the tone of the game. Draw distance is impressive and the enemies and creatures are varied and original. Overall it is a very enjoyable place to spend most of your free time (and trust me, you will be spending plenty of time here).

Gameplay is also solid. The controls feel very familiar to anyone who is used to a FPS and they all feel right. Also, just as important, the game is fast paced and fluid. Something that is important when combining the Shooter genre with RPG (or any other genre). Shooters by nature are fast paced and you have to keep that feel if you want it to work. Fortunately, Borderlands was able to do just that. The end result is a game that is fun to play and controls the way you want it to.

Oh and there is other Loot too, not just guns. There is a wide variety Equipment Upgrades, Class Modifiers, Shields and Artifacts to collect as well. Frankly, each one is just as important as the gun you carry. The right combination of equipment and upgrades can take your 34 damage SMG and have it dealing 200+ per bullet. Crazy grenades the take damage from enemies and give it to you and your party. Shields the give off a shock wave when depleted and Artifacts that are class specific and permanently increase your player stats and abilities. All of which play a part in making your character the best it can be.

Which of course leads us to the final part of this equation. Leveling your character. Like many RPG's today, Borderlands uses a skill tree with three specific skill sets to upgrade. And like most RPG's you can't upgrade all of them. You will have to pick and choose which set of skills you want to invest in. And there is a lot of cool stuff to unlock and upgrade along the way to the level 50 cap. Fortunately, if you make a mistake or just want to try something else, you can reassign your skill points at any time. Simply find one of the "New-u" stations and for a fee (based on how much you have and it's not cheap) you can reassign the points and try a different path. Frankly, it's a nice addition and works well.

All in all, I really do recommend picking up a copy and giving it a shot (no pun intended). It's a solid game that is a lot of fun, especially with friends.

Final Verdict - 8.0/10

New Left 4 Dead 2 Trailer Leaked!?!?

That's right. We got our hands on the all new Left 4 Dead trailer (thanks Joystiq). Wether or not it was leaked remains to be seen but the important thing here is that it's full of WIN! One of the most anticipated games of the year, just moved up a notch. Check it out for yourself...

Modern Warfare 2: Now with Over 130,000 Served

Well the big news the last few days has been the uproar from the PC gaming community over the omission of Dedicated Servers in Modern Warfare 2. This decision has people so upset that an online petition has been started, with over 130,000 members at the time of the article and others are threatening a boycott.

Now, as a console gamer I am largely unaffected by this news but I can see both sides of the argument and I feel it is news worthy. Here is the basic rundown. The term "Dedicated Server" refers to a server that acts as a host for the game. Individuals or Clans can purchase a Dedicated Server for a small monthly fee and then set up private matches using specific settings. Many PC gamers prefer to play using Dedicated Servers as they feel it offers them a good amount of freedom and the ability to play with mods.

Important note: Mods do not always refer to glitching or cheating. Mods also refer to user generated content like maps, weapons or skins.

The benefit here is pretty obvious. I mean we are talking Free Maps, Skins etc... something us Console gamers have always had to pay for and in talking to my fellow PC gamers I found that there is something more. A feeling of ownership and pride in a well run and popular server. One even described it as a feeling of "home" for him and his fellow clan mates. A place they go to and play everyday, using the setting they are used to and a place to meet up with the other members and regulars that have found their way to their server.

Unfortunately, it not all sunshine and roses either. There is a flip side to this coin. One that most notably affects the average PC gamer; One not affiliated with a large group or clan. For this fellow, Dedicated Servers are not as inviting. To find a match you have to search through a long list of servers and seemingly pick one at random to attempt to join. On occasion you might find a good server and enjoy yourself but you also might be headed into a nightmare. Perhaps a server full of cheaters and glitchers, clan tryouts, 13 year old n00bs or maybe a very uninviting clan full of complete asses that are just rude to every random that shows up. You can spend half your night trying to find a match, only to end up walking away due to one bad server after another. And there is really no way to tell until you are in there. Get a bad room and start the process all over again.

Infinity Ward is trying to help the average gamer by taking out the Dedicated Servers and having everything run off IWnet. A system that would turn PC gaming into a very similar model of how Console games work. Gone are the custom setting and mods and in its place is a matchmaking system that puts you into a room with similarly skilled players in a game mode you search for. So the average gamer can simply search for a TDM and instantly get into a room with similarly skilled players. Very simple and streamlined. Plus IWnet also adds a number of features to accommodate larger groups including a new Friends List features and Party System (think Xbox Live) that allows you to keep track of your friends and play as one group. Go from lobby to lobby with all your friends and play against the public. Or you can also start a private match which allows you to change a number of predetermined settings. Things like score limit, air support and even "head shots only" are available to mess with. But nothing outside what the game programmers have already decided.

All in all the only real thing missing will be the mods. This means there will be far fewer cheaters (which is a good thing) but also no user generated content (this is a bad thing). Now many PC gamers are all for Matchmaking and the features IWnet has to offer and for the most part they just want to add the option of Dedicated Servers as well as Matchmaking. This sounds like a fair option but in the end I don't think it will matter. IW has put a lot of time and money into IWnet and despite a online petition with over 130,000 supporters, they are serious about giving IWnet a chance. They want to be able to more closely control the online gaming experience and more importantly (for them) charge for extra Downloadable content. With FREE user generated content out of the picture they can count on more people downloading the extra maps packs. Ultimately, I think that is what it really boils down to, money. IWnet's matchmaking system will make them more money and allowing Dedicated Servers will not.

In the end there is no right side or wrong side. Both sides have valid points and both sides have advantages and disadvantages. The bottom line is how strongly you feel about the issue and whether or not you are willing to pass up one of the biggest games this generation because of it.

So, how do you feel about it?

Uncharted 2 - Final Verdict

Well I have been spending the past few days playing through this game and I must say, this is one of the best games I have ever played! Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is simply a masterpiece of modern gaming. An almost perfect blend of story, cinematic action sequences and gameplay topped off with some of the best graphics and visuals I have ever seen. A game truly deserving of all the hype and praise it has received. If for some reason you have not had a chance to play it yet, you need to do so immediately. It is a must play for anyone with a PS3. But enough gushing, let's break it down and take a closer look at all the parts that make up the whole.

The game really does feel like an interactive action movie. More so than any other game I have ever played. This is due to several key components... cutscenes, story, pacing, cinematic direction and level design. Uncharted 2 takes all of these things and blends them seamlessly into a video game experience like no other. Let's start with the story. The guys at Naughty Dog really did an amazing job creating a wonderful story and fantastic writing. The Uncharted series has always based it's stories in real historical mystery and the second outing is based around the travels of Marco Polo and the mystery surrounding his return from China where most of his expedition went missing. Our hero, Nathan Drake, sets off to find out exactly what happened and winds up in a story much bigger then he originally bargained for. The story is filled with action, love, betrayal, humor and actually manages to get you invested in the characters and their actions. Something most video games never quite manage. It's obvious that the story was very important to the guys a Naughty Dog and I must say, they nailed it.

A solid story is important but how you present that story is just as crucial. For that we need cutscenes and action sequences. Fantastically written and acted, the cutscenes in Uncharted 2 are a real treat. Which is a good thing because there are quite a few and unlike some games, you never want to skip a single one. The story and scenes are so well done that you are actually looking forward to the next one. Part of that is due to the fact that the voice actors actually act out every scene wearing mo-cap suits. The result is a much more life like performance that is actually happening. Doing it this way really seems to capture the life of the scene and allows the actors to play off each others performances. Couple the solid writing, good acting and cinematic direction and you have a real treat. Not to mention, all the cutscenes and action sequences are seamlessly integrated into the game. No load time, no prompting. They just take over and put you back in control in such a way that you really feel a part of the game.

And speaking of action sequences. OH MY GOD! This game pulls off action sequences like no other. This game has so many "Oh *#%$!" moments it's amazing and they just happen while your playing. Fortunately, they don't require you to do anything. No button pressing to do, no timed events. Just pure action. Usually brief, like having the floor come out from under you and then you are back in control scrambling to climb back up. And while these scenes are pre-scripted, it really feels like it's actually happening while you are playing and never takes you out of the action. It's a wonderful addition to the cutscenes and a key part of making the game as fluid as it is.

Another part of the equation is the level design and the game shines here as well. The level design is fluid and well done. Rarely will you ever find yourself wondering where to go next. It's just intuitive. After a battle, I always found myself going the right direction. A feat even more impressive considering how large and open some of levels are. There is no glowing trail or anything, just good level design that seem to naturally lead you to the next location or battle. Of course, if you do get stuck somewhere long enough the game has a helpful hint system to point you in the right direction. (I only had to use the feature once the entire time playing)

Of course the game isn't all about story and exploration. There is also a whole lot of fighting to be done. It is and Action/Adventure game after all. Once again, Naughty Dog delivers. The fighting and gun play have a great feel to it. Pop in and out of cover, make your way around to flank the enemy and get flanked yourself. The mechanics are great and everything feels very smooth. The AI will flank, change position and even flush you out of you hiding spot with grenades. Your probably not staying in one place too long which add a great deal of excitement to the battle. You'll be pinned down by five or six guys, trying to pick off the Heavy Armor Shotgun guy headed right at you only to be flushed out by a grenade. All of a sudden you are running for your life, avoiding bullets, sniper fire and the Shotty on your tail. Certainly never a dull moment. And there is no auto-aim or "lock on" feature to get in the way. You can blind fire from behind cover or pop up of more accurate firing and you can also "run and gun" which is helpful when you get flushed out.

Of course gun play isn't your only option. The game also features hand-to-hand combat and stealth kills. Quite often when you enter an area occupied by baddies, you have the element of surprise. You can survey the situation and plan your attack and many times you have the opportunity to pick off several bad guys by sneaking around, grabbing one at a time. You also have the ability to run up and beat the crap out of them too although, it's usually best to do when there is only one or two guys left. Otherwise you could find yourself full of bullets. Still, it is very satisfying. I found myself running in for a quick beat down when ever I got the chance. The animation is solid, varied and just all around fun.

And that brings us to the graphics. Not much to say but WOW! The game is gorgeous. Wonderful locations and lush colors and textures are everywhere. But the real kicker is the amount of moving objects on the screen at one time. Particle effects in the air, dust rolling through, bushes and flags moving in the wind, water dripping from a leaky pipe etc... So many details and objects are moving about that the game really comes to life. The city in Nepal is especially impressive to me. If you see this game in motion, you would hard pressed to Not be impressed. A truly jaw dropping experience.

Put all the above things together and you get one of the best gaming experiences ever made for any console. Don't get me wrong, the game is not perfect. There are a few things here and there... like popping in and out of cover can be a bit tricky and the AI seems particularly oblivious before the fighting starts. Why the patrolling bad guy doesn't seem alarmed when his fellow guards go missing is lost on me. They will even walk right past dead bodies and think nothing of it. But these are minor issues and completely overshadowed by the game as a whole.

All the pieces are solid on there own, but it's the way in which Naughty Dog was able to put it all together the makes the game so special. The graphics, animation, pacing and story all come together in a way that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the credits roll. So fluid and well paced that you feel you are constantly moving forward and action so good that you would almost swear you just played through a 10 hour movie. This game is truly amazing and the sets bar in which all future Action/Adventure games will be measured.

And that just covers the single player adventure. The game also features a solid Multiplayer game mode that will have you playing long after the credits roll.

Final Verdict - 9.8/10

Borderlands?

For those of you who follow video game news and information, you are probably aware that a new IP is dropping tomorrow. And which game would be? Why Borderlands of course and this game look to have a lot of promise. The question is, What do we expect? and Will it be any good? Today we are going to take a look and I will give you my opinion.

Let's tackle these one at a time. First off, What do we expect? To answer this, lets start off with the basics. Borderlands is FPS/RPG set on a wasteland planet (think Mad Max). You play as one of four customizable classes and shoot your way through the badlands in search for a mysterious treasure. Gameplay itself is much like a standard FSP with heavy Roll Playing elements mixed in as well. You can upgrade everything from your personal stats to weapons and armor. And possibly best of all, the game supports 4-player drop in/drop out co-op.

The game also features a very interesting look. With unique art direction and cell shaded graphics there is no doubt that this game definitely looks unique. In a good way? Personally I think so although I am a fan of unique art and feel more games need to embrace a less realistic look. Too many game out there try to look photo realistic and most fall just short. I feel you are much better transporting your audience to another world with fantastic characters and animation(Bioshock anyone?).

All in all this is a game with a lot of potential but will they pull it off or simply fall flat? For that we have to look at the second question posed above. Will it be any good? This is a much harder question to answer, mostly because it doesn't hit stores till tomorrow. So find the answer we have to look through all the previews/reviews we have seen so far. And from all accounts, the answer is yes the game will be good. Tons of customization, good gameplay and a decent amount of depth. Borderlands also features a unique content generation system allowing for near-endless variety in missions, environments, enemies, weapons, item drops and character customization. I mean the game boasts over 200,000 guns! Will it be prefect? Almost definitely not, but it has the potential to be quite good and very enjoyable. Especially with friends and I am always down for some co-op, if done correctly. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.

So, is it worth buying? Not sure, but it is definitely worth checking out. If I get my hands on a copy I will let you know my final verdict.

Demon's Souls - Why do I want to play this game?

It's a fair question if you know anything about the game. I first heard about this game two days ago when I came across a review from IGN. Demon's Souls is and RPG designed and developed in Japan that has just recently been released here in the USA (PS3 Exclusive, sorry 360 guys). However, it would seem to be more like a western RPG in design. A dungeon crawler if you will as opposed to the Final Fanitcy JRPG type of game. I like both, but generally I prefer Western RPG's from a gameplay stand point. Anyway, back to the point...

From all the reviews I have read (which are all good by way) this game seems overly difficult but somehow that's a good thing. The game is apparently very deep and very rewarding. At least in the sense of accomplishment and if you make it through the difficult moments early on most reviewer say the game clicks and becomes one of the best games you have ever played.

Sam Bishop from IGN had this to say and I think it sums it up pretty good.

"Just how punishingly old-school is Demon's Souls? That's something that's rather hard to quantify without actually shoving a controller in your hands and just letting you play it for yourself, but nearly everything about the game's no-nonsense approach to delivering the action can be summed up in one very simple example: you can't pause the game. Ever. If you're in the middle of a pitched battle against enemies that can and very often will end your life in just a single hit or two, you'd better hope that whatever weapons or restoratives you have in your inventory are already mapped to the d-pad slots, and even then it'll take a bit of luck to get through some encounters."

And to make things worse, if you die, you lose all the souls (experience/money) you are carrying, the monsters reset and the games difficulty actually gets harder! That's right, die enough and the game gets harder! But Sam goes on to say the following...

"There's no bank, no second chances, no way to put off the inevitable. You will die in this game. When in this soulless form, you'll be permanently stripped of a chunk of your life meter. You will lose all of your cash, and you will hate that every once in a while it's because you got pushed (okay, you accidentally rolled) off a cliff. But you'll keep coming back because the game is quite simply one of the best on the PlayStation 3. "

So, why would I want to play this game? Honestly, I have no idea but something about it is very intriguing. Maybe it the old school gamer in me that wants a ridiculous challenge. Maybe it's the thought of the satisfaction you get with actually beating the game (or one of it's incredibly hard bosses). Maybe I'm just mental. But a game described as being so difficult and frustrating, yet pulling out scores of 9/10 (and higher) has me officially on the case.

Not sure when I'll be able to pick up a copy (I'm not made of money) but I'll follow up with my personal impressions as soon as I get a chance. In the mean time check out the screens below and IGN's review, it's a good read -http://ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1033437p1.html

Uncharted 2 is Available Now!

Uncharted 2 has been officially released and is in stores now! Go buy your copy immediately! "But Interseptor, I don't even own a PS3?" I don't want excuses, I said NOW! Buy a PS3 if you have to, do what ever it takes. Seriously, why are you still reading? Get out of here...

I'm just kidding of course, but if you have a PS3, you really do need to check this game out. From what I have seen and played so far, this will be one of the best games of the year. It also has the potential to be the system seller Sony has been looking for. I'll do a more in depth Hands-On review in a few days so stay tuned.

UPDATE: The Demo has been taken offline with the launch of the full game (10/12/09).

Dragon Age: Origins/Mass Effect 2 Armor

Well it seems as if the FREE DLC thing is really taking off. Yesterday I reported on a Free DLC car pack offered with Forza 3 if you buy a new copy of the game. Today, Bioware announced a similar offer with the new Blood Dragon Armor. Which, by the way, is completely bad ass! (And FREE when you buy a new copy of the game.) Like the Forza deal, a code will be packed with the game. Head to the Marketplace, enter the code and there you go... new Blood Dragon Armor. (Yeah!)

Now here's the twist, when you buy a new copy of Dragon Age: Origins (and get the Free armor), you also get to unlock it in Mass Effect 2! Tweeked a bit to fit the look of the game but bad ass all the same.

Details are a little scarce as to how you actually unlock it. Saved game data? Who knows? But you do get it for both games. Sweet! Check the video below to see both in action.

Forza 3 - Legends Car Pack

A new car pack announced before the launch of the game? Hell Yes! But will we have to pay for it? Not a single dime. The Forza 3 Legends Car Pack will be available for download on day 1... for FREE! That's right, ,the good folks at Turn 10 didn't think the 400 cars and 100 tracks were enough, so they are giving us more. How much more? Take a look for yourself...

CARS:

· '65 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
· '64 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage
· '81 BMW M1
· '60 Chevrolet Corvette
· '69 Dodge Charger
· '57 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
· '80 Fiat 131 Abarth
· '67 Lamborghini Miura P400
· '71 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R
· '65 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

TRACKS:

· High Speed Ring
· Sidewinder Proving Ground

Not bad at all. The above list of cars and tracks will be available at launch via a code packed in every new copy of Forza 3. Can you say Dukes livery? Oh yeah!

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - A Closer Look

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising releases today on the 360, PS3 and PC to a number of eager fans. For those in the know, this game promises to be one of the best, but unfortunately games like this often get overlooked in the wake of super hyped games like Modern Warfare 2. In light of that fact I thought I would shine a little light on this gem and let you know exactly what to expect and why you should look at buying this game.

OF:DR is a tactical military first person shooter but unlike MW2, Dragon Rising shoots for hyper realism and unscripted events. Dragon Rising put you in command of a 4-man USMC (United States Marine Corps) fireteam. You insert with your team set forth on missions in a very open and unscripted enviorment. And by open, I mean OPEN! Dragon Rising takes place on the fiction island of Skira (based off of the island Kiska located off the coast of Japan).

The environment boasts over 100 sq miles of traversable terrain. Codemasters (the games developer) took painstaking effort to copy every inch of the island giving the player a real environment to play in, not just some generated levels. Skira is a volcanic island with a variety of terrain. At one end is a large volcano, 5.3 mi × 4.0 mi in diameter at its base and 4,010 ft high, and at the base of the volcano is a section of low lake lands. A ridge of 1,000+ foot mountains runs down one side of the western portion of the island while the other side is generally flatter with numerous lakes and small waterways.

You can go anywhere you want and approach each mission from any angle. Go in full force? or send two of your guys to flank the enemy location? The choice is yours and Codemasters claim that each mission will play out differently depending on how you approach it. Furthermore, the damage and destruction is persistent. If you destroy a building in one mission, it will remain destroyed throughout the game.

Speaking of destruction, how about bullet damage? Remember the hyper realistic part? Well, a single well placed bullet can drop you dead and one in the arm can kill you if left untreated. That's right, you can bleed out from a single wound if you don't get it field dressed. The result of all this realism is a game that is much slower paced but also more fulfilling when a well executed plan goes off with out a hitch.

And possibly even more exciting is when things go horribly wrong. Send those two guys to flank and they get spotted early. Now you in the middle of a fire fight with an entrenched enemy and your not in position. What do you do? Provide cover fire and allow your troops to retreat? Stay down and try to get a better position while you team takes fire? Call in an air strike on the village and use up a precious commodity? The choice is yours and you better make it fast. And really, that is the brilliance of this game. The ability to make your own decisions and carry out the mission how you see fit.

Add to all that the ability to play 4-player co-op via Live or PSN and you have a real treat. The entire campaign is 4-player co-op enabled. Each additional player takes the place of one of the AI controlled characters. If you can get three of your buddies to join in and put on some headsets your in for a real treat. There are also multiplayer options and every vehicle is drivable. From Jeeps, to Tanks, to Choppers. If you come across it, you can drive it.

I should have my copy in a few days and I can't wait! If you haven't checked this game out by now, you really need to. It has what looks to be one of the best gaming experiences this year. Especially co-op.

New Modern Warfare 2 Trailer

Oh, yeah! More Modern Warfare 2 goodness. And this time America is burning. Take a look see what kind of goodies you can glean from the video.

The Making of ODST's Live Action Short

(Original full length clip)

I am sure that most of you have seen the above Live Action short that has been used in the marketing campaign for Halo 3: ODST. (If not, stop reading now and watch it) It truly is one of the most impressive shorts I have seen in quite some time (maybe ever). The film features some amazing visuals and seems to bring the Halo universe to life. Frankly, better that I ever thought possible. In fact, if they ever do make that Halo movie we would be lucky to have something look half this good. Seriously.

Well some of you may be wondering how exactly this short came to be? Fortunately you're in luck as the makers have put together the follow micro-documentary. In this video we get to see exactly what it took to make this masterpiece, shot locations, costume design as well as an all new scene not aired on TV. It is definitely worth checking out. Enjoy...

(New behind the scenes clip)

Source: Joystiq

No Modern Warfare 2 Demo

(11.10.09 and not a minute sooner)

Unfortunately the guys at Infinity Ward have decided to forgo the demo in order to spend all the time they have left on the final game. I guess that's a good thing but I must say I am a little bummed. I played in both the original Modern Warfare Beta as well as the World at War Beta and I was really looking forward to playing in this one as well. Especially because it would allow me to get my fix before 11.10.09 (the game release date). Oh well, I guess I will just have to wait like everyone else.

Uncharted 2 Demo Available Now

That's right! The public Multiplayer Demo is now available for everyone. Head over to the PSN now get to downloading. This will be one of the best demos available this year but it is only available for about two weeks. Once the game launches October 13, 2009, the demo will be closed down. So get out there and get playing!

Games of Fall 2009 - Part 3

And here is the conclusion of my Games of Fall special. A brief look and some of the most wanted games on my radar (that weren't pushed back to 2010). Today, we are finishing up with the last two games to make the cut. Enjoy.

Left 4 Dead 2 (360)

Release Date: 11/17/09 (No official Release Date for the PS3 version)

Why I want to play: Um... it's killing zombies! I mean come on, of course I want to play it. But all kidding aside, this game looks great. As the sequel to one of the best zombie games to date, this game is very high on the list. Despite some of the negative fan reactions, I am personally stoked to play this game. New levels, better more fluid story and new features like melee weapons put this game in the must play category. Four player co-op at it's finest. Get some friends together and prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

Dragon Age Origins (360)

Release Date: 11/03/09

Why I want to play: Dragon Age Origins is an RPG from Bioware, creators of Boulders Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Mass Effect (and many more)... nuff said. On their history alone I would buy this game but fortunately, it looks awesome too!!! Set in the Dragon Age world (think D&D style), Origins sets out to tell a "Dark, heroic fantasy" on an epic scale with mature themes. You play 1 of six different characters each with it's own unique story interactions and different story arcs through out depending on who and how you play. Bioware even boasts that some possible party members will not join depending on who/how you play. You might have them in your party during one play through and end up fighting them in another. Bottom line: Looks to be a Great RPG from the makers of some of the best RPG's ever made. Buy this game.

Forza 3 Demo Out Now!

That's right. The Forza 3 demo is available now on the XBL market place. Go now and check it out for yourself. I only had a little time with it myself, as I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday but I can say it is a solid demo. The menu is crisp and well done. The cars look fantastic and the track is great. The only gripe is that it is a little short. You get five cars (each in a different class) but the track only take about 2:30 to complete both laps. Of course, it's just a demo, but I want more!!! Guess I will have to wait till October to get a full experience.

Games of Fall 2009 - Part 2

Today we continue with Part 2 of my Games of Fall 2009 special. A look at the games that I am looking forward to, that didn't get pushed back to 2010. So, with out further delay, here we go...

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

Release Date: 10/13/09

Why I want to play: Uncharted: Drakes Fortune (the first game in the series) was a fantastic game. Wonderful graphics, solid gameplay and a great story all wrapped in a wonderful series of locations. Very similar to the Tomb Raider series in many ways but based in a more realistic world with more of an everyman lead character. Uncharted 2 look to up the ante in every detail. Better gameplay, better animations, better puzzles, better story, possibly the best looking graphics I have ever seen and oh yeah, a FULL suite of multiplayer gamemodes AND Co-op! If you have somehow missed this game so far, stop reading now and go look at some of the gameplay videos. This is probably the #2 title on my list of must have games this year. (And yes, Modern Warfare 2 is #1)

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (360, PS3)

Release Date: 10/08/09

Why I want to play: OK, so this is probably the worst title for a military shooter ever. It starts off okay with "Operation Flashpoint" and then takes a left turn into what sounds like an RPG with "Dragon Rising". But don't let that fool you, OF:DR is a serious Tactical Military Shooter. Amazing graphics, large open maps with multiple ways to attack the situation and gameplay that looks to be hyper realistic. In fact this game is all about realistic. The AI is supposed to be very advanced and react differently depending on how you attack. In theory you can get different results each time you play through a specific mission and with an open map the possibilities are endless. Attack from the north one time and next time flank around from the west. There is also full multiplayer and but the co-op has me most excited. The idea of playing through with 3 of my friends, planning an attack and carrying it out has me pumped to play this game.

That's it for now, stay tuned as I finish up with Part 3 tomorrow.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo is Coming...

Left 4 Dead 2 is scheduled for release later this year and there has been a good bit of drama surrounding it. Mostly from the fans of the original surprise hit Left 4 Dead. It has quite a following and the fans are a little upset over the release of it's sequel so soon after the first one (about 1 year later). This biggest grips are that either the new game should have simply been downloadable content or that Valve (makers of the game) will simply quite providing support for the original title once the new one ships. Some groups of fans have even gone as far as to boycott the title upon release.

Well regardless of how you feel, a demo is coming to the XBL market place and PC on October 27th, 2009. You can have a chance to check it out for yourself and see if the new game is enough to stand on it's own. Few details are known at this time but the demo will feature Multiplayer and at least 10 of the all new melee weapons. I would guess that even the Boycotters will be downloading this demo. Just don't tell anyone.

Games of Fall 2009 - Part 1

With so many games being pushed back to 2010, exactly what games are still coming out this year? Today, I am going to take a little time and tell you about the games that I am looking forward to playing. All of the following games will be available before the end of 2009 and are in no particular order.

Let's get to it...

Halo 3: ODST (360)

Release Date: 9/22/09 (today)

Why I want to play: Halo 3: ODST is the latest installment in the Halo universe and was developed by Bungie, the original creators of the Halo franchise. In ODST, you play as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (hence the title ODST). ODST are the best of the best when it comes to human marine troops. Not quite as powerful as a full on Spartan, but it's the next best thing and frankly a big draw to the game. I love the fact that you play as a different, less powerful character. Plus, Bungie did a few other things different in terms of story. It is more of an open world feel allowing player to go through the different missions in any order. Aside from the story, there is also an all new Co-Op mode called Firefight and the full Halo 3 Multiplayer game. If you're into Halo, this is a must buy.

Forza 3 (360)

Release Date: 10/27/09

Why I want to play: Forza 3 will possibly be the best Sim Racer ever made to date. The game will feature over 400 cars all beautifully crafted in every detail. With more polygons, full interiors and damage molding on every car, Forza 3 really ups the ante for all sim racers to come. Combine that with over 100 tacks, fully tunable, upgradeable cars and a killer paint system and you get a hands down must buy. Wether you're into sim racers or not, if you love cars, you need to check out this game.

Modern Warfare 2 (360, PS3)

Release Date: 11/10/09

Why I want to play: Do I really need to tell you? I mean, it's Modern Warfare 2. I have been playing Modern Warfare every day for the last 2 years and this new installment looks amazing! Aside from what will be a great story, this is the must have multiplayer title for this holiday season and probably a big reason why so many others pushed back their titles to 2010. No one want to go up against this juggernaut and with good cause. I predict this game will be the best selling game of all time to date. New Perks, new Kill Streaks, new Locations, new Weapons, new Gamemodes etc... If for some reason, you haven't checked this game out, do it NOW! This is the must have title this Christmas.

Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3...

I PLA3D A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES...

OK, I admit it, I am a bit of a Zombie nut. I love killing Zombies and other Zombie related entertainment. Movies, Games whatever. If it has Zombies I usually try to check it out. I LOVE the Zombie mode from Call of Duty: WaW and Left 4 Dead (probably my two favorites) as well and the classic Zombie flicks.

Now, recently Zombies have been a bit of an up and coming trend. Seems like everybody is trying to cash in on the Zombiemania sweeping the country. Everybody and there dog wants to get in on it and there are more Zombie games and movies coming out than I can even count. Unfortunately due to the volume, some of them will fall through the cracks and I will never get a chance to see/play them.

But, fortunately I found one a few days ago that is a real gem. I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MB1ES!!!1 (Yes, that is the actual title of the game) and it can be found under the "Indie" games section of XBL. This twin stick shooter won't win any awards and doesn't add anything new to the genera but it does have one of the best songs ever made for a video game. The soundtrack was obviously made by the game designer and just make the 100 times better.

You can check out the trial version for free or you could just go and pay the $1 for the full game (80 MS points). Ether way, it is worth a look... especially if you like Zombies. For a brief taste of the game and song, check out this video.

Free ODST Figurine and $20 Gift Card

Are you planning to pick up a copy of ODST this week? Yeah I thought so. Well, if you have a Toy's R Us near by you're in luck. They are giving away a Free ODST Figurine and $20.00 Gift Card with the purchase of the game (in store only, not online). All you have to do is stop by your local Toy's R Us and pick up a copy before September 26, 2009 and the FREE swag is yours. And if you were on the fence about getting ODST, an extra 20 bucks should help sway you.

If you are going to get this game this week, this is the best deal I have seen.

New Banner

As some of you may have noticed, I have an all new banner for the site. Special thanks to my good friend Atrum (aka Psylor) for putting in the time to do this for me. Very nice work!

The n00b Boyfriend

I saw this today and just had to share it. Enjoy...

Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Information Round_Up

As some of you may know, Infinity Ward recently held a special conference to unveil the much anticipated Multiplayer component of the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 (Well, at least part of it).

In this special conference several members of the press were invited to come and take part in a special closed beta and get a taste of what's to come. Keep in mine that not everything was available to play. This was really just a teaser but it did provide a lot of new information and hands-on experience.

I have decided to gather up all the best information from all of the various sites and compile a Round-Up of all the best information. Below is a breakdown of all the info.

MAPS:

• High Rise - Just as you'd expect, this map takes place in a high rise building still under construction. Two towers opposite each other with various half constructed floors and plenty of sniping opportunities. There are also a few hallways and tunnels available for some close quarter fighting and flanking.
• Favela - This is a typical urban village map most likely located in Rio. Located on a hill side there are a lot of changing elevations, building to hide in and choke points to spring and ambush. Vastly different than the High Rise map, this map is more suited for the run and gun style player with most battles happening in close to medium ranges (think Chinatown)
• Afghan - And this final map from the Beta is set in the Desert Mountians lager open areas, cave dwellings, cliffs and a downed AC 130 Gunship. Another good sniping/counter sniping map with very few places to hide. Battles will range from action in and around the downed AC 130 to close battles in the caves to sniper stand offs.

Kill Streaks:

• UAV - Returning from the first game, UAV is pretty much the same. It gives your team the location of enemy soldiers. However is does seem UAV's can be shot down this time around.
• Counter UAV - A new addition, Counter UAV is as it sounds. A countermeasure used to scramble the signal and hide your team.
• Sentry Guns - Moveable turret gun that fires automatically if a hostile comes into view. They are also moveable by anyone on your team.
• Care Package - Mistry Box the drops from the sky and delivers a random prize. Could be more ammo, could be an AC 130 Gunship Strike. You never know until you open it up and find out. But you'd better do it quick and anyone can get you prize if they get there first, even the other team.
• Predator Missile Strike - A player guided missile for when a regular air-strike just isn't enough. A warning appears on the screen about 3 seconds before the strike so you do have time to react and get out of dodge.
• Air Strike - Also coming back is the standard Air Strike.
• Helicopter - Also returning from MW1, this bad boy is pretty much unchanged from what I have seen. Completely automated and on a timer.
• Pave Low - Not much is know about this one but it is aperantly a more advanced Attack Helicopter.
• AC 130 Gunship - This we have seen before in previous clips. Player controlled and deadly. You can shoot it down but it also has countermeasures (flares) built in of protection. A truly deadly force only obtainable after 11 kills

Death Streaks:

• Painkiller - Extra boost of health. (Achieved by dyeing three times in a row.)
• Copycat - Get the full load out of the last person to kill you including guns, attachments and perks. (Achieved by dyeing four times in a row.)

Perks:

• Marathon - The ability to sprint non stop.
• Commando - Longer melee attack distance. (Sweet!)
• Slight of Hand - Faster reload time.
• Stopping Power - Back more more in MW2. just like the original, it increases the damage of each bullet
• Light Weight - Generally move faster.
• Bling - The ability to use two (2) attachments on your primary weapon
• Scavenger - Automatically picks up ammo by walking over fallen foes.
• Hardline - Makes all Kill Streak bonuses available with one (1) less kill. (i.e. Getting a UAV from only two (2) kills)

Other Information:

• Call Signs & Emblems - Different bonus symbols and tags unlocked by progressing through the MP game.
• Tactical Insertion Flares - Used like a special grenade, you can drop one of these to pick your next respawn location.
• Secondary Weapons - All players will now have access to any secondary weapons (i.e. Shotguns, Assault Rifles etc...)
• Bonus Points - You can now get more points for more difficult kills. (i.e. Long range kills)
• Pro Perks - Perks that get stronger the more you use them. (i.e. Getting 1000 kills using Stopping Power unlocks Stopping Power Pro.)

And there you have it. A breakdown of all the goods from Modern Warfare 2 event. Can't wait doesn't even start to describe it. Now excuse me while my head explodes.

New Forza 3 Ferrari Pics

Developer Turn 10 is headed down the final straight towards the launch of Forza 3. The game is finished, gone Gold and is in production as we speak. They are also wrapping up a Demo set to hit the market place later this month. So what's there to do now? Why leak bits of information and screenshots of course.

And what's on the menu today? Ferrari! Here are a few to wet your appetite. Enjoy...

And head over to forzamotorsport.net for even more with new shots being added every day.

Special Edition 360's

They'll be here before you know it.

First up is the Halo 3 ODST Special Edition. This set contains a 360, 1 Wireless Controller and a 120 gig HD plus a copy of Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta key.

Not bad, but it is basically just an Elite with two games and a beta key. Also, No word on price or wether or not it will be available here in the US. So far only Europe and South Africa are confirmed.

Next up is the big daddy, the Rumored Super Elite with an all new Modern Warfare 2 theme. This bad boy has a custom themed 360, 250 gig HD, 2 Wireless Controllers and a standard Copy of MW2. All for only $399.00!

Of the two choices, this one is a no brainer.

Producing Video Games Today... At What Cost?

I am taking all the fun out of making games... Seriously!

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick (pictured above) has a very interesting take on the subject. In a recent statement given during a Technology Conference Bobby had a number of interesting and frankly disturbing things to say regarding video games publishing. And as a gamer, I must say, I am a little taken back at how he runs one of the worlds largest video game publishing companies.

He said "The goal that I had in bringing a lot of the packaged goods folks into Activision about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games."

He goes on to state that he sets goals that "really [reward] profit and nothing else" and that keeping an air of "skepticism, pessimism, and fear" is a good method for "keeping people focused on the deep depression." Making sure his people are looking at the bottom line and nothing else.

That might be a good way to run a business and keep the profit margins in the black, but is it really the way a video game publisher fosters creative development? Is this the kind of environment that can generate truly "great" video games?

Personally, I am not so sure. I mean, sure, a company needs to be profitable. After all, everyone needs to make money and the people involved in making the game need to be paid. And more profit means more money. More money means we can continue to make more new titles and keep people employed. And all of that is good. But at what point do you draw the line and stop running things like a business and start to look at what it is you are actually producing?

I mean, at some point you have to realize that your "job" is to produce video games which are by nature "creative". Now from my experience, "creative" people generally don't do well in an overly structured environment. Sure everybody had deadlines, pressure, budgets etc... That is the nature of the business but is it really necessary to take it to the extreme? Should we put profit over product? Should we allow the bottom line to be the driving force in a an industry built on peoples passions and dreams?

I gotta believe that the answer is no. Would we have ever seen games like Beyond Good and Evil or Oddworld if the people publishing those games were so worried about the bottom line? The industry already has too few truly new IP's. If everybody thought like Bobby, I am not sure we would ever see a new IP again.

In a world already filling up with sequels and trilogies, what does this say for the future? It is certainly a lot cheeper to make a sequel than to put the money into a new IP. I mean there is no guarantee that the new game will be either popular or well received. It's a gamble. So if I am looking at the bottom line, I say we make Guitar Hero 15 and Modern Warfare 11 well before we ever look and making a new game.

The problem is, that while it may be profitable today, eventually those brands will fade away without innovation. Without new advances and creative leaps forward, no one will want to play those games. We must strive for truly ground breaking ideas, new IP's and original thought if we hope to keep the industry going forward in the direction that it has been. We have to foster the imaginations behind the games if we want truly new and amazing experiences.

Yes, the industry needs to make money, but at what cost?

That's Not a Demo...

THIS is a Demo! I am talking about the upcoming demo for Uncharted 2 that is set to hit the PSN on September 29th.

So what makes this demo... THE demo? Well, it mostly comes down to sheer volume. The good folks at Naughty Dog have put pretty much everything they could into the demo (possibly even the kitchen sink). Stretching the limit, this 1.5gig Download has more maps and features then I have ever seen in a public demo. So, let's break it down and a take a good look.

First off, the demo will include 4 Multiplayer maps, 4 Adversarial game modes, 2 Co-op modes, full Cinema mode (For recording and editing matches), Custom game sets, new Skins, Upgrades and much more!

Developer Naughty Dog said that they wanted to give you as much as possible in a reasonably sized file. Sounds to me like they succeeded. The only down side is that the demo will only be available up to the Launch of the full game, which is set to hit store shelves on October 13, 2009. So that only leaves you with about two weeks of fun before you have to go out and buy the full game.

Still, it should be more than enough time to get a solid taste of what's to come. And as mentioned above, this demo will be made public for anyone with a PS3 (and internet connection). So set your calendar and get ready to check it out for yourselves. See you online!

New Red vs Blue/ODST Episode

And the hits just keep on coming. In this episode, the guys finally get to try on the new ODST Armor and come face to face with Sgt. Johnson. Really funny, check it out...

(But don't look directly into his eyes)

Forza 3's Intro Video

Take a look at the Intro Video to the upcoming Forza 3. Good stuff...

No actual gameplay, but it appears to be all done with in game graphics and looks amazing! I can't wait for this game!!!

Forza 3 Goes Gold & Demo Details

That's right. Forza 3 has officially gone gold and with the official launch set for October 27, 2009 (Here in the US) it seems developer Turn 10 has made it with plenty of time to spare.

Curious about the new Graphics? Damage Model? Rewind Feature? Cockpit View? Find out for your self on September 24th, when the new Demo launches. Also included in the demo are the following cars:

• 2007 Porsche #80 Flying Lizard 911 GT3-RSR
• 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
• 2009 Ferrari California
• 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
• 2009 Mini John Cooper Works

And the full track version of the Camino Viejo Circuit.

Check back for Demo Impressions and more and information arrives.