Posts Tagged ‘selection’

E3 2009: The PC Perspective


Posted in Gamechangers

With this being my first E3, I couldn’t really gauge how much a compact version this was, but after hearing murmurs from the crowds and eager businessmen, this is miniscule compared to the gaudy insanity when E3 was still a ridiculous paroxysm of noise and overeager yelling over the latest trailers for the next big game.

I didn’t feel any of that. I thought E3 ’09 was massive, and I can’t imagine how much bigger it was in its glory days. It really put a lot of things in perspective. Games are a big deal commercially. That was always a known quantity, but seeing the profitability displayed over the course of three days, it really hits home. Games are a business, and it’s a serious one.

And sometimes, it can be a cold one. I always knew games were a business, but again, seeing the business side play out was impacting. As I walked through the food courts and meeting rooms where I could hear myself think, I heard about exclusivity deals, why a publisher should publish their game, and even about company bleeding out its wallet to just barely maintain itself. It was tragic to hear, as I sat there eating my overpriced cheeseburger. (more…)

Blood Bowl


Posted in Gamechangers

Back in 1987 Games Workshop took the Warhammer universe to the football field, with the result being Blood Bowl, a tongue-in-cheek miniatures game that was easy to learn, play and get addicted to.  In the mid-90’s a PC video game version of Blood Bowl was produced with disappointing results.  In mid 2009 a new PC version was launched via digital download, but now, early in 2010, a boxed and patched version that includes a new, playable race is available at retailers.  For those that have seen the new, boxed edition, the easiest way to describe Blood Bowl is a turn-based NFL Blitz with Orcs, Elves and Dwarves.
“…a heck of a lot of fun in some areas, and a heck of a lot of frustration in others.”

Cyanide, the publisher of this latest version of Blood Bowl, has produced a title that is true to the board game, a heck of a lot of fun in some areas, and a heck of a lot of frustration in others. (more…)

Black Prophecy Preview at GDC 2010


Posted in Gamechangers

MMOGs seem to be boldly going into space with a higher frequency these days as gamers shed their shields and throw down their swords to take up the role of intergalactic explorers. One of the more highly anticipated titles comes to us from Gamigo in the form of Black Prophecy, a ship based space combat MMOG that puts players in the cockpit of a highly customizable craft and sets them loose upon each other in a faction based struggle for galactic domination. We sat down this week at GDC with Falko Böcker of Gamigo to get the inside scoop on this German import from Reakktor.

Fans of Black Prophecy know that this game has been in development for several years and that it almost didn’t make it to market. Originally slated for a 2009 release, the game had planned on being a subscription model MMOG to be published by the now bankrupt 10tacle studios.  Reakktor refused to give up on the game however, and development continued with hopes for finding a publisher that would do the epic title justice. While reaction has been mixed to the announcement of Gamigo as the games new publisher, mostly due to the related announcement of a microtransaction based free-to-play model,  fans need not worry as both companies are committed to delivering a top notch product that will satisfy free-to-play veterans and subscription model adherents alike. Advertorial info : games for money online

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Need for Speed World Beta


Posted in Gamechangers

EA announced today that the Need for Speed World closed beta is now getting underway. It goes without saying that you’ll be able to partake in multiplayer street racing, but they also intend to feature the best car customization engine ever seen in a driving game. They’re promising a huge selection of licensed vehicles and thousands of parts to pimp them out with. According to the the press release: “Over the course of the next few months, thousands of players worldwide will have the opportunity to claim one of the limited slots in the PC beta test by enlisting at world.needforspeed.com. Need for Speed World testers will be the first in the world to get an insider’s look at this hotly anticipated racing MMO, and their constructive feedback will go straight back to the development team to help add polish, finesse and tuning to the final product.” Advertorial info : online file sharing websites

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