By Anonymous on Apr 16, 2015 12:06 am
 Grand Theft Auto V was released on PC yesterday, and if you had any doubt about the popularity of the game, these recent numbers from Steam will make it clear. According to the digital distribution platform's Steam & Game Stats page, over 298,000 people are currently playing GTA V, with today's peak number of players exceeding 300,000. This makes GTA V the third most played game on Steam at the moment, and the most popular game on the platform that wasn't developed by Valve. According to GameIndustry.biz, the record for most concurrent players on Steam for a non-Valve game previously belonged to Skyrim, which peaked at 280,000 concurrent players. By comparison, the most popular game on Steam, Valve's Dota 2, hit a peak of 777,070 concurrent players today, and an all-time peak 1 million concurrent players. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive came in at second place with 453,431 concurrent players, and Team Fortress 2 came in at fourth place after GTA V with 58,816 concurrent players. After numerous delays, GTA V is now available on PC with enhanced graphics, new music, and a powerful video editor. Some players are reporting issues with installing or playing it; if you're one of them, check out our rundown on the solutions and workarounds.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 11:24 pm
Killing Floor 2 hits Steam Early Access on April 21, but do you have a PC that can run it? Developer Tripwire Interactive today revealed the minimum and recommended system requirements for the sci-fi horror first-person shooter. While Killing Floor 2 looks great in the trailers and screenshots we've seen until now, the system requirements are pretty modest, as you can see below. Basically, if you've been able to play new releases on your PC in the last year or two, you should be able to run Killing Floor 2 just fine. Tripwire Interactive also announced that it will release a $40 Digital Deluxe Edition of the game (compared to the $30 base edition) which includes the following: - DJ Scully character, with unique voice pack and set of face/body skins
Additional cosmetic items (each with multiple selectable variants): - "Scullyphones" headphones for DJ Scully, Mr Foster, Hayato Tanaka and Donovan Neal
- 3D Glasses for Ana Larive and Hayato Tanaka
- Bowler Hat for Mr. Foster and Reverend Alberts
- Killing Floor 2 Soundtrack
- Killing Floor 2 Digital Artbook
Like the first Killing Floor released in 2009, Killing Floor 2 lets a team of up to six players take on waves of monstrous enemies called Zeds. As Tripwire said when it first announced the game for PC earlier this year, the sequel aims to improve on the original with its new, proprietary M.E.A.T. System (Massive Evisceration And Trauma), which introduces greatly improved enemy damage models, and a mix of realistic and "Mad Scientist" weapons. Killing Floor 2 is slated for a final release on PC and PlayStation 4 in 2015. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. Minimum: - CPU: Core 2 Duo E8200 2.66GHz or Phenom II X2 545
- GPU: GeForce GTS 250 or Radeon HD 4830
- RAM: 3GB
- OS: Win7 64
Recommended: - CPU: Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz or Phenom II X4 955
- GPU: GeForce GTX 560 or Radeon HD 6950
- RAM: 4GB
- OS: Win7 64
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 11:18 pm
Ratchet & Clank and Sunset Overdrive developer Insomniac Games has never released a game for PC, but that's going to change--and soon. The developer has announced that its latest game--Slow Down, Bull--will debut on Steam this coming Monday, April 20.  Announced last summer, Slow Down, Bull is a small game featuring hand-drawn art and developed by just a handful of people. In the game, you play as a bull named Esteban out to collect valuable objects. The problem is that his instinct is to destroy the very objects he wants to collect. As a result, players will need to balance the desire to collect with the bull's increasing agitation. Slow Down, Bull will be available this coming Monday on Steam for $6. Half of the game's net proceeds will go to the Starlight Children's Foundation, a group that aims to improve the lives of sick children by providing them with entertainment, education, and family activities. Insomniac built Slow Down, Bull out in the open, broadcasting much of the development process live on Twitch. You can watch replays of those broadcasts on Twitch right here. For more on Slow Down, Bull, check out Insomniac's detailed blog post and some images in the gallery below.         
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 10:34 pm
 After launching in late March for Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's Ascendance DLC will arrive for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC on April 30, Activision announced today. All Advanced Warfare DLC launches first on Xbox platforms, per a long-standing exclusivity arrangement between Activision and Microsoft. The Ascendance DLC is included with the $50 Advanced Warfare DLC pass or can be purchased separately for $15. Below is a breakdown of what Ascendance includes. - Four new multiplayer maps: Perplex, Site 244, Climate, and Chop Shop.
- Exo Zombies Chapter Two: Via Activision: "Located on the outskirts of an Atlas facility, the new Exo Zombies episode introduces a slew of never-before-seen undead masses, a robust arsenal of new traps and armaments and everyone's favorite fast food joint, Burgertown."
- New weapons: The OHM directed energy light machine gun/shotgun hybrid and the OHM Werewolf custom variant. These weapons are available now for DLC pass owners.
- New playlist called Exo Grapple: Via Activision: "Exo Grapple gives players a faster way to reach strategic vantage points or a brutal secondary weapon to take down the competition, exclusively on Ascendance maps."
Ascendance follows the Havoc expansion, which launched in January. Two additional expansions for Advanced Warfare will be released later this year: Supremacy and Reckoning. Looking ahead, Activision will release Call of Duty: Black Ops III from Treyarch Studios later this year.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 10:30 pm
 Giant Bomb's Jeff Gerstmann joins GameSpot's Peter Brown to talk about the wonderful fighting in Mortal Kombat X, and it's terrible DLC strategy.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 09:30 pm
 Check out extra character skins that are currently available in Mortal Kombat X, including the Samurai Pack and Blue Steel Sub Zero.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 09:08 pm
 Echoing comments from Heavy Rain developer David Cage in 2012, Ori and the Blind Forest developer Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler says war video games oftentimes miss the point, focusing on action above all else, instead of telling deeper, more human stories. But he'd like to change that with a new game.  In an excellent, wide-ranging interview with GamesIndustry International, Mahler reveals that one idea he's currently prototyping is a project along the lines of "Schindler's List for games." He says the game would take the form of an "interactive documentary" about Slovakian Jew Rudolf Vrba, who fled the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in 1944. Mahler is calling this game "Project Memoir." And though he's not yet talking specifics about its gameplay, Mahler stresses that it won't be another World War II shooter where all you do is blast zombies. "It's kind of embarrassing if you look at the video games industry and how they've handled World War II as a topic," he said. "If you really want to see how far behind games are in terms of storytelling, you just have to look at that. There are so many World War II games coming out, and every single one misses the boat on the really interesting things you can tell here, super-fascinating things in terms of human psychology, the history of mankind, and so on. And every single game was just about, well, shoot some Nazis. It's just stupid." Mahler goes on to say that he's thinking about self-funding Project Memoir instead of pitching it to a established publisher. The game would be a hard sell if he were to take that route, Mahler said. "I would have a very hard time going to a corporation like Microsoft, Activision, or EA and saying, 'Hey do you want to finance my game that is extremely controversial and is a story-based game, an interactive documentary thing that hasn't been done before and there's no way of knowing if this will be successful or not. Do you want to finance it?' That's something I'd like to see. There's no way right now in this industry to make something like a Schindler's List for games," he explained. Mahler said he's already invested "quite a lot of money" into Project Memoir, but he's still not sure if he'll ever release it; he hopes he can someday. "I also already see that if we did this full-time and really put our voice behind this, it could be an incredible thing for the entire industry," he said. The full GamesIndustry International interview with Mahler is a great read, touching on other subjects like the response to Ori and the Blind Forest, Moon Studios' unique distributed development makeup, why he thinks AAA publishers should invest in indie games, and lots more. Head here to read the full story. One recent war game that approaches the subject in something of a different light was This War of Mine, which highlighted how war affects civilians. Another example is Spec Ops: The Line, which emphasized the murky morality of war, reviewer Chris Watters said in his review from 2012.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 09:00 pm
Like a star-powered Bowser hurtling downhill, Mario Kart 8's new 200cc speed is both a thrilling spectacle and dangerous joyride. GameSpot got a chance to play the new supercharged class ahead of its release date on April 23. This add-on is free for all, while the eight new courses and trio of new characters can be bought via the eShop. (Word of warning, to unlock 200cc you'll need to complete all 150cc cups with a gold trophy.) Below you'll find direct video feed of three original Mario Kart 8 tracks--Toad's Turnpike, Sunshine Airport, and Mount Wario--comparing how each look in 150cc and 200cc. Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack Two comes with the Bell Cup and the Crossing Cup, both of which have four new tracks each. Half of these are entirely new designs, while the other half are redesigns of tracks from previous MK games. Crossing Cup- Baby Park (GameCube)
- Cheese Land (GBA)
- Wild Woods (New)
- Animal Crossing (New)
Bell Cup- Koopa City (3DS)
- Ribbon Road (GBA)
- Super Bell Subway (New)
- Big Blue (New)
Take a look at the two videos below for a preview of each course. Additionally, DLC Pack Two offers three new characters (and their custom vehicles) to play with, including the slightly creepy Animal Crossing Villager, the perma-smiling Isabelle, and the undeniably cool Dry Bowser (whose shell GLOWS when he boosts and who breathes fire during stunts. Yah.) Still itching for more Mario Kart 8? Take a look below at some new select screenshots.                
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 08:45 pm
 Lucy and Rob put Mario Kart 8's new top speed up against its old one on some fan favourite tracks.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 08:41 pm
Team Veni Vidi Vici has posted new gameplay videos that show off the upcoming PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of racing game Project Cars. The videos arrive just shortly after developer Slightly Mad Studios announced that Project Cars would run in 1080p/60fps on PS4 and 900p/60fps on Xbox One.  The PS4 video (above) was captured in 30fps, which also appears to be true for the Xbox One movie below. The PC version of the game, meanwhile, supports resolutions up to 12K, while frame rate will depend on your hardware setup. Needless to say, both videos look lovely. That's not much of a surprise, given how extraordinary the game has appeared in previous videos and screenshots. After its third delay, Project Cars is now scheduled to launch in mid-May for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. A release date for the Wii U version has not been announced.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 07:06 am
The best twin stick shooters turn tension and survival into an accessible kind of thrill. There's something inherently satisfying about flying around and avoiding being hit as you shoot at the increasingly numerous ships. Threading the needle with your ship as you narrowly cut through a tight blob of enemies is exhilarating, and the sheer act of moving the other joystick in order to fire your weapon makes the barrier to entry almost nonexistent. Because of the simple concept and ease of playability, twin stick shooters occupy a flexible design space, one that can hold any number of new ideas and concepts effortlessly. Unfortunately, while We Are Doomed gets what's so appealing about the genre and applies it to make a satisfying shooter in its own right, it fails to justify its existence, thanks to a lack of new ideas and predictable enemy placement. We Are Doomed makes an excellent first impression, thanks to its striking audiovisual presentation. The enemies and animations all combine to form the same kind of strikingly jagged, abstract aesthetic that was featured in Everyday Shooter, while the music and backgrounds grant a trippy touch of synesthesia similar to what you'd find in a Jeff Minter game. And though We Are Doomed only ever features one aesthetic tone, it fuses with the game's mechanics and progression in small, smart ways. The swirling pink and purple of the main stage juxtaposes with the level's boundaries, which are marked by a starry, spacy backdrop. When you clear a wave, the pinkness wipes away for a moment as space engulfs it before it returns to deliver a new round of foes to clear. Your laser weapon looks big and powerful, almost as if it's ripping at the edges. The Superbeam: Bigger, badder, and purpler. Movement is as smooth and effortless as a twin stick shooter should be, and enemies are clearly visible. It's easy to learn their particular patterns quickly (though many just bimble around aimlessly). But most importantly, shooting things feels good. The giant beam not only looks impressive, but it feels powerful when you're slicing through enemies. You don't immediately destroy them when they touch your beam, as they can withstand maybe half a second of direct exposure, but you can feel that resistance as you wait for the moment when they break, and that makes the moment of destruction all the more satisfying. The superbeam is the satisfying pinnacle of the action, letting you fire an even longer, more powerful version of your beam for a short time. The superbeam feels amazing, since the resistance you felt from the vanilla beam disappears when you cut through entire blobs of foes as if they were butter. We Are Doomed's bells and whistles are silenced, however, when you look past its presentation. The game can be played in an endless mode or in a finite waves mode that features thirty scripted waves of enemies to survive. It features only one weapon: A beam that constantly protrudes from your ship, but only reaches so far, like a lance. Gathering flashing cubes increases your score modifier, and also grants you access to the superbeam. And that's it. You get no alternate weapons beyond the beam, no smart bombs that let you relieve the pressure when you're about to get overwhelmed, and no other fancy options in your bag of tricks. Though there is some charm in the challenge of playing with a limited toolset, here it makes for a flat experience. All you're doing is carving through swarms of enemies in one specific way each and every time. We Are Doomed offers very few modes, putting a heavy emphasis on scoring.The big problem with We Are Doomed is how much it limits itself to its detriment. Not only do you get only one weapon, but the game also does nothing interesting with the environment or enemies. You end up shooting things like tiny squids, triangular missiles, and giant disco ball-like circles, but all they do is try to bump into you or shoot you. We Are Doomed features some non-enemy threats, but they also fall under the banner of ramming or shooting. There's so much potential for a wide variety of different encounters. Even genre stalwart Geometry Wars employed devices such as the black holes that messed with the gravity of the playing field. But We Are Doomed is unfortunately content merely to crowd you until you die. That's the frustrating thing about We Are Doomed: Despite all these issues, you can have fun with it. Because Vertex Pop took so much care in making everything feel right, nothing gets in the way of your enjoyment. You'll still remember the near-deaths you deftly flew your way out of. You'll still panic as the blobs of enemies cluster in and choke every available escape route until there's nothing but death left. And you'll remember the elation when you clear all thirty waves. The problem is that you can get those exact experiences and more elsewhere, whereas We Are Doomed doesn't really care to stake its own claim in the crowded shooter space. You're not going to see the surprising environmental twists of the Geometry Wars games or the charming DIY spirit of Everyday Shooter. In reality, you're just playing Twin Stick Shooter: The Game. You can't do anything about the scrolling machines that shoot beams of death except dodge them. Even a solid game needs some spice, and We Are Doomed never gives you much. You will certainly notice how good it feels to play the game, and the presentation is top notch, but it never really gives you a reason to care. Sure, you're thrown a bunch of stages including about seven different enemy types, but when the bump and shoot behaviors wear thin, you aren't left with anything more to look forward to. Soon, the only thing that's doomed is your waning interest.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 05:49 am
1. London Comic Con
Star Wars is celebrated worldwide, and fans of the franchise put together some of the most spirited cosplay you'll see at a con. Boba Fett, Leia's Bounty Hunter disguise, and an Imperial Scout Trooper make for a delightful trio at London Comic Con.
2. In the Shadow of Revan
Darth Revan will attempt to crush the Galactic Republic...after a quick pit stop at the Bristol Comic Expo in South West England.
3. Das Kostümball
A colorful gang of cosplayers from Germany represents the Mandalorian Mercs at the London Film and Comic Con.
4. That Amadala Scowl
This London cosplayer nails the serious stare and regal imperiousness of Padmé Amidala.
5. Aren't You a Little Short For a Stormtrooper?
A Stormtrooper poses with a new recruit at the Dublin International Comic Expo.
6. She'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee
Victoria Gonzalez isn't about to take take any guff from some stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder. At least not while she's at San Diego Comic-Con.
7. Get 'em While They're Young
Stormtroopers continue their political outreach program of winning the hearts and minds of the civilian Dublin population at the MCM Ireland Comic Con.
8. Only in Portland
Leave it to Portland to turn Darth Vader into a kilt-wearing, unicycle-riding master of mirth at the Wizard World Comic Con.
9. ORT-ORT-ORT!
A pair of Tusken Raiders takes a nice break from Tatooine at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.
10. Rebel Fighters on Parade
The 501st Rebel Legion made a strong showing at last year's DragonCon in Atlanta.
11. It's-a-me, Anakin!
This Darth Vader cosplayer has a commanding presence at the Lucca Comics Festival in Italy.
12. The Tension is Palpable
A spot-on Supreme Chancellor Palpatine leads a rabble of Stormtroopers through Royal Parc for the Balloon's Day Parade in Brussels, Belgium.
13. Han & Leia
Han Solo looks pleased to pose with Slave Leia at Wizard World Comic Con in Illinois. Just don't get cocky, kid.
14. Join Us or Die
The dark side looks awfully bright at the Thailand Comic Con in Bangkok.
15. Friendship is Magic
Who says Bronies and Star Wars fans can't co-exist peacefully? Nicholas Reynolds and Lesmarie Velez welcome the force to the herd at Dragon Con in Atlanta.
16. Follow Me, Friend
When Boba Fett's jet pack breaks down, there's always the Metro station. He still rides the escalator with pride here in De Brouckere, Belgium.
17. Blaster Pistols in Birmingham
That's either the world's tiniest Ewok, or the world's tallest Princess Leia. Either way, Star Wars cosplayers were out in force at MCM Comic Con in the UK.
18. Nooooooooooooo!
Darth Vader definitely does not want a pair of sharks holding him back at Long Beach Comic Con. Looks like the Death Star might not be completed on schedule.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 05:48 am
1. D'Vorah
D'Vorah may be an insect herself, but she squashes her opponents like bugs.
2. Ermac
Looks like someone just lost their lunch. So will everyone who plays the new Mortal Kombat.
3. Erron Black
The mysterious new gunslinger offers a face full of lead for his finishing move.
4. Ferra & Torr
Ferra & Torr are a deadly duo. If you're not careful, they'll rip you in two.
5. Jacqueline Briggs
We're not sure we even want to understand what's happening in this picture.
6. Kenshi
The blind swordsman Kenshi has no interest in letting his opponent's save face.
7. Kotal Kahn
Kotal Kahn's a heartbreaker in the true sense of the word.
8. Quan Chi
Sword swallowing's an ancient yet dangerous skill, particularly if it's forced upon you by Quan Chi.
9. Jax
Hey, put that cigar out! Maybe it's time Jax switched to vaping.
10. Kung Lao
Kung Lao's a Shaolin Monk with a razor-brimmed hat. A deadly combo you want to stay as far away from as possible.
11. Mileena
Finally, someone's trumped Street Figher's Blanka for the most vicious face biting in video game history.
12. Johnny Cage
Here's Johnny! All work and no play make Johnny Cage a dull boy.
13. Cassie Cage
Cassie takes after her father Johnny Cage, with their shared penchant for camera mugging.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 05:47 am
Spartan Locke
Spartan Locke got his own teaser trailer, just like Master Chief. Locke is a new character that should give us a fresh perspective on John-117.
Locke shows up on Master Chief's radar as an ally
Enemies appear red on the radar in Halo, but in Locke's case, he appears yellow. Yellow indicates a friendly in the Halo series.
Master Chief statue
A statue for John-117 is built in his honor on the battered planet. At one point, Master Chief was clearly lauded in his return.
A scorched world
It appears that the war has come to Master Chief's world. In the ravaged land, the only thing left standing is the statue.
Master Chief's statue is different in each trailer
The Master Chief trailer shows the statue dedicated to him has part of its head missing. Could this be symbolic of John's loss of Cortana?
Dual playable characters
In your hunt for the truth, Halo 5 looks to borrow from its predecessor, Halo 2, with two protagonists.
Spartan Locke blames Master Chief
Spartan Locke's version of the truth is that he attributes the war-torn world to Master Chief's betrayal.
Master Chief's wound is fresh
In Agent Locke's trailer, Master Chief is seen laying on the ground with a huge hole in his left shoulder. Due to the smoking coming from his now non-existent shoulder, the wound must be fresh. Maybe it was from Locke?
Master Chief and Spartan Locke face off
Both trailers build to a conclusion of a showdown between Master Chief and Spartan Locke, but is there a bigger bad guy out there?
"Duty and honor above all"
While Master Chief suffers from an apparent gunshot wound, you can clearly see his statue engraved with the words "duty and honor above all." Fitting for the Halo hero.
The UNSC Infinity has seen better days
The Navy warship that Colonel Lasky was left in charge of at the end of Halo 4 isn't doing so hot. The ship's on fire from whatever attacked the planet.
#HuntTheTruth
There's an old saying, there's two sides to every story--and then there's the truth. With both trailers premiering an hour after each other, is one of the depictions the truth?
Finally, a release date
The long-awaited release of the Xbox One exclusive Halo 5: Guardians was confirmed for an Oct. 27 release at the conclusion of both trailers.
By Anonymous on Apr 15, 2015 05:46 am
1. Caddicarus
Caddicarus uploads retro game reviews and ridiculous top ten lists that are peppered liberally with zany accents and one-liners. But the substance beneath his antics sets him apart from the crowd. He's got smarts and silliness in equal measure.
2. PushingUpRoses
This self-described Psychobilly Goth Punk has a major obsession with PC adventure games. Her vast knowledge and clear affection for the classics (I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream!!) have made her channel a must-watch.
3. Kinda Funny Games
Greg Miller and co-host Colin Moriarty made waves early this year when they shifted focus to their independent YouTube projects. With just shy of $500,000 in Patreon pledges already, they've definitely hit the ground running. Congrats!
4. Yamilia Avendano from Twinfinite
Yamilia, the ambitious founder of the gaming website Twinfinite, always has several cool projects running. The highlight of her output is Positive Gamers, a YouTube series that proves it's not impossible to possess razor-sharp wit and infectious happiness at the same time.
5. Game Sack
Joe Redifer and David White are a killer tag team that humbly pay tribute to the vintage games that shaped our world. Their videos are accompanied by a light volley of hokey jokes even dustier than the games they showcase. It's all delightfully charming and sincere.
6. Hot Pepper Gaming
Hot Pepper Gaming is squirm-inducing and furiously funny. It features a rotating cast of reviewers ranging from joycore rocker Andrew W.K. to Borderland 2's Ashly Burch. All of 'em eat a hot pepper and proceed to critique a video game. It's even better than it sounds.
7. OMGitsfirefoxx
This Canadian Minecraft Mianite player has experienced a meteoric rise, with nearly half a million subscribers over her first active year. Her openness about her hardships and her fun attitude have earned her a giant fan base.
8. AngryCentaurGaming
ACG's delivery is typically insightful and droll, nowhere near as ill-humored as his name might suggest. Over the past year, he's been uploading reviews and opinions as honest as they are distinct. Definitely worth subscribing.
9. Jim Sterling
Jim Sterling is another industry stalwart who's recently turned independent with his hit show, The Jimquisition. He comes off as a delightfully camp cross between Elton John and a fascist dictator. You can always count on Jim to speak his mind.
10. VenturianTale
VenturianTale is quite literally a family affair, a gaming channel created by four siblings: Venturian, BethanyFrye, HomelessGoomba, and ImmortalKyodai. Their Fallout, Gmod and Skyrim videos have hit more than 1 billion views. "What in the world" is their secret?
11. Nia The VideoGamHer
Nia's a gigantic Nintendo fan, but she's not afraid to take them to task when necessary. She's also one of the most down-to-earth commentators out there, with keen observations about the game industry.
12. Extra Credits
The Extra Credits team focuses on game design principles and complex historical conflicts. It's all accompanied by cartoons that make the subjects digestible and entertaining. You always feel like you're having fun while you learn on their channel.
13. Erika Szabo
Erika's unending fascination with JRPGs and anime is contagious. Every video is a celebration of the crossover between Japanese culture and console gaming. It's fun to watch someone who so clearly adores this subsection of entertainment.
14. ItsGWC
Nothing can prepare you for the surreal loopiness of Gaming With Character's off-kilter comedy. You just have to let it wash over you. This mysterious master of mirth has become an underground hit. Truly an original voice.
15. Aureylian
Aureylian's YouTube channel is unabashedly silly. She's quickly become the pink princess of Minecraft, headshots and shenanigans, all by fostering a welcoming attitude among her fans.
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