By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 11:45 pm
No, Microsoft isn't trying to buy the Silent Hill franchise from Konami, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has confirmed on Twitter, denying a rumor that circulated earlier this week. "Sorry, this isn't true," Spencer said in response to a question from a fan. "Not sure where the rumor started but I don't want to mislead anyone."  The rumor, which came from an anonymous source, claimed that Konami's Silent Hills was 80 percent complete when it was canceled, and that Microsoft tried to buy the franchise from the Japanese game company for "billions" of dollars. That alone should have been a red flag considering that Microsoft bought the far more successful Minecraft for 2.5 billion last year. Yesterday, Konami addressed recent reports of its intention to distance itself from the console gaming market in favour of mobile, as well as rumors surrounding the departure of Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima. "Konami will continue to embrace the challenge of creating entertainment content via different platforms," Konami president Hideki Hayakawa said said. "Not only mobile platforms, but for home consoles, arcade units, and cards, to meet the changing needs of the times."
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 11:11 pm
You can play Nintendo's paint shooter Splatoon by tying a Wii Remote Plus controller to a Wii U Pro Controller, the company has revealed. This method only works in the game's local, 1v1 Battle Dojo local multiplayer mode, but it's still strange and kind of awesome.  To use this input method, on the controller selection screen for Battle Dojo, press and hold down on the +Control Pad, press and hold B, and then press ZR and ZL. "It seems a Wii Remote Plus is necessary to perform this incredible feat. This technique also appears to be possible when using a Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro!" Nintendo said on Splatoon's official Tumblr. "When using a Wii U Pro Controller, first press ZL and ZR to select that as your controller, and then press the 2 Button on the Wii Remote Plus to activate it." How you keep those controllers stuck together is up to you. Check out GameSpot's Splatoon review in progress, and what other critics are saying about the game. Are you playing Splatoon this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 10:07 pm
Ubisoft has retired Frag Dolls, its all-female professional gamer team, 11 years after it was founded, the Frag Dolls have announced. "The Frag Dolls team – after almost 11 years, 22 team members, and who-knows-how-many games played together – is finally being retired," Frag Doll Morgan "Rhoulette FD" Romine, who retired from her role as Team Captain of the Frag Dolls in 2011 said in a post to the team's official website.  "Sad as it is to see something we have loved so much, for so long, reach its final days, there is a sweetness in this simple closure," Romine said. "As the wide community of gamers grows up, we are beginning to learn how to incorporate this burgeoning diversity into our cultural identity. There are growing pains, like with any cultural sea change. But as we say goodbye to the Frag Dolls, we welcome the emerging world in which it will be taken for granted that women do, of course, play and love games, because video games truly are for everyone." Ubisoft didn't say why it was retiring the Frag Dolls, but several team members have left this year. Romine thanked Ubisoft for its support over the years, and cited the team's Cadette program as its proudest accomplishment. The program, which provided mentorship and work experience in the gaming industry, helped more than 80 women land jobs at Electronic Arts, Blizzard, Nintendo, Oculus, and more. According to Frag Dolls' website, the team also made history by becoming the first all-female team to take the first place in a professional LAN tournament (the Cyberathlete Professional League).
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 09:05 pm
If you bought Halo: The Master Chief Collection at launch, you may have already received a download code for the remastered version of Halo 3: ODST on Xbox One. If you're wondering if the remastered campaigned is worth your money, check out the video walkthrough below featuring 343 Industries' senior game designer Max Szlagor and original Halo 3: ODST developer Joseph Staten. The update also adds the Remnant multiplayer map to Halo 2: anniversary, which you can read more about here. The remastered version of Halo 3: ODST was announced as an apology for significant matchmaking issues in Halo: The Master Chief Collection during its launch period. The re-release provides ODST's single-player campaign running at 1080p and 60 frames per second. For those that do not qualify for a free code, the Halo 3: ODST is available for purchase from the Xbox Store for $5 USD. For more on The Master Chief Collection, check out GameSpot's review and previous coverage.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 07:44 pm
Bandai Namco has released a trailer for another Tekken 7 fighter who's a completely new addition to the fighting game series. Kazumi Mishima, who first appeared in the opening cinematic for Tekken 7, Is Heihachi Mishima's wife, Kazuya Mishima mother, and (at least one of) the game's boss characters who can transform into a demon. As you can see in the video below, some of her special attacks involve summoning a tiger. Tekken 7 was announced last year. The game, which is powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 4, is already in Japanese arcades, but Bandai Namco has yet to announce when the game will hit other platforms in other territories. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Tekken 7.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 07:30 pm
Welcome back to GameSpot Q&A a weekly section where we ask our staff and readers an interesting discussion question about video games. Look at this as a forum where you and others can discuss and compare your opinions of this beloved hobby of ours. Let us know what your answer is to this week's question in the comments below! This week's question is: What game do you absolutely love the idea of but just cannot play?When you play video games, there are often moments when you encounter a game that sounds really interesting but just cannot play. Sometimes this can be for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you don't like the mechanics of the game, or maybe it just isn't aesthetically pleasing. Either way, what game has made you feel this? Below is what our editors had to say. Dark Souls | Alexa Ray CorrieaI have some real problems with the original Dark Souls. It's not that I can't do it, it's just that it frustrates me entirely too easily. I didn't get far and never finished. I find its successor, Bloodborne, far more accessible than its predecessors, and I think that's mostly because the story makes me want to learn more and therefore pushes me to get better. I feel like if I die in Bloodborne, I die because it's my fault, and I feel like those extra Blood Vial drops really make a big difference. I'm also a run-and-gun person, so shields are a thing I just never end up wanting to use. I couldn't really get used to the shields in Souls; the riposte system in Bloodborne was much more my playstyle. But Dark Souls would make me rage quit, and though I love it, I can't bring myself to finish it. Dark SoulsMOBAs | Daniel HindesI wouldn't say I love them, but I fully respect any big-time MOBA like Dota 2 or League of Legends. I feel like I've grown out of my own competitive multiplayer phase, and even then it was with more immediate things like first-person shooters, but I can still appreciate how the intricate skill-based matches in these games can create such a long-lasting community. EVE Online | Kevin VanOrdEVE Online. I love the political stories that develop around the game, and I want so badly to play a role in one of those stories. But I just don't have the time and patience to devote to a game that requires both of those things in such great quantity. Experiencing the drama of war means enduring hours of mining and uneventful travel. The reward may be great, but the drudgery is too much for me to bear. EVE OnlinePokemon | Matt EspineliPokemon. Unfortunately, I never grew up with the games so I don't have the same kind of attachment that most people have with them. Regardless, I really love the look and overall concept of the series, but I just cannot get into any of the games without being absolutely bored to tears. I don't know what it is. Considering my love for demon collecting in the Shin Megami Tensei series, it's not like I don't like the monster collecting aspect of it. For me, I just think it's probably the bare bones story that makes it hard for me to stay. Hagane: The Final Conflict | Peter BrownI adore Hudson Soft's Hagane on the Super Nintendo for its complexity, but the range of actions at your disposal is a double-edged sword that also makes the game incredibly difficult to master. Unfortunately, the level design and enemies aren't designed for casual play. In addition to standard maneuvers, you can combine buttons to tumble across the screen in numerous ways, as well as to make use of multiple weapons. However, remembering what every button combination does and how the resulting action may serve you is far easier said than done. I've never made it past the second level. Hagane: The Final ConflictMinecraft | Chris WattersI think Minecraft is fantastic. The creativity it engenders is wonderful, and the diverse range of people who play it are a shining example of the massive appeal of video games. The game itself, the things people create in it, and the content people create about the game all make me happy. But between my own lack of enthusiasm for crafting and building in games and the visual aesthetic that doesn't exactly scream, "Come explore me!", I've just never been able to get into Minecraft. P.T. | Rob CrossleyP.T. is awfully frightening to the extent that, in some ways, it's outright unentertaining. I'm drawn to it and fascinated by it, but it's so stressful that I just can't bring myself to play it anymore. I made a huge mistake trying it the first time, alone in my home, in the middle of the night. It genuinely messed with my imagination for weeks; I actually put a knife next to my bed for a few days (incredibly lame, yes, but true nevertheless). P.T.Eve Online | Danny O'DwyerIs everyone on here going to answer EVE Online too? Yea, EVE Online. I mean, it's a game that produces the most incredible stories of corruption, deceit and ruthless capitalism. Amazing stories I love reading about months after they've happened. It's a one-of-a-kind game, the first true MMO universe that is malleable in ways that most online worlds could only dream of. But as much as I love it I have absolutely no desire to spend 50 plus hours a week to mine asteroids. King of Fighters | Zorine TeKing of Fighters. The art-style is gorgeous and the lore is interesting but the execution required to play that game at a higher level is insane. Those frames, those frames. I can only watch the pros do it with a look of intense longing and wipe the drool off my keyboard. King of Fighters XIIIFinal Fantasy XIV | Justin HaywaldI love Final Fantasy XIV. Well, I love the idea of Final Fantasy XIV. It has Chocobos, and multiple character classes, and plenty of callbacks to my other favorite Final Fantasy games. But it's also a game that demands a significant time investment, and time is a resource I seem to have less and less of as I get older. The world of Hydaelyn is, sadly, one I'll have to admire from afar. At least until I quit working and just start playing games full time. LittleBigPlanet | Eddie MakuchThe LittleBigPlanet games have such lovely visuals, imaginative gameplay, and silly humor. I enjoy all these elements on paper, but I've never quite connected with them in LittleBigPlanet. I can't put my finger on why that is exactly. Maybe Media Molecule's new PlayStation 4 game will have something I'm more interested in.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 07:19 pm
E3 is the biggest event of the year for the gaming industry, but it's always been a trade show closed to the public. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the organization that puts on E3, is starting to change that this year. ESA's senior vice president of consumer and industry affairs Rich Taylor told Polygon that the organization gave 4,000 to 5,000 E3 passes to game companies that are ESA members and are exhibiting at the show this year. Taylor didn't share the exact split, but the number of passes a company got was relative to the size of its booth, meaning that companies that pay more for bigger booths get more passes.  The game companies can then distribute these passes to these customers. Note that having a pass to all days of the show means you'll be able to wait in line and play whatever demos are on the show floor, but that this doesn't guarantee appointments behind closed doors (which is where publications like GameSpot see some of the biggest, newest games every year), or a seat at any of the big press conferences held separately by Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Bethesda. "The thinking was to include the prosumers and then evaluate how it went after this year's show," Taylor told Polygon, suggesting that the show might be even more open to the public in the future. E3 2015 kicks off Sunday, June 14 with Bethesda's first-ever briefing. The show then rolls on Monday with briefings from Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Sony. Things continue Tuesday, when Nintendo and Square Enix hold their own events. For more on E3 2015, check out GameSpot's complete roundup of the dates and times for all the briefings.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 05:30 pm
THE BIG STUFF:Witcher 3 Sex Glitch Is Totally Bizarre: A newly discovered Witcher 3 glitch shows off a side of Geralt we've never seen before. Check out the video here to watch the funny--and very much NSFW--glitch. Man Says Wii Burned His House Down: Fire investigators in Colorado Springs think that a Wii console is the likely cause of a fire inside a RV home this week, local media reported. Yes, Rise of the Tomb Raider Is Still an Xbox Timed Exclusive: After an Xbox social media channel suggested that Rise of the Tomb Raider had become a full Xbox exclusive instead of just a timed exclusive, Phil Spencer spoke out to assure fans nothing had changed. THE OTHER STUFF:A massive Star Citizen leak has provided a window into the PC space sim's future. New ships and lots more have been revealed. Get all the details here. A Tinder for video games? That's basically the concept for LovelUp, a newly launched dating service focused around video games. 2,200 people have signed up for the beta so far. The service was created by Raymond Walintukan, who previously worked at Linksys/Cisco. Get all the details about LovelUp here. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a lot of sex scenes. Here's a roundup from Kotaku that includes every steamy scene found so far. Be warned, the videos featured here are extremely not safe for work. Someone at CD Projekt Red definitely likes Doctor Who. Check out this excellent easter egg for the TV franchise's famous Weeping Angel enemies. Watch the video here. Remember that epic train heist in Breaking Bad? Someone remade it in Grand Theft Auto V. Bravo. Assault Android Cactus is not the name of a new hipster band. No, it's a new arcade-style twin-stick shooter from Australian developer Witch Beam. It launches later this summer for PS4, PC, Wii U, and PS Vita. Read more about it here. The New Nintendo 3DS will soon be available in a new color, at least if you live in Japan. The new color is Pearl White, and it goes on sale in June. No word yet on whether or not it will come to the US or Europe. We can hope. Will you be able to stream Halo to your mobile device someday? Maybe. Microsoft announced this week that it's been working with researchers from Duke University to improve game streaming--and has seen some excellent results so far. As it turns out, Minecraft has quite a few easter eggs. Check out this video from Curse and Direwolf20 that goes over some of the best hidden easter eggs the game has to offer. The Dictionary, yes the Dictionary, added around 1,700 new words this week. Included are words like clickbait, WTF, and NSFW. What a world we live in. Splash Damage's online PC shooter Dirty Bomb is entering open beta on Tuesday, June 2, the developer announced this week. Watch a new video here. A new Skylanders game is coming this year from Activision, but what will it be called and what new features/improvements will it introduce to the toys-to-life franchise? Activision isn't saying, but reports suggest the game is called Skylanders Superchargers. And, interestingly, it will reportedly include vehicles. The Shawshank Redemption was an excellent movie. As it turns out, it could have also made a great 8-bit, point-and-click game, as this video demonstrates. Check it out. Have an extra $650 burning a hole in your pocket? Here's something to spend it on. Bethesda has revealed a 1:1 bust of Dragonborn from Skyrim. Check it out here. Only 600 will be made, so if you're interested, send in your deposit now. Want to upload videos of yourself playing The Witcher 3 and not get in trouble? Better stick to the guidelines. Thankfully, CD Projekt Red this week published an overview of its guidelines as it relates to streaming The Witcher 3. Check it out here. In other Witcher 3 news, the game has been localized into 15 different languages, 7 of them include full voicecovers and the other eight have subtitles. That's incredible. Now, the Polish studio has released a lovely trailer in multiple languages. Watch it below. Wired magazine has a great new interview with Duncan Jones, the director of the upcoming Warcraft movie from Legendary Entertainment and Blizzard. Among other interesting facts is how the movie's Orcs were inspired by The Hulk. Read the full interview here. Another high-profile developer, The Walking Dead studio Telltale Games, has joined GOG's DRM-free movement. The studio's Game of Thrones games are now available through GOG, and more are on the way. Check out the full blog post here. Oculus VR, owned by Facebook, reached into its wallet this week and bought computer vision company Surreal Vision. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but here's what Surreal Vision had to say about the deal. "Ultimately, these types of technologies will lead to VR and AR systems that can be used in any condition, day or night, indoors or outdoors. They will open the door to true telepresence, where people can visit anyone, anywhere." Have a great weekend!
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 01:45 pm
[UPDATE] For those that are not eligible for a free Halo 3: ODST remaster code, the game is now available to purchase on Xbox.com for $4.99 (£3.99). Since this is an add-on, you will need to own Halo: The Master Chief Collection to play the game. Original story below. Microsoft has started sending out codes for the remastered version of Halo 3: ODST on Xbox One. Earlier this week a release date indicating the game would be available on 29 May appeared on Xbox.com. However, the official Halo Twitter account said the date was actually "a placeholder."  It seems the Xbox.com date wasn't far off, as Xbox One owners that played Halo: The Master Chief Collection between its November 11 release date and December 19 are receiving messages on Xbox Live with a code to download the game. According to an update on Halo Waypoint "all distributed codes will disappear from the in-console message after June 30, 2015, but will still be redeemable." After June 30, users can contact the support forum for further assistance. The remastered version of Halo 3: ODST was announced as recompense for significant matchmaking issues in Halo: The Master Chief Collection during its launch period. The re-release provides ODST's single-player campaign running at 1080p and 60 frames per second. Halo steward 343 Industries has confirmed the re-release "does not include the Firefight game mode and contains the campaign only." For those that do not qualify for a free code, the Halo 3: ODST re-release will "soon be available for purchase from the Xbox Store for $4.99 USD." 343 Industries' Bonnie Ross previously said the developer is giving the game to players for free to thank them for sticking with Halo: The Master Chief Collection during its troubled launch. "This has been a humbling experience and highlighted how we as a studio can – and need – to do better for Xbox fans around the world," Ross said. "We are so grateful to our fans who have stood by our side and we appreciate all of your patience as we worked through these issues." An update for The Master Chief Collection is also now available and weighs in at 2.4 GB. It includes the previously announced reimagined version of Halo 2's multiplayer map Relic for all owners of The Master Chief Collection. "First introduced in "Halo 2" as "Relic," the "Halo 2: Anniversary" multiplayer map "Remnant" is set on a large island on Installation 05 and is renowned for its expansive, asymmetrical level design, making it perfect for intense, sniper combat. Of course, this re-imagined version of the classic map sports its share of innovations." For more on The Master Chief Collection, check out GameSpot's review and previous coverage.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:48 am
 Watch extended gameplay footage from Splatoon featuring the Giant Bomb crew.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:31 am
1. Destiny - 2014
Activision spent $500 million on the development and promotion of Destiny, the most expensive game ever made. Destiny cost more than most summer blockbusters!
2. Grand Theft Auto V - 2013
In Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V, you can hijack an armored truck. The game's developers might've had to do the same, given the $265 million price tag on the open-world action game.
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - 2009
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was an incredibly successful game that cost about $50 million to develop. Add on $200 million on launch and marketing costs, you've got a quarter-mil invested.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic - 2011
The Star Wars MMORPG was developed by more than 800 people over six years and cost $200 million.
5. Final Fantasy VII - 1997
Spending $145 million on a game made in the '90s is hard to wrap your mind around. At least the final product was one of the best RPGs of all time.
6. Shenmue II - 2001
The sequel to the original Shenmue cost $132 million.
7. Max Payne 3 - 2012
The gritty shooter from Rockstar was a $105 million expenditure for the developer. It sure was a better use of money than the movie.
8. Grand Theft Auto IV - 2008
Back in 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV was the most expensive game of all time, at $100M. Now that figure looks minuscule in comparison to other games' big budgets.
9. Too Human - 2008
The Xbox 360 exclusive cost developer Silicon Knights $100 million to make. A sequel to the expensive original is reportedly in the works.
10. Red Dead Redemption - 2010
Red Dead Redemption will go down as one of Rockstar's greatest efforts. Venturing into the wild, wild west tallied $100 million for the GTA developer.
11. Disney Infinity - 2013
Disney put more than $100 million into the Infinity franchise. Disney Infinity uses various figurines that sync with the game and allow custom, interchangeable gameplay.
12. Deadpool - 2013
Activision's High Moon Studios spent an estimated $100 million on Deadpool. Unfortunately, the game was released to less-than-stellar reviews.
13. Tomb Raider - 2013
Reboots are never cheap, but they can definitely be worth it. This fresh take on the Tomb Raider franchise revitalized the game series and was well worth the $100 million price.
14. Defiance - 2013
Defiance was born out of a convergence of television and video games. Based on SyFy's series of the same name, an MMORPG was released at a price tag of $80 million.
15. Shenmue - 1999
An extremely pricey game to make at $70 million, Shenmue took seven years to develop and sold just 1.2 million copies.
16. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - 2008
With the amount of detail packed into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, it's shocking that Konami was able to bring it to the masses for just $70 million.
17. Watch Dogs - 2014
Watch Dogs was long in development before its release in 2014. The open-world hacking adventure cost $68 million to make.
18. Crysis 3 - 2013
According to the Crytek CEO, the third installment in the Crysis series cost three times the original. That puts the charge at $66 million for one beautifully constructed game.
19. Final Fantasy XIII - 2009
The 2009 RPG from Square Enix cost the Japanese developer $65 million to produce.
20. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier - 2012
The third-person cover-based shooter by Ubisoft comes in at $65 million.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:30 am
1. Emerald Graves rift
Dragon Age: Inquisition players, a warning: If you venture out into the Emerald Graves too early, you regret it soon enough, thanks to an oddly stubborn fade rift with demons that dole out almost instant death.
2. The Great Palace
Who would have thought that mere birds could burn you from a distance in such an effective manner? In Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link, you find out.
3. Imperator Mar'gok
The latest World of Warcraft expansion introduces players to a super-hard ogre mage. Some have complained that the two-headed foe is actually too hard, compared with the rest of the game.
4. The Water Temple
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time has an underwater level featuring tons of doors, keys, levers, locks … and tears.
5. Big Score Obvious Approach
Fans of Grand Theft Auto V cite this mission as quite the pain, especially when players choose the higher-paying "obvious approach." No wonder it pays $201.6 million.
6. The Great Maze
Don't you just love facing off against all the bosses you've already killed? The creators of Super Smash Bros. Brawl seemed to think we would.
7. Tubular
In '80s-speak, tubular means "great." Among Super Mario Bros. fans? Not so much.
8. Your random Dragon Priest
In Skyrim, some floating undead baddies can sport serious armor (such as powerful masks), not to mention very high magic skills.
9. Truth and Reconciliation
It can be tough to decide which task is the hardest in Halo: Combat Evolved. But plenty of fans still shudder when they recall this rescue mission, which is the first level in the game to introduce Hunters, Zealot Elites and Stealth Elites.
10. Chamber 18
As if this Portal room, packed with turrets and laser beams, isn't taxing enough, you also get to hear GlaDOS threaten, "You will be baked and then there will be cake." Thanks. Thanks a lot.
11. Master Core
This Super Smash Bros. boss eventually morphs into a candy-hued orb. Think that a gobstopper-colored ball is all pleasant and sweet just because it has pretty colors? Just try defeating it at level 9 intensity.
12. The Ender Dragon
Minecraft devotees know that defeating this boss isn't just about hitting it; you also have to keep it away from ender crystals, which heal the creature.
12. Level 65
Candy is supposed to be fun. Candy is supposed to be a treat. But Level 65 of Candy Crush Saga is routinely described by players as quite the opposite of all that.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:29 am
1. FeliciaDay
Twitch video game streamers are a colorful mixture of amateurs and pros all sharing the games they love. If you're new to Twitch, though, it can be a bit intimidating to find someone to watch. A pro like Felicia Day, famous for her hit series The Guild, has a charming and personable style. It's a great place to start before you jump into the weirder stuff.
2. TheMexicanRunner
The Mexican Runner is a man on a mission: play through and beat every single NES game ever released. Despite facing one of the hardest game catalogs of any system, this world record holder tenaciously marches forward. A must watch.
3. FishPlayStreetFighter
Nothing quite makes you feel like the future has arrived than watching a pair of fish compete in a game of Street Fighter live over the internet. It's a channel that lives up to its title, thanks to the ingenuity of their owner, who's mapped control inputs to sections of their fish tank. Take a moment to reflect on the wondrously strange world we live in.
4. Srwfe
If you thought Dark Souls was hard, try playing through the game using only your feet while millions watch in nervous anticipation. Even if you don't speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, watching Srwfe's amazing dexterity transcends national boundaries.
5. rabbitbong
Yoni has a diverse taste in games, ranging from League of Legends and Counter-Strike to more artsy fare like Child of Light. If you tune in often enough, you can even catch her singing impromptu renditions of They Might Be Giants songs.
6. GamesDoneQuick
Twitch has a ton of renown speed runners who plow through games with inhuman concentration and reflexes. Games Done Quick showcases a lot of these talented players while simultaneously raising money for charities like Doctors Without Borders and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Incredible skills for an incredible cause.
7. IdleThumbs
Idle Thumbs is mainly known for their highly literate (and frequently silly) podcast, but their Twitch channel has gotten some much-needed attention with the recent addition of cast member Danielle Riendeau. You can catch obscure indie games, Bloodborne, Spelunky runs and more.
8. LAGTVMaximusBlack
Maximus Black became famous for his dual-lightsaber-wielding musical performances while comfortably dressed in authentic chain mail. If you need your game streaming laced with a healthy dose of absurdity, this is the fella for you.
9. itsHafu
Hafu became famous as a professional gamer with respectable showings in League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and most notably, Hearthstone. One of the coolest things about Twitch is watching pro players who are great at what they do and picking up some of their techniques.
10. TeamSp00ky
TeamSp00ky are the undisputed kings of the Twitch fighting game scene. They've been busy with Ultra Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat X, and Smash U lately. Make sure to tune in if you want to keep on top of the latest fighting game tournaments and events.
11. Virus610
Later this year, Nintendo is releasing a cool creator's tool called Mario Maker, It allows you to design your own Mario levels. There's already a thriving community of Mario ROM hacks, so if you want to explore the scene early, Virus610 has a great channel that regularly explores the strangest and most creative homemade Super Mario World tweaks.
12. StreamerHouse
It's like The Real World of video game streaming: A collection of gamers combined forces to set up more than 20 cameras in their house for 24/7 video game streaming. It's largely a novelty act, but you gotta respect the commitment to the cause.
13. Greenspeak
Jeff Green is a venerable games writer known for his work as editor-in-chief for Computer Gaming World magazine. He's also amassed quite a following for his amateur Dark Souls and Bloodborne streams on Twitch. With his decades of industry experience and hilarious style, Jeff runs circles around some of the younger subscription-obsessed streamers.
14. XeroKynos
Everyone with a soft spot for Final Fantasy should check out XeroKynos, who speedruns Final Fantasy VII, VIII & IX in gigantic one-sitting marathons. It's a fun way to relive memories of the classics with simply the best player around.
15. AriaBlarg
Aria Blag is a fun streamer whose infectious love for games really shines through. Her adorable family often shows up while she plays cute and odd titles such as Chulip, or Nintendo classics like Pokemon. She's also a talented painter, and you can frequently catch her crafting art that honors her favorite games.
16. DansGaming
Dan's channel exploded during his now-famous month-long horror game marathons. But he's still a regular guy with a down-to-earth sense of humor. He's currently playing a lot of Witcher in preparation for Witcher 3's release.
17. Tapezilla
Tapezilla grew out of a podcast supergroup, which, in turn, formed out of former IGN, 1up and Expert Gamer personalities. Now they're a successful Twitch stream with a good variety of retro games and newer releases. Come for the great game conversations. Stay for the randy dinosaur imagery.
18. missharvey
Stephanie "missharvey" Harvey is another pro player you'll want to watch, just to absorb her technical wizardry. She completely destroys at Counter-Strike, and she has a fun hosting style as well.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:29 am
The Battle Begins
Nintendo launched in 1889 as a Japanese playing card manufacturer, while Sega had its roots in 1940 as a Hawaii-based jukebox and slot machine distributor. Neither company foresaw it at the time, but the two would ultimately grow into giant entertainment corporations, sparking an intense rivalry that would define video games and pop culture for decades.
Sega's Opening Salvo: Periscope
After the fledgling Hawaiian company Service Games joined forces with an entrepreneur in Tokyo, the duo rebranded themselves as Sega. Sega achieved its first big hit in interactive entertainment with a submarine simulator game called Periscope. The electro-mechanical game was a success across Europe and the US in 1966.
Fonzie Puts the "Aaaaay" in Sega
Sega became a huge name in the video game arcade boom of the 1970s. One of the company's more popular games was Fonz, a Happy Days rebranding of the motorcycle racing game Moto-Cross. By the end of the 70s, Sega had already achieved annual sales of $100 million.
Nintendo Tests the Home Game Market
Nintendo initially struggled to compete in an arcade scene dominated by Sega's machines and Taito's Space Invaders. But Nintendo did make an early attempt at a Japanese home console, the "Color TV-Game" in 1977. It was essentially a variation on Pong, and it became popular enough to sell 3 million units.
Nintendo's Game & Watch
After a modest success with the Color TV-Game, Nintendo tried its hand at a portable electronic game with an LCD screen in 1980. You'll probably recognize the hero Mr. Game & Watch from the Smash Bros. series. The Game & Watch became a phenomenon, with Nintendo selling more than 43 million units worldwide.
Nintendo Struggles With Arcade Games ... Until Donkey Kong
Nintendo had made some attempts to enter the arcade market in the seventies, but nothing really caught on for them until the revolutionary Donkey Kong in 1981, designed by young company artist Shigeru Miyamoto.
Sega Creates a Home Console
By 1983, the arcade market suffered a downturn, prompting Sega to branch out with its first home console, the SG-1000. It only sold 2 million units in Japan, but it did offer some notable games. Giri's Garden would be first title created by Yuji Naka, who would later design Sonic the Hedgehog.
Nintendo Overshadows Sega With the Famicom's Debut
Sega launched its SG-1000 in 1983. But unfortunately for the company, Nintendo released its own product on the same day: the Famicom, its most successful offering to date. In its first year, the home console featured games like Popeye, Donkey Kong, and Baseball, all of which dominated home software sales in Japan.
Nintendo Revives the American Game Market With the NES
In 1985, the US game industry was in shambles. Atari had driven the market to over-saturation, spurring bankruptcies and general public apathy. But then Nintendo introduced the Famicom to the West as the "Nintendo Entertainment System," with careful branding that positioned the machine as a control deck instead of a video game console.
Nintendo Ushers in the Era of Blockbuster Home Console Hits
With its uniquely creative games, Nintendo quickly gained a foothold in the US. Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda went on to sell a total of 46 million copies combined, boosting the success of Nintendo's NES.
Nintendo of America Celebrates its Success
Above, the president and founder of Nintendo of America, Minoru Arakawa, stands next to a row of popular NES Games. Super Mario Bros. 3 became Nintendo's bestselling stand-alone game, selling 18 million copies, ultimately pushing its 8-bit system to 61 million units sold worldwide. Many credit Nintendo's success with reviving the video game industry in the mid-80s.
Sega Releases the 8-bit Master System
After dominating arcade sales, the tables turned on Sega in the home market. Sega released an 8-bit Master System for the U.S. market in 1986, but Nintendo's stranglehold proved tough to beat. The Master System was still a modest success for Sega, though, eventually selling 13 million units worldwide.
Sega's Standout Software Struggles for Attention
The Sega Master System had a hard time achieving the same attention as the NES, but its software library still excelled at delivering artistic experiences. Alex Kidd, Sega's answer to Mario, starred in a complex adventure, and Phantasy Star went on to become one of the most respected RPG series of all time.
Nintendo Starts the Handheld War
Seeking to replicate the portable success of Game & Watch, Nintendo introduced the black and white handheld Game Boy on July 31st of 1989. Propelled by the popularity of the packed-in game Tetris, the Game Boy sold a staggering 118 million units worldwide.
Sega Genesis Enters The 16-Bit Race First
While Nintendo was busy launching the Game Boy, Sega began a foray into the next generation of home consoles. The tech in Sega's 16-bit Genesis was a significant step up from both the Master System and the NES. Its early launch was a smart move that gave Sega a home-field advantage in the coming 16-bit war.
Sonic The Hedgehog Spins Circles Around the Competition
After two decades of making games, Sega had yet to create a pop culture icon a la Mario. That all changed when Sega designer Yuji Naka helped create Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991. The Genesis game was blisteringly fast, like nothing that had come before. He made the 8-bit Mario seem antiquated by comparison.
Sega Battles the Game Boy
As Sega gained confidence, the company entered into direct competition with Nintendo's Game Boy by releasing its own handheld device in April 1991: the Game Gear. The Game Gear had a backlit color screen and was significantly more advanced than the Game Boy, but the system's short battery life and small game catalog weakened its appeal. It ultimately sold 11 million units.
Nintendo Counters Sega With the Super NES
Two years after the Sega Genesis was released, Nintendo finally released its 16-bit system: Super NES. Early titles like F-Zero and Pilotwings showed off an impressive range of colors and flashy visuals.
Miyamoto Demonstrates Super Mario World
The premier showcase for the Super NES was the next installment in Nintendo's popular Mario series, Super Mario World. It was a critical success and sold 20 million copies (largely as a pack-in title with the system). But the Nintendo mascot also faced serious opposition for the first time. Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog had already begun to mark his territory.
Shots Fired as Sega Delivers an Aggressive Ad Campaign
Because Sega had launched the Sega Genesis so early, it had a robust catalog of quality action and sports games to counter the Super Nintendo's fledgling library. Sega capitalized on this with a snarky ad campaign brashly mocking Nintendo for being behind the times. The ads cemented Sega's reputation as the "cooler" company.
Sega Cultivates a Violent Edge
Action titles like Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Altered Beast showed off Sega's edgier side. Nintendo's Super NES certainly had similar games, such as Final Fight, but only Sega integrated the violent content into its brand. Sega successfully positioned itself as the sophisticated alternative to Nintendo's lighthearted fare.
Super Mario Kart Gives Nintendo a Boost
As the Genesis racked up gritty, high-octane racing titles like Road Rash, Nintendo stuck to its milder, kid-friendly games. On September 1st, 1992, Nintendo released Super Mario Kart, a highly polished racing game featuring its cute mascots. The game went onto become a top-seller, pushing nearly 9 million units.
Genesis Goes for the Jugular
The title that most exemplified the difference between Sega and Nintendo was the brutal fighting game Mortal Kombat. Violence in video games had grown into a controversial topic, and Nintendo would only allow Mortal Kombat on its system with the blood effects censored into harmless grey sweat. The Genesis version contained a "blood code" that allowed players to perform all the gruesome fatalities from the arcade game.
Sonic 2 Launches Around the World
As the battle between the two game companies intensified, Sega initiated an unprecedented $10 million ad campaign to launch Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic 2 released on Tuesday, November 21, 1992, branded as "Sonic 2sday." It was one of the first games to receive a worldwide simultaneous launch, and went on to sell more than 6 million copies.
Donkey Kong Country Barrel-Rolls the Competition
For a while, it seemed the Sega Genesis had taken the lead between the two 16-bit systems. But Nintendo delivered a late knockout punch with Donkey Kong Country, far surpassing the spectacular sales of Sonic 2 and Sonic 3. Donkey Kong Country 2 even took a swipe at Sega by including a picture of Sonic's iconic running shoes near a trash can.
So Who Won the 16-Bit War?
The "winner" of the intense battle depends on your criteria, because both the Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo have incredibly diverse libraries that contributed significantly to games as an art form. But in strict sales terms, the Super NES gets the edge, with 49.10 million consoles sold, versus an estimated 40 million for the Genesis.
Sega Unleashes an Avalanche of Add-Ons
Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. Releasing new technology early helped Sega gain the 16-bit advantage. But fresher advancements, such as the Sega CD and 32X add-ons, failed to capture much attention and only served to fragment Sega's audience.
The Nintendo Virtual Boy Lands With a Thud
Nintendo wasn't without its own high-profile flops. In 1995, the company released the Virtual Boy, a 3D game console with red and black graphics that induced headaches and eyestrain in most players. It became Nintendo's biggest commercial failure, selling only 770,000 units worldwide.
The Sega Saturn Fumbles Out of the Gate
Sega continued to flounder after the back-to-back failures of the Sega CD and 32X. In a surprise E3 announcement in 1995 that caught even its own employees off-guard, Sega declared that its new console was available immediately on store shelves. The distribution of the Sega Saturn went poorly, angering retailers who were unprepared.
Sega Continues to Innovate With Stellar Software
While the Sega Saturn faced a bumpy road at retail, Sega continued to deliver on the software front with technology-pushing games such as the whimsical NiGHTS into Dreams, as well as an excellent arcade port of Virtua Fighter 2. Without a new Sonic game to push sales, though, the Saturn stagnated at 9 million units sold worldwide.
Nintendo Charts Its Own Path With the Nintendo 64
With CD-ROMs quickly becoming the prominent data storage medium, Nintendo made a surprise move: Sticking with the more expensive cartridge format for its next system, the Nintendo 64, in 1996. Third-party developers largely preferred the CD format. The result? Fewer games for the Nintendo 64.
Super Mario 64 Revolutionizes 3D Games
Nintendo 64 didn't light sales on fire, but the company's ingenuity in software design was still unparalleled. Super Mario 64, the first Mario game using a 3D perspective, is often cited as one of the greatest games ever made.
A New Challenger Appears
A lot of critics attribute Sega's downfall to its disorganized console strategy in the mid-90s. But when the Sony PlayStation entered the console market in September of 1995, it was a complete wrecking ball, demolishing previous sales records. With huge hits like Final Fantasy VII and Gran Turismo, the PlayStation sold 102 million units worldwide, more than double the total of the Nintendo 64 and Sega Saturn combined.
Sega Launches Its Final Console
Sega had always been a more daring company compared with the competition. With Sega's final console, the Dreamcast, the company continued to innovate, even if it meant rushing to market in 1999. The Dreamcast was the first console of the sixth generation, and it featured a built-in modem for online play, a unique VMU controller display, and an excellent, if small, game library.
Sega Announces Its Withdrawal From the Console Race
After achieving unsatisfying sales with the Dreamcast, Sega COO Hideki Sato announced in January of 2001 that his company would cease production of the system and exit the console market. With only 10.6 million units sold, Sega had simply suffered too many financial losses to continue.
Nintendo Holds on to Hope With the GameCube
In many ways, Sega bowing out of the console race gave Nintendo just enough room to compete against Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsoft's new Xbox console. In November of 2001, Nintendo introduced the GameCube, which went on to sell 21.74 million units worldwide. It was enough to keep the company above water ... until the unprecedented success of the Wii many years later.
A Sign of the Times as an Era Concludes
In 2002, Sonic Advance became the first Sega game developed for a Nintendo system. It's a development many gamers never thought they would see. Sega lost the hardware battle to Nintendo, but Sega's legacy lives on through an extensive software library that pushed the medium to its creative limits.
By Anonymous on May 30, 2015 04:26 am
 Resident Evil Zero is getting an HD remake; images of the new Xbox controller may have been discovered; and to get the best experience with Oculus Rift could cost $1,500.
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