By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 11:25 pm
1. Connor was voiced by a Native American
Ratonhnhaké:ton—otherwise known by his adopted name, Connor—in Assassin's Creed III was voiced by actor Noah Watts, a descendent of the Blackfeet nation.
2. Hunters gonna hunt
Influenced by Red Dead Redemption's open-world, hunting system, Assassin's Creed III introduced hunting to Ubisoft's franchise.
3. This is a ginormous squid
In Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, players can find the easter egg of a squid doing an underwater-takedown of a whale. It's at the Antocha shipwreck.
4. Top-selling Ubisoft franchise
As of 2014, the Assassin's Creed franchise has sold more than 73 million games, making it Ubisoft's bestselling game franchise.
5. First Video Game Character Voiced By Kristen Bell's
Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) lends her voice as Lucy Stillman in three of the Assassin's Creed games. It was the long-time video game fan's first foray into the gaming industry. Her voice acting career now includes Frozen.
6. It was almost a Prince of Persia game
Assassin's Creed was originally titled Prince of Persia: Assassins.
7. Co-Op took a while
Co-Op Mode has been a popular add-on feature to plenty of single-player games, but Assassin's Creed didn't allow you to play cooperative with a friend until Assassin's Creed: Unity.
8. The spy who shunned me
Easter eggs and references to other games are laid throughout the franchise. In Assassin's Creed: Revelations, one of the missions named "The Spy Who Shunned Me," a pretty easy James Bond reference.
9. Hat Tip to Batman
While you're freerunning over buildings in Assassin's Creed II, an NPC can be heard saying "another caped crusader."
10. The Jackdaw's Original Name
The Jackdaw is the ship captained by Edward Kenway in Assassin's Creed: Black Flag. The ship's original name was El Dorado, but Kenway renamed it when he took over. Because, you know. Jackdaw is a pretty great name for anything.
11. First Female Hero
The main character in the Assassin's Creed games has usually been a male, until Assassin's Creed III: Liberation when Aveline was our protagonist.
12. I'm a Real Boy!
According to Ubisoft, approximately 80 percent of the named characters in Assassin's Creed III were historically accurate.
13. Desmond Miles' Voice
Miles plays an integral part in the series' first handful of games, and is voiced by veteran actor Nolan North. You may recognize his voice from other video game characters, such as Nathan Drake, the Penguin, and Cyclops.
14. Desmond's Body
Spoiler Alert: Desmond doesn't make it out of the end of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. But what happened to his body? Apparently recovered by Abstergo agents in an attempt to harvest his DNA.
15. Scalping!
Scalping was originally planned as a tactic Connor could use in Assassin's Creed III, but the developer thought it was too graphic for the installment.
16. Inspired by a Novel
In case you were wondering about the origins of Assassin's Creed, it's reportedly based on Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol's "Alamut."
17. WWII Is Out
According to Assassin's Creed writer, Corey May, the Assassin's Creed franchise will explore a lot of historical moments, but World War II is not one of them.
18. Hook Blade an Upgrade?
In Assassin's Creed: Revelations, the Hook Blade was originally conceived as an upgrade to the hidden blade. In the end, the Hook was added as an additional weapon.
19. Ezio's Story
Ezio has a storied past in the Assassin's Creed games, but we are never sure of the span of time we controlled the man from House of Auditore. Until now, with his story apparently taking approximately 23 to 30 years.
20. Ezio in Other Games
Ezio's story might have ended in Assassin's Creed, but that hasn't stopped him from showing up in other games. Ezio has made appearances in Soul Calibur V and Academy of Champions: Soccer.
21. So. Many. Games.
Ubisoft has released 8 core console titles and about a dozen other games (mostly mobile or social). And there's no end in sight.
22. Assassin's Creed: The Movie
As with anything that is incredibly popular, Hollywood wants a piece of the action. The movie adaptation is in production with Michael Fassbender set to star as...an assassin!
23. The End is Already Written
Although Assassin's Creed doesn't seem to be wrapping up anytime soon, apparently the way the series ends has already been written. It's always good to know where you're going, right?
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 11:23 pm
1. Smosh: Up to $3 million (annual income estimate)
Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox bring us Smosh, one of the most famous YouTube channels in existence. In addition to vids about mobile gaming, the duo have created an entire network of channels including a movie parody channel and an "If Blank Were Real" channel that never disappoints. Social Blade – a site that analyzes the income of YouTube channels based on a number of changing variables – estimates their game channel is making up to $3 million annually.
2. Vegetta777: Up to $8.5 million (est.)
Minecraft is addictive in any language, and Samuel de Luque shares all of the best tips and tricks on his YouTube channel Vegetta777. Vegetta777 is easily the most famous Spanish YouTube channel around and one of the most lucrative, according to Social Blade's analysis of CPM and daily channel visits.
3. ihascupquake: Up to $2.4 million (est.)
Tiffany Michelle Herrera has amassed a large YouTube community (more than 3 million subscribers). Aside from playing games on YouTube, she experiments with vibrant hair colors and home decor on her DIY channel. She even hosts a channel for her cat, as well as a collectible toys channel.
4. EvanTubeHD: Up to $3.2 million (est.)
What were you up to when you were nine years old? Well, Evan is busy opening toys, playing games and racking up the cash. He has over one million subscribers, more than a billion views, and brings in approximately $3 million annually across three YouTube channels based on recent CPM and site visit analysis from Social Blade.
5. TheDiamondMineCart: Up to $11.2 million (est.)
Though a number of popular gaming channels feature loose language, Daniel Middleton – also known as The DiamondMinecart (TDM) – has created a kid-friendly Minecraft YouTube channel. The channel is so family friendly that sometimes Daniel's wife, Jemma, plays along in videos.
6. KSIOlajidebt: Up to $3.4 million (est.)
Known for playing FIFA before an audience of around eight million teens, KSIOlajideb, or KSI as he's better known, has made millions (up to $3.4 according to Social Blade's estimates) thanks to YouTube videos.
7. PopularMMOs: Up to $11 million (est.)
PopularMMOs is run by Pat (you may know him by his Minecraft name, FuriousDestroyer) and Jen (SuperGirlyGamer). They have over 3 million subscribers across five series, and those several channels combined bring them to almost $11 million annually.
8. PewDiePie: Up to $8.5 million (est.)
Hailing from Sweden is PewDiePie, perhaps YouTube's biggest star. PewDiePie – real name Felix Arvid Ulf Kjelberg – tests out video games and incites laughter with hilarious reactions and commentary. Financial publications like Forbes and The Wall Street Journal have examined his rise to a superstar income. Gamers grapple over whether he's "earned" his success. The numbers may change, but they don't lie: he's one of the highest paid YouTubers to date.
9. Stampylonghead (formerly Stampylongnose): Up to $9.7 million (est.)
Another kid-friendly Minecraft channel is Stampylonghead, manned by Joseph Garrett. He plays using a fun, cat-like character and silly voices that keep kids engaged. That kitty is wagging its tail all the way to the bank.
10. VanossGaming: Up to $7.7 million (est.)
Look, mom, you can make money playing Grand Theft Auto with your friends! That's basically what Evan Fong, or VanossGaming, does in his videos featuring him and his buds just having fun with video games. His growing fan base is giving YouTubers like PewDiePie a run for their money, literally.
11. Markiplier: Up to $8.1 million (est.)
Funny faces and playing games on YouTube are just two ingredients in the secret sauce for Markiplier, another Maker Studios YouTuber. Mark Edward Fischbach also sprinkles in some acting skills. This makes for animated antics accompanied by a scoop of comedy.
12. FernanFloo: Up to $4.2 million (est.)
Fernanfloo is another top YouTuber with a Spanish language channel. He uses very… colorful language and strange humor while racking up subscribers and cash playing video games.
13. Jacksepticeye: Up to $8.8 million (est.)
The proclaimed "most energetic game commentator on YouTube" is Sean William McLoughlin, the Irish YouTube gamer that appreciates each of his fans individually. Aside from playing video games on his vlogs, he likes to answer fan questions and read comments from his posts.
14. TheWillyRex: Up to $4 million (est.)
Much like Vegetta777, Guillermo Dïaz gained popularity for his Minecraft videos in Spanish. He currently has close to 6 million subscribers watching him build and destroy and build and destroy.
15. GamePlayRJ: Up to $2.2 million (est.)
Brazil's own Davy Jones (GamePlayRJ or DavyJonesRJ) makes pirate-level money playing Minecraft on YouTube for his crew of around 1.3 million subscribers. With their help, he stashes around $2 million annually, according to Social Blade's estimate.
16. GameGrumps: Up to $3.7 million (est.)
A genius mixture of music, animation and Let's Play style gaming brings us GameGrumps. The factors of income change about as much as the special guests and animators on the show, but as of writing this piece GameGrumps' recipe for success led by Arin Hanson rakes in an estimated $3.7 million dollars each year.
17. JuegaGerman: Up to $5.4 million (est.)
Coming in at approximately $5 million annually (as estimated by the analyzing geniuses at Social Blade, using many variables) is Hola Soy German. The channel is on again, off again, but the money continues to flow in whenever the Chilean comedian uploads new videos, playing all sorts of games from Flappybird to Minecraft.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 11:18 pm
1. A Mario Endless Runner Actually Has Potential
A Mario endless runner is the first joke that came to mind when Nintendo announced their mobile intentions. But they've shown keen insight in NES Remix. Tiny barrages of breakneck platforming are always fun when designed carefully.
2. Nintendo Makes Amazing Puzzle Games
Outside of PopCap, no one makes amazingly addictive puzzle games quite like Nintendo. Why in the world would you play Candy Crush when you could have games similar to Dr. Mario, Tetris Attack or Picross at your fingertips?
3. Kirby's Touch Controls Are Already Perfect
It's easy to forget that Nintendo arrived at touch controls early with the DS. That's a decade of refinement. Kirby and The Rainbow Curse on Wii U reminded us how inventive Nintendo can be with touch screen design.
4. More Pokémon Is Inevitable
There's been some dabbling in mobile games with Camp Pokémon. Fingers crossed they're gearing up for a major release. With classic Final Fantasy games already successful on the app store, we know the potential for a full Pokémon RPG is huge.
5. Advance Wars Could Finally Return
Tactics and strategy RPGs are another genre that fit well into mobile's limitations. Everyone's been eager to see a new Advance Wars title after a 7 year absence. This is the perfect occasion for Nintendo to launch a new assault.
6. Nintendo Makes Great Brain Teasers
Brain Age titles have sold over 30 million copies world wide. While the science behind these games remains sketchy, there's no doubt Nintendo knows how to make these quick brain drills fast and fun. A refresh for the mobile age will kill.
7. Wario Ware Makes Great Use of New Hardware
Wario's been Nintendo's diplomatic emissary to test out new hardware. His mini-game collections are inspired bursts of creative design. With dual touch, multiple cameras, and gyroscopes, phones are ready made for Wario's wicked ways.
8. Raising A Nintendog Would Be Adorable
How many poor Nintendogs have languished in neglect from the inconvenience of lugging around a 3DS? Imagine just whipping out your phone to pet your puppy. Or, Nintendo could even branch out to turtles, parakeets, and pigs.
9. Nintendo Makes Excellent Pinball Games
Pinball games work well on phones and Nintendo has a collection of cool pinball titles like Metroid Prime and Kirby's Pinball Land. They usually involve an imaginative spin on a classic franchise, so more of these would be welcome.
10. Swipe to Swing in Mario Golf
Nintendo has a fine tradition of first class golf titles, and the addictive nature of the 3DS game's multiplayer has us excited at the potential for a mobile version. We can already picture driving down the green with grandpa's ghost.
11. Nintendo's Got Rhythm
The mobile platform presents its own distinct challenges. Nintendo's roster of rhythm music games like Rhythm Heaven and Elite Beat Agents make for a great fit with their polished, simple designs and vibrant art.
12. Punch-Out!! in Your Palms
Epic's mobile hit Infinity Blade proves that the Punch-Out template works perfectly on phones. Their success has been undeniable, so it wouldn't be a risky prospect for Nintendo to step into the ring with their famous franchise.
13. Nintendo Knows How to Use Tilt in Creative Ways
Nintendo's been using gyros ever since R.O.B. the Robot back in 1985. Since then, it's consistently implemented gyroscopes and their tilt functions in interesting ways, and you can be sure they'll bring that design expertise to mobile too.
14. An Animal Crossing App Has Potential
Animal Crossing New Leaf had a street pass feature that let you visit the towns of people you encountered in real life. What if you could trade turnips and furniture with everyone in the vicinity of your phone, or all your Facebook friends?
15. Nintendo Invented the Mobile Gaming Market
The original Game Boy became a worldwide phenomenon, due in large part to Nintendo's approach to crafting experiences tailored to the needs of gaming on the go. They know this territory better than anyone and should easily excel on phones as well.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 11:15 pm
1. Mortal Kombat X Spans 25 Years
The game is due out this year, and here are just a few of the (many) reasons to be pretty excited about that. A juicy bit of intel about the secret plot was recently revealed by the game's creators: MKX picks up following the last entry in the series, and the action will take place over a 25-year period.
2. Raiden's New Moves
According to series creator Ed Boon, each playable character will have three devastating power moves. The powerful maestro of thunder, Raiden, will be able to teleport, create lightning traps and use a Thunder God Raiden move that enhances his attacks.
3. Whoa, That's a Lotta Characters!
The key to every fighting game is the players you can go to battle with. Mortal Kombat X won't be short of dealers of death. There are more than 20 characters confirmed, including series mainstays Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Raiden, Reptile and more.
4. It Runs at 1080p & 60 FPS!
Good news for you keen-sighted gamers out there. Mortal Kombat X will run the Unreal 3 engine at 1080p and 60 FPS on your machine, according to the game's developer.
5. Mobile Game
Prior to the console release of Mortal Kombat X, the developers announced a free-to-play mobile version that is a mix between a fighting game and a turn-based card battle. Now you can have Mortal Kombat wherever you go.
6. Faction Wars
A new feature in Mortal Kombat X is the online Faction Wars game mode. Each user will be able to choose between one of five factions. After deciding which side to join, every action you take in the game will contribute points to your team, and the faction with the most points at the end of the week earns a prize.
7. Mortal Kombat X Controller
The brand new customized Mortal Kombat X controller is developed for Playstation 4 and XBOX One. In your attempt to make it easier to destroy your enemies, the controller moves the left and right bumpers to the front right.
8. Living Towers
The Living Towers mode in Mortal Kombat X is a constantly-shifting set of challenges that change hourly. Mortal Kombat X looks to be improving not only the gameplay, but the online features.
9. Live-Action TV Show
Announced last year, Warner Bros. has been developing a live-action series inspired by Mortal Kombat X.
10. Featured on Conan O'Brien's Clueless Gamer Bit
The Internet-famous video that shows a personable Marshawn Lynch with the always enthusiastic Rob Gronkowski. If you haven't watched the hilarious video, YouTube it.
11. Comic Book Developed by DC
A tie-in DC comic book series serves as a prequel of sorts, telling about the ascent of new Kambatants.
12. You Will Want to Beat the Story Mode, Trust Us
During a recent Mortal Kombat X livestream, we learned that beating the game's story mode will reap rewards for the user. A character will be unlocked once the you've conquered the single-player mode, for example, but which one?
13. Cut Scenes Will Be Interactive
Cutscenes won't just be for sittin' and watchin'. During some cinematic parts you'll be asked to complete quick time events that'll alter how the next fight will be presented. So stay on your toes!
14. Is that Jason?! Run!
Iconic Friday the 13th madman Jason Voorhees will be included in a downloadable add-on called the Kombat Pack.
15. It's Kinda Like The Godfather
With an emphasis on story, Mortal Kombat X will borrow influences from Hollywood as the plot plays out. The game's developer, NetherRealm, said that narrative form will remind some of The Godfather: Part II, with a non-linear story that will connect characters from past and present.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 11:14 pm
1. Los Angelcraft
Outside of GTA V, this Minecraft monstrosity may be the most evocative recreation of Los Angeles in a video game. Creator Fujiwara1990 clearly went the extra mile: every single building visible is accessible and furnished.
2. Portal Texture Pack
A lot of recreations have been built in Minecraft, but most of them end up feeling slightly wonky. This Portal texture pack by carlotta4th absolutely nails the atmosphere of Valve's masterpiece.
3. Conan O'Brien's Show
Although Conan's proposal for an entire Minecraft episode of his show got squashed, the small tease they gave us of Andy and Conan's adventures in the Minecraft universe were delightfully charming.
4. Acropolis of Athens
As Pericles said to the Athenians upon the erection of the ancient citadel, "What you leave behind isn't what's engraved in stone monuments, but what's woven into the lives of others." Good work, gtofan74.
5. Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64
The only possible thing harder than racing this notoriously difficult track from Mario Kart 64 is building it block by block in Minecraft. We hope creator chocobokupo makes more tracks from the classic racer!
6. Adventure Time's Candy Kingdom
While this castle from Ooo is impressive enough, designer Flame Prince Finn has also created the iconic Tree Fort too. Such talent is beyond comprehension! Beyond space! Beyond time!
7. Fort Bulwark
While this military base by the sea inherits its name from Oblivion, this is a much more modern take that exists in its own universe. Creator GolankaSwe now owns the ocean.
8. Zelda Adventure Map
Everything you love from the classic Zelda universe exists in this map filled with six dungeons and plenty of bombs, bats, and boomerangs. One of the early Minecraft hits from Gary520.
9. WesterosCraft
Winterfell is just a small glimpse of the amazingly ambitious undertaking by a group of 125 dedicated Game of Thrones fans. Look up the Welcome To WesterosCraft video and hang on to your jaw.
10. Mystcraft
The past and future of games collide in this mashup of the Myst and Minecraft mythos. If you stare into the auburn sunset you can see the sun setting on an older generation of gamers.
11. Apocalyptic Church
Some of the most impressive Minecraft creations come directly from the minds of their designers, like this Gothic cathedral created by linusaccount. Intimidating enough to inspire its own lore.
12. Star Wars Trench Run
Fundamental design flaws in the original Death Star aside (why is there a vulnerable hole leading straight to the main reactor?) this fan made Minecraft movie by Paradise Decay totally kills it.
13. Wall-E
And here's where Wall-E's condemnation of entertainment folds in itself. This intricate creation of the beloved robot took so much work it's the exact opposite of the lazy dystopia the movie predicted.
14. Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings
The City of the Kings has rarely loomed so large in our imagination. It would be a terrible shame if some Orcs and Creepers teamed up to take it down. Exemplary work by Cornbass.
15. All 151 Original Pokémon
QueenMercury has made a grand homage to all 151 original Pokémon, designing each one by hand without the aid of a scripting program. Pikachu's just the tip of this obsessive iceberg.
16. Battlestar Galactica
It took over 5 million blocks and nearly half a year for Ragnur Le Barbare to create this lifesize model of the legendary ship. The kind of dedication only a Cylon could muster.
17. Petra
Mrc93's creation of Jordan's historic landmark might be the 8th Wonder of the World. If UNESCO isn't successful in protecting the world heritage sight, we'll always have the Minecraft version.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 10:46 pm
In an interview with The Guardian, Playtonic director and 20-year Rare veteran Gavin Price said that he knows what Rare is developing now and that his company may want to "collaborate" with his former coworkers down the line. Price founded Playtonic after he was laid off from Rare and Microsoft last year. Since then, Price has said that his new company will be working on a "spiritual successor" to the Banjo-Kazooie games called Project Ukulele. For its part, Rare has been rumored to be handling "ambitious" new projects. "I still chat to them. I know what they were working on when I left last year," he said. "It sounds really good… You never know, there are some good old mates of ours down the road, they may might want to do a little multi-studio collaboration." Price also dispelled a common rumor that when Rare joined Microsoft, the tech giant quashed creativity in the studio. Price says that wasn't the case at all. "For me, it was more about [Rare founders] Tim and Chris Stamper leaving," Price said. "There was no sense of progression about what the company was going to do from that point on. The story people want to hear is that Microsoft came in and destroyed everything. It wasn't like that. They gave us freedom, almost more freedom than Nintendo gave us." Playtonic will be looking to fund their next game via Kickstarter starting sometime in May.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 10:17 pm
 Microsoft and Nerdist have teamed up for a new Battlefield Hardline giveaway. As part of the sweepstakes, gamers can win a rare Hardline controller, copies of the game itself, and EA Access memberships.  All you have to do to enter the contest is leave a comment on Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb's blog with an answer to this question: "What is your favorite Battlefield game, preferred class and typical loadout?" This coming Friday, March 27, Hryb will randomly select 15 winners, one of whom will score a Grand Prize that includes the controller and a wooden case, along with a copy of Hardline and a one-month EA Access membership. Four people will get a copy of the game and an EA Access membership, while ten others will receive just the EA Access membership, which normally sells for $5. The deadline to enter the Hardline contest is 4 PM PDT on March 27. Only one entry per person is allowed. So far, more than 1400 people have entered the contest.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 10:03 pm
Bloodborne, the long-awaited PlayStation 4 role-playing game from the creators of Demons' Souls and Dark Souls, has finally arrived. But how is it holding up with critics? Quite well, it turns out.  GameSpot's 9/10 review said: "Bloodborne's excellent action, beautiful artistry, and religious melodrama make it another must-play in the Demon's Souls tradition." One issue some are reporting is that Bloodborne's load times are too long. In response to those concerns, Sony and developer From Software are "exploring" a patch to reduce load times (and fix more bugs). Check out a sampling of review scores and editor opinions below. And be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic for even more on Bloodborne's critical reception. - Game: Bloodborne
- Developer: From Software
- Platforms: PlayStation 4
- Release Date: March 24
- Price: $60
FURTHER READING: IMAGE GALLERY:                GameSpot -- 9/10"The finest treasures are found within the city of Yharnam and the forests, lakes, and purgatories beyond it. Only Bloodborne would be so bold as to bury an entire factional player-versus-player mechanic within an optional region, which is in turn buried within a series of oblique steps you might miss if you aren't exploring every nook and cranny, or ignore the game's enigmatic hints. I finished Bloodborne in less time than I did Dark Souls II, yet I treasure it more in spite of its few missteps. In death there is life, and in blood, there is redemption. More hyperbole, yes, but for a game this theatrical, only hyperbole will do." - Kevin VanOrd [Full review] Game Informer -- 9.75/10"Bloodborne is a blood-drenched horror gem that has only the faintest of cracks in its façade. Bloodborne succeeds through sparse storytelling, lush atmospheres (conjuring up notions of the best of Lovecraft's work), and tight combat that forces you to be aggressive. While this new IP doesn't stray far from the established Souls franchise, it is a magical, wondrous work that admirably instills both terror and triumph in those brave enough to delve into it." - Daniel Tack [Full review] The Guardian -- 5/5"Bloodborne, like its predecessors, will spill its secrets slowly, over months rather than days. Part of the appeal of [director Hidetaka Miyazaki's] games is this slow-release effect, whereby riddles are unpicked and shared by the community, rather than plainly laid out on the first day of release. It brings players together, where the fiction itself keeps them somewhat apart. Bloodborne is, by any measure, an extraordinary game, one that runs forcefully against the commercial tide, subverting perceived wisdom that contemporary games have to hold their players' hands, or make their shape and rules explicit from the get-go." - Simon Parkin [Full review]  The Escapist -- 4.5/5"Bloodborne, like the rest of the Souls games, isn't going to be for everyone. But, if you're the patient sort and are willing to put in the time and effort to get good at Bloodborne's complex and punishing combat, you'll find Bloodborne nearly impossible to put down." - Mitchell Saltzman [Full review] Destructoid -- 9/10"Bloodborne is an interesting mix of everything From Software has learned throughout its storied developmental career. Not everything will gel with fans old and new, but for the most part, the shift towards a combat-oriented game is a net positive. From Software is still one of the only developers left that makes you work for your satisfaction, and Bloodborne is damn satisfying." - Chris Carter [Full review] GamesRadar+ -- 4.5/5"Bloodborne lies somewhere between Dark Souls and Dark Souls II, better than the latter but not quite as good as the former. The fourth time following the same template means the master strokes, however masterful they are, are anticipated. But take nothing away from this brilliant, brooding, brutal reinvention, because almost as great as the best game ever is pretty bloody great." - Ben Griffin [Full review] Digital Spy -- 5/5"Bloodborne may not be a Souls game and it doesn't fall into the horror genre, but it captures everything that makes the series so satisfying, so terrifying, and so magical. I want to keep playing, I want to discover its secrets, I want to fight every monster, try every weapon, discuss theories, and explore as many of the community dungeons as possible. To put it bluntly, I want to bleed the game dry." - Liam Martin [Full review]
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 09:38 pm
Sony and From Software have announced that they are moving forward on a new patch for Bloodborne that aims to reduce load times in the just-released role-playing game. The patch will also tweak other elements of the game, which launched today exclusively for the PlayStation 4.  "The development team is currently exploring another patch for Bloodborne, seeking ways to improve load time duration, in addition to other performance optimizations and miscellaneous bug fixes," reads a statement from Sony to IGN. "We will provide more information as soon as possible." Bloodborne is the latest game developed by From Software, the creators of the Demon's Souls and Dark Souls franchises. GameSpot's 9/10 review says: "Bloodborne's excellent action, beautiful artistry, and religious melodrama make it another must-play in the Demon's Souls tradition." For lots more on Bloodborne, check out the stories below.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 09:30 pm
[UPDATE] BioWare has now posted the first trailer for Jaws of Hakkon. The original story is below. Right on schedule, the first expansion for open-world role-playing game Dragon Age: Inquisition is now available for Xbox One. The content, titled "Jaws of Hakkon," can be purchased for $15.  The DLC is also expected to launch today for PC. A release for PlayStation 4 will presumably come later. In Jaws of Hakkon, players will "discover the fate of the last Inquisitor and the powerful dragon he hunted." Set in an overgrown wilderness populated by the Avvar hunter people, the content will see players exploring an "ancient Tevinter fortress that hides a dangerous secret." Gamers can also expect to face off against new enemies, and amass new legendary armor and weapons. Jaws of Hakkon concludes with a battle against an "ancient god of war bent on destroying the world." At school or work? Queue up your download here by way of the Xbox Web Marketplace. A trailer for Jaws of Hakkon is due to be released later today. We'll add that video to the story once it's released. Some screenshots leaked yesterday; see the full batch here. Dragon Age: Inquisition was a contender for GameSpot's game of the year. Critic Kevin VanOrd wrote in his review that the BioWare project was "a wonderful game and a lengthy pilgrimage to a magical world with vital thematic ties to one we already know." The game shipped in November 2014 for consoles and PC. Although an official sales number has not been announced, publisher Electronic Arts says the game is BioWare's most successful launch, in terms of units sold, in the developer's history.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 09:09 pm
 BioWare's celebrated role-playing game Dragon Age: Inquisition is getting another patch. Now, the developer has published the full patch notes to its website, explaining that the update should improve overall game stability and squish a number of bugs. Multiplayer should also be improved.  Dragon Age: Inquisition Patch 6 will be available for all platforms, though there are some PC-specific changes. Binding support for mice with more than two buttons has been added, while PC players should also see improvements to mouse look toggle after the update is applied. Check out the full Dragon Age: Inquisition Patch 6 notes below, courtesy of BioWare. The first DLC expansion for Dragon Age: Inquisition, Jaws of Hakkon, launches today for Xbox One and PC. You can read more about the expansion through GameSpot's previous coverage. Dragon Age: Inquisition Patch 6 Notes:PC-Specific:- Enabled binding of additional mouse buttons for mice with more than two buttons.
- Fixed issue that caused abilities to not be usable in tactical mode when using mouse look toggle.
- Fixed issue that caused mouse look toggle to turn off during looting.
- Fixed issue that prevented resurrecting characters who had died in deep water.
- Fixed issue that could cause the journal to act in unexpected ways when expanding categories with the mouse.
Improved Stability:- Changed Solas's quest "What Lies Dormant" to trigger when reading the after-action report for "Measure Veil Strength" instead of when the time completes.
- Fixed issue that could break the "Perseverance" quest in certain circumstances.
- Fixed case where the GUI did not come back after opting out of light conversations in certain circumstances.
- Adjusted position of mosaic pieces for "The Fall" so they can all be collected.
- Fixed issue that caused some dragonlings in the Hinterlands to become non-hostile when the dragon was killed.
- Fixed issue that caused the cave opened by the Abyssal High Dragon to become closed again in certain circumstances.
- Buffed the Katari multiplayer kit slightly so that it has more HP and generates guard on hit.
- Fixed issue where Shatter and Rupture combos would be reported twice in multiplayer session stats.
- Made change to prevent players from salvaging items that are equipped by other character kits in multiplayer.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 08:30 pm
 Cam and Seb's strange adventure through Life is Strange continues, complete with guns, near death experiences involving trains, and definitely too much potassium!
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 12:29 pm
Everything you've been fighting for up to this point is finally in front of you. The third episode of Telltale's Game of Thrones will decide whether or not you get what you want, and whether or not you need to stop thinking and just start running. The Sword in the Darkness does an excellent job of mirroring the Game of Thrones HBO series' tendency to place a high-tension, high-energy episode smack in the middle of a season. Episode Three never lets you catch your breath; each scene features major choices with consequences that ripple out to this chapter's credits--characters will continue to harp on decisions made early in the episode--and hint at larger problems to come in following episodes. Episode Three upset me in ways the first two episodes haven't. It made me physically anxious. As someone who has read all the books in A Song of Ice and Fire and generally knows what's coming in the television series, it's fabulously disturbing to see Telltale's characters get kicked around and have no idea how their story ends. You will let a lot of people down in The Sword in the Darkness. Every plot-hinging choice leaves someone you love out in the cold, debating how much they can trust you. You must choose between family and best friends, mothers and sisters, the lady you've sworn to serve and the lord you've made a dubious pact with. Friendships and alliances are made at the expense of breaking others. Game of Thrones nails the sentiment that author George R. R. Martin hammers home across A Song of Ice and Fire: you can't please everyone, and the second you displease someone, you better watch your back. You know what they say about live dragons...The Sword in the Darkness brings plot threads that were left free-floating in Episode Two to their high points. Rodrick struggles to stand his ground against the cruel Whitehills while still treading carefully because the youngest Forrester, Ryon, remains the Whitehills' captive. Half a world away, Asher and Beskha, joined by Malcolm, chase Daenerys Targaryen across the desert, searching for an army of sellswords to bring home to Ironrath. In King's Landing, on the eve of the royal wedding, Mira must choose between waiting for Margaery Tyrell to have time to help her and seeking out her own, less favorable alliances. Gared, just as he's settling into life with the Night's Watch, is thrown a curve ball that proves he can't escape his past. It is in this episode that you finally see the fruits of your labor bloom; every big choice you've made in Episode One and Two catches up with you. Situations you tried to clean up, like the strange incidents with Mira and the coal boy or negotiating alliances with other northern houses, are proven to be un-cleanable. Everything you've worked for can be destroyed in seconds or made worse, depending on the people you side with. Decisions available to you, as members of House Forrester, always revolve around what is best for the family. But some family members and their allies differ in what they feel is the right course of action. Episode Three brings to the forefront the struggle to keep your family placated and safe, either by listening to them, making empty promises, or acting on your own when you don't have time to consult them. There's a moment where Rodrick has to choose between standing up to the Whitehills to defend his little sister Talia, or biting his tongue and taking the abuse because his mother worries what repercussions his actions will have on Ryon's safety. It's a powerful moment, being forced to choose between your mother and your sister, showing weakness and allowing your enemy to walk all over you in hopes the danger subsides, or standing tall and showing strength because your baby sister is counting on you. The outcome is awful no matter what, because you've let someone down either way, and you always feel horrible. DISAPPOINTED.There aren't many combat sections in The Sword in the Darkness, as most of the episode is focused on verbally navigating situations and choosing the heinousness of the lies you tell. There is also not much time given to exploring environments, and in each segment when you get to poke around, you're looking for something within a time limit. Twice I had to search for things--like a piece of paper or an escape route--while enemies were on the approach, leaving little room to look around. It's a bit disappointing, as it takes away from the world feeling lived-in, with objectives in straight lines rather than allowing some wiggle room. Once again, the Forresters continue to be the most interesting characters on screen, and their plight is much more interesting than what's going on with Jon Snow or Margaery. But the way Game of Thrones' canon characters come into play in Episode Three is great. Their presence seamlessly weaves into and out of the plot, with small things like a brief comment from Cersei Lannister making Margaery question your loyalty. Tyrion, Cersei, Margaery, they're not just dangerous people to placate with conversation anymore; they are now completely in charge of your fate. Most of this is witnessed through Mira's storyline, as she has the most direct contact with them. As of Episode Three, Mira's story is by far the most intriguing, as she's playing with fire on a level a little higher than her siblings. Her plot started off slow in the first two episodes, but her struggle is the center of Episode Three, and she's playing a game as intricate as those currently struggling for Westeros' crown.  Asher and Beshka's tale continues to delight, as the two of them play beautifully off each other with their bantering and sibling-like bond. The Ironrath plot, however, is starting to get dull; Rodrick and those left behind in the North continue to beat their heads against the Whitehills to no avail. The events are repetitive: Rodrick or another Forrester stands up to the Whitehill member in charge, the Forresters get slapped around, and the Whitehill in charge is replaced with another Whitehill a little meaner than the last. Each Whitehill makes the same promise to destroy the Forresters if they don't submit to authority, but so far there's only been some light kicking and punching. As of now, the Whitehills don't feel like a threat as devastating as Ramsay Snow, but I'm unwilling to discount them just yet. And finally, Gared and his secret about the North Grove have been given more attention and care within the narrative. What was tossed around briefly in the last two episodes is finally in the spotlight and becomes a matter of grave importance very quickly. Just like the series it's based on, Game of Thrones has taken something small and seemingly minor and ripped off the curtain to reveal it as the most important thing you know. Standoff at Ironrath.Game of Thrones' third episode succeeds in making you feel like the rest of the season is hinging on the decisions you make. It marks the narrative apex so far, the highest dramatic climax, with its barrage of tough choices in rapid succession. You can't help but feel bad for these characters; it looks like there's no way for them to win. If you've been playing it safe up to this point, deferring to answers that keep the characters safe and relatively benign, you're in for a rude awakening. Episode Three marks the beginning of the end for neutrality. There are tough decisions to make and no way around them, making this episode true to the Game of Thrones atmosphere at its core.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 09:30 am
As famed gun merchant and narrator Marcus Kincaid would say, Borderlands is about stories: tales of villains and antiheroes, of weapons and treasure, and of course, of mysterious vaults safeguarding fantastic riches…or unspeakable horror. So the legends go, at least. But one tale in particular has stood among the rest. It is about a man named Jack, who rose from the position of programmer in a weapons manufacturer, to self-declared dictator of a hostile arid planet known as Pandora. It is his story that is the focus of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, a console-only package including the series' most recent cooperative first-person releases, complete with updated graphics and enough additional content to sink Wam Bam Island. It's a convincing package, as The Handsome Collection consists of both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. The upgrade is warranted if you own a current system and only played the originals, or if you have yet to delve into the massive amount of add-ons for either game. It's too bad however, that Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel comes up short, in both mission design and presentation. Though I find it unfortunate that the original Borderlands isn't included, it's not like The Handsome Collection is wanting for content. There is a ton to see and do here, with Borderlands 2 encompassing the lion's share of what's stamped on the disk. Together with The Pre-Sequel, the games come paired with numerous add-on packs that include side campaigns, challenge arenas, character skins, upgraded level caps, and four additional vault hunters--two for each game. The amount of extras is incredible, especially considering that both games are lengthy on their own, coming in at several dozen hours each. And that's not even counting true vault hunter mode, which allows you to replay the campaigns at a higher difficulty for a chance at rarer loot. The included season pass for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel means that not only do you have access to content currently available, but also future add-ons, including Claptastic Voyage, the first campaign add-on for The Pre-Sequel which launches the same day as The Handsome Collection. If you have yet to experience the side missions in either game, it's imperative to note that some of the DLC takes place canonically after the events of their main campaigns. So keep that in mind if you want to avoid any unnecessary spoilers. In addition, if you have already played either of the two games, The Handsome Collections allows you to transfer your save files from the older consoles within the same console family (Xbox 360 to Xbox One, PS3 to PS4). Borderlands 2 does little to change the classic Borderlands formula of shooting and looting, bringing more evolution than revolution. The game reintroduces Pandora as a more engaging world, bringing in nastier enemies as well as a host of lovable characters, most of them sane enough to lend some help or provide small quests, but eccentric enough to make you wonder if their harsh lifestyles warped their minds. The writing is given a fresh kick, bringing vigor to the vault hunters and Pandora's citizens with fantastic and often hilarious dialogue, which effortlessly has you swaying from grins to belly laughs and back again. Though the characters are chattier, there is a downside: Conversations tend to bleed into each other, and you often miss what's being said. However, you usually get the gist of what's going on from updates to your mission status. The blistering combat is the one thing that remains mostly the same, and it is still tight and satisfying, with multiple enemy variants and imposing, memorable boss battles.  Other than the allure of gathering the best loot around, Borderlands 2 also keeps your interest high as you're challenged to create the most powerful vault hunter possible. Experience points are doled out following kills and completed missions, and with each level gained you are given a skill point to develop new or existing abilities in your vault hunter's skill tree. Some of these skills favor supporting solo or cooperative play, while others passively enhance base stats such as critical hit damage or health recharge rate. You also have several skills that improve your vault hunter's action skill, his or her signature move. Completing challenges as you move through the game awards you with badass tokens, which you spend on giving your characters--all of them at once--small attribute boosts. More importantly, not only to the plot of Borderlands 2 but to the collection in general, the game is the first to introduce the violent and sarcastic villain--and Hyperion CEO--Handsome Jack. It's clear from the game's explosive onset: Jack is one seriously bad guy. But he also commands one of the game's most memorable roles. His mockery of the vault hunters, though incredibly amusing, is tinged with darkness. Yes, you will chuckle at his antics--one in particular related to a diamond horse he lovingly names Butt Stallion still gets me. Yet that laughter becomes a nervous chuckle as Jack details a time he pulled out a man's eyeballs with a spoon as his family watched in horror. Jack is all too obliged to flex the military arm of Hyperion, sending waves of robot attackers to take you and your fellow vault hunters down for good. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel's story takes place between the first two games, but builds itself on top of the groundwork laid out by Borderlands 2, yet with a fresh, gravity-defying twist. The game takes you on a brief tour of the ominous Hyperion space station before sending you to Pandora's cold, fractured moon of Elpis. The oxygen-free environments provide a different challenge to overcome. Your survival relies on Oz Kits, which provide not only a supply of precious oxygen, but act as a jet booster to lift you high into the air and allow you to return to the ground in a thunderous butt slam. The decreased gravity completely changes how you approach combat, allowing both you and your enemies to battle from both the ground and floating through the air. It requires you to remain cognizant of not only what's in front of you, but also on dangers above and below. The updated combat is enthralling; It's familiar enough to naturally dive into, while the high-flying escapades prevent it from growing stale.  With The Handsome Collection, I looked forward to the chance of experiencing The Pre-Sequel's campaign once more. After all, the game weaves the humorous tale of Jack's rise from a Hyperion programmer to its nefarious head honcho. But even though I once more savored the feeling of lazily swimming through vacuum, popping the heads of enemy scavs, I realized I wasn't enjoying my return visit to Elpis. When I reviewed The Pre-Sequel late last year, one of my critiques involved mission pacing, and how some quests became tiresome ventures. Indeed, several missions are either overly lengthy, or feature moments of too little inactivity. When compounded by a drop in speed due to the weaker gravity, the sense of urgency is damaged. I hesitate calling the The Handsome Collection "remastered," regardless of how often the word is printed on the game box. (That number is three.) It hasn't received the sort of intense graphical overhaul as, say, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, and it's not as if the games required it. Borderlands 2, the older of the two games, was released in 2012, hardly long enough ago to cultivate even a modest patina to be scrubbed clean. Instead, it's far more honest to say that the games have been unshackled, released from the technological restraints of the aged Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. In other words, what The Handsome Collection offers is nothing that hasn't been seen on a high-end PC. But that doesn't mean the visuals are not deserving of your attention. The aesthetics for both games, The Pre-Sequel in particular, are marvelous in The Handsome Collection. Borderlands' traditional cel-shaded design is crisp, with bright colors that burst with life. You can almost feel the heat rising from one of Pandora's many deserts, and my return to the lovely tropical-flavored Wam Bam Island was made even more spectacular thanks to the sharper graphics. And I dare you not to stand in awe of Elpis' twinkling, starry canopy, or the multi-colored mists slowly rising from its ocean of ice-cold methane.  Sadly, those gorgeous lunar vistas do come with a cost. The Handsome Collection boasts a video output of 1080p running at 60 frames per second, and that holds mainly true for Borderlands 2, which mostly performs at a buttery smooth pace. But if Borderlands 2 is analogous to creamy butter, then The Pre-Sequel is more akin to the peanut variety—the chunky kind. You won't notice the frame drops so long as you're within smaller, enclosed spaces. Walking outside grants you a far clearer understanding, as if the game is softly applying brakes. In larger, detailed areas, as well as during intense battles, performance hits are common enough to become distracting, able to pull you out of the mood time and time again. The problem is exacerbated when running The Pre-Sequel in split-screen multiplayer, with slowdown occurring at nearly every interval. Normally, the game is set to run at 30 FPS for up to four screens, but I was lucky to get that on most occasions. I only ran it with the game split between two players; I'd hate to see what happens when it's doubled. In the spirit of fairness, Borderlands 2 isn't completely in the clear, itself. Frame rate noticeably drops during moments of heavy combat; however, it isn't comparable to the turbulence found in The Pre-Sequel. It's a fleeting, almost unexpected thing, sticking around only long enough to make you think "Oh?" before vanishing completely. In my first 10 hours into Borderlands 2, the frames dipped only a few times, which did not harm my overall enjoyment to the extent that The Pre-Sequel could muster. The Handsome Collection is still a great compilation, allowing you to witness not only Jack's tale, but play a major role in shaping the history of Pandora itself, along with its lonely moon.
The audio remains the same quality, though it's hardly lacking by any definition. Both games star extravagant weaponry, all of which can be easily distinguished by your ears alone: sniper rifles and shotguns shatter the calm Pandoran air, while laser guns pop and sizzle over Elpis' cragged lunar surface. Most of the voiceover work is fantastic, with a special nod going toward Dameon Clarke as the sassy Handsome Jack himself. The Western-inspired soundtrack of Borderlands 2, with music composed of wind flutes and the soft plucks of acoustic guitars, is as delightful as I remember. Sitting on the opposite end of the spectrum is The Pre-Sequel's album of synthesized digital tunes, which doesn't quite stand out as readily, but keeps well to the game's overall futuristic tone. Let's be clear: You don't have to be Handsome Jack's number-one fan to appreciate Borderlands: The Handsome Collection. But even if you're not, you will still find an impressive archive, chock full of dozens upon dozens of hours of laughter and exciting combat. Even considering issues presented by Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, The Handsome Collection is still a great compilation, allowing you to witness not only Jack's tale, but play a major role in shaping the history of Pandora itself, along with its lonely moon. And that is a story that Marcus may gladly tell again someday.
By Anonymous on Mar 24, 2015 07:30 am
 Bloodborne offers 9 different origins each with different stats. You can pick different origins that suit your play style including: Milquetoast, Cruel Fate, Military Veteran and Waste of Skin.
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