August 31, 2008

Gaming News: Games You Want to See - PS3 Edition

Here we go for another round of games I'd like to see
made, why I want to see them, and the odds that I think they'll get made.  Today I'll be focusing on the PlayStation 3
(here are the previous entries for the Wii, PSP, and Xbox 360).



First Up: A Submarine Game



I'll be honest here; I'm a fan of anything Sub
related.  Sub movies (Das Boot, The Hunt for Red October, Crimson Tide), Sub Books (Blind Man's Bluff, Iron Coffins, U-Boats: The Illustrated History of the Raiders of the Deep), Sub Sandwiches (BLT, Meatball...er,
never mind).



From the old arcade games (Sea Wolf and Up Scope) to the PC (the Silent Hunter series) the Sub genre is a proven
winner.  I want a console version, on the
PS3, that will blow me away with its graphics.



Let me control Russian, US, and German subs.  Let me unlock missions to use old historical
subs (who wouldn't want to control the H.L. Hunley?).  Give me missions to attack shipping lanes, protect
convoys, guard harbors, attack ports, and sneak past enemy lines.  Let me manage my crew morale, worry about
crush depths, repair leaks, and feel the DualShock 3 rumble when depth charges explode nearby.  Give me a multi-player
mode where we compete to sink the most tonnage. 
Let me design and/or retrofit my sub with items like the snorkel.



Odds that it will get made: 80% - It's too good of a
genre to ignore.



Next Up: An Arcade in Home



Whenever Sony gets around to launching Home and we can all
have avatars walking around and interacting, please, please, please include an
arcade.  I want to have my avatar walk
into a virtual arcade, check out who's there, and join in a game with someone.



Have the machines lined up next to each other like they
were back in the day.  If I see someone
playing Street Fighter II, let me join in and challenge them.  If there's a Dragon's Lair machine, I want my
avatar to be able to put his quarter on the marquee or control panel, and wait
for his turn.  While I wait I can talk to
the other people milling around in the Home-cade.



When I step up to a machine, have the game play take up
the center of the screen, but on the edges show the games next to me, to make
it feel right.  Play the game music, but
in the background have the attract mode and game play sounds of the machines
around me. 





Odds that it will get made: 20% - Licensing issues would
be the big hurdle, as I'm sure most of the publishers would be more interesting
in selling the games individually. 



Those are what I'd want to see on the PlayStation 3.  Would you play them?  What games do you want to see?  Which genres or titles are missing?

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 30, 2008

Gaming News: Free Pass to PAXPAX, the Penny Arcade Expo (organized by the folks over at Penny Arcade) is a "three-day game festival for tabletop, videogame, and PC gamers" and is coming up at the end of August in Seattle. 

Maybe you're interested in going, but haven't made up your mind.  Maybe you're worried about where to stay and buying a ticket.  Maybe you're going anyway, but would really like to go for free.

If so, then you might be interested in the contest Penny Arcade is running, where you can win entry to PAX as well as a hotel room (transportation to Seattle isn't included).

Here are the details on how to enter:

"So if you'd like to win one of these hotel rooms and two passes to PAX all you need to do is describe to us your PAX experience in exactly seven words. You can mail your entry to pax_contest@penny-arcade.com. We only have a few rules:


- You must be able to use the prize. If you can't actually come to
Seattle and use the passes and the hotel please don't enter. That just
isn't cool.
- One entry per person.
- You must submit your entry by Wednesday July 16th at midnight to be eligible.
- It must be exactly seven words long and it must describe your PAX experience.

That's it. "

Get working on crafting your perfect entry, and good luck!

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 28, 2008

Classic Arcade Games: Games You Want to See - PS3 Edition

Here we go for another round of games I'd like to see
made, why I want to see them, and the odds that I think they'll get made.  Today I'll be focusing on the PlayStation 3
(here are the previous entries for the Wii, PSP, and Xbox 360).



First Up: A Submarine Game



I'll be honest here; I'm a fan of anything Sub
related.  Sub movies (Das Boot, The Hunt for Red October, Crimson Tide), Sub Books (Blind Man's Bluff, Iron Coffins, U-Boats: The Illustrated History of the Raiders of the Deep), Sub Sandwiches (BLT, Meatball...er,
never mind).



From the old arcade games (Sea Wolf and Up Scope) to the PC (the Silent Hunter series) the Sub genre is a proven
winner.  I want a console version, on the
PS3, that will blow me away with its graphics.



Let me control Russian, US, and German subs.  Let me unlock missions to use old historical
subs (who wouldn't want to control the H.L. Hunley?).  Give me missions to attack shipping lanes, protect
convoys, guard harbors, attack ports, and sneak past enemy lines.  Let me manage my crew morale, worry about
crush depths, repair leaks, and feel the DualShock 3 rumble when depth charges explode nearby.  Give me a multi-player
mode where we compete to sink the most tonnage. 
Let me design and/or retrofit my sub with items like the snorkel.



Odds that it will get made: 80% - It's too good of a
genre to ignore.



Next Up: An Arcade in Home



Whenever Sony gets around to launching Home and we can all
have avatars walking around and interacting, please, please, please include an
arcade.  I want to have my avatar walk
into a virtual arcade, check out who's there, and join in a game with someone.



Have the machines lined up next to each other like they
were back in the day.  If I see someone
playing Street Fighter II, let me join in and challenge them.  If there's a Dragon's Lair machine, I want my
avatar to be able to put his quarter on the marquee or control panel, and wait
for his turn.  While I wait I can talk to
the other people milling around in the Home-cade.



When I step up to a machine, have the game play take up
the center of the screen, but on the edges show the games next to me, to make
it feel right.  Play the game music, but
in the background have the attract mode and game play sounds of the machines
around me. 





Odds that it will get made: 20% - Licensing issues would
be the big hurdle, as I'm sure most of the publishers would be more interesting
in selling the games individually. 



Those are what I'd want to see on the PlayStation 3.  Would you play them?  What games do you want to see?  Which genres or titles are missing?

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 27, 2008

Gaming News: Money for NothingDo you secretly wish that you could get paid to do nothing?  Do you dream of having a cushy job that gives you all the benefits, with none of the effort?  Do you desire business cards with an impressive, even if useless, title?  Have your friends/significant other/parents been harassing you to get a job?

If you answered yes to any of those questions then you may want to check out The Game Factory's search for the "King of Cubicles."  If you're hired you'll get an annual salary (,342), a Wii, a company car, and most importantly... business cards to prove to your friends that you really have a job titled "King of Cubicles."  Oh yeah, and you can "work" from home.

Even if you don't feel like applying, and with that salary I don't blame you, there are still the application videos to check out. 

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 25, 2008

Highly Recommended: Castlevania... the Fighter?Color me conflicted as I read about a Castlevania themed fighting game for the Wii.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Castlevania.  The first two games I ever got for my original NESRussian Attack and Castlevania.  What I played on my recent flight to Japan?  Castlevania: Circle of the MoonKonami has had their hooks in me for a long time.  I liked the transition from the original side scroller Castlevania, to the inventory/level up system of the portable Castlevania's.  However, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around a Castlevania based fighting game. 

Which characters will be included?  Will all the whip-wielding characters control the same?  Will I get to play as Simon Belmont versus Nathan Graves?  Maria Renard vs. Alucard?  Soma Cruz vs. Trevor Belmont?  Bone Tower vs. Axe Armor?  Death vs. Dracula?

Wait... Death vs. Dracula?  Never mind, I just talked myself into wanting to play this game!

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 23, 2008

Gaming News: The Trophy CeremonyPer Sony's Blog, with Firmware update 2.40, due out on July 2nd, the PlayStation 3 will get a few new updates that may be of interest to you.  These aren't minor updates.  Can you say Trophies?  As in rewards for gaming, similar to the Xbox 360's Achievement Points.

That's right, starting on Wednesday you can get Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum trophies for the games you play, and compare your trophies against those your friends have unlocked.  The number of trophies you have will count towards your Gamer Level.  Platinum trophies are only available by unlocking all the Bronze, Silver and Gold trophies in a game.

Additionally, you'll gain the ability to access the XMB (menu system) while in-game.  From the XMB you can check the time, send and read messages, check on your downloads, turn on a bluetooth device, and if the game supports it, play music off your hard drive in-game.

Other updates include:

  • A new profile system, that shows your total number of trophies and Gamer Level
  • Your friend list can now hold up to 100 people
  • Addition of a Google Search bar from the XMB
  • You can list up to 3 languages you speak
Super Stardust HD will be the first game to use the trophy system.  Developers will have the ability to go back and add trophies to games already out, via patches.  First-party games getting trophy support include Buzz Quiz TV, LittleBigPlanet, MotorStorm Pacific Rift, NBA 09, PAIN, PixelJunk Eden, Resistance 2, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, and Warhawk.

It's time to start jockeying for the lead, and for bragging rights, amongst your friends.

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 22, 2008

Gaming News: Castlevania... the Fighter?Color me conflicted as I read about a Castlevania themed fighting game for the Wii.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Castlevania.  The first two games I ever got for my original NESRussian Attack and Castlevania.  What I played on my recent flight to Japan?  Castlevania: Circle of the MoonKonami has had their hooks in me for a long time.  I liked the transition from the original side scroller Castlevania, to the inventory/level up system of the portable Castlevania's.  However, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around a Castlevania based fighting game. 

Which characters will be included?  Will all the whip-wielding characters control the same?  Will I get to play as Simon Belmont versus Nathan Graves?  Maria Renard vs. Alucard?  Soma Cruz vs. Trevor Belmont?  Bone Tower vs. Axe Armor?  Death vs. Dracula?

Wait... Death vs. Dracula?  Never mind, I just talked myself into wanting to play this game!

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 20, 2008

Games You Want to See � Xbox 360 Edition

Once again it’s time for a list of games I’d like to see made (see previous Wii and PSP entries). As we enter a weekend of potential gaming, here’s what I’d like to see put out for the Xbox 360:

First up: Prison: The Console MMO

You’d be able to start off either as a guard or a prisoner (pick your rap sheet in character creation), and then away you’d go. As a prisoner you could either work towards getting out, via parole or escaping, or rising within the ranks to rule the cell block and the prison yard. Make alliances, back stab when needed, and steal, smuggle or trade for items you need. As a guard you could break up fights, uncover and foil escape plans, or accept bribes from the prisoners if you wanted to. Work your way up to the ultimate position of power, the warden, and then you’d have the power to send cons to solitary confinement.

To keep it interesting long term, prisoners could get transferred from one prison to another, shifting the balance of power structure, and moved up to higher security prisons. Think you’ve made it to the top? Oops, now you’re in a new prison and don’t have your cronies. Play against other players as you try to set them up and manipulate everyone to reach your goal.

Besides that, just think of the great Achievement Point potential for this game: Toothbrush Shiv Created; Tear-Gassed Rioters; Successfully Made Pruno.

Odds that it will be made: 30%, hindered mostly by the threat of shower scenes.

Next up: Delayed Gaming

Imagine a turn based package of Xbox Live games, where you wouldn’t all have to be online at one time.  Similar to how Scrabulous works on Facebook, or the old chess-by-mail games, you’d make one move and then later (in five minutes, tomorrow, or a week later) your friend would make their play.  It would let you play games with friends who aren’t on the same schedule.

If you’re online at the same time, the game could alert you when it’s your turn – similar to how it alerts you when a friend comes online. Ideally make it so you can be playing a game, get the notification that it’s your turn, hit pause, go to the Xbox Live menu and take your turn; all without having to exit out of the game you were originally playing.

Pack a few games into one download and it could take off. We already know Scrabble variations work, so include that, maybe dominoes, chess, cribbage or some other classic games like that.

Odds that it will be made: 5% or less, if Hasbro has a say in the matter.

So what do you think? Would you play them? What would you like to see come out for the Xbox 360?

--Osver



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 18, 2008

Highly Recommended: Vote for an Xbox 360 Achievement

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through the achievement list of an Xbox 360 game wondering what inspired them to send you on a wild pigeon chase? Have you been rewarded for the smallest of feats, like sitting through credits, and mind numbing ordeals, such as defeating the Grand Enemy? Did you ever think that there might be some publishers that slap together a quick list just to put the requisite 1000 points in their game? If so, read on!

Here is your chance to leave a mark on the achievements of the upcoming Prince of Persia game from Ubisoft. They have put together a poll that gives you a chance to vote on one of the three different achievements that you would to see in the game. The three up for vote are Free fall (perform the longest grip fall in the game), Marathon (run the whole map then keep running), and Combat king (master every fight combo in the game). The poll is only open until July 1, 2008 so make sure your vote counts!

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 16, 2008

Highly Recommended: Get Your Orc On

All you console players hooked up to XBL and PSN can now participate in the World of Warcraft.

Well sort of…

Activision and Blizzard have teamed up to provide all of you Guitar Hero III nuts, myself included, with a free download of the thrash metal-style song “I am Murloc” performed by Blizzard’s house band Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftan. In case you aren’t aware, the Murlocs are a race of fish-people found in the tome of characters unique to the World of Warcraft. The track is available on June 26.  Check out the YouTube video below to see the music video Lvl70 ETC created.

While on Xbox Live you can score the "Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix" free, if you haven’t already done so. Not to be left out of the fun, PSN offers its members "The End Begins (to Rock)," which is an exclusive from God of War II.

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 15, 2008

Highly Recommended: Games You Want to See � Xbox 360 Edition

Once again it’s time for a list of games I’d like to see made (see previous Wii and PSP entries). As we enter a weekend of potential gaming, here’s what I’d like to see put out for the Xbox 360:

First up: Prison: The Console MMO

You’d be able to start off either as a guard or a prisoner (pick your rap sheet in character creation), and then away you’d go. As a prisoner you could either work towards getting out, via parole or escaping, or rising within the ranks to rule the cell block and the prison yard. Make alliances, back stab when needed, and steal, smuggle or trade for items you need. As a guard you could break up fights, uncover and foil escape plans, or accept bribes from the prisoners if you wanted to. Work your way up to the ultimate position of power, the warden, and then you’d have the power to send cons to solitary confinement.

To keep it interesting long term, prisoners could get transferred from one prison to another, shifting the balance of power structure, and moved up to higher security prisons. Think you’ve made it to the top? Oops, now you’re in a new prison and don’t have your cronies. Play against other players as you try to set them up and manipulate everyone to reach your goal.

Besides that, just think of the great Achievement Point potential for this game: Toothbrush Shiv Created; Tear-Gassed Rioters; Successfully Made Pruno.

Odds that it will be made: 30%, hindered mostly by the threat of shower scenes.

Next up: Delayed Gaming

Imagine a turn based package of Xbox Live games, where you wouldn’t all have to be online at one time.  Similar to how Scrabulous works on Facebook, or the old chess-by-mail games, you’d make one move and then later (in five minutes, tomorrow, or a week later) your friend would make their play.  It would let you play games with friends who aren’t on the same schedule.

If you’re online at the same time, the game could alert you when it’s your turn – similar to how it alerts you when a friend comes online. Ideally make it so you can be playing a game, get the notification that it’s your turn, hit pause, go to the Xbox Live menu and take your turn; all without having to exit out of the game you were originally playing.

Pack a few games into one download and it could take off. We already know Scrabble variations work, so include that, maybe dominoes, chess, cribbage or some other classic games like that.

Odds that it will be made: 5% or less, if Hasbro has a say in the matter.

So what do you think? Would you play them? What would you like to see come out for the Xbox 360?

--Osver



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 13, 2008

Gaming News: Vote for an Xbox 360 Achievement

Have you ever found yourself scrolling through the achievement list of an Xbox 360 game wondering what inspired them to send you on a wild pigeon chase? Have you been rewarded for the smallest of feats, like sitting through credits, and mind numbing ordeals, such as defeating the Grand Enemy? Did you ever think that there might be some publishers that slap together a quick list just to put the requisite 1000 points in their game? If so, read on!

Here is your chance to leave a mark on the achievements of the upcoming Prince of Persia game from Ubisoft. They have put together a poll that gives you a chance to vote on one of the three different achievements that you would to see in the game. The three up for vote are Free fall (perform the longest grip fall in the game), Marathon (run the whole map then keep running), and Combat king (master every fight combo in the game). The poll is only open until July 1, 2008 so make sure your vote counts!

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 10, 2008

Gaming News: Get Your Orc On

All you console players hooked up to XBL and PSN can now participate in the World of Warcraft.

Well sort of…

Activision and Blizzard have teamed up to provide all of you Guitar Hero III nuts, myself included, with a free download of the thrash metal-style song “I am Murloc” performed by Blizzard’s house band Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftan. In case you aren’t aware, the Murlocs are a race of fish-people found in the tome of characters unique to the World of Warcraft. The track is available on June 26.  Check out the YouTube video below to see the music video Lvl70 ETC created.

While on Xbox Live you can score the "Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix" free, if you haven’t already done so. Not to be left out of the fun, PSN offers its members "The End Begins (to Rock)," which is an exclusive from God of War II.

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 09, 2008

Gaming News: Games You Want to See � Xbox 360 Edition

Once again it’s time for a list of games I’d like to see made (see previous Wii and PSP entries). As we enter a weekend of potential gaming, here’s what I’d like to see put out for the Xbox 360:

First up: Prison: The Console MMO

You’d be able to start off either as a guard or a prisoner (pick your rap sheet in character creation), and then away you’d go. As a prisoner you could either work towards getting out, via parole or escaping, or rising within the ranks to rule the cell block and the prison yard. Make alliances, back stab when needed, and steal, smuggle or trade for items you need. As a guard you could break up fights, uncover and foil escape plans, or accept bribes from the prisoners if you wanted to. Work your way up to the ultimate position of power, the warden, and then you’d have the power to send cons to solitary confinement.

To keep it interesting long term, prisoners could get transferred from one prison to another, shifting the balance of power structure, and moved up to higher security prisons. Think you’ve made it to the top? Oops, now you’re in a new prison and don’t have your cronies. Play against other players as you try to set them up and manipulate everyone to reach your goal.

Besides that, just think of the great Achievement Point potential for this game: Toothbrush Shiv Created; Tear-Gassed Rioters; Successfully Made Pruno.

Odds that it will be made: 30%, hindered mostly by the threat of shower scenes.

Next up: Delayed Gaming

Imagine a turn based package of Xbox Live games, where you wouldn’t all have to be online at one time.  Similar to how Scrabulous works on Facebook, or the old chess-by-mail games, you’d make one move and then later (in five minutes, tomorrow, or a week later) your friend would make their play.  It would let you play games with friends who aren’t on the same schedule.

If you’re online at the same time, the game could alert you when it’s your turn – similar to how it alerts you when a friend comes online. Ideally make it so you can be playing a game, get the notification that it’s your turn, hit pause, go to the Xbox Live menu and take your turn; all without having to exit out of the game you were originally playing.

Pack a few games into one download and it could take off. We already know Scrabble variations work, so include that, maybe dominoes, chess, cribbage or some other classic games like that.

Odds that it will be made: 5% or less, if Hasbro has a say in the matter.

So what do you think? Would you play them? What would you like to see come out for the Xbox 360?

--Osver



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 07, 2008

Highly Recommended: Arcade Games and CharityFor those that collect and repair classic upright arcade games, the dream is to have a huge, amazing, home arcade that can wow people when they walk in.  We'd love to have all the games we remember growing up.  For various reasons (space, or the lack of, usually being the main one) this isn't always an option.  This leaves the games shoved in the garage or a spare corner.  Like many others collectors, I like to live vicariously through the Luna City Arcade.

Peter Hirschberg has built, basically, the perfect home arcade.  With 60 plus games, a change machine, black light carpet, posters, and more, it has everything to capture the right feel of the old arcades.   Don't believe me?  Check out the photos (and try not to drool on your keyboard).

For those lucky enough to be living in Virginia, Peter occasionally has a Game Day where he opens his arcade up to the general public.  The next one is on August 23rd, and he's using this game day to help raise money for a good cause; the son of his close friends who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's Disease

In addition he'll also be screening Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade (which isn't available on DVD yet) and there will be a moon bounce for the kids.  If you're interested in attending, you can contact Peter through the e-mail address towards the bottom of this page.  Kudos to you Peter, for raising money for a good cause, and opening up your incredible arcade for all to enjoy.  If only I wasn't 2500+ miles away.

--Osver


Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 05, 2008

Highly Recommended: X-Blades Design Contest

One of my favorite things about this industry is its ability
to give everyone an opportunity to feel involved in the creation and promotion
of various titles. Ubisoft and IFC ran a competition for gamers/aspiring film
makers to design a short film using Assassin’s Creed as inspiration.  I thought this was not only a pretty cool idea,
but also yielded some amazing shorts. 

Top
Ware is jumping on the gamer design band-wagon with their X-Blades design
contest (See the June 20th post).   Earlier in the year they had a contest that
was focused around the heroine of the game, Ayumi, which I’m sure you will all
agree, turned out truly inspired pieces. 
This time they are upping the ante and giving you another shot at creating
some original Ayumi artwork.  Your
artwork must be turned in by August 31st, 2008 to be judged by a
jury of specialists.  The winner grabs
,000, with the second and third places receiving ,000 and ,000
respectively.  In addition, 20 game
packages are thrown in the mix as well.  Not
enough incentive for you?  The best
illustrations will also be published in an exclusive Game Artbook. 

Fire up the Photoshop, break out the easels,
or grab your sidewalk chalk because there are some great ideas out there…and
one of them is probably yours!

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 03, 2008

PC Gaming: Not-So-Simple Machines

There’s something truly
fascinating about a Rube Goldberg machine. These contraptions get their name
from an American
cartoonist. Specifically, it was his character “Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts” (yes, indeed) who put
the overly complex machinery for performing simple tasks into the public
consciousness, giving us all a wonderful metaphor for describing so many
convoluted things. His “Simplified Pencil Sharpener” or “Self-Operating Napkin”
are hilarious exercises in absurdity, but they’re profound in a way—a visual
testament to our tendency to overcomplicate, an uproarious illustration of the
phrase “keep it simple stupid.”







(Image from Rubegoldberg.com, where you’ll find several more of Goldberg’s original contraptions.)

Of course,
Goldberg-inspired machines have not limited themselves to the realm of fiction
or allegory. Since 1963, Hasbro’s Mouse Trap board game has served for many of us as an introduction to the concept.
Many a science fair has featured a Rube Goldberg competition, and plenty of
people are compelled to make the devices on their own time, as the
3000+ videos on YouTube illustrate. Watching the machines in action
always elicits a kind of giddy fascination, heads turning to follow rolling
marbles, dominoes, strings and levers as the machine marches toward its
ultimate purpose.



Viva Media
captured the glory of the Rube Goldberg contraption back in 2001 with its PC
game Crazy Machines. It let players build their own wacky contraptions
without taking over the whole living room, and offered a huge variety of
puzzles solved by turning cranks, pulling levers and other Goldbergian
adjustments.



Now, Viva has
returned with Crazy Machines 2, upping the ante on several fronts. The game still
features a multitude of levels and puzzles to complete. Improved 3D graphics
and refined game physics allow even more ridiculous creations. Freestyle mode
lets you goof around with wrecking balls, lightning rods, lasers, pulleys, springs,
gears and more to create your ideal machine, and new online community features
let you share your creations and download those made by others. Outdo your
crazy comrades, and make Mr. Goldberg proud!



~ Jason P.



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>

August 02, 2008

PC Gaming: X-Blades Design Contest

One of my favorite things about this industry is its ability
to give everyone an opportunity to feel involved in the creation and promotion
of various titles. Ubisoft and IFC ran a competition for gamers/aspiring film
makers to design a short film using Assassin’s Creed as inspiration.  I thought this was not only a pretty cool idea,
but also yielded some amazing shorts. 

Top
Ware is jumping on the gamer design band-wagon with their X-Blades design
contest (See the June 20th post).   Earlier in the year they had a contest that
was focused around the heroine of the game, Ayumi, which I’m sure you will all
agree, turned out truly inspired pieces. 
This time they are upping the ante and giving you another shot at creating
some original Ayumi artwork.  Your
artwork must be turned in by August 31st, 2008 to be judged by a
jury of specialists.  The winner grabs
,000, with the second and third places receiving ,000 and ,000
respectively.  In addition, 20 game
packages are thrown in the mix as well.  Not
enough incentive for you?  The best
illustrations will also be published in an exclusive Game Artbook. 

Fire up the Photoshop, break out the easels,
or grab your sidewalk chalk because there are some great ideas out there…and
one of them is probably yours!

--Tytus



Read reviews and shop for great bargains at the Gaming Corner. >>>