Creative Coms Games

The details are still being ironed out, Smith said, but credits earned will then be used to increase a player's Military Rank (which replaces Halo 3's Ranking system) and purchase customization items in Reach's new "Armory." Bungie intends to keep players busy, issuing daily and weekly credit challenges to be achieved in multiplayer and campaign modes, and there will be plenty of goodies available to spend those hard-earned credits on in the Armory. And all customizations a player makes to their Spartan will be reflected in the multiplayer and campaign modes, including in-game cut scenes. Smith also described how the Player Investment system will track a player's style of play, awarding long-lasting Commendations for sniping, melee, and driving achievements, and using that data to better match players in multiplayer games. Halo: Reach is scheduled for a fall release. The online multiplayer beta kicks off on May 3 and can be accessed through the Halo: ODST menu.

2010-03-28T11:55:00.001+05:30

Your return flight to E.D.N. III is arriving early. Capcom announced today Lost Planet 2 will ship one week prior to its previously announced release date and hit stores on Tuesday, May 11 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. And if that's not soon enough, fire up a vital suit for the final public multiplayer demo, opening on April 21 on Live and PSN.

Capcom issued the dual announcement today via the Lost Planet 2 blog, offering an additional promo for the game's community members: early access for the multiplayer demo kicks off on March 31 to lucky fans with community-distributed access codes. No further details on when the codes will be handed out were mentioned, but Capcom said to keep an eye on the Lost Planet 2 blog.

In addition, anyone that takes part in the demo and purchases the full retail package of Lost Planet 2 will be given immediate access to the Machine Gun SP which fires three-round bursts.

The Return on Investment in Halo: Reach

2010-03-28T11:51:00.000+05:30

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare brought addictive, RPG-like leveling and upgrades to multiplayer shooters. Bungie aims to do much the same in Halo: Reach, but the developer is creating a system that rewards players no matter how they invest their time in the game.

In an interview with G4, Bungie's Luke Smith said Halo: Reach's new Player Investment system will, for the first time, allow players build a unique identity in Halo. In online multiplayer and via the single-player campaign, players will earn credits for completing various objectives and challenges. The more difficult the challenge, the more credits a player will earn.

The details are still being ironed out, Smith said, but credits earned will then be used to increase a player's Military Rank (which replaces Halo 3's Ranking system) and purchase customization items in Reach's new "Armory."

Bungie intends to keep players busy, issuing daily and weekly credit challenges to be achieved in multiplayer and campaign modes, and there will be plenty of goodies available to spend those hard-earned credits on in the Armory. And all customizations a player makes to their Spartan will be reflected in the multiplayer and campaign modes, including in-game cut scenes.

Smith also described how the Player Investment system will track a player's style of play, awarding long-lasting Commendations for sniping, melee, and driving achievements, and using that data to better match players in multiplayer games.

Halo: Reach is scheduled for a fall release. The online multiplayer beta kicks off on May 3 and can be accessed through the Halo: ODST menu.

Atomic Games Declassifies Breach

2010-03-28T11:49:00.000+05:30

Six Days in Fallujah developer Atomic Games provided scant details on its new game,Breach, in a faux classified document released on Monday. Today, however, the company has upped our clearance: Breach will bring a few new tricks to the military FPS genre this summer on Xbox Live Arcade.

Atomic, a studio that also develops simulations for the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, promises Breach "blows the floor out from under conventional military shooters." And that's not just hyperbole. Using the game's proprietary Hydrogen Engine, Atomic created highly destructible environments that players can manipulate in unique ways -- including blowing the floor out from another player.

From Atomic:

For the first time, virtual warriors can punch holes through floors to get the drop on enemies below, breach both interior and exterior walls, crush enemy fighters by collapsing ceilings and balconies, and even shoot away individual bricks to create shooter's holes.

Gamers will play as CIA Special Activities Division operatives and use accurate weapons, gear, and unspecified "spy gadgets" to take out their enemies. Breach also features an active cover system that allows players to instantly attach to cover, peak out, pop in and out, and blind fire.

Atomic said Breach will be available for download on Xbox Live this summer offering "the kinds of innovation and features expected in a full packaged game." We'll keep you posted.

Guillemot Thrustmaster Rally GT Pro Racing Wheel

2009-12-31T10:16:00.000+05:30

Any true fan of racing simulators or driving games craves the most realistic experience possible. Thankfully, the Guillemot Thrustmaster Rally GT Pro Racing Wheel - Clutch Edition is here to provide virtual drivers with one of the most authentic controller systems that has ever been available.

Boasting an exclusive "5 Axes" Mode, 3 Pedals, powerful Force Feedback Technology, 2 Sequential Shifter System options, and a slew of multi-functional buttons, the Thrustmaster Rally GT Pro is just about as close to the real thing as you can get.

The only 5-axis Racing Wheel currently available for the PC, Thrustmaster Rally GT Pro allows the player to bind progressive controls for the clutch, cockpit view, hand brake and other controls to the paddles below the sequential shifter paddles. Also included with the Thrustmaster is an excellent force feedback system (powered by Immersion) that utilizes dual pulleys and belts for smooth feedback, and can easily be toggled on and off with the single press of a button.

The "Clutch Edition" of the Thrustmaster also comes with 2 “Sequential Shifter System” options, which allows the player to choose between Rally or GT styles. This system features one full-size sequential gearshift stick, and two reinforced wheel-mounted sequential levers. All in all, if you want to add a serious dosage of enhanced realism to your PC racing experience, the Guillemot Thrustmaster Rally GT Pro Racing Wheel w/ Clutch Edition is the perfect device for the job.

Features:

Exclusive "5 Axes" Mode:

   Axe 1 : Wheel
   Axe 2 : Accelerator
   Axe 3 : Brake
   Axe 4 : Clutch / Left Cockpit Progressive View
   Axe 5 : Handbrake / Right Cockpit Progressive View

Realistic Foot Control (Including Brake Pedal Resistance)
Two Pedal Positions: "Double-Clutch” & “Cockpit”
Pedal Set-up for ‘Heel & Toe’ Downshifting
Large Robust Aluminum Pedals
Functional Wheel Buttons:

   10 Action Buttons (w/ 14 locations)
   Navigation Cross Button (To Customize Your Vehicle)
   Twin Wheel-Mounted Progressive Levers
   Twin Wheel-Mounted Sequential Levers
   Exclusive Force Button (Activates/Deactivates Center Return)

Oversized tube + full rubber grip + 270° turning angle
Metal axis / ball-bearing steering mechanism
Belt-driven Gear System (Smooth & Silent Gear Changing)
Clamping System (Ideal for tables up to 5cm thick)
Powerful Immersion Force Feedback (Touch Sense Technology)
FFB On / Off Toggle Button
2 x “Sequential Shifter System” Options (choose between Rally or GT)
1 x Full-Size Sequential Gearshift Stick
2 x Reinforced Wheel-Mounted Sequential Levers

Specifications:

System Requirements:

PC USB (USB1 or USB 2)
Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP or Vista

Saitek Cyborg Gaming Keyboard

2009-12-31T10:09:00.000+05:30

To The Roboto who designed this amazingly-detailed Saitek Gaming Keyboard, we only have one thing to say. "Domo".

Sent to us from the future by John Connor himself, this Saitek Cyborg Gaming Keyboard (PK17U) is truly a thing of techno-beauty. The gorgeous detail is vividly on display through it's user selectable backlit key colors and special metal plated gaming keys. With 12 programmable gaming keys and a special 'Cyborg' mode which disables those annoying Windows keys (and can even adjust their color and brightness), this is a keyboard that wouldn't look out of place on the front console of the Battlestar Galactica.

Features:

Adjustable gaming keyboard (featuring customizable backlighting, programmable functions, & media keys)
Multi-color Backlights w/ Tru Vu Key Illumination & Adjustable Brightness
Touch-Sensitive, Backlit Dashboard Control Panel
WASD, cursor, ‘Cyborg’ and NumPad keys can be lit independently from the rest of keyboard to highlight commonly used gaming keys
Cyborg Mode – instantly disable the Windows keys and configure the color and brightness of your gaming keys at the touch of a button
Key Illumination Memory Settings (ensures colors remain after system reboot)
12 programmable ‘Cyborg’ keys
Metal-Plated key caps in Gaming Areas (Preventing Excessive Wear)
Pass-through USB, Audio and Microphone Sockets
Enhanced Multiple Key Presses (For In-Game Commands)
Adjustable wrist rest and keyboard rake angle (front and back)
Gold-plated Connectors (for USB and Audio)
System Requirements: USB 2.0 - Windows XP / XP64 / Vista (All Versions)

How to Buy a Game Console

2009-12-28T12:27:00.000+05:30

by Dan Costa

Another year has passed and the game console market remains pretty much unchanged: Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony all continue their slow, steady battles for domination. The Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii look exactly the same, and although Sony's PlayStation 3 (PS3) has slimmed down some, it's not vastly different from the system that launched years ago. On the inside, however, each platform continues to evolve. Microsoft launched a new and improved interface for Xbox, the PS3 also received a minor facelift and added Netflix streaming this year, and while the Wii changed the least, it continues to add more titles all the time. The most noteworthy change: 2009 brought price reductions on all three systems. There are more reasons than ever to get in the console game. And if you're looking to game on the go, you've got solid options there too.

Nintendo Wii

At its launch back in 2005, Nintendo took some heat for its Wii, since it was woefully underpowered compared to the competition. Turns out that its simple gameplay, innovative motion-based controller, and affordable price was a winning combination. Today, the Wii leads both the PS3 and Xbox in worldwide sales. It remains the best system for children, families, and casual gamers, but our testing shows that it requires too many trade-offs for serious gamers.

That said, there is still a lot to like about the Wii. The recent release of Wii Sports Resort builds on the Wii Sports franchise by adding sports like archery, fencing, and wakeboarding. The package comes with a small sensor that attaches to your Wii remote and provides increased motion sensitivity. Emerging technology like Microsoft's Project Natal may collect TechEx awards, but the Wii has the best motion-sensitive controls available today. And it remains a crowd pleaser.

Microsoft Xbox 360

With Xbox 360 you have a couple of variations to consider. The flagship model is still the $300 Xbox 360 Elite, which ships with a 120GB hard drive, an HDMI port, and a wireless controller. Like Sony, Microsoft has also added video streaming, including Netflix support. All Xbox game titles—and there are plenty—are rendered in at least 720p high definition.

The entry-level $200 Xbox 360 Arcade gives Microsoft a leg up on the PS3. This is the most affordable Xbox you can get, and we found it packs the same graphics punch as its premium sibling. Hitting that price point forced Microsoft to remove the internal hard drive—which is a major sacrifice. Still, if you want to play Xbox games and take advantage of the excellent New Xbox Experience, the Arcade is the least-expensive way to do it.

Sony PlayStation 3

This year, Sony launched the PlayStation 3 120GB (PS3 Slim)—a thinner, lighter, more energy-efficient version of the original. It remains the only game console with an integrated Blu-ray player, the hard drive is easily accessible for upgrades, and you get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and DLNA support. Better still, the price has finally dropped to a reasonable $299 (from its exorbitant $500 initial price). And now you get Netflix streaming in the bargain. Although the PS3 still can't match the Xbox's stellar online gameplay experience, there's no denying that Sony has the most full-featured console on the market today.

It should also be noted that the PlayStation 2 is still available, priced at just under $100 these days. It can't play newer games, but there's a massive catalog of nicely priced PS2 titles so it remains a viable option for bargain shoppers.

Portable Gaming Devices

Oddly enough, Apple, with its iPhone and iPod touch, has become a major player in the portable gaming market this year. While handhelds from Nintendo and Sony have the upper hand when it comes to replicating the console experience in portable form, Apple devices offer a huge variety of games and they're a lot less expensive.

Although the PlayStation Portable is still available, this year Sony released the slimmer, more pocket-friendly PSP go. What the PSP go gains in portability—largely by removing the UMD optical drive—it loses in functionality, but it's still a solid on-the-go game machine. The Nintendo DSi remains the affordable option for casual gamers, but we haven't seen many exciting new titles lately.

2009-12-28T12:03:00.000+05:30

by Neil J. Rubenking

Kids today see their modern parents spending time on the computer, surfing the Web, playing games, and keeping in touch with friends via social networks—and they want to play, too! But especially for the youngest, unlimited access to the computer that holds all your financial information, programs, pictures, and so on is just a bad idea. KidZui 5.0 ($7.95 per month, direct) lets kids use the computer without exposing them to the seamy side of the Internet or putting local programs and files at risk. It's great for toddlers and preschoolers, but older kids will chafe at its limitations. Introduced in spring of 2008, KidZui now boasts over a million registered kids and parents. This latest version offers even more ways for kids to safely interact with each other and with their parents. A free edition gives kids access to almost all KidZui content but limits their ability to personalize the experience. Paid subscribers get parental reporting and activity monitoring.

Becoming Zui

Within the KidZui environment each kid creates an avatar called a Zui by choosing and coloring various traits. Head shape, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and skin color define the Zui's body. Kids next add shirts, pants, shoes, hats, glasses, and even hobbies. To keep up interest, KidZui adds seasonal items. Right now a Santa suit, Christmas tree costume, and reindeer antlers are available. Also, the main page will occasionally offer a special item for a limited time only; last week it was a snowboard.

Creating those Zuis is part of the setup process, so you'll want the kids around when you first configure the program. After that, they're free to change their Zui's appearance at any time. Certain items display a lock icon; to unlock those, kids must accumulate points and reach higher levels. Gaining points is easy—they accrue as the kids enjoy the KidZui environment. (Yes, where some parental-control products put time limits on computer use, KidZui's point system does the opposite.) Free users can accumulate points, but they don't "level up."

After KidZui launches at startup, the child just clicks the correct Zui image on the login screen. Password protection for kid accounts is optional but hardly necessary. Kids can easily log out to let a sibling play, but can't exit the KidZui environment without the parental password. Keystrokes like Alt-Tab, Ctrl-Alt-Del, Ctrl-Esc and the Windows key are suppressed—I couldn't break out.

Battlefield Bad Company 2

2009-12-07T20:19:00.000+05:30

Game Details

Title: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Release Date: Mar 2, 2010
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE
Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: Modern Military
Game Series: Battlefield
ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Screenshots

Trailer

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is the seqeul to the modern military first person shooter Battlefield Bad Company. Like the first game in this Battlefield sub-series, Bad Company 2, will include a full single player campaign that follows Company 'B', a misfit group of soldiers sent into the heat of battle in a fictional war between the United States and Russia.

Players will fight through all sorts of fully destructable environments from snowy mountain tops to thick jungles. The game also features dozens of weapons and vehicles which the players will need to get through anything they come across. Battlefield Bad Company 2 also features the same multiplayer mode that you have come to expect from a Battlefield game. The multiplayer mode of includes four playable kits, customized weapons, and experience points which allows for leveling and ranks.
Battlefield Bad Company 2 PC Enhanced Features
" • Up to 32 Players on PC (24 on consoles) - Play with up to 32 players online in the biggest multiplayer Maps in Battlefield. Each with a different tactical and gameplay focus set across a variety of environments.
• Full DirectX 9, 10 & 11 Support - Immerse yourself in the Battlefield world as Frostbite engine brings tanks, helicopters and explosions to vivid life on your PC. The game will fully support Windows XP, Vista, and 7 with new tech that further improves things like lighting and shadows.
• Enhanced Gameplay - The PC version also includes wide peripheral support like Joysticks for flying, NVIDIA 3D Vision, Logitech LCD Keyboards and VoIP Support plus a variety of specific features tailored for PC play.
• Friend Support - Find your friends online with the new buddy list to see if and who is online so you can quickly join their game.
• Dedicated Ranked Server - Everyone gets non-stop action with no connection penalties based on some other player's internet. Ranked Server Provider program will give players opportunity to rent their own server(s) located in professional grade datacenters, ability to modify settings like map rotation, create reserved slots for friends or clan members, kick & Ban players, and custom name your ranked server.
• Clan Support & Private Servers - Independent Clan Tag, and ability to rent servers for hosting and controlling private password protected competitive servers with expanded control over the settings from public ranked servers.
• PC Squad Play System - Updated from previous Battlefield PC titles now gives control of your squad before heading into combat."

BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams

2009-12-07T20:05:00.000+05:30

Game Details
Title: BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams
Publisher: Take 2 Interactive
Developer: 2K Marin
Game Series: BioShock
Genre/Theme: Action Shooter/Sci-Fi
ESRB Rating: TBD
Release Date: Feb 10, 2010
Operating System: XP/Vista

Screenshots

Trailers

BioShock 2 Sea of Dreams is currently in development by 2K Games Marin studio. There isn't much in the way of details on the game but if it's anything like the first game we'll be in for something special. The game is tentatively schedule for release late summer/fall of 2009, probably in the September/October timeframe.

In late October a teaser trailer was leaked to YouTube giving fans a first glimpse of BioShock's sub title Sea of Dreams. No word on if any of the rumors surrounding the game are true.

Mass Effect 2

2009-12-07T10:21:00.000+05:30

Game Details

Title: Mass Effect 2
Genre: Action Role Playing
Theme: Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Modes: Single Player
Game Series: Mass Effect
ESRB Rating: RP Rating Pending
Release Date: Jan 26, 2010

Genral Info

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
• OS = Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
• Processor = 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
• Memory = 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Hard Drive = 15 GB
• DVD ROM = 1x Speed
• Sound Card = DirectX 9.0c compatible
• Direct X = DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
• Input = Keyboard / Mouse
• Video Card = 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

• Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
• 2.6+ GHz Cure 2 Duo Intel or equivalent AMD CPU
• 2 GB RAM
• ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or better recommended
• 100% DirectX compatible sound card and drivers
• DirectX August 2008
• NOTES: For the best results, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and audio cards. Laptop or mobile versions of the above supported video cards have not had extensive testing and may have driver or other performance issues. As such, they are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Basic Plot/Storyline

Mass Effect 2 is set two years after the events of Mass Effect where Commander Shepard was able to stop the invasion of the Reapers. In Mass Effect 2, human colonies on the far reaches of space are mysteriously disappearing. Commander Shepard is once again tasked with putting together an elite group of the best and the brightest to stop what could be the largest threat to mankind's existence in the universe.
Game Play

BioWare has stated that Mass Effect 2 will have improvements/upgrades in nearly every aspect of game-play. It is still a third person action role playing game but Mass Effect 2 will have improved camera controls, enhanced combat, AI, and space exploration as weel as updated graphics and character modeling. Mass Effect 2 will also include a feature for you to import your saved files from Mass Effect so you'll be able to see the results of some of your actions form Mass Effect in Mass Effect 2.
Finally Mass Effect 2 also includes plenty of new weapons, incuding heavy weapons, vehicles, ships and more. In addition new and old non-player characters will make their debut or return in Mass Effect 2, however if you import saved files and a character died in Mass Effect, he or she will not be brought back to life in Mass Effect 2.

More Info: Official Site

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game

2009-12-07T09:57:00.000+05:30

Game Details

Title: James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theme: Movie Tie-In
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Modes: Single player, multiplayer co-op
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Release Date: Dec 1, 2009
Also Available On: X360, PS3, Wii, PSP

Screenshots

Trailers

Basic Plot/Storyline
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game is based on the feature film from James Cameron, Avatar which is set to hit theaters on December 18th. The video game is set on Pandora, the same planet as in the movie, as players arrive via the scientific research project know as the Avatar Program. Full details on the game's storyline have yet to be revealed but it was planned as a sort of prequel to the events of the movie with some of the main characters in the film expected to make appearances in the game. Actors that appear in the film and reprise their roles in Avatar the game include Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi and Stephen Lang.
Game Play
Avatar The Game will be in a 3D action/adventure style video game. Information on the characters, weapons, enemies and exact type of missions/game world have yet to be revealed