Digital Destinations

Quakecon Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:29:00 +0000

Quakecon's main events approach on Friday and Saturday in Dallas, Texas. Friday afternoon will see a panel devoted to idTech at 2:30 central time, and Saturday will give visitors the chance to see presentations of the upcoming Dishonored 2 and Prey at 2 pm central time.

Check out Bethesda's feed of Quakecon on Twitch:

Watch live video from Bethesda on www.twitch.tv

Mods Revolutionize Xbox, PS4 To Come

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:23:00 +0000

Xbox owners can install mods by registering with Bethesda. As long as the servers are working, the process is quick and easy. [Images: Green in the Commonwealth, Dog Metal, Gorilla Companion mods]

Why Movember?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 20:35:00 +0000

When women raise money and awareness for breast or cervical cancer, people applaud it. When I ask for funding and support for prostate and testicular cancer, it's met with skepticism and silence. Perhaps it's the natural cynicism that comes from a world filled with politically-motivated charities and ice bucket challenges, but it's as if the unspoken expectation is for women to ask for help and for men to die quietly.

Why Movember? Movember is a global charity dedicated to confronting cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity in men.

But the real threat is not the cancer or depression, it's the unhealthy attitudes that society has regarding men and illness. Men are expected to be strong and silent like a Clint Eastwood character. For most men the only thing worse than having a condition that prevents us from being able to fully function is the thought of other people knowing it. Feminism has exposed the toxic ideas behind gender roles, and frankly, men could learn a lot from it.

These toxic ideas embolden those who are lucky enough to fit into the mold, and mercilessly shames those who do not. As a child, I developed a debilitating anxiety disorder. Rather than seek help, I kept silent until the condition grew so out of control that I was forced to drop out of high school. More than fifteen years later, it's consumed and destroyed my life up to this point.

Likewise, I have friends who are mired in depression. They've grown old and out of shape. Their careers have fallen flat, and they haven't had a date in years. Their coping mechanisms are substance abuse and excessive TV.

Closer to home, prostate cancer has affected my late grandfather, and currently, my own father who has fought it with every treatment available for the last year. Genetically, I am at increased risk for developing prostate cancer. Depression, physical inactivity, cancer; the central targets of Movember all directly affect me and many others.

This November, help me break down the wall. You can donate to Movember or don't. Studies show that men donate annually to charity less than women until they reach retirement age, so it doesn't shock me that only two people -myself and my father (who has prostate cancer) - have ever donated to my Movember page in three years. But honestly, what I'd really like to see are shares, likes, tweets and candid remarks about your experiences with men's health issues.

No man is perfect. The older I get, the more I realize that true strength is attempting to live your life to the fullest despite the hardships. Help me, help others, and help yourself. Talk about men's health today.

Links:

My Movember Donation Page

North Texas Kids Request Minecraft-Inspired Playground

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:49:00 +0000

Park officials in Denton, Texas thought it would be a good idea to ask the local kids what they want in their next playground. Their answer? Minecraft, of course.

According to the Denton Record-Chronicle, design ideas for the new playground were collected from school kids across the district and handed over to Play by Design planner, Dennis Wille. He then assembled their ideas into a conceptual drawing that included Minecraft's creative spirit.

Wille said he knew that Minecraft was a popular game, but didn't know anything about its content or environments before he started the project. He arranged for someone familiar with the game to explain the nature of Minecraft until he could learn more himself.

Once he understood the nature of the game, Wille translated it into his design:

"Maze boxes are essentially a series of stacked boxes. We make vertical texture walls that are an assembly of blocks (a texture wall can be incorporated into a tunnel environ). A number of our "stepper" components are like a series of vertical block towers. In other words, we incorporate the idea of stacked blocks into the design in a way that emphasizes "stacking". Then, children make associations and engage in imaginative play, based on their personal experience."

When he was finished, the initial concept drawing included a zip line, a tree house, a maze and many other ideas from the city's youth. The creative process will include more revisions before the final design is assembled.

Minecraft has grown exponentially since it's humble debut on PC. Minecraft-related content dominates YouTube. Last year, the popular franchise was bought by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Considering it's massive popularity, its possible that more and more 21st century playgrounds will mirror popular games.

Sources:
Play by Design
Denton Record-Chronicle

The Battlefield Hardline Beta, What I Took Away

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 20:54:00 +0000

The Battlefield franchise moves into the emerging, bank-heist genre when Battlefield Hardline releases March 17. In the meantime, gamers across all platforms got a taste of the cops and robbers combat during last weekend's beta.

Hardline is much more of a typical Battlefield game than a crime simulator like Grand Theft Auto V. It would be best to compare it to the Battlefield: Bad Company series, which took the fundamental players-and-vehicles formula and then focused it into a new gameplay mode.

In this case, there are two new PvP modes: Heist and Hotwire.

Heist tasks one side (the robbers) with stealing two separate bags of loot to be delivered to drop off points at various places on the map. The opposing team of cops play defense; either protecting the loot or protecting the drop off sites. Based on earlier previews, Heist may include cars and helicopters, but it depends on the map. The beta only used one map for Heist and it did not include player-controlled vehicles. The result was an experience very similar to the plant-the-bomb mode of countless other multiplayer shooters.

Hotwire takes Battlefield's oldest mode, conquest, and puts it on wheels. Instead of fighting to take and hold fixed locations on the map, the conquest points are cars, trucks and vans. In order to capture and hold the checkpoint, the vehicle has to be moving at a minimum speed. The result is a constant chase around the map. Battlefield Hardline's beta offered two very different maps for Hotwire: the urban grid of Downtown and the more rural Dust Bowl.

Like other betas, I was left with an incomplete, "Is this all there is?" sentiment. The question is whether I feel this way because it's a test-preview of the game, or because there's not much else to experience.

Hotwire's available maps are pretty different on the surface, but the chase is always the same. There's almost no nuance to steering or the handling of the different cars like in GTA. There are few opportunities for shortcuts and complex maneuvers. Almost every Hotwire match I played during the beta was a constant circuit around the map.

I have faith that Heist has a lot more to offer than what was included in the beta. With only one map and no vehicles, the freshest parts were the new gadgets like the zipline launcher.

Of course, it should be mentioned that a traditional Conquest Large mode exists for Battlefield purists. This mode allows up to 64 players on newer systems, but there's no tanks or jets. Some may welcome this change, but others will have to wait for Battlefield 5 to get their war game fix.

Evolve Open Beta Impressions

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:47:00 +0000

Xbox One owners had the chance to participate in the Evolve Open Beta last weekend. With the game's release approaching on February 10 for Windows, PS4 and Xbox One, the beta gave a chance for players to see what all the fuss is about.

Evolve is a 4 vs 1 multiplayer game that pits a squad of playable hunters against a single, human-controlled monster. Developer Turtle Rock Studios have taken their work with Left 4 Dead and created an experience that favors cooperative action and hide-and-seek gameplay.

I didn't put enough time in with the beta to unlock the additional characters or the kraken monster, but I managed to walk away with plenty of memorable stories anyway.

What stood out to me in Evolve were not the monsters or the unique cast of hunters, but the maps and their vibrant ecosystems. The world is filled with strange flora and fauna that keep the action unpredictable. Some animals are small and harmless, others are so large and vicious that they can easily be mistaken for the monster. On some occasions, the plants themselves are the threat, as I discovered when I was consumed by a carnivorous plant.

In another match, the AI wildlife unexpectedly turned the tide against my team of hunters. The opposing player drove his goliath monster into a swamp where a massive crocodile-like alien slept. The creature burst out of the water, tossed our sniper aside like a chew toy and killed half the team.

Without a doubt, Evolve treats the player to a number of fun moments that come with little effort. Players will enjoy dropping from the sky with their fellow hunters, hearing the monster roar, and being rescued by one of the character's pet alien-dog.

However, only time will tell how much replay value Evolve will deliver to buyers. There are plenty of unlockable characters and perks, but the nature of the matches can be pretty repetitive. As the monster, you have to elude the other team for most of the game. As the hunters, a lot of time is spent simply following the monster's footprints around the map.

The game will likely be most rewarding to players who go out of their way to really outsmart their opponent. There are many opportunities to set traps, mislead players and use the environment, but I simply didn't see it very often during the beta. Hopefully, time and experience will allow owners of the full retail version to play with their brains, and not just their reflexes.

More GTA V Clips to Enjoy, Release Day Tops $800 Million

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Publisher Take Two Interactive gleefully announced that Grand Theft Auto V pulled $800 million in on its first day. The late release within the console life cycle certainly helped with the install base, but it's still a new record.

Within my own playthrough, I've performed my first heist and completed a Pilotwings like flight school. The first heist was awesome. It reminded me of that game show where the contestant had a set time to grab as much merchandise as possible. It definitely got my heart pounding.

On the lighter side, GTA V continues to be a wildly fun game with a strong comedic edge. Enjoy a mix of fast motorcycles, police retribution, roller coasters and (my favorite) Chop the mischievous rottweiler!

Grand Theft Auto V First Impressions

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 04:59:00 +0000

The return to Los Santos has been overwhelming. I've read a lot of reviews and comments and its amazing how everyone seems interested about different things. It'll be a while before I properly review the game, but rest assured that the critical acclaim so far is well deserved.

The improvement from Grand Theft Auto IV is considerable. Basically the game is gorgeous, easier to play, moves faster, and it's absolutely massive. Here's some things I've noted:

- Weapons are highly customizable, so I put a silencer on my pistol. It helps significantly when avoiding cops.

- Like Max Payne 3, GTA V is surprisingly diverse with it's settings. It's a really big game.

- Everything's streamlined and quicker. One major example is stealing cars. More often than not the main character just opens the door, barks a threat at the driver, and off you go.

- Highways stretch across the map and that San Andreas road trip feel is back.

- The story and characters are better than some critics have claimed. I can't even give examples without spoiling the crap out of them. I will say that the 3-character structure does play a role in the narrative, and it's full of surprises.

Until I get farther along, here's a handful of videos and images taken that I took on the Xbox 360 version.

Stay tuned for more.

Battlefield 4's Latest Trailer Reveals Glimpse of 10 Maps, 7 Modes

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 03:56:00 +0000

Boy, this trailer sure sports a lot of features. I can't wait to see that skyscraper in Shanghai collapse... again and again. It's interesting that the narrator shouts-out to "movie makers" with the new Spectator mode.

Call of Duty Ghosts Brings Space, Helicopter-Killing Canines

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 03:50:00 +0000

Kotaku has provided this lovely gif of Call of Duty Dog.

With Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto V both featuring dogs, we can certainly expect more of them in the future.

... I hope that dog survives the helicopter crash.

It's Not GTA V Multiplayer, It's "Grand Theft Auto Online"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Some consumers are going to be confused when they take home their new copy of Grand Theft Auto V and see that the multiplayer mode isn't available. That's because Rockstar Games is treating the multiplayer like it's own product release; a full two weeks after GTA V arrives in stores.

Don't panic. Owners of Grand Theft Auto V will have full access to Grand Theft Auto Online when it's unlocked October 1st at no extra charge or subscription fee. So why the delay and separate release?

An early preview of Grand Theft Auto Online on Game Informer reveals that GTA Online is far more ambitious than expected. The updates will come one at a time, but according to Rockstar president Leslie Benzies, the goal is to grow GTA Online to a persistent, dynamic WORLD. In other words, eventually you'll be able to fly from Los Santos to Liberty City in an online version of GTA that includes everything you'd find in the single player experience, and more.

From the facts that are available, Grand Theft Auto Online is not a massively multiplayer game per-se; but there will be many multiplayer RPG elements. Read Game Informer's preview for the lengthy version, but here's the breakdown:

GTA With Friends

You play GTA Online as the "fourth protagonist," a mute, but completely individual character of your creation and customization. Instead of a traditional character creator, your character is created through a science-y collection of parentage info (crude example: black dad + Asian mom = Tiger Woods.) Skill stats are based off of lifestyle and personality choices. So if your character is a couch potato, they might be good with computers, but bad at running from the cops. And yes, you can create a female character.

Clan, Squad, Posse... in Grand Theft Auto Online it's called your Crew, and it's important for friends who like to stick together. Everything that can be done in GTA V's single player can be done with friends in the online, predominately free roam version of Los Santos. One friend can rob a convenience store while the other keeps the getaway car revved outside, or you can tackle complex heists such as the ones featured in GTA V's story. According the Rockstar, there's already 500 various missions, heists, activities and whatnot to do. And that's just the start...

Create And Play Your Own Missions and Activities

Grand Theft Auto Online will feature a user content creation system. Players will start by being able to create their own races and deathmatches, then Rockstar hopes to really let players off the leash. The goal, Benzies said, is to allow players to create missions with the same layers of complexity as what Rockstar does for the single player game. Gracefully, plans are already in place to make this content creation system easy and reliable. Content will be rated and graded. You won't have to waste time in strangers' half-assed missions.

Reasons To Steal, Reasons To Spend

In addition to Experience Points (XP) and Reputation Points (RP) there's cold hard cash to use in GTA. You can buy weapons, cars, services and real estate of various size and functionality. However, GTA Online can be a dangerous place for a player with a full wallet to steal. So you can "insure" your car so that it's available again when it's stolen or destroyed. You can deposit your money in ATMs. And if some daring person does cross you, then track them down for revenge - OR put a bounty on them and wait for someone else to do the dirty work.

Once you've secured a sizable amount of money, you can get a stylish crib with a cool showroom/garage for your cars and bikes. Friends can come over and hit the bong, plan heists and watch TV. One of my favorite ideas: If another player is leading the police on a chase, the Weazel News chopper will broadcast the chase to your home TV.

Grand Theft Auto Online launches October 1. In the meantime, Grand Theft Auto V awaits.

REVIEW: RED DEAD REDEMPTION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:13:00 +0000

As a native of Texas, I've spent my entire life surrounded by people obsessed with cowboys, horses and six-shooters. Chock it up to over saturation in the culture, but it didn't take long for me to really dislike anything the slightest bit related to America's "Wild West" days.

Despite such a prejudice, I eagerly tried Rockstar Games' Western, Red Dead Redemption. I absolutely loved the effects of Grand Theft Auto IV's hyper-realistic game engine and I wanted to see how it applied to a rural setting.

Red Dead Redemption shares a lot of mechanics with GTA IV. It's an open-world game with a focus on traveling, shooting and exploring. The game's antihero, John Marston, can be controlled in kind or cruel ways, but his role and his quest remain sympathetic from both perspectives.

Set in 1911, Marston is obliged to mop up the American frontier's last outlaws at the behest of two corrupt government agents. Such a task requires him to leave his family as he journeys across semi-fictional variants of Texas, Mexico and Colorado.

It's thanks to the incredible sights and sounds of the massive world that help RDR feel truly epic. A tremendous amount of detail is found throughout the game: Every region is filled with its own wildlife, architecture and people. A north Texas cattle ranch is exceptionally distinct from the weathered Spanish missions that dot the Mexican countryside.

Other refreshing improvements are found in Red Dead Redemption's dialogue, characters and missions. Where many previous Rockstar games had eccentric characters, they're much fewer in number this time around. In their place are compelling, yet realistic characters such as Bonnie MacFarlane; a progressively strong woman trapped in the wrong time and place.

Adding to the game's integrity are larger questions regarding the motivations for conflict and violence. With so many different perspectives on the world, the player can't help but feel a surreal detachment from so many versions of justice. The only real quest for Marston is to get back to his family and his home.

Missions and gameplay include more than just horse riding and shooting. Hunting is always an option. The world is ripe with birds and animals ranging from the rabbits to grizzly bears. Bounties are posted throughout the world and can be killed for quick cash, or hogtied and taken to the authorities alive. There's also treasure hunting, safe cracking and horse breaking activities.

Red Dead Redemption has a strong multiplayer offering. Multiplayer sessions can be structured, such as a deathmatch, or unstructured, like riding around the hub world with friends. There's also a number of worthy updates, including an online poker game and a wildly fun zombie expansion.

I'm accustomed to being sucked into the games I play, but there's something particularly special in how Red Dead Redemption completely trumped my unkind attitude toward the cowboy way. Now when I look at the deadwood-framed paintings of saddled ranchers I remember the time I chased down a wild mustang or corralled a herd of cattle during a rainstorm. I finally feel the romance that many espouse toward a time and place that I used to think was empty and boring.

REVIEW: GRAND THEFT AUTO IV

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Developer Rockstar Games pioneered the open-world cops and robbers genre. Since the breakaway success of Grand Theft Auto III, many competitors have attempted to hijack the franchise with their own take on the cars, cops and carnage experience.

The original gangster game makers meet the challenge with a GTA sequel that focuses on realism rather than pure raunchiness. Grand Theft Auto IV is an exceptionally lively, but also very "grounded" simulation of the life of an urban criminal. The shift from "video-gamey" to realistic throws a major learning curve at the player, but it's a worthy trial that makes the new GTA feel truly next-gen.

Players will feel the significant changes to the physics instantly. The world of the new GTA is ruled by a recreation of gravity that I have yet to see in any other game. Everything is heavier and slower: The protagonist and the pedestrians; the helicopters, boats, cars and motorcycles.

The gamers' initial entry into Grand Theft Auto IV will likely be jarring. Even at full sprint, the playable hero, Niko, won't move any faster than a middle-aged man. He won't flip around on a dime if he's running, but will curve around. He doesn't glide up and down steps; he takes each individually and even shifts his body to the side if he's in a hurry.

Driving is an even greater shock. I spent the first day constantly slamming into traffic, speeding past my intended turn, and on some occasions, flying out of the windshield during a head-on collision. Fortunately there's plenty of cars to steal and many health-providing hot dog stands on the sidewalks.

By my third day, I was managing the feel of different vehicles like a pro. It required mastering the fine line between aggressive -- but effective driving, and reckless rubber-burning.

After a few missions, I was also introduced to the new shoot and cover gameplay. Yet again, the Rockstar game engine and Euphoria physics make the gun play feel very dangerous and realistic. Niko takes cover with a button, has the ability to blind fire and can lock onto or free-aim his weapons. Enemies grab at wounds, experience various ballistic effects on their bodies, and sometimes crawl around rather than out-right dying.

In a nutshell, GTA IV is a surprisingly realistic game. Nonetheless, it remains an empowering and fun experience. Players still have a large degree of freedom to explore the world, approach missions their own way and traverse the sprawling recreation of New York (you can take the subway or hail a cab too).

Adding to the simulation vibe is a unique system of social contacts. Part of being Niko in GTA IV is living his life as a newly arrived immigrant. Players are given a cell phone that can be pulled up and operated using the D-pad at any time. The phone is the hub of Niko's social networks. Aside from the in-game map, it's the best place to keep up with friends, job opportunities and girlfriends.

A dating simulator is an unexpected addition to GTA. Along with Niko's ability to access a fake, GTA-world internet comes the ability to log onto "Love-meet.com" and hook up with prospective lovers. The ability to take out friends and lovers on social occasions is part of accessing perks. For example, if you grow close enough to one contact, then later you can call him to meet somewhere and buy discounted weapons. In another case, a girlfriend of Niko's uses her connections as a lawyer to help Niko lower his wanted level.

As with everything else in GTA IV, the developer places an emphasis on realism when it comes to making and keeping friends. Ignoring your buddy's calls will cause him or her to not like you as much. On the flipside, giving that same friend a call and arranging a trip to their favorite fast food place will make them love you.

Dating is by far the best and worst of the social minigames. Your date will judge everything about you and how you treat her. If you show up on a second date wearing the same shirt as the first date, she will notice, she will complain, and she will keep it in mind at the end of the evening when deciding whether or not to invite Niko inside for "coffee."

At first, the social gameplay is very novel and succeeds at sucking you into the role of Niko. However, it can become a nuisance when Niko's friends annoy you with social calls while you're preparing for -- or in some cases -- are in the middle of a mission.

Nonetheless, it's a minor quibble. You can ignore calls with the touch of a button, or just silence the ringer. Don't like judgmental dates? Don't bother with them. Much like reality, it's tough to not have a means of contact, but you can still choose to be antisocial.

A far greater fault within GTA IV is the omission of many features that were included in its predecessors. The taxi, ambulance and firefighter missions are sorely missed. There are remarkably few options for saving vehicles. At most, you can store two vehicles by the curb outside one of your handful of safehouses, and frequently they don't save successfully or they're pushed by NPC-driven cars out of the save zone.

Contemporaries like Saints Row allow the player to store an almost endless number of vehicles and outfits and in a fashion far more streamlined than GTA IV. It's not just annoying, but it seems like a sorely missed opportunity to increase the immersion. For example, I found an ad in GTA's in-game internet for a car dealership across town. I was very disappointed to find the dealership was an inert, non-functional entity. It has a phone number, but can't be called. It has online listings, but you can't buy anything.

In spite of these shortcomings or missed opportunities, the game is phenomenal. It's not just immensely different from other open-world games, but its physics and simulated world makes it feel substantially different from ALL games. After a week of binge-playing GTA IV, other games look and feel far less realistic; even the games with gorgeous textures like Mass Effect simply don't convey the feeling of gravity and weight like GTA.

Likewise, fans of previous GTA games shouldn't fear the increased realism's effect on the experience. Grand Theft Auto IV is still very much about shooting, robbing and driving, and those elements are the strongest they've ever been in the franchise. If I compared it to film, I would say the next generation of GTA is directed by Michael Mann (Heat, Miami Vice) instead of Michael Bay (Bad Boys II, Transformers.) The action is less gratuitous and more intense.

With GTA IV, it's clear that it will take more than an open world filled with fast cars and trigger-happy cops for the competition to keep up.

Related:
GTA IV Videos
GTA IV Images

E3: Battlefield 4 In Action

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:23:00 +0000

Tanks collapse and jets tumble in these chaotic videos.

REVIEW: ASSASSIN'S CREED II

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:06:00 +0000

Assassin's Creed II is the follow up to the historical-action game set in the Holy Land of the eleventh century. Thanks to the series' complex story, its sequels are free to go anywhere. To many people's surprise, Assassin's Creed II is set in Renaissance Italy; an era typically associated with art and beauty instead of conflict and murder.

That doesn't mean there wasn't conflict though. In fact, Assassin's Creed II marvelously combines real historical figures and settings into its story and setting.

The Italian Renaissance was beautiful and violent. Appropriately, so is Assassin's Creed II.

As with the first game, the developer does a spectacular job recreating it's primary settings: Florence and Venice. The landmarks are in place and decorated with great precision. They have to be since the game's hero, Ezio Auditore, frequently climbs along them.

Ezio succeeds by approaching his targets stealthily in crowds of nobles adorned in elegantly threaded garbs. One of the finest soundtracks in gaming history plays in the background. Many players will likely find themselves standing idly by within the open-world setting to tour the sites and marvel at the details.

Assassination kills are performable in many ways. You can grab a target from a ledge above, or while hiding in a haystack, bench, etc. Best of all, Ezio eventually dons a hidden blade on each hand for a double kill that is both deadly and satisfying.

The open combat is still a bit flawed. Players frequently need to wait for an enemy to attack in order to perform a powerful - but necessary - counter blow. There are many additional weapons, daggers and tools in Ezio inventory, including poison-tipped hidden blades and smoke bombs.

Of simultaneously minor and important note: Our new playable assassin can swim and dive under water. It's particularly useful within the canal-laced city of Venice.

Another great improvement from the first game is the introduction of cinematic cutscenes and character that the player gets to know over a period of many years. Ezio even meets and interacts with real historical figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci.

Indeed, Assassin's Creed II is beautiful in setting and presentation, but its also a great story with interesting characters. With the ability to purchase property and improvements, the game offers much to do besides killing. This may be the best Assassin's Creed game made.

More Assassin's Creed:

REVIEW: ASSASSIN'S CREED III

REVIEW: BATTLEFIELD 3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:21:00 +0000

Battlefield 3 is another bold push against its modern warfare competitor. It depends on who you ask as to which franchise has the superior multiplayer experience, but few would argue that the main difference is the game's scope of the battlefield.

Call of Duty focuses on smaller firefights, whereas Battlefield frequently leaves a variety of real-world military vehicles under complete player control. That means tanks, jets, gunboats and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles galore. Another major difference is that newer Battlefield games use the technically awesome Frostbite engine to create very realistic weather and architectural details.

This means that some buildings or portions of buildings are destructible. In Battlefield 3's multiplayer, you have to worry about the integrity of your surroundings. The Frostbite engine also means a far brighter and grittier battlefield. In this game you can be blinded by dynamic-created dust clouds or the sun. Generally speaking, Battlefield tends to lean towards a more realistic depiction of war than other games.

Multiplayer is truly far bigger and prettier than any Battlefield available for console to date. The customization options, weapon-based challenges and vehicle upgrades are all significantly increased.

Despite the visual improvements, I never enjoyed Battlefield 3 as much as it's console predecessor Battlefield: Bad Company 2. The supposedly "lighter for consoles" Battlefield experience remains better because it was nearly all-destructable terrain.

Battlefield 3's gorgeous maps are nowhere near as destructible and it makes a difference in the gameplay. The larger maps, increase in aerial vehicles and decrease in destructibility seems to yield a less sporting experience, despite the system you use to play.

Battlefield 3's new focus on a story-driven single player game is a mixed pay-off. The story is easier to follow than what the competition usually serves up. Some people enjoyed the war-buddy-comedy of Bad Company's single player, but Battlefield 3 is all cinematic seriousness.

The levels are very reminiscent of various contemporary war films and series like Generation Kill and The Hurtlocker, and in some cases are appropriately named after battle stories like Thunder Run.

Being a nerd for the military I can say some of Battlefield 3's more realistic portions are full of both intense and mundane details. As always, the presentation is both realistic and tasteful. It may not be the best Battlefield title, but it's still better than the vast majority of military shooters out there.

REVIEW: SKYRIM LEGENDARY EDITION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:06:00 +0000

Games come and games go. Many are played and never touched again. But a very precious few get better and live on in our hearts and hard drives like a legend. (cue dramatic Nordic drumbeat...)

In spite of all the shooters, open-world locations and role playing games, there is one that continues to reign supreme. It is the Elder Scrolls V: SKYRIM.

Melodramatic prologue aside, it really has proven to be one of - if not the - best video games ever made. My judgement of the game has only improved with each patch and playthrough.

The title's "Legendary" edition is now available and includes all DLC: Hearthfire, Dragonborn and Dawnguard. I've put a considerable amount into every portion of Skyrim and its updates. The following is my comprehensive review.

Skyrim is an epic sized action-RPG from Bethesda, the makers of the much-adored Fallout 3. In the days of old, the RPG experience was exceptionally slow-paced, saturated in textual details and too often cliched. However, Skyrim is the epitome of a modern RPG; streamlined while still being rich in creative details.

Players start in the mountainous country of Skyrim as a prisoner. Its the developer's way of teaching you the basics of the game's controls and menu management. More importantly, it's when you choose who you are: he or she; old or young; scarred or tattooed; man, elf, reptile, or cat? (Didn't you know? The Elder Scrolls includes a race of anthropomorphic felines. That's right, Cat People.)

From the start, the Skyrim experience is centered around the player's desires. You can be a hero or a villain. You can be sword-and-shield style warrior, but you can also be someone more quirky or colorful. Skyrim manages to be very fun no matter what you want to do and the player's creativity is frequently rewarded.

Enjoy a face-to-face battle? Be a warrior: Grab a sword, strap on armor and wear a cool helmet. Admire Gandalf? Be a wizard: Carry an enchanted staff and cast spells that dazzle locals and terrify enemies. Like to break the rules? Be a thief: sneak in the shadows and break into homes.

Or better yet, mix them up and go for something truly unique. Hire a bodyguard to do the fighting while you get rich picking rare flowers and brewing strange potions. Cast spells to make yourself invisible or turn enemies against each other. There are dozens of ways to accomplish goals.

On the RPG end, your play style will be reflected in your character's stats and strengths. If you like to use a shield more, your block skill will improve and allow for more block-based powers such as a shield-bash. If you're the aggressive type, you can dual-wield many combinations of weapons such as a sword and an ax; or an ax with a fire spell.

Again, the choice that is made results in a different character. If you forgo any kind of shield in favor of two swords, then you won't be a very skillful blocker later; but you may choose to wear lots of armor to offset the risk.

To be fair, some gameplay paths will be easier or more fun than others. For example magic usually requires wisely choosing and casting the right spell; which in turn is dependent on the amount of magic available. This is different from going with a simple sword and shield which can continue to function once the stamina bar is depleted.

There's also clever tactics such as casting pacify spells on enemies, then waiting for them to turn so you can perform a devastating "surprise" attack that usually kills them instantly. While funny and sinister, it certainly isn't very challenging. Likewise, such skills are worthless against dragons.

Did I forget to mention dragons? Well, in addition to f-ing Cat-People, there are also flying, biting, fire-breathing, walking and talking dragons! They are unique to Skyrim as a game, an Elder Scrolls location and as a story element. They are the largest and most dangerous of Skyrim's enemies, but there's a reason I didn't mention them yet.

Skyrim is a very open-ended game; so much that if the player properly chooses, they can totally avoid the game's main story mission and thus omit the presence of dragons entirely from the game.

It's one of the important choices that the player makes because there are basically two versions of Skyrim: One with dragons that the player harvests in exchange for shouting powers (such as one that slows time or another that makes the player invulnerable for a brief period,) AND one without the mortal threat or the empowering rewards of the dragons.

The game is truly enjoyable with or without dragons and shouts, but sometimes one is more appropriate than the other. If you want to be a sneak-thief or assassin, you might want to avoid initiating the dragon side of the game.

This is arguably one of The Elder Scrolls' greatest strengths and weaknesses. A game like Call of Duty will usher the player with a squad leader to follow, but it's ultimately a bereft of player freedom.

Alternatively, Skyrim's usher-companion can be ditched within an hour. After that the player is almost entirely in charge of the action's pace and direction. The freedom will unnerve most casual players while delightfully intoxicating many others.

It's important to note that as far as stats and menus go, Skyrim is exquisitely simple in its approach.

When you push the menu button, four options pop up and correspond to up, down, left and right. Leveling up skills is aesthetically draped in the night sky's constellations. The map is very similar to Google Earth, albeit not as helpful. Every item in the game can be zoomed in upon and rotated within its little sub-menu.

Skyrim takes the most boring part of RPG games - cumbersome data - and makes it super-easy to find and visually appealing. If the amount of time in-game was just a few hours, it might not be relevant. But most players will spend a considerable amount of time playing and navigating the menus. The presentation is a very welcome facelift.

Another strongly played note is the overall art direction. Skyrim is a cold, northern province and it almost always shows. The country is old; the streets and buildings heavily eroded. The locals value honor in battle, big axes and warm mead. The characters and creatures are far better detailed and proportioned than the ones in the last TES game.

The amplified art style and detail fits well in Skyrim. The local cave trolls or bears can terrify you as much as a small dragon. Muscular, dirty and bearded locals match the ruggedness of their surroundings. The massive caverns below ground show the architectural styles of the corresponding ancient civilization that built them.

Yet again, this is one of Skyrim's enduring traits. It is a massively sized world with so many different living (and dead) inhabitants. And yet it still has a hand-crafted sense of detail to most of the country. One could play the game for years and still discover new people, places and secrets.

Of course the game is not perfect, and depending on the individual, may present more negatives than others. The Elder Scrolls games have always been plagued by bugs and glitches. True, Skyrim has the least of any game yet, but they are still there. And in some cases, the bugs are capable of crashing or destroying game saves.

Even if your copy of the game and your system behave, there's still other awkward flaws.
For example, Skyrim features a "radiant" system that allows bonded NPCs to react to your actions. In other words, you may kill a shopkeeper and find that the shop is still open the next day, but tended by the deceased's spouse or sibling.

That's a clever spin on a world that already sports NPCs with their own identities, homes and jobs. However, I once watched a random vampire (see Dawnguard complaints*) murder a woman in front of her brute-nord of a husband. His programming allowed for him to defend himself and possibly even take a hit out on the murderer, but he never actually responds in the moment to her demise. He watched as I looted the valuables from her corpse and had no response to offer. It's not a glitch, it's a simply a consequence of a world with so many possibilities.

In addition to its core package, Skyrim has seen a lot of great post-launch support from its developer. The finishing move playback has been expanded to include magic and ranged attacks, and there's a great deal of free and priced expansions. Skyrim is available now on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Steam.

More of Skyrim:

Reviewing Skyrim Dragonborn, Hearthfire and Dawnguard
Skyrim Stories

REVIEW: TOMB RAIDER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:02:00 +0000

Tomb Raider is a misunderstood franchise. It succeeded as a 3D platformer for non-Nintendo consoles, but it was mostly remembered for its gratuitously big-breasted heroine, Lara Croft. Despite the tenured success, the developer now reboots the franchise with the simply titled, Tomb Raider.

Lara Croft retains her beauty in this origin story, but those who waste time to ogle her will regret it. The new Tomb Raider is a grisly survival-action game. The intense combat and interactive cutscenes make the player feel more like Rambo than Indiana Jones.

That's not necessarily a criticism. Tomb Raider is at it's best when it makes your heart race and your trigger finger get itchy. It's also got a decent amount of exploring, platforming and unlockable rewards to find. Tomb Raider is a very good game.

Having said all that, let's be clear on what survival action means in this game. As a novice Lara Croft, you face a constant life-or-death scenario. You'll scramble in the dirt, hunt deer for meat, apply first aid without anesthesia, and kill enemies by any means available. You'll be grabbed, thrown, burned, impaled, bitten, gashed and twisted.

Not only that, but Lara will face survivor guilt as her friends are haunted and destroyed by the island setting's dangers. Fortunately, that stuff hits the player a bit softer than the graphic violence of the game's combat. The new Tomb Raider reminds me a lot of the Dead Space series, but its far more action than psychological horror.

Tomb Raider benefits from good pacing and design. The overall action usually switches at well-timed intervals between story, platforming, and combat.

The controls are actually quite simple compared to some games. Lara crouches and draws her weapons automatically. It's not an objective flaw, but my personal association with FPS controls definitely slowed my learning curve.

Once you get used to Lara keeping her own head down, you're able to focus more on the combat environment. Enemies can be gunned down or stealthily dispatched, but there's a violent middle ground too.

Sometimes you'll shoot an enemy in the leg and then finish him with a melee move. Other times you may shoot enemies as they zip-line in; dropping them helplessly down the mountain. Your bow and arrow can be used like a grapple to pull apart cover and drop traps on enemies.

Even shooting at - but missing - an enemy can sometimes be enough to keep him at bay. There are many opportunities to survive, and there are more once you level up and unlock extra skills. The enemy AI remains convincingly human, and always provides a challenge.

When she's not in combat, Lara has plenty of exploration options. The game's eponymous tombs take on the form of optional puzzle challenges hidden among the island. Spare parts can be collected and used to improve weapons; experience points will unlock better abilities for Lara; journal entries, ancient treasures and other little collectibles flesh out the story and unlocks art galleries.

The options for improving Lara and collecting unlockables is a great extension of the player's time and resources. The more effort the player put in, the more rewards they will reap.

Tomb Raider benefits from the good examples left by hit games. It's hard to find major flaws.

I merely wish that more emphasis had been placed on the non-combat aspects of survival. There's room for more platforming, exploring and Tomb-raiding gameplay. Instead, this Tomb Raider is first and foremost a gritty action game, which feels a bit forced, despite the developer's dignified handling of the subject matter.

REVIEW: FAR CRY 3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:12:00 +0000

The opening minutes of Far Cry 3 depict every traveler's worst nightmare: You and your loved ones are kidnapped by meth-smoking pirates on a distant island. Captives are executed and sorted for ransom. Suddenly you - Jason Brody - miraculously escape the prison camp and have no choice but to grab a gun and save the others later.

Instead of contacting the American embassy, Brody takes the opportunity to harness his inner Rambo. It's not logical, but it's an empowerment fantasy that is a major blast to play. In Far Cry 3, you slice through pirates and wrestle tigers in the jungle. This open world shooter is intimately immersive, constantly rewarding and downright fun.

Far Cry 3 is the work of Ubsioft Montreal, the same studio responsible for Assassin's Creed. Not surprisingly, it's open world design functions the same way. There are story missions, but most of the two islands are dotted by enemy outposts. The game is a hardened first person shooter, but there's a great deal of freedom regarding how the player chooses to clear out baddies.

Not only does that mean choosing which outpost to attack and when, it means choosing your arsenal. You can use a sniper rifle for long range needs, rifles, SMGs and shotguns for medium encounters, and most interesting, a progressively-lethal melee system for close encounters.

Once unlocked, the melee abilities are very lethal and cool. What starts as a stealthy stab in a pirate's back combos into a knife being thrown into another. Brody can perform kills by pulling enemies into the water for a melee or dropping down from above. The melee kill is nearly always satisfying to perform, and better yet, works very smoothly.

Enemies are everywhere, but unlike Far Cry 2, they're presence can be eliminated in piecemeal fashion. As you conquer the island, there are less enemies patrolling the roads and a lot more friendly islanders. Pirates aren't the only threat either. Later, heavily armed mercenaries enter the fray.

However, the deadliest foes in Far Cry 3 don't carry guns. They are the various predators of the jungles and pacific seas. Many of these animals will attack you or enemies on sight and are frustratingly resistant to the first few bullets shot into them. They certainly make the game interesting through when they trigger a life-or-death first person struggle.

In addition to the gunplay and hunting, you have some pretty fun ways to get around the island. Fast travel exists between conquered areas, but there are also jeeps, cars, ATVs, boats, jet skis and hangliders at your disposal. It's a mix of practical and enjoyable that works very well. For example you can use a jet ski to "roadkill" a shark, harvest the shark, and then use the game's crafting system to make the shark into a bigger wallet.

Like a lot of critically acclaimed titles of this generations, Far Cry 3 is great partially because it blends many different traditionally-separate genres and then polishes the result down to a fine point. It is a first person shooter in perspective, but combines small elements of action games, RPGs, driving and player customization.

A great example of Far Cry 3's polish is in it's tactile delivery of a first person experience. Brody's actions are always visible:

When badly wounded, you'll see him dig a bullet from his arms; if your jeep suddenly slams into tree, your entire view is thrown forward into the steering wheel and dashboard; jump off a cliff and Brody's arms and legs will flail; or dive off that same cliff gracefully.

More subtle, but more impressive is the way that you can make Brody blind fire or pop around cover with ease. You are always in first person, but whether it's sliding in the dirt or patting out flames, you're always doing a lot more than simply moving and shooting.

On the story and presentation side, Far Cry 3 aims to be serious. Brody taps into the savage side of human nature to win the game. The colorful cast of characters around him are meant to highlight the madness of the world around him. The locals are a delight to watch and feature top notch voice work and character animation.

Unfortunately, the writing doesn't always consistently deliver. For example, one of Brody's California buddies follows a traumatic situation with the behavior of a completely detached person. I don't care how spoiled or desensitized the character is supposed to be, nobody endures terrifying violence like that and gleefully claims he's in paradise.

But that's a predominately minor complaint. The truth is Far Cry 3 is an exceptionally well-polished game that's overflowing with fun things to see and do. It may be the best open-world shooter of this generation, and the last one we'll have to play until the next systems debut.

See also:
Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon Review

REVIEW: ASSASSIN'S CREED III

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:17:00 +0000

Assassin's Creed games have always been ambitious. The first entry in the series infused the setting with historical authenticity. Assassin's Creed II grabbed players with compelling characters and story arcs.

The last entry in the "Desmond Miles" story, Assassin's Creed III might have been conservatively refined after all these years, but instead it's the most ambitious AC game to date.

Surprisingly, the highlight of Assassin's Creed III is the introduction of naval gameplay; an addition that really merits its own game. Another nice surprise is the streamlined controls. Sadly though, the story and characters don't possess the grace and charm of previous AC games.

Assassin's Creed III continues the dual-setting story of present day Desmond and his dagger-wielding ancestors. This time the player fills the role of a native American during the American Revolution. In addition to open world recreations of revolutionary Boston and New York City, there's also the wooded frontiers between them.

The 18th century setting is the most lively of any AC game. Children and animals inhabit the world along with members of the patriot and redcoat forces. The weather is capable of producing rain and snow too.

The new assassin hero is a half British and half Kanien'keha:ka (or Mohawk) warrior named Connor. He reluctantly sides with the Americans against the British, but his real fight is against the Assassin Order's longtime nemesis, the Templars. Players also use Desmond for a few brief levels in the modern day fight between the secret societies.

The core gameplay of the franchise is back and very improved. Jumping and climbing only requires one button now. The process of blending with crowds is easier too and largely automatic. Open combat still lacks the simplicity of contemporaries like Batman: Arkham City, but it's still the best of any AC game.

The entire control scheme works much more organically, arguably to a fault. There's not much challenge to climbing towering structures anymore. On the upside though, Connor is faster and more agile than any previous assassin. And now you can free-run through the wilderness; a handy skill when trying out the new hunting portions.

But Assassin's Creed III is not at its best during the story missions, the open world exploration or the new hunting gameplay. Connor has a fast little warship and it's yours to sail up and down the Atlantic coastline.

Naval gameplay is elegantly simple and rewarding. Sailing works by navigating with the wind and adjusting the sails; canons can be fired along both sides. Danger lurks over every horizon in the form of enemy vessels, rogue wind gusts and stormy seas. Success in battle requires good timing as the waves create obstacles to canon fire.

Sensory details immerse the player into the role of ship captain. Your orders echo down the ranks of the crew as they load canons and hoist sails. The ocean foams and sprays with the dynamic weather. Canon fire rips open ship decks, leaving glowing wooden holes and broken masts. The crews of sinking vessels cry out in agony while your crew cheers and revels in victory.

The heart pounding action of naval encounters is a far cry from the hide-and-strike stealth gameplay that is the hallmark of the franchise. And yet, it's the best part of Assassin's Creed III.

Highlights aside, its hard not to criticize Assassin's Creed III's cast and plot. Whether by fault of writing or simply circumstance, Connor is hard to like. He's arrogant, bitter and bad-tempered. I don't think he's the jerk that many believe he is so much as the developer failed to convey his perspective like they did with his predecessors. Connor has cause to be grumpy, but the player just doesn't feel it.

Likewise, Desmond's story arc also lacks emotion. The most intriguing supporting character from the first two AC games - Lucy - is noticeably absent. Instead the player is expected to get to know and trust a new character, Desmond's father.

Nearly all of Assassin's Creed III enjoys a streamlined approach. The controls require less input, missions can be replayed easily and fast travel is more widespread. It's a shame that the overall franchise couldn't have been simpler. Did we really ever need Desmond or the modern day portion of the story?

While not perfect, Assassin's Creed III is a worthy as a sequel and a good ending note for the franchise.

REVIEW: FAR CRY 3 BLOOD DRAGON

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:57:00 +0000

When Blood Dragon was first announced some thought it was an April Fool's Day joke. It's no joke, it's just a psychedelic twist on 1980s action cinema. Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon ditches the lush tropics of the original for a foggy, black-light illuminated vision of cyborgs and glowing dinosaurs.

The game is remarkably beefy considering it is not an expansion. Even as a stand alone product, it still delivers the polished combat that made Far Cry 3 a hit. But Blood Dragon is not Far Cry 3. While it's full of style and humor, Blood Dragon's gameplay is clumsy compared to its shining predecessor.

Above all, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is hilariously cheesy and satirical. Veteran actor Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens) lends his voice and likeness to the game's cyborg hero, Sergeant Rex Power Colt.

Colt's mission is to create explosions, impale cyborg soldiers and grunt one-liners like "I'll go to bed when everybody's dead!" With the player's help, he'll stab through an entire island of dorky robo-enemies. Like Far Cry 3, the gameplay is pretty open ended with outposts scattered among a handful of story-based missions.

Most of the weapons are unlocked from the start. Some of them are nearly identical to their Far Cry 3 counterparts like the bow and the flamethrower. The others look similar to famous sidearms of sci-fi classics like Robocop. Unfortunately, most of the weapons are ineffective until you upgrade them, at which point they quickly become overpowered.

The imbalance between puny weapons and over-resilient enemies is a frequent drag on the action. Another missing piece is the exhilarating speed of the original Far Cry 3. There's the occasional jeep or hanglider waiting for use, but the island's geography is so steep and the view so hazy that they rarely get used. Instead, I found myself cyber-sprinting to most locations; an effective but boring way to get around.

Blood Dragon's combat and exploration can be lackluster, but the presentation and dialogue remains strong. The visuals mirror the flaws of the VHS era. The music spans the cold steel beats of Terminator to the chorus of trumpets in Vince DiCola's Rocky IV theme. The cutscenes are pixelated story boards like an NES game. When it comes to recreating the Saturday morning badassness of '86, this game is unrivaled.

More Far Cry 3:
Five Things You Should Know About Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon

See Los Santos Through The Eyes of Three Different Grand Theft Auto V Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:53:00 +0000

According to Game Informer's printed preview of Grand Theft Auto V, you switch between Michael, Franklin and Trevor almost instantly at will. At times you may experience their worlds separately, but for other parts the three will take part in missions together.

Previous GTAV Trailers

Columbia In Other Works

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:59:00 +0000

Love Bioshock Infinite? Want to learn more about the real-life city of Columbia?

Check out these books and films on the awe-inspiring White City.

One of the best sources on the Columbian fair. Author Erik Larson retells the chilling true story of a devious serial killer who preyed on the visitors of the fair.

Available from Crown Publishers

from Amazon: "Narrated by Gene Wilder, "Expo - Magic of the White City" immerses viewers in one of the most unforgettable events in American history, the Chicago World's Fair of 1893."

Currently Available for Amazon Prime members

From National Geographic Channel, this re-telling is mostly drawn from the novel "Devil in the White City."

Available on Netflix Instant Streaming, Youtube, and National Geographic Channel

More Bioshock Infinite:

Digital Destinations Bioshock Infinite Review

The Real-Life Columbia

Grand Theft Auto V Trailers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:32:00 +0000

Posted 4/25: Rockstar announces upward of (3) trailers focusing on the three playable protagonists of upcoming GTA V coming at the end of April. Stay tuned...

In the meantime, check out the other Grand Theft Auto V trailers:

Also check out Rockstar Games' blog for an awesome GALLERY of GTA V.

The Real-Life Inspiration for Bioshock Infinite's Columbia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:16:00 +0000

In Bioshock Infinite, the early 20th century city of Columbia floats in the sky and even participates in the 1903 Boxer Rebellion.

For those who weren't alive in 1900, it can be a little confusing sorting out the facts from the fiction. Obviously Columbia didn't levitate 20,000 feet above ground, but the real Columbia was an engineering marvel with a hidden dark side.

The real Columbia was also known as "The White City."

It was the main feature of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (or The Chicago World's Fair.)

The fair was open from May to October in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' trip to the Americas.

During that summer, Columbia had 27 million visitors from around the globe. The fair was a major triumph for the city of Chicago, which was still recovering from the Great Fire of 1871.

Like the Columbia of Bioshock Infinite, The White City featured more than 200 brand new neoclassical style buildings across 600 beautifully-manicured acres of artificial parks, lagoons and canals.

Also like Bioshock Infinite, the city featured many technologies that most had never seen, like electric lights and the first Ferris Wheel.

Then suddenly it was over. Chicago's mayor was gunned down two days before the fair's end; closing ceremonies were cancelled.

The thousands of laborers brought in to build, maintain and operate Columbia had nothing else to do, so many set up a shanty town within Columbia's vacant streets. The real Columbia was never meant to last more than half a year. It was built quickly and cheaply, somewhat like a theater set.

Columbia finally burned to the ground in July 1894.

The cheaply constructed "marvel" burned so fast that responders hardly had any chance of stopping it.

The murder of the mayor and the city-wide fire left a blemish on the memory of the fair.

More Bioshock Infinite:
Digital Destinations Bioshock Infinite Review

References: http://www.chicagohs.org/history/expo.html
http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/topics/worldsChicago.html