NextGen Player - Canada's Premier Gaming Blog

First Picture of Mister C Surfaces

2012-03-19T00:25:00.006-04:00

By Paul Hunter

In a private meeting with Mister C, the above photograph was taken by our waitress at the Le Germaine Hotel lounge, located near Toronto's Air Canada Centre.

Of course, to protect his identity, when the photo was emailed to me, Mister C's face was blurred out. As a joke, I smudged my face as well.

During our conversation, Mister C tipped me off that something may happen next month on April 21. We're just over a month away, I wonder what it could be?

Giving Away Advance Screening Tickets For Act of Valor

2012-02-19T19:25:00.002-05:00

By Paul Hunter

It's that time again! I have been given 25 double pass movie tickets to see an advance screening of Alliance Films' new movie, Act of Valor.

The double movie passes are for Ottawa (10), Halifax (10) and Winnipeg (5) on February 23rd at 7:00pm. I'll be distributing tickets on a first-come-first-serve basis. Here's how to claim your tickets:

Method #1: Enter via Twitter

1. Follow @NextGenPlayer on Twitter.
2. Simply tweet “@NextGenPlayer I want to see Act of Valor in [choose Ottawa, Halifax or Winnipeg]”

--
Method #2: Enter via Facebook

1. Like NextGen Player on Facebook.
2. Simply post on the NextGen Player Facebook wall “@NextGen Player I want to see Act of Valor in [choose Ottawa, Halifax or Winnipeg]”

--
Here are the locations/times:

Ottawa
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Empire 7

Halifax
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Empire 8 Park Lane

Winnipeg
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Empire Grant Park 8

Act of Valor stars an elite team of real U.S. Navy SEALs who embark on a covert mission to recover a kidnapped CIA agent.

Here's a trailer:

The tickets are compliment of Alliance Films.

So What Can The PS Vita Do?

2012-02-19T13:23:00.003-05:00

By Paul Hunter

Excited gamers who pre-ordered the PS Vita First Edition Bundle have likely received their shipment and are busy exploring Sony next-generation portable system. For the rest of us, we have to wait until the national release date on February 22. With only three days to go, you may be asking yourself, what can the PS Vita do for me? The short answer, is lots.

Before getting into all the exciting features of the PS Vita in detail, I thought I'd start off this article by showing you the features. As a general overview of what this portable device is capable of doing, have a look at this features launch video produced by Sony:

The PlayStation Vita looks quite similar to the first generation PSP models, however without any doubt it's a much sleeker and more elegantly designed piece of hardware. Immediately noticeable is the crisp 5" OLED screen capable of displaying 16 million colours with 960 x 544 qHD display resolution. The results are impressive, with graphics that come close, but not quite a good as those seen on the PS3. Still, coming so close to PS3 quality in your hands is a remarkable feeling.

First-person shooter fans have been asking for dual analog sticks for many years now and finally Sony is delivering this with the PS Vita. Whereas the PSP had one left-stick analog nub, the PS Vita has two full-sized analog sticks that feel responsive and comfortable during extended play.

The device is quite large for a portable, measuring 182 x 84 x 19 mm in size. As a comparison, I placed my iPhone 4 on top of the PS Vita and it doesn't even fill the OLED screen -- that's huge. With that said, with it's curved form factor and light weight (only 260 grams) the PS Vita feels very natural in your hands.

Control inputs for the PS Vita are diverse. For starters, the handheld sports a front multitouch screen and a rear multitouch pad, which opens up a range of possibilities. iPhone or Android users will feel right at home with the touch screen actions such as pinch-zoom, double tap, and flicking motions. The rear multitouch pad is more interesting since it allows you to use hand gestures to perform actions, while keeping the OLED screen completely visible.

Taking a page from the PS3 controller, the PS Vita also includes a Six Axis motion sensor (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer) enabling you to tilt, shake and steer your PS Vita.

Other notable features include:

- WiFi for download and online play (a 3G version with GPS capabilities will be available in Canada later in the year)
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR connectivity
- built-in Microphone
- Front & Rear Facing Camera
- 512 MB of system RAM and 128 MB of VRAM, which will allow for cross-game chat
- quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MP Core processor (3 of the 4 cores will be usable for applications) and a quad-core SGX543MP4 + GPU
- built-in battery with 3-5 hours of gameplay, 5 hours of video, and up to 9 hours of music with the screen off
- proprietary PS Vita memory card slot (cards come in 4, 8, 16 or 32GB)
- fully backwards-compatible with PlayStation Portable games digitally distributed via the PlayStation Network

So, there you have it. Quite a bit of features packed in, but the main question will be quality of the software. Stay tuned for reviews in the coming weeks!

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

4 Theories On Who The Misters Are

2012-02-19T03:45:00.001-05:00

By Paul Hunter

While there are several layers to the mysteries surrounding the Canadian gaming website Tsilon.ca, none is more confounding than the identities of the founders, known as Misters.

These individuals, which I've been told could be male or female, are the "worker bees" according my source, Mister C. During my conversations with him, he's hinted at several other Misters, including A, B, and D. Another known founder from the site, Mister E, was the one who originally contacted me back on December 14, 2011, and periodically sends me email updates.

Suddenly though, Misters are coming out of the woodwork at a furious pace. Just who are these people?

The short story is nobody really knows. There are four possible theories I've come up with:

Theory 1: The Misters are from Greedy Productions

It's no secret that Victor Lucas loves the G-List. The website was first announced at the 2011 Canadian Videogame Awards show, and event run and hosted by Victor Lucas. Furthermore, having a look at his Twitter account reveals a mention of the G-List, raising obvious questions to his connection to the group. Adding to the evidence is the community forums first rule, which is "don't be a dick", coincidentally mirroring Victor's theme at his recent TEDx Vancouver speech. As if that weren't enough to postulate a theory, the latest Media that appeared on Tsilon is a video of Victor telling G-List members they can expect some exclusive content soon. Let's also not forget that Victor is one of the most vocal supporters of the Canadian video game industry, and this site is currently Canada-only, featuring mostly Canadian content. Coincidence?

Theory 2: The Misters are from Future Shop & Best Buy

Let's get one thing clear. Yes, I am the Future Shop Gaming Editor, and no, I have no indication of their business association with Tsilon. What is clear is that all retail perks have thus far been redeemable at futureshop.ca, and there was also a CinemaNow perk which is a Best Buy online property. Is FF/BB merely the retail partner, or are they playing a larger role here? I threw the question over to Mister C and he responded with "C'mon -- you're sharper than that...no they're not!"

Theory 3: The Misters are from Canadian, or Canadian divisions of, major game Publishers/Developers

Similar to theory 2, it could be argued that Canadian-based, or Canadian divisions of, major game publishers/developers are backing this website. Perhaps Ubisoft, EA, Rockstar Games, Sony, or Nintendo, or a combination of the bunch. We've seen perks for a Nintendo 3DS, the PlayStation Vita and 3D TV, as well as an exclusive Assassin's Creed: Revelations DLC code given away, presumably through Ubisoft. There are also videos in the Media section for Rockstar Games' upcoming Max Payne 3 (being developed out of Rockstar Vancouver) and EA's Mass Effect 3 (developed out of their Edmonton-based BioWare studio).

Theory 4: The Misters are a collection of benevolent and wealthy entreprenuers

It could also be argued that the Misters are not related to the above three groups and are simply benevolent and wealthy entrepreneurs. I've heard many stories similar to this one on NeoGAF "This site has saved me 170 dollars so far. Whoo!" which makes you wonder how the founders of this site can continue to give away so many high value perks. There is obviously a lot of money backing this website, and could it be at the hands of some wealthy entrepreneurs? Looking into the site, there doesn't appear to be a strong monetization strategy present, there are no ads or banners and it's an entirely free website. The only possible revenue streams I see could be from potential sponsors such as Future Shop or Ubisoft, who pay the Tsilon founders to have their content on the site.

So those are the theories, which one(s) are most plausible? Well, I'm firmly in the camp that it's a combination of #1 and #4. I've seen too much evidence pointing at a connection to Greedy Productions, yet unless Victor has hired a whole new team to manage this project, it just seems too large in scope for his existing team (who are focused on TV production) to manage. This site seems to have many hands on deck and large reach across the country and I believe there simply has to be more partners involved. Theory #2 seems far-fetched to me simply because I don't see how this site could contribute to bottom-line retail sales when everything is so heavily discounted, or flat out given away. I suppose it can be argued that this site's funding could come from Future Shop's marketing budget, but even that seems unlikely since retailers tend to focus on mass promotional marketing. Theory #3 also seems unlikely since if one or more of these publishers/developers owned the website I doubt we'd so much content from their competitors.

What do you think? Any more theories out there?

PSN's The Tester Season 3 Contestant Impressions

2012-02-19T01:45:00.003-05:00

By Paul Hunter

PlayStation Network's reality series The Tester has officially kicked off its Season 3, giving twelve lucky gamers the opportunity to become a Production Associate at the world-famous SCE Santa Monica Studio. It's sink-or-swim as each contestant competes in a series of grueling physical and mental challenges to further their hopes for working at the studio known for creating the God of War series.

The new season is the biggest yet, with larger prizes to be won and an impressive line-up of guest panelists who will judge the competitions. In addition to the role at SCE's Santa Monica Studio, the winner will also receive a $5,000 signing bonus, a 55" 3D Bravia TV, a PlayStation 3, and a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium. Guest panelists include David Jaffe (Twisted Metal), Dylan Jobe (Starhawk), Todd Papy (God of War III), and Nolan North (voice of Nathan Drake).

With the first two episodes already out, I thought I'd take a moment to give my impressions.

For starters, it's great to see Meredith Molinari return as the host, as she did such a great job for the first two seasons. Also welcome returns are panelists Brent Gocke, release manager for Sony first-party Quality Assurance, and Adrianne Curry, winner of the first season of America’s Next Top Model and known to be a serious gamer.

On to the contestants...

burnNibelheim -- this Nevada-born contestant possesses a lot of gaming knowledge and managerial skills which has helped her succeed as a game store manager. She's feisty and determined to win, while not afraid to stand up for herself as a team leader. It'll be interesting to see how her feud with Sukaiden develops over the season.

akilleezmight -- this Brooklyn-born is one of the oldest contestants this season, and his experience shows. He speaks with calm and collected voice which matches his disciplined military background quite nicely. Seems like one to watch out for.

krystipryde -- this opinionated Ft. Lauderdale-born contest stands out with her long jet-black hair and tattooed body. Often heard cussing (with the appropriate beeps), she can be both scathing and sarcastic. Her background consists of fire-breathing, contorting as a carny and gun shooting as a child.

ninjanomyx -- born in Bronx, this rough environment seems to have toughened him up and given him an outspoken personality. Always talking in strange rhymes, it's sometimes hard to make sense of what this jolly gamer saying. What is clear is that he has a thing for the host, Meredith Molinari, and stereotypes all the girls on the show.

Ashichan -- a Northern California cosplayer with a strong connection to the Earth, this bubbly and courageous contestant is not afraid to show off her 70's fashion sense or volunteer herself first for challenges. It's too bad the impression she leaves is a little underwhelming.

J-Tight -- this California-born hardcore gamer claims to spend close to 100 hours a week gaming, his favourite being 3D games and PlayStation Move (note: Is he serious? 100 hours a week would literally be every waking hour). He's certainly a favourite among the group and if Episode 2 is any indication, he'll be picked early on for group challenges. Another one to watch out for.

Kwajamonster -- this Columbia-born contestant seems to have gotten the most face-time thus far and for good reason, her comments are often off-the-wall. Dropping S-bombs one minute and speaking way too much about silent farts the next, you can expect the unexpected with her. Her sniping skills are second-to-none, and while she faltered during the interview period, I think she'll be around for awhile.

Skyd1ddy -- this smooth-talking, Fontana-born contestant has a distinct look with his thick-rimmed glasses and always sporting a fashionable hat. He often talks with imaginative references and with a lot of enthusiasm, e.g. "will they go in my brain? will they lay eggs in my brain? will they create a whole new planet in my head!"

Asuukaa -- this Milwaukee-born contestant isn't your typical girly-girl, with a self-professed dislike for pink and love for women's roller derby. Her PlayStation gaming experience speaks for itself with 29 Platinum trophies (note: that's impressive), and with parents who are police officers she certainly doesn't seem to take flack from anyone.

egoraptor -- this West Palm Beach-born contestant is the only one to be voted into the competition through an online voting competition held by Sony. Naturally the fan favourite, he's got a lot to prove after telling the panelists he's partially there for the fame and notoriety. With a sizable YouTube following, he's got the biggest target on his back and the most to prove.

Suzkaiden -- born and raised in the Dominican Republic, this contestant is easily the most loathed in the house. She's got a big mouth and a confrontational personality which seems to rub everybody the wrong way. Her behaviour is a big erratic too, as she can be seen bouncing on the bunkbeds and generally assuming she owns the place. Also, what's with the carrying around of a lifesize Sackboy doll? Definitely a contestant with a target on her back.

RealityPalez -- this Chicago-born contestant has the ego of a sports star and isn't afraid to gloat about his victories. Fortunately for him, there's the competency to back it up. When he's not impressing the judges with his incredible PlayStation knowledge, he's winning challenges and letting the world know just how proud he is of the accomplishments.

Well, there you have it. Your twelve PlayStation The Tester contestants. If you've been watching the show, who's your favourite and why?

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

Surprise Mention by Marc Saltzman on Yahoo! News

2012-02-18T23:15:00.003-05:00

By Paul Hunter

Well would you look at that. I had a surprise mention on Yahoo! News, courtesy of Marc Saltzman, one of Canada's most prolific tech experts who happens to write for major news outlets such MSN.ca, Yahoo!, and Toronto Star.

It seems what started out as a mysterious encounter with the group behind the ARG-style website Tsilon.ca, has since attracted quite a bit of attention across Canada.

Last week, Marc posted on Yahoo! News about this new, secret society of gamers in Canada known as the G-List. In the article, he references a conversation with "Mister A", one of the key architects behind Tsilon, who spoke to Marc over the phone with a muffled voice.

While Mister C had promised me, back at our secretive January 10th meet-up, "exclusive" press rights with the group, it would seem that not all members of this group are on the same page. Upon questioning Mister C about this breach of trust, I was told that he informed Mister A of our "exclusivity deal" and would "sort him out."

An email I sent to Mister A on February 8th has not been responded to.

Be sure to check out Marc's article on Yahoo! News to get more perspective on this mysterious G-List, and to see the shout out to yours truly.

Source: Yahoo! News -- Secret, exclusive club all the buzz among Canadian gamers

Mister C To Reveal Secrets Behind Area 52

2012-02-13T22:48:00.008-05:00

By Paul Hunter

It's Valentine's Eve, and on this occasion I thought I'd take a moment to express my thoughts on a new, secret location on Tsilon.ca called "Area 52". While not much is currently known about this area, or the secrets it contains, my Spider Sense is tingling. Something this hidden has to be good, no?

Mister C has promised me, via text message, that he will soon fly to Toronto to give me an inside look at Area 52. I'll be sure to share the ~~spy~~ story afterwards.

Oh, and about my thoughts on Area 52? Since tomorrow is the day of love, I crafted some poetry. Enjoy!

나는 비밀이 있다 // Written By Paul Hunter

Empty skies frame empty lands
Beneath the surface, the task at hand
You jump in, but do you fall?
Or will you rise above them all
There is a place where chosen play
Basking in the esoteric soiree
Of different worlds with different games
We are Misters, we have no names

Everywhere is our throne
North, south, you are not alone
Our walls are high for the obtuse
But for the enlightened, there's Area 52

--

As a special treat, here's a screen cap of my recent conversation with Mister C. This will give you an idea of just how awesome our dialogue is. And by awesome, I mean Mister Awesome.

Details Emerge For Tsilon Free Video Game Perk

2012-02-01T20:48:00.006-05:00

By Max Cole

Remember how the Tsilon.ca founders said there would be a free video game perk for every G-List member in mid-February? While it seemed too good to be true, a founder of the site whom calls himself "Mister C" gave further evidence of the perk via a cryptic message last week.

It seems details of the free game perk have gone live on Tsilon.ca and while it's a bit different than anticipated, it is without question happening. The question is, according to Mister C, "are you on the list?"

For those Canadian gamers clever enough to unlock the codes to enter Tsilon.ca, inside the Perks section of the G-List member area now displays the following card:

As read on the card, the free video game perk goes live this Monday and continues through to Wednesday. In total, 250 free video games will be handed out to members. Clicking on the card to view the requirements of the perk initially presented a bunch of question marks, but has since been revealed:

Presumably, this perk will be redeemable on futureshop.ca; however, at time of writing no online retailer has been identified.

An official thread started in the Tsilon.ca forum by thisAI, the website's "artificial intelligence" administrator, says that the final requirements for the perk may change before Monday.

The codes are redeemable through to February 16th. While it was previously stated in the leaked memo NextGen Player obtained that the codes will not work for limited editions, thisAI said "it is not known at present if the free game codes will work for limited editions or pre-orders," leaving this aspect open-ended.

Addressing concerns from community members that the free game perk was originally stated to be for "all active G-List member", thisAI had the following to say:

"250 total is for current redemption period. A maximum of one game per member per year as there will be another redemption period in coming months."

Furthermore, to reward the most active G-List members with the free game perk, thisAI added:

"A split will occur in this current redemption period based on level to assure the perk to those most active while still allowing opportunity to those coming up. If members do not attain the perk in this current period, the following period(s) will occur for those who missed the first."

Like all the other perks on the website, the free game perk is Canada-only.

Canadian Videogame Awards Taking Place In Vancouver On April 21

2012-01-31T01:59:00.013-05:00

By Paul Hunter

O Canada. Such wonderful video games you make. To honour our great industry leaders across the land, the Canadian Videogame Awards are held annually in Vancouver, produced by Reboot Communications and Greedy Productions. The 3rd Annual Canadian Videogame Awards will be taking place on April 21st in conjunction with the very first Fan Expo Vancouver, the city's first major comicon.

Held in the Vancouver Convention Centre, the awards show will bring together talent from the best video game studios in the country. Recognition will be given to the top industry leaders in categories that span multiple platforms and many aspects of game development. The 2012 awards categories, as selected by a committee of industry veterans from across Canada, are:

* Game of the Year
* Best Console
* Best Game on the Go
* Best Downloadable Game
* Best Audio
* Best Social/Casual Game
* Best Game Design
* Best Technology
* Best Visual Arts
* Best Writing
* Innovation Award

The three new categories for 2012 are:

* Best Original Music
* Best New Character
* Best Indie Game

To provide perspective on just how important the Canadian games industry is, presently it's the third largest in the world by employment, behind the US and Japan. With over 16,000 people across Canada directly employed in the games industry, the economic impact to the Canadian economy is estimated at $1.7 billion. That's a huge revenue figure, and as we read in the news recently, video games have become one of the key drivers of national retail sales.

One of the endorsers of the awards show is the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, an organization that advocates on behalf of its members, which include Activision, EA, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, THQ and more. The ESA Canada produced a great video last year highlighting some of the reasons why Canada is recognized around the world as a tier one producer of video games, check it out:

In order to be recognized for an award, the games must have been developed within the borders of Canada. Some of the winners from past Canadian Videogame Awards shows include Mass Effect 2, Dragon Age Origins, Assassin's Creed II, Critter Crunch, DeathSpank, Prototype, ModNation Racers, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Microsoft's Kinect technology.

For more information on the Canadian Videogame Awards, be sure to check out the website: www.canadianvideogameawards.com

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

Free Video Game Perk "Really Happening" Says Tsilon.ca Founder

2012-01-26T17:52:00.008-05:00

By Paul Hunter

"Are you on the list?" That's the question that was posed to me in an image that appeared in my inbox at 2:30am today. Preceding this question was a very direct message intended "for any naysayers who doubt the offer is coming", says Tsilon.ca founder Mister C.

The offer in question is one I posted on Sunday, detailing the free video game perk to every active G-List member that is supposed to be appearing on the Canadian ARG-style website www.tsilon.ca around mid-February.

The image includes a website address, http://bit.ly/ThisIsReallyHappening, which redirect back to the Tsilon.ca homepage. I'm not sure what the intent of the redirect is, other than perhaps another display of the quirky (and often times, cryptic) messaging this site is known for.

A deeper look into the background of the image shows some mysterious code snipped from one of the most popular multiplayer first-person shooters of all time. Guess what? It isn't Halo!

A quick Google search of the source code indicates it was taken from Quake III, a game that places a strong emphasis on multiplayer action.

Whether or not this source code implies a deeper meaning in the below message is not clear, however it worth noting that the Tsilon.ca "testing area" also includes code fragments from video games.

Here's the image I received (click to see a larger version):

Personally, I think the reason Mister C chose Quake III code is because he's hoping Tsilon.ca is going to sh-sh-shake things up.

We'll know whether or not this free game perk is real in just a few short weeks. Until then, cryptic images (yay!)

Next G-List Perk Is $99 Nintendo 3DS

2012-01-23T23:52:00.004-05:00

By Paul Hunter

$249.99? That price is so last year. It looks like the next G-List Hardware perk is about to go live in a week's time and it's a Nintendo 3DS for $99.

How do they do this? I have no idea, and it's futile to wonder anyway. I mean, I've been asking the "Misters" for several weeks how they're getting such great deals. The answer I got back? "Some organizations have been very generous to our cause".

Umm, sure. So long as these organizations are giving out Groupon-esque video game perks I won't ask any questions. Well no, that's a lie. I'll ask questions and undoubtedly get a cryptic response that will make me want to stop asking questions.

Leaked Memo Shows Free Video Game For Every G-List Member

2012-01-22T13:09:00.018-05:00

By Paul Hunter

UPDATE: I was just informed by a www.tsilon.ca founder that this perk is "Canada only at this time." Have fun, fellow Canucks! /UPDATE

Raise your hand if you're old enough remember the Nintendo Power free Dragon Warrior I giveaway in the early 90's. It was an incredible deal: purchase a subscription of Nintendo Power and they'll send you a free copy of Dragon Warrior I. I remember subscribing simply because this deal was too good to be true. Check out the Enix America memo, dated November 1990, announcing the promotion.

According to a leaked memo that came across my desk, the creators of Canada's "first fraternity for gamers", www.tsilon.ca, are preparing to 1-up this Nintendo Power promotion.

The promotion, which the leaked document says could roll-out in mid-February, will entitle all G-List members to one free video game with a retail value equal to or less than $60.00 CDN. The offer is valid for all current generation video game platforms including Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, PS Vita, PSP, and PC. The memo states that any game on these platforms are eligible, with the exception of limited editions and collector's editions. Gaming accessories are also excluded.

In the PDF of this memo I received, pieces of information were blacked out, including the names of the sender and receiver, the name(s) of the people who green lit this perk, and the exact location where this promotion will go live.

A request to a www.tsilon.ca rep to substantiate the contents of the memo was replied with confirmation of a "free game for any active member." Furthermore, I was told that 48-hour advance notice will be given before this promotion goes live.

Click on the leaked memo below to enlarge:

No information has been given as to what the "teaser" refers to, nor the process G-List members will need to follow to in order to redeem for their free game.

Upon asking what happens if 1,000 new members join the G-List community, a rep from the site said it's for "every active member, no joke." I started doing the math on 5,000 and 10,000 new members and couldn't believe the potential cost of this promotion.

In order to become a member of www.tsilon.ca, individuals must solve four locks that gate entry into the site. Once in the site, G-List status is obtained after "leveling up" to 10, which is done through solving video game trivia questions, answering daily trivia questions, or participating in video game challenges. As noted in the leaked memo, G-List members will be eligible for the free video game.

The Nintendo Power promotion is credited with attracting thousands of new subscribers to the monthly publication and helped launched the Dragon Warrior series in North America. According to Chris Kohler, author of Power Up, this promotion allowed Enix America to bring over the next three iterations of Dragon Warrior; moreover, Nintendo themselves profited immensely since the magazine was "essentially a 100-page monthly ad for Nintendo products".

One has to wonder if this G-List promotion will attract as much attention?

G-List Sightings

2012-01-22T05:21:00.000-05:00

By Max Cole

Not to get all X-Files on you, but the other day the above image landed in my inbox. It was given to me by "Mister E". That's not to be confused with the "Mister C" whom offered to meet me at the Royal Fairmont hotel downtown Toronto.

After visiting www.tsilon.ca and joining the G-List, I discovered a "Mister J" was a community member. I also heard another member of this mysterious organization also showed face at the Assassin's Creed: Revelations launch in Toronto.

While I don't have much information on who these people are, they are feeding me quite a bit of content, including these apparent G-List sightings:

Come on, an advertisement at Yonge-Dundas Square and a projection next to the C.N. Tower? Are these real...or clever photoshops?

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

Mister E Reveals the Next G-List "Perk"...In Honour of My Birthday?

2012-01-17T18:37:00.002-05:00

By Max Cole

Listen up G-List Members. The mysterious "Mister E" sent me an email today announcing the newest perk, apparently in honour of my birthday -- what a nice guy.

The perk is a $50 offer code for CinemaNow for G-list members who hit Level 15 XP. The codes are going to expire on February 28, 2012, which means we got lots of time! If you attempt to redeem after this date, sorry but you'll be out of luck. We're super cool though and of course we're going to redeem right away.

Once you've got the $50 in your account, now that's when you can take your time (there's no expiration once redeemed).

Each gamer will need need to enter the code at the following URL to add the credit to their account:

https://canada.cinemanow.com/GiftCardRedeem.aspx

So...who's with me? Let's get the codes! ...but first, I'm off to celebrate mah bifthday with some yummy cake. And that my friends, is no lie.

Max out.

Giving Away "Haywire" Advance Screening Tickets for Ottawa and Halifax, Jan. 19th

2012-01-15T11:20:00.012-05:00

By Paul Hunter

As I tweeted earlier this month, we'll be having lots more giveaways in 2012 here on NextGen Player. I'm happy to announce we have some advance screening tickets to see Haywire, starring Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, and MMA fighter Gina Carano. I have double pass tickets for Ottawa and Halifax on January 19th. Tickets will be given away on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are VERY LIMITED!

How to enter and locations after the break.

Method #1: Enter via Twitter

1. Follow @NextGenPlayer on Twitter.
2. Simply tweet “@NextGenPlayer I want to see see Haywire in [choose Ottawa or Halifax]”

--
Method #2: Enter via Facebook

1. Like NextGen Player on Facebook.
2. Simply post on the NextGen Player Facebook wall “@NextGen Player I want to see see Haywire in [choose Ottawa or Halifax]”

--
Here are the locations/times:

Halifax
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Empire 8 Park Lane

Ottawa
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Empire 7

Here's the movie trailer:

As a reminder, we'll be handing out tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis, so act quickly if you want to get in on this!

Founder of Mysterious thereisnolist.ca Gamer Website Comes Forward

2012-01-12T23:07:00.003-05:00

By Paul Hunter

I love discovering a good mystery. When I was younger I got hooked on The Three Investigators, Tintin and Scooby-Doo. When I was older my tastes moved on to Twin Peaks, Lost, Heavy Rain and Professor Layton. A message that is tightly wrapped in convoluted mythology has always captivated me; how did this all start? what surprises are coming next? where will this end up? More importantly, what does this all mean? These questions pique my curiosity like nothing else can.

So imagine my surprise on December 14 when I realized that a good mystery had just discovered me...

December 14, 2011
I received an email message from M.E. stating that he is a big fan of my writing and offered me a chance to join the "G-List". He explained that this group offers perks, and referenced a deal for a $95 PlayStation 3 LED 3D monitor (normally $500). As proof of the legitimacy of this offer, he points me to a highly active thread on the popular Canadian deals website RedFlagDeals:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/sony-playstation-3d-display-bundle-95-g-list-1117360/

Check it out, 34 pages of conversation, 498 replies. This thread is clearly on fire. On the first page of this post a forum member named "niwdog23" posted a picture of the G-List screen which clearly shows a Hardware deal for the 3D PlayStation TV for $95. Below there is an order confirmation showing that yes, this person snagged the TV for that exceptionally low price.

Okay, great. Some guy got a deal. I had a look at the website M.E. pointed me to -- http://www.thereisnolist.ca -- and it was evident after a minute of browsing that it was a password protected website. Moreover, it appeared as though you needed to obtain multiple keys in order to gain admission. Not to sound arrogant, but I quickly dismissed the website. It was holiday review crunch season and getting wrapped up in a time-sucking ARG was the last thing I needed. I'll have a look in the new year, I thought.

Although days went by, there was one section on that website that kept on replaying over and over in my head:

That guy in the video, as I'm sure many of you know, is Shaun Hatton, co-host of the Electric Playground and one of my closest friends in the video game industry. What in the world did Shaun have to do with this? Even with that thought in my head, I was just too busy with the holiday. I will ask in the new year.

Oh, and M.E.? I looked at the email address and it said "mistere". Mister E, ha! Funny, kind of.

December 15, 2011
Mister E writes me and answers my question about what the G-List is. Here is his description:

Our mission is simple: be the destination for gamers to congregate, share interests/stories, and get cool perks for being on the G-List.

Mister E invited me to join the G-List and take advantage of this $95 3D PlayStation TV offer, and noted that the offer expires in mere days. By this point I was interested, but I just couldn't be bothered given my tight schedule. Sure, the TV was cheap and would have been cool to get, but I didn't want the hassle of figuring out these codes. I asked Mister E if he could just give me the passwords. All right, I admit it, that was lazy of me. By this point I had already parked the idea of getting on this G-List until the new year.

January 5, 2012
Three weeks to the day, Mister E emails me, says:

Hello Paul,

I hope you and Nextgenplayer are enjoying 2012 - Happy New Year.

Would you be interested in meeting in person to discuss our project? Mister C is happy to give you an exclusive, in-person interview.

Great! Perhaps this is legit, as I thought. But who is this Mister C? I thought it was Mister E? This was getting stranger by the minute. After a few days of banter I finally agreed to meet Mister C on Tuesday,
January 10 at 6:00pm inside the Fairmont Royal Hotel in Toronto.

January 10, 2012
It's meet day. I'm filled with excitement, trepidation, elation, suspense, fear, and everything in between. I had agreed to meet a total stranger in a downtown Toronto hotel with minimal foreknowledge of what was to be discussed. "Was I insane?", I thought. Mister C sent me the following text message at 5:38pm:

At this point I still didn't have a first or last name, in fact the only clue I had was that it was a 778 area code which I immediately recognized as Vancouver. Ok, so HQ is in Vancity. That's a start.

6:05pm
I receive a text message from Mister C to meet him at the Epic restaurant on the main floor.

Once there, the hostess asks me "Table for one?". I chuckle and say "No, I'm actually here to meet a guy...umm I only know him as Mister C". "Right this way", she says, and takes me straight to him.

Mister C was not facing me when I arrived, and was wearing a jacket and hat. He turns around, and formally greets me as "Mister C". Okay, clearly this guy has a particular distaste for first names. He takes off his jacket and hat. I have an image of him in my head but my description will likely be very generic: white male, around 30, brown hair, short on the sides/back and longer on top, maybe 4", on the slender side. I know, not very descriptive. And no, I didn't take a photo, but in retrospect I wish I had sneaked one.

Mister C explains that he's about to show me something very few people have seen. He says "up until now we've had everyone sign a strict NDA". Apparently I was the first person Mister C has shown this to who had not been muzzled. Mister C was very forthcoming, informing me that I'm free to talk about our meeting to the public. Apparently, there is a group of "Misters", more than just C and E whom I've spoken to. Not only that, some of the Misters are in fact women, and furthermore, two of the Misters are friends with me on my personal Facebook page and follow my work closely. (Sidenote: this is creepy). The group of Misters met some time ago about the possibility of opening their PR door to one reporter in Canada -- Mister C said I was his "number three choice". He elaborated, said that another Mister convinced the group that I should be their number two choice. And then somehow I wound up being their top choice (not sure the rationale, perhaps I was distracted by the whiskey sour I had just ordered.). Then an offer came: "Paul, we are willing to talk to you as our exclusive reporter for the next 6-12 months. If this is something you would like, we will refuse to talk to any other media outlet," Mister C says. An exclusive offer? The reporter in me found this hard to say no to.

But I didn't answer him. Mister C told me to think about it for 24 hours. That was 48 hours ago and I still haven't given Mister C my reply. But he knows my answer, and I know this because Mister C did his homework.

There was a point in our conversation where Mister C asked me if I liked the TV series Lost. Of course I did, I watched all six seasons, every episode. This show was practically a religion for me. Drawing a parallel to the ABC show, Mister C called his creation the "Lost of video games". Fair enough, I could see that from my brief experience on his website three weeks prior.

Not only is his creation like Lost, I'd have to say his entire demeanor is straight from the show. Mister C knew me like a bestfriend would, it was clear from the get-go that he's been following my writing for some time. Remember when the Lost survivors encountered the Others and were shown books containing information of their life? Our conversation was that freakishly too-close-for-comfort. I assumed the Misters, who are friends with me on Facebook, were funneling Mister C information on me.

We moved on to the meat of the discussion -- his website http://www.thereisnolist.ca. Finally! Mister C showed me a screen with six codes, and said you need to unlock four of them to obtain the entrance password for the website. Here's the website:

http://tsilon.ca/

After unlocking the password, users are then allowed to enter the site and create a community profile. When asked what he was trying to create, Mister C called it a "fraternity of hardcore gamers". If you recall the RedFlagDeals link at the top of this article, that was the home screen. There were sections for Retail, Hardware, Software, Products/Services, Trade-ins, DLC, Mobile and Media. Mister C quickly gave me some highlights:

* Ubisoft has offered a free Turkish Armour DLC outfit for Assassin's Creed: Revelations
* Victor Lucas has uploaded at least one exclusive video
* Cinema Now offered 25 free monthly rentals
* Click magazine offered a free subscription and digital download to their magazine, along with exclusive magazine covers for G-List members

Seriously?

And that's on top of the $95 3D PlayStation TV? This is insane.

Furthermore, Mister C said there would be a perk to get a reduced price on the PlayStation Vita bundle. I really can't divulge any more because I need more proof before I will believe this.

Every new member of this forum begins at Level 1 and are encouraged to gain levels with the promise of receiving additional perks as they rise in level. To gain a level, members can answer gaming trivia questions. There are four tiers of questions ranging from easy to super hard, and the harder the questions you answer the more experience points you gain. Once you reach Level 10 you officially become a member of the G-List. Mister C said that there are some well known people who are members of the G-List, including a television actor and a supermodel. I had a look at the community forum section of the website and indeed there were hardcore gamers discussing various topics (some threads had 80+ replies, indicating a fair level of activity).

Mister C also hinted that Future Shop is involved with this project as well, as the RedFlagDeals post would corroborate. Have a look, the guy who claimed this deal checked-out at Future Shop. I have no idea what the nature of this relationship is, nor do I know the details of the relationship with the other apparent content providers such as Ubisoft, Click Magazine, Victor Lucas, and Cinema Now.

Our conversation concluded in a dramatic way. Mister C looked down at his watch and said I have "5 minutes" before he "disappears". I asked him rapid-fire questions, and when my time was up he stood up, shook my hand, and left as he promised. I was speechless. As you can see from the length of this post, I am typically far from speechless.

Oh, and to add to the weirdness, Mister C gave me the following bill signed using his pseudonym:

What in the world did I just experience?

And the 3D Toshiba Laptop Winner Is...

2012-01-06T23:16:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce our winner for the 3D Toshiba Laptop (drum roll please)...and the winner is: Rebecca from Calgary, Alberta!

Congratulations Rebecca!

I'd also like to give a big thanks to everyone who participated in this contest. We received thousands of entries on Twitter and Facebook, much more than we thought would enter to say the least! Stay tuned in 2012, there will be more prizes and giveaways. We'll be announcing new contests right here on NextGen Player, as well as on our Twitter and Facebook accounts, so keep your eyes peeled.

Here's to another year of great video games and exciting movies!

Sincerely,
NextGen Player Team

New Year, New Toshiba 3D Laptop Contest!

2011-12-22T00:01:00.013-05:00

To celebrate the coming new year we have received a brand new Toshiba P755 3D laptop (model# PSAY3C-0CP010) valued at $1,149 and we're running a contest to give it away to a lucky reader!

The sleek P755 3D laptop is infused with Toshiba's famous quality and style, offering the power to multitask, watch movies or play games. The laptop features a generous 15.6” diagonal TruBrite HD display, a 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-2670QM processor and a 750GB hard drive for storing all your favourite content. In addition, the laptop includes an integrated webcam with Wireless-N, a Blu-ray disc reader and a wide range of ports to connect your favourite devices.

The laptop has been provided to us courtesy of Toshiba of Canada.

To enter, simply tell us what you want to "play" or to "watch" in 3D on the Toshiba laptop (it can be a real or imaginary 3D product -- be creative!), using one or both of the two methods indicated below:

--

Method #1: Enter via Twitter

1. Follow @NextGenPlayer on Twitter.

2. Simply tweet (and fill in the blank): “@NextGenPlayer I want to play _______ in 3D!” or "@NextGenPlayer I want to watch _______ in 3D!"

For example: "@NextGenPlayer I want to watch Captain America in 3D!" or "@NextGenPlayer I want to play Battlefield 3 in 3D!"

Reminder: Keep your tweet under the 140 characters allowed by Twitter.

--

Method #2: Enter via Facebook

1. Like NextGen Player on Facebook.

2. Simply post on the NextGen Player Facebook wall (and fill in the blank): “@NextGen Player I want to play _______ in 3D!” or "@NextGen Player I want to watch _______ in 3D!"

For example: "@NextGen Player I want to watch Captain America in 3D!" or "@NextGen Player I want to play Battlefield 3 in 3D!"

---

Only one entry per Method (Twitter/Facebook) per day will be accepted.

The contest will run from 12:01am EST on December 22, 2011 to 11:59pm EST on January 3, 2012.

One (1) randomly selected winner from all eligible entries will be drawn in Toronto at 8:00pm EST on January 4, 2012 and the winner will be contacted privately via their Method of entry (Twitter/Facebook) with prize details.

Grand Prize: One (1) Toshiba P755 3D laptop (model# PSAY3C-0CP010) valued at $1,149

To redeem the Grand Prize, the randomly selected winner must provide, after being contacted, their full name, mailing address, age and successfully answer a mathematical skill testing question.

This contest is open to all legal residents of Canada. You must be 18 years or older to enter the contest. For more details on our general contest rules, click here.

Good luck to everyone.

Cheers,
NextGen Player Team

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Launch Video!

2011-11-21T22:53:00.002-05:00

By Paul Hunter

As we all know, this weekend saw the much anticipated launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Nintendo's Wii. I was down at the launch event, which took place at in the Sears Court of the Toronto Eaton Centre, with the phenomenally talented Paulo Rubio from RubioFilms (http://rubiofilms.com) and we captured all the excitement and fanfare surrounding this historic launch. Check out our video coverage, including an interview with Future Shop's very own Laurent Tremblay, Entertainment Coordinator for the Future Shop downtown Toronto location!

Zelda: Skyward Sword Launch Video from Rubio Films on Vimeo.

Giving Away "Immortals" Advance Screening Tickets for Winnipeg

2011-11-06T20:10:00.005-05:00

By Paul Hunter

If you've been following our Twitter account (@NextGenPlayer) you'll know that I've been giving away free advance screening tickets to see Immortal on November 10 at 7:00pm. This is a quick announcement that I still have two double passes to give away for Winnipeg. If you're interested, emailed me at contestATnextgenplayerDOTcom.

Finalists Announced for the First Ever Canadian Game Development Talent Awards

2011-10-25T01:15:00.001-04:00

By Paul Hunter

The Alliance numérique, in collaboration with the Canadian Interactive Alliance, have announced the finalists for the first-ever Canadian Game Development Talent Awards, which will be taking place in Montreal on November 2, 2011.

This new award show has seven distinct categories recognizing the creativity and achievements within Canada's video game development community. For the inaugural awards show, five individuals have been chosen for each category.

The 2011 nominees are:

Animator of the Year
Aaron Bouthillier (Shank)
Cristinel Bostan (Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood)
Matt Hammill (Gesundheit! for iOS)
Roxy Liao (Fight Night Champion)
Yvan Deschamps (A Space Shooter for Two Bucks)

Designer of the Year
Jean-Francois Dugas (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)
Kris Piotrowski (Sword & Sworcery EP)
Mary DeMarle (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)
Matt Rix (Trainyard)
Preston Watamaniuk (Mass Effect 2)

Programmer of the Year
Chris Thiffault (Undergarden)
Frédérick Blais (Michael Jackson The Experience)
James Hall (Dead Rising 2)
Jean-Philippe Auclair (Flash 11 Molehill)
Stéphane Girard (Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood)

Emerging Talent
Alexandre Fiset (Spider-man: Shattered Dimensions)
Annie Dickerson (Blokhead)
Gerald Orban (Skate 3)
Jared Thomson (Jetpack)
Richard Flanagan (Fract)

Audio Professional of the Year
Fabien Noel (Splinter Cell Conviction)
Mathieu Jeanson (Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood)
Michael McCann (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)
Simon Ashby (Wwise)
Steve Szczepkowski (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)

Producer of the Year
Casey Hudson (Mass Effect 2)
David Anfossi (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)
Marie-Jo Leroux (Driver San Francisco)
Mark Darrah (Dragon Age 2)
Vincent Pontbriand (Assassin’s Creed : Brotherhood)

Visual Artist of the Year
Craig Adams (Sword & Sworcery EP)
Derek Watts (Mass Effect 2)
Jeff Agala (Shank)
Jonathan-Jacques Belletête (Deus Ex: Human Revolution)
Kun Chang (Osmos)

This new award show immediately follows the Montreal International Game Summit and will take place in the Hilton Bonaventure.

For more information check out the official website at: www.talentawards.ca

Review: Gears of War 3

2011-10-23T17:15:00.001-04:00

By Paul Hunter

Seems rather fitting that the developer behind the genre-defining Gears of War 3 is called Epic Games because if there ever was a video game describable as poetry in motion this would be it. Albeit a gritty, gruesome poem filled with despair, destitution and desperation. Don't tell me you were expecting rainbows and lollipops?

It's been nearly three long years since fans have had a chance to play a new Gears of War game, and the wait has been worth it. Our war-torn hero Marcus Fenix and the now beard-sporting Dom return to continue their bloody crusade to stop the Locust Horde, and the even more deadly Lambent creatures, in a three-way battle that spills more red juice than a Saw marathon night.

Equipped with their signature chainsaw-teethed Lancers, the Coalition of Ordered Government (aka COG) soldiers, or what's left of them at least, receive word that the thought-to-be-deceased father Adam Fenix has actually been kidnapped and is still alive. A retrieved data disc shows that Adam is not only alive, but may have a means of wiping out the new Lambent threat that is poisoning the world with their highly reactive yellow Imulsion goo.

Graphically, Gears of War 3 doesn't stray too far from its predecessors, which is certainly welcome here. The Unreal Engine which powers this game presents some of the most fluid and high fidelity graphics you'll see on a home console, and this time around the crispness is even more defined. The mostly greys and browns that permeates the ravaged world of Sera still take up the majority of the game time, however a lush tropical environment, an immersive underwater chapter and a richly detailed Thrashball stadium set piece provide some much-needed visual variety.

If life on Sera was rough in Gears of War 2, this time around it's all-out hell. The survivors and Stranded that populate this world distrust the COG even moreso, and justifiably so after the Hammer of Dawn rainfall and the sinking of last remaining safe haven, Jacinto. Every encounter with denizens of the makeshift outposts is visceral and more believable than in the last two games, and overall the world of Gears of War 3 is more grounded. While the story has its predictable moments, the dialogue is better also, although it rarely surpasses the cliche one-liners you'd hear in an 80's Stallone film. This is Gears of War people, not Shakespeare!

The highly explosive Lambent creatures add a distinct visual flair in this war adventure, and sometimes their violent discharge upon death literally shakes whatever foundation you're standing on. Their yellow gunk sticks everywhere, leaving most battlefields a mucusy mess. Particle effects are top-notch, culminating in the best smoke effect you'll see in a console game, along with superb yellow beams of sunlight that reflect elegantly on varied surface types, and the partially destructible environments that look really cool as they crumble and crack.

Did I mention the Campaign is awesome? Well it is, even though it doesn't break a lot of new ground. Epic Games played it safe and did what they know, refining here and there, while never really creating any new jaw-dropping moments like the first time we saw a Berserker in Gears of War 2, but it's still solid all the way. The Campaign can be played local split-screen co-op, online co-op, and even 4-player online co-op for the very first time. Trust me, it's way easier playing with a partner, although the AI controlled players are remarkably smart in this game, even killing all the grunts while you focus on eliminating the boss target or flip some switches. For an added challenge, Campaign mode includes an Arcade option which adds a point system to each chapter and encourages friendly competition amongst teammates.

Oh did I mention multiplayer? A Gears game wouldn't be a Gears game without well-thought out and robust multiplayer modes, to which it has in spades. I know, I know, Gears of War 2 had a lot of problems with its online multiplayer, but believe me these shortfalls received a lot of attention this time around. Matchmaking is simple, intuitive and quick, and the menu system has never been easier to navigate.

First up we have Versus mode which contains seven game type variants including Execution where eliminations can only happen through executions, the self-explanatory King of the Hill and the two-player teams in Wingman. Team Deathmatch gives opposing teams of four a pool of 20 lives each, which eventually winds up being a last-man standing type scenario. Whereas in the campaign you'll mostly be running and stopping, in Versus mode you'd best not stand around too long or you'll find an enemy sawed-off shotgun pointed squarely at your head. Teamwork really plays a central role in Team Deathmatch since each death drops your life count by one, making revival all the more central to your game strategy.

Horde mode returns and pits up to four players in a 50 wave battle with increasingly more challenging flocks of enemies. Round one begins with more benign creatures such as the squirrely Tickers that claw at your knees and the slow and lumbering Butchers with their oversized meat cleaver. Every ten rounds you'll encounter a boss battle and wage war with the most menacing Locust and Lambent foes the game has to offer. Some of these bosses are a few stories tall and have ample firepower to mop the floor with your remains, so careful strategy is required to overcome them. Blurring the line between a third-person action and a real-time tower defense game is a new monetary system that rewards players with cash for each kill or enemy down you perform which can be used to build fortifications. Defenses include barriers that slow down and harm enemies, decoys that distract and confuse them, and turrets and sentries for intense firepower. Horde mode itself is probably enough to justify getting this game.

Beast mode is the just the inverse, you play as the Locust and Lambent armies as you march towards the human holdouts with guns, spiked maces and meat cleavers in fist. As you fight through 12 rounds of successfully more challenging opposition you gain access to even more powerful brutes such as the heavy bombing Boomers, the creepy Giant Serapede and if you really want to raise hell there's always the (nearly) unstoppable Berserkers.

All the while you're playing each mode there's a Level-up system that ups your rank as you gain experience and win victories. As you progress through levels you'll unlock new weapon skins, characters, weapon executions and special mutators that alter the gameplay in some manner. With such a robust level-up system you'll be playing all modes of Gears of War 3 for some time to come.

As if all this wasn't enough, there's even a handful of new weapons to play with including the Retro Lancer, a variant that includes a bayonet at the tip and can be ram full-speed into your opponent's gut. There's also the Digger which shoots burrowing explosives as it travels underneath enemy cover and as mentioned above there's the Cleaver, which is essentially a butchers knife on steroids.

If it's not clear by now, Gears of War 3 is unquestionably a must-have game for fans of the series or the action genre. It's easily worth the cost of admission and ultimately the biggest challenge is juggling your personal time for the first few weeks you have the game because you'll want to play it over and over again. The multiplayer modes are insanely fun with a few buddies and there are enough unlockables, hidden collectibles and Easter eggs to keep you busy for a long time to come. While the Marcus story arc has come to an "end", and the epic trilogy over, there's no bigger final bang than what we have here. Bring on the DLC!

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

Gears of War 3 Launch Event Coverage

2011-10-23T16:55:00.012-04:00

By Paul Hunter

To celebrate the launch of the third and final installment in the epic story arc starring COG veteran Marcus Fenix and his longtime comrade, Dominic Santiago, Microsoft Canada held a spectacular launch party featuring COG Ink tattoos, locust meat, a lancer carving expert, and so much more. Here's how it all went down:

About a week ago I received a package in via courier containing a small, vacuum-sealed bag (see image left) inviting me to the Gears of War 3 Launch Event in Toronto. Of course, this wasn't any ordinary sealed bag, it looked like a bloody mess and naturally that was the whole point. The content of the bag was a piece of hacked up Locust, the humanoid, bestial creatures that threaten humanity in the Gears of War series.

In case you're interested, the "Nutrition Facts" on the front reads:

------------------------------------------
Serving Size: 1 Package
Amount/serving % Daily Value
------------------------------------------
Blood: 100%
------------------------------------------
Gore: 100%
------------------------------------------
Excitement: 100%
------------------------------------------

Pretty ingenious marketing I must say. In case anyone thought it might be a good idea to sample some of the Locust meat sealed in the bag, the bottom has a very direct warning stating "NOT SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. This is FAKE MEAT and is made from plastic." Drats, and I was really hoping to taste some of those repulsive looking ground-dwellers too. To get a sense of how disgustingly fantastic this event invite was, here's a picture of the reverse side of the bag:

Appetizing indeed.

Fast forward to the weekend and Microsoft held the event at The Hoxton, a sprawling pub venue located on King West. Hundreds of eager gamers lined-up for their chance to play "the most anticipated game of the year" according to Microsoft (and they could be right...unless Modern Warfare 3 would like to dispute this). Inside the location the lights were turned way down and most were replaced with red bulbs giving the whole place an eerie gore-like feeling to it. Seemed appropriate enough considering the game is rated M for Mature and the back cover warns of "Blood and Gore" and "Intense Violence", but if you've played other Gears of War games you already have come to expect this.

Scattered around The Hoxton were a number of themed stations ranging from a tattoo table, where fans could get the Gears of War 3 logo, or the COG skull symbol spray painted onto their bodies. There was also a meat carving station dishing up Locust meat pitas (so I guess I did end up eating Locust meat!) which were wrapped in Gears of War 3 promo material, a "Lancer" carving professional who used a chainsaw to carve out a fresh COG from a large block of wood, and a green screen area where fans could hold authentic lancers and superimpose themselves into the game.

Naturally, there were plenty of gaming stations around the room where fans could play some Team Deathmatch, or check out what Gears of War 3 looks like in 3D thanks to a station set-up by LG. In the four hours I was at the event there wasn't a single moment where any of the game stations were vacant, showing just how popular this franchise is, and how eager fans are to get their hands on it.

All in all, a really successful event. Congrats to Microsoft Canada for pulling off what could easily be described at the best gaming launch event of the year. Well done, and game on!

As a special treat, check out some of my event photos below:

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

Nintendo Confirms 3DS Expansion Slide Pad For Japan

2011-10-23T16:50:00.001-04:00

By Paul Hunter

In what has to be Nintendo acknowledging that their 3DS should have had dual-analog nubs from the get-go, the company has announced an expansion Slide Pad attachment just six months into the portable gaming system's lifespan. The expansion fits around the Nintendo 3DS system giving it an additional analog nub on the right side, along with three additional shoulder buttons. Named the "3DS Expansion Slide Pad", the peripheral is expected to hit Japan stores on December 10 and will cost ¥1500 ($19.50).

Given that dual-analog sticks have been the industry norm since the PS1, at least on the home console side, it was rather curious that Nintendo only included a left analog nub when their 3DS system launched this past March. Sony experienced first-hand with their PSP what happens when they include just a single analog nub -- tremendous fan outcry -- and have since added a second analog nub to their upcoming PS Vita next generation portable.

Let's be honest, the Expansion Slide Pad is aesthetically atrocious. It looks bulky, clunky, and gives the rather eloquent 3DS device an uneven look to it. However, looks aside, what really matters is how does it feel, and most hands-on reports have been positive (example -- see IGN editor Richard George's impressions here). Nintendo is holding their cards tight and is currently showcasing the attachment, but no games compatible with the attachment are playable at time of writing.

As mentioned above, the expansion adds three shoulder buttons, an L2, R1, and R2, and utilizes the Nintendo 3DS' existing L1 button. Since the add-on extends out the right, it covers the existing R1 button on the Nintendo 3DS, and adds two new shoulder buttons above the right anaolg stick.

The expansion acts a cradle for the Nintendo 3DS, effectively increasing the size and making it less "portable" overall, which could deter some gamers. You have to wonder if Nintendo is already planning a new, sleeker version of the Nintendo 3DS with the dual-analog sticks and four shoulder buttons built-in.

Rumours of the attachment circulated last month when French gaming website 01net reported about the existence of a new 3DS that would incorporate a right analog stick. Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu confirmed the 3DS add-on earlier this month, and Capcom's Monster Hunter 3G was the first game said to be compatible. Since then, more game have been confirmed to be compatible including Biohazard Revelations (Resident Evil: Revelations outside of Japan), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble, Dynasty Warriors VS, and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

Given that the 3D capabilities of their new handheld has yet to drive large consumer demand you have to wonder if Nintendo is shifting its attention toward dual-analog controls, and effectively beating the PS Vita to the market.

Nintendo has yet to announce whether the 3DS Expansion Slide Pad will come to North American shores.

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]

Review: Hobo With a Shotgun

2011-10-23T16:45:00.001-04:00

By Paul Hunter

Look out Hope Town, there's a new Hobo on the streets and he's out to seek justice one shell at a time. To call Hobo With a Shotgun a gorefest would be like calling Evil Dead a Sunday picnic. Yet beneath the gratuitous violence there's a moving story about corruption and exploitation that makes this film much more than just another blood-soaked grindhouse flick.

The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-born Director Jason Eisener was given a chance of lifetime with Hobo after his faux trailer was picked by Quentin Tarintino and Robert Rodriguez as the winner of their Grindhouse trailer competition. The original trailer (see on YouTube here) quickly became a cult phenomenon that garnered hundreds of thousands of fan views and was eventually picked up by Alliance Films for nation-wide release in Canada.

From two minute trailer to an full-on 86 minute feature length film, Hobo With a Shotgun is one of those films that has cult status potential much like The Warriors achieved back in the early 80's. The movie stars horror film legend Rutger Hauer (The Hitcher, Blade Runner) as the eponymous hobo vigilante who takes a train to Hope Town (with has spray paint over the city sign reading Scum Town) to fulfill his dream of buying a lawnmower to open up his own landscaping business. What he finds is a town full of the worst corruption imaginable, crime is rampant, sexual predators roam free, and the drug and sex trades fuel the local economy. After watching the sadistic capitalist named Drake (Brian Downey) and his stooge sons Slick (Gregory Smith) and Ivan (Nick Bateman) behead an uncooperative citizen openly on a residential street, our homeless hero decides to take the law into his own hands. Instead of buying his dream lawmower, the Hobo decides to purchase a shotgun and make these degenerate terrorizers pay.

What ensues is a bloodbath of bodies exploding and heads rolling as the Hobo systematically starts at the bottom ridding the streets of lowly thugs, exploitative filmmakers, and perverted pedophiles. Along the way our Hobo meets up with a prostitute named Abby (Molly Dunsworth) who provides him with shelter and warmth away from the streets and the armed citizens that have been persuaded, rather underhandedly, to locate and murder him. Eventually the Hobo sets his target on a particular sex offending police officer before aiming the barrels of his shotgun on Drake and his heinous empire.

If all this seems a little over-the-top, you're absolutely right. Some of the scenes are a bit to take in, and can be downright shocking to watch. Whether or not it's too much is really going to be the determining factor of your enjoyment of this film. If you can stomach the blood and guts what you'll find is an entertaining film filled with deep, moral questions and unquestionably memorable scenes. The dialogue in the film is surprisingly funny, with each scene having some very memorable one-liners (usually highly offensive too) such as "You and me are going on a car ride to hell, and you're riding shotgun!" What's great about this movie is that every scene seems so well thought out and distinct, usually involving Hauer blasting away an evildoer such as a pimp or a pedophile in a comedic manner, it would be near impossible for this film to not to become a grindhouse classic.

Not only is this a superb film, but there are extras galore. For starters, there's a special Shotgun mode contained on disc one featuring commentary with Jason Eisner (Director), John Davies (Writer), Rob Cotterill (Producer) and David Brunt (Grindhouse Trailer "Hobo"). With this mode enabled, as the film plays a shotgun icon appears on screen and if you press Enter on your DVD remote a behind-the-scenes look at how that particular scene was produced will begin.

On disc two there a documentary called "More Blood, More Heart" that presents the making-of and contains acting spotlights of each character ranging from Rutger as the Hobo, Dunsworth as Abby the prostitute, the evil brothers Nick Bateman (Ivan) & Gregory Smith (Slick), and more. This piece also has an interesting look at David Brunt, the original Hobo on the Grindhouse trailer, and how they selected Rutger Hauer to replace him for the feature film. There are also Deleted Scenes, a short Alternate Ending, Video Blogs, a Camera Test Reel, Fangoria interviews with Rutger and Eisener, the original Grindhouse trailer, and the Canadian/US theatrical trailers. That's an awful lot of additional bonus content and if you enjoy the film you'll have hours of bonus content to root through.

This is going to be a really polarizing film and you're either going to love it or hate it. If you enjoy 80's grindhous-style movies in the same vein as Rodriguez's Planet Terror or Tarantino's Death Proof then you'll enjoy this film immensely. After watching this film it'll be forever etched into your memory, which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how much gore you can stomach. One thing is certain though, taken for what it is Hobo is awesome, and it's lasting appeal is without question.

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]