Phoenix Gamer

Sega Blogs Teaser Trailer for new game!

2012-02-23T09:59:00.002-08:00

Obviously Jet Grind Radio, but is it a new game? An updated version of one of the older games? Who knows?! Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

Chinese New Year Festival highlights

2012-01-30T14:08:00.001-08:00

Just in case you missed this weekend's Chinese New Year Festival in Phoenix, check out this video!

Submitted by Mel

Phoenix Gamer Review - Dark Souls

2012-01-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

Dark Souls Xbox 360

Having never played Demon's Souls for the PS3, I was able to start this game with a clean slate and no predisposition of what the game "should be like".
Dark souls is a game that reminds me of many games. Be it the hack and slash online MMO Mabinogi Heroes (Vindictus in the U.S.) , the soul collecting platforming of Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver, the more realistic "If I was given a broadsword and asked to fight a dragon, I'd barely be able to fight with it and probably run like hell." Monster Hunter , or the epic Larger than life boss fights in Shadow of the Colossus. This game takes elements from those games and makes them all its own. The grimy , hellish creatures of Dante's inferno are reminiscent here as well.
Unlike all of those games, it adds a dimension of difficulty not seen since the old NES days.

Unlike our good buddy Skyrim, Dark souls approaches the overhead map by not having one. All travel is more like a giant maze (dungeon crawling) with many many layers; much like an onion. And much like an onion you do not want to just take a big bite out of it , chew it and swallow it like Mel Gibson in Leathal Weapon 2. That would be bad, and you wouldn't enjoy it very much.

The weapons, combat, and enemy physics are realistic. So much so that, even if your character is thoroughly leveled up and you have decent equipment, you can still find yourself dead if you are ambushed by 2-3 lower level enemies. That's real. You must plan out your route, strategize and use different tactics constantly. This does not mean farming potions for a week just to endure the battles. It means making mistakes, getting killed over and over but learning from your mistakes and growing. Not growing in the power-leveling sense either.

The level design is a far cry from the cookie cutter dungeons that we've all grown to love in old school dungeon crawlers like Phantasy Star or even the newer Fallout games. The levels are well thought out and very creative. Hell, they take on a life all their own. I'd even go as far to say some of them are straight up terrifying. I would expect to see dungeons like the catacombs in a Silent Hill game. It's rare to see an action RPG actually getting the atmosphere right for a change. There were times as well where the Castlevania music went through my head from Lament of Innocence or Curse of Darkness when navigating the forested areas of this game.

Boasting over 500 unique enemies, you are never bored in combat. Not since Parasite Eve have I seen a game where you have to study your enemies animations and find an opening in their attack pattern and exploit it. But unlike Parasite Eve there is no pausing combat to dig through menus. Everything happens in real time. If you are well prepared and arm yourself accordingly, you'll do fine.

Many reviewers have condemned this series for it's "frustrating difficulty" and say that they've felt they've "wasted time" having to backtrack if they get killed. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you are in a combat situation in real life guess what? You would have a very high chance of dying. (S.T.A.L.K.E.R anyone?) There are traps and ambushes everywhere. You must tread carefully and not just run into the game balls out and try to destroy everything in a blaze of glory. If that's your kind of game, this is not the game for you and you'll be missing out on tons of content.

Other notable things:
The bugs and glitches in Dark Souls have been patched and are not nearly as game breaking as anything Bethesda has developed in the last decade.

Character creation is not as in-depth as a Bethesda game or even Phantasy Star Online but that may have detracted from the game's appearance since you are always in a ton of armor anyway.

Dark Souls doesn't have nearly as much dialogue or story as Skyrim. It's more for a "man of action" and not a man of words.

Overall Dark Souls is a good game. If you must, rent it first and then decide to buy it when and if you get absorbed in the game.

Review submitted by Azahm S.

Resident Evil 6 trailer

2012-01-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

We don't usually post game trailers, but when we do they're too awesome not to watch.

Phoenix Gamer Review: Okami Den

2012-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

Okami Den - One of the best games on the Nintendo DS?

Okami Den was released earlier this year for the Nintendo DS handheld system. It is the sequel to one of the most underrated games to ever grace the Playstation 2, Okami. Okami Den's story takes place 9 months after the end of the previous game and stars the child of Amaterasu, Chibiterasu, a smaller pup sun god who also wields the power of the celestial brush. The gameplay, setting, most of the characters, and even the graphics are almost exactly the same as the game before, with the exception of the help of various partner characters you pick up throughout the different parts of the game which each have their own powers to contribute.

The battle system hasn't changed at all. You can still do physical damage with your weapons and you can still freeze time to use your brush to draw and use your magic abilities. This seems more organic with the use of the DS stylus. It feels like you have more control and it flows more naturally than it did with the use of the controller in the PS2 version of the game. This and other features in the game almost make up for the lack of variety in enemies. While the bosses are imaginative and challenging in their own right, the enemies you run into on a regular basis get boring with their obvious and predictable attack patterns and weak points. Another problem you might run into while playing Okami Den is the sparsity of save points. Early in the game they are everywhere, but later on there are parts where you will wish there was a save point and then there isn't. Such as after a big boss battle or a really long cut scene.

How they managed to fit so much content on a tiny little DS cartridge is beyond me. As mentioned above, there are cut scenes. Very very long cut scenes. And a lot of them. Most of them are skippable, but you might not want to skip them as they sometimes contain key points on where you need to go next. There are also dialogue exchanges or what I like to call "minor cut scenes" that are unskippable which is annoying further on where they serve more as filler more than necessity. The game is very story driven, but that isn't a bad thing at all, especially with games today lacking the charm that this game brings. Over all it's a very solid, and extremely entertaining game, though it sticks a little too close to the original formula to make it groundbreaking in any way.

Okami Den gets an 8.5/10
Review submitted by Mel the Office Gamer Girl

Phoenix Gamer Review: Child of Eden (Xbox 360)

2011-12-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

Child of Eden was released back in June of this year for both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. While it aimed to make use of the motion control peripherals for each console, it was also playable with the console's regular controllers. Here we will take a look at the game as a whole, and the difference between playing with the controller and the Kinect.

Known as the spiritual successor to Rez, coincidentally made under the codename "Project Eden", Child of Eden is actually supposed to be a prequel. Then why call it 'child' of Eden? Wouldn't that imply that it's a sequel? Regardless, the story is unimportant. Something about a super computer and a virus. Both games are known for being stylized shoot 'em ups with musical components taking place of the usual sound effects and stunning abstract visuals, creating a unique gaming experience to anyone who hasn't played either game. If you have played Rez and plan on playing Child of Eden, you may be underwhelmed. Don't misunderstand though, it's not a bad game, it's just sticks a little too close to the game that came before it.
Just like Rez, you're on a set course shooting with you weapons and what was known as "overdrive" is now "euphoria". You can pick up additional health and euphoria power ups from select defeated enemies, not much has changed. The visuals have been improved, of course, and are themed to represent their titles, for example the level 'beauty' includes flowers and strange winged creatures, whereas 'matrix' places you inside a computer like environment. My favorite was probably the second level where a giant transparent whale looking things turns into a giant phoenix against a background of nebulae. It's beautiful...for the first time anyways. When you have to play the level multiple times, even the absurdly breathtaking becomes mundane (though still probably one of the better games to bring up in an 'are video games art?' debate). Herein lies the other problem with this game, it's way too short. It's only 5 levels long and the entire thing can be beaten in a little less than an hour. That's not something I'd expect from a game that cost as much as any brand new current gen title. A downloadable game, sure, but a full length game? It's really unacceptable. There are some extras like visual effects that change the colors of the levels, and additional sound options, but that's still not enough content to warrant a full price tag.

Controller or Kinect?
While the game's box cover boasts "Better with Kinect Sensor!" I'd have to disagree. When you're playing with the controller, there's only 3 button options gun 1, gun 2, and euphoria. Easy-peasy. Just move the d-pad and shoot, it's actually kind of fun! When you attempt to play with the Kinect, you will be frustrated to no end. Not only because of the Kinect's slight delay, but also the supposedly simple controls are almost impossible to pull off. After re-calibrating my Kinect to make sure I wasn't crazy, it was still a pain to even navigate around the screen. When I tried to fire my lock-on attack the screen would just move to the side and stay there, not allowing me to move much at all. Considering this was supposed to be one of the Kinect's launch titles, I was extremely disappointed. It's much easier to navigate levels and take in all the imagery enjoy the experience as a whole when you play with the controller instead of fighting with poor motion controls.Overall this game is worth a quick play through and serves as more of a conversation piece than a full-on gaming experience.

Child of Eden gets a 7/10

Review submitted by Phoenix Gamer's Mel

3 Gaming venues Phoenix needs

2011-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

Sweet Places we'd like to game

In today's day and age of technology, there's no reason why anyone would or should want to leave their house to go game with friends in a public place. Or is there?
The days of classic arcades have come and gone, but some venues still run strong. What is that little extra thing that they bring to the table? What are these venues and how could the Phoenix gaming community benefit from them?

1. Video Game Cafe -
Ah, nothing goes together like caffeine and video games. Is there any other place that you can go to get your game on while sipping on an expertly made latte? Of course, there's Gotham Comics in Mesa, but they aren't a game place exclusively (but totally worth checking out). Imagine sitting down to your favorite warm or cold beverage, on comfy sofas, playing some of your favorite games while checking out some sweet game art, and just chilling. Maybe pick up a game themed snack or drink. Whether it's during the cold season, or in the heat of summer, there's sure to be something for every gamer at a game cafe.

2. Arcade in the Airport -
Phoenix's Sky Harbor is not only an international airport, but also one of the biggest in the country. It's surprising that there's not a single arcade machine or game console to be found anywhere around here. Say you're on a flight and you have a layover in Phoenix. What will you do during that time? What if it's just a couple of hours? I don't know about you, but when I'm gaming the time goes by pretty quick. No longer will passenger be burdened and bored by mundane in-between time when they can pump some quarters into an arcade game or two.

3. Video Game Bar -
Oh yeah, like you didn't see this one coming. Much like #1 up there, it's safe to say that games and drinks are a match made in heaven. It's pretty much been proven that it's a successful venture with gaming bars around the world (UK, Australia, Las Vegas, etc) popping up and making a killing while providing a safe and fun environment for gamers to hang out and socialize. Downtown Phoenix would be a perfect location to open a gaming bar for sure. Maybe even Mill ave could see a nice amount of traffic. Phoenix is growing and new businesses are booming, there's no reason why we shouldn't have a video game bar.

If you like the idea of any of these venues, be sure to contact everyone you know and let them know because ideas can turn into actions, and something magical might happen!

Golfland's Holiday Specials. Also, Chiptunes.

2011-11-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

Unlimited Gameplay and whole lot more

Tis the season for Holiday specials, that includes gaming here in Phoenix. One of our favorite arcades, Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa, is offering a variety of holiday specials and events. All throughout the holiday season the miniature golf courses have been transformed into a winder wonderland with dazzling lights and displays that run through January 1st. December 3rd, 10th, and 17th, you can bring your kids to Golfland to take pictures with Santa Claus between 12noon and 5pm. December 17th and 28th are snow days with over 20 tons of real snow to play in. Reservations for snow days are not required, but definitely encourage. Register now at the Golfland Sunsplash website.

The real party at Golfland for us Gamers will be on New Years Eve. From 6pm-1am the arcade is offering unlimited video games, unlimited attractions, a live DJ, and dance floor with all of the action leading up to a balloon drop at midnight. We'll see you there!

In other holiday gaming news, chiptune artist Sly Fawkes has released a Christmas album titled "A Very Chiptune Christmas". Enjoy 8-bit versions of your favorite holiday classics. Read the full article here.

Phoenix Gamer Review: Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing

2011-11-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

Fast paced racing action at its finest!

The most recent addition to the Sega Superstars series, Sega All Stars Racing is an action packed, fast paced adventure that can be enjoyed by players of all ages. It was released last year for pretty much every modern console. We got to take a look at the Sega All Stars Racing on the Xbox 360.

Like many novelty racing games that came before it, including Mario Kart, Crash Team Racing, and the like, All Stars features brightly colored tracks, characters a and power ups. The character selection spans across a variety of Sega Games and offers over 20 playable characters including Sonic, Ulala from Space Channel 5, Beat from Jet Set Radio, just to name a few. You can even choose to play as your xbox live avatar. Each character has their own unique driving style and super attacks called "All Star" moves. These are mainly picked up if you are falling behind in a race, a sort of equalizer to keep the game fun and interesting. Other power ups that you can pick up include speed boosts, missiles, knockout gloves (unguided projectiles), stars that turn the receiver of the attack upside down, and rainbows that block the view of you opponent for a short time.

The genius of this game is really in it's simplicity. There are only 3 buttons that you use throughout the entire game; Gas, Drift, and Fire. There's no break button, and that's quite alright. The races run smoothly and fast and fierce. It's all about speed in this game. Similar to the original Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast, this game puts you in perpetual motion, there's no slow down, and the only time that you will ever get stuck is if you run into something or fall off a track. Even if you fall out, the game will spit you back onto the track, still in motion so it's easy to catch up to other racers. Turbo boosts are something you will pick up early in the game as much of the game's mechanics depend on them. You drift into a turn and then let go of the drift button to get a turbo boost that will speed you up and send you flying towards the finish line.

Another spectacular addition to All Stars Racing is the beautifully rendered backgrounds and obstacles of each track. The graphics are extremely smooth and the colors, oh the colors! They all stay true to each Sega franchise they represent. The soundtrack never gets stale, not even the announcer, but you do have the option to turn him off. The announcer does come in handy during some races though as he'll warn you if someone picks up an all-star or if there's an oncoming attack (some of which you can avoid). He also cracks jokes too, some of them stupid, some of them genuinely funny. For instance, Ulala gets hit by a missile, he'll say "That's a hit on Ulala! I'm sure she gets that a lot!".

In addition to racing with up 4 players, there are also time trial and mission modes. Time trial is just what it sounds like, beat your time on each track. Something really cool about time trial mode is that there's no limit to how many laps you can do, you just keep going and going until you feel that you've done your best. Also, you can race against the ghost of your previous lap, and the one before that. Rather than just racing one ghost at a time, there are multiple ghosts on the track depending on how many laps you do. Mission mode is just as fun as the racing itself and a true test of your skills. You play as a predetermined character and accomplish set goals such as "drift as much as you can for a high score" and "battle races" where you have to knock out your opponent with selected weapons. With each 'A' rank you get, you unlock the next mission until you've completed them all. With each finished battle and mission you receive 'Sega miles" which are the games currency which you can spend in the shop to unlock characters, race tracks, and soundtracks.

Over all Sega All Star Racing has the characters, variety, smoothness, and replayability that make for a fantastic gaming experience to be enjoyed by all. Whether you're playing by yourself or with a friend, Sega All Stars Racing is a genuinely fun game and I would highly recommend it.

Sega All Stars Racing gets a 10/10.

Review submitted by Mel the Office Gamer Girl

Got Game Lounge Opens in Tempe

2011-11-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

Tempe's newest gaming spot offers entertainment for local gamers.

Modern console gaming by the hour

Saturday saw the grand opening of the newest addition to the gaming community here in the Phoenix area. Got Game Lounge, located at 625 South Smith road in Tempe, is a venue where gamers can go to play the latest hits on PS3, Xbox360, and the Wii, and pay for gameplay by the hour. Their rates are extremely affordable at only $4 per hour. You can even save yourself some cash by opting for one of their unlimited weekly passes that only cost $15.

Play online or against your friends

Along with a variety of console games to choose from, Got Game Lounge is still in the process of setting up their PC station where players can face off in online games. This place seems like a great place to bring your friends to get your game on. Much of the place is still under construction but It looks great so far!

Events and private parties

Got Game's website says that they will be hosting a variety of tournaments and events in the coming weeks. The majority of the tournaments however seem to be fighting and sports games. Will they also eventually include racing games and FPS? Only the future may tell. If you want to have a private party at the venue, VIP rooms are also available and reasonable prices. They look like they'd be perfect for rhythm and party games for sure!

Moving Forward

While you could stay at home and game, Got game lounge is unique in a way that it brings an atmosphere that is something like cozy meets grungy (how perfect is that?), and it's definitely worth the trip there. As for what their game selection has to offer, check out their full listing at their site here. Personally, we'd probably like to see some retro games thrown into the mix.

Tour de Arcade - Phoenix!

2011-11-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

Phoenix Gamer's Mel presents: Tour de Arcade Phoenix

Check out this visual and audio tour of the best (and worst) arcades in Phoenix!

Phoenix Gamer's Cosplay Spotlight: Chun Li wins at Devastation

2011-11-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

At Devastation back in October we had a video game costume contest. Congrats to the winner Shiara Espiritu who came by dressed as Chun Li from the Street Fighter series. As the winner, she gets a whole article! Here we go, this is Phoenix Gamer's interview with our winner!

PG: So how long have you been cosplaying for?

Shiara: Since about 2010.

PG: Is there any reason why you chose Chun Li as a character to dress up as?

Shiara: I really like Street Fighter, that's why I cosplayed as Chun Li. Also, this is Devastation so a fighting character really fits.

PG: What is your favorite thing about cosplaying?

Shiara: Getting into character is a lot of fun. It's also really cool to meet people with common interests at these events.

PG: Is there any dream costume you'd like to do eventually?

Shiara: Erza from Fairytale Knight.

PG: So now, since this is a gaming site, let's ask a couple of video game questions. What would you say are your favorite video games?

Shiara: Street Fighter of course. I also like Devil May Cry 4, Bioshock, and Silent Hill 2.

PG: Nice! If you don't mind us asking, what is your favorite arcade to visit in Phoenix?

Shiara: CADE.

PG: But, Cade closed a couple weeks ago. . . ;_;

Shiara: They're still the best. :)

PG: Awesome! We think so too. Lastly, is there anything else you'd like to add?

Shiara: I want to give a shout out to all of the AZ cosplayers!

Thanks again to Shiara and everyone else that came by the booth. Stay tuned for more Phoenix Gaming news!

Devastation 2011

2011-10-12T19:33:00.001-07:00

Here is an awesome video capturing some amazing moments from this year's Devastation!

posted by Mel the Office Gamer Girl

Mc Chris and Mc Lars Rock Martini Ranch in Scottsdale

2011-10-01T18:19:00.001-07:00

Did you miss the show last night? No worries, Phoenix Gamer has you covered. Check out some video from the show!

Video submitted by Mel the Office Gamer Girl

Phoenix Gamer is Bringing Prizes to Devastation

2011-09-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Costume Contest, Raffles, PRIZES!

Devastation is less than 2 weeks away! Are you ready for Arizona's largest gaming event of the year!? Phoenix Gamer's Mel will be there with a booth for Pixel Paradise and will be providing some awesome prizes on behalf of Phoenix Gamer. Come by the booth any time during the weekend of the event to purchase $1 raffle tickets to win all kinds of gaming goodies. Sign up at any time for the costume/cosplay contest that will be held on Sunday. It's free to participate and prizes include video games, pixel art, an awesome trophy, and a spotlight article feature on Phoenix Gamer. How much awesome can we pack into one fun filled weekend? You'll have to come by to find out!

CADE Gallery Closes its doors

2011-09-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the good times

Earlier this week Cade Gallery announced that they will be closing their doors at the end of this month. Cade Gallery opened its doors back in March, offering gamers and artists alike an awesome place to get together and hang out while checking out the art and playing oldschool arcade games. Over the last few months they've been home to our monthly video game trivia, video game tournaments, and a variety of other events. Their website will still be up and there's plans on expanding their online store to feature new artists and their goods. Where and when will Cade gallery be back up and running? No one knows just yet, but be sure to follow them at their site and facebook page for news and updates. Thanks guys, it's been tons of fun and we wish you the best!

Phoenix Gamer Review - Stacking

2011-09-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

A Unique puzzle adventure from Double Fine

You know we here at Phoenix Gamer are all about unique and awesome gaming experiences, and Stacking is no exception. Stacking was released earlier this year by Double Fine, the same guys that brought us games like Psychonauts and Costume Quest, and can be downloaded from the Xbox live arcade and Playstation Network. In Stacking you take on the roll of a small Russian stacking doll who has to save his brothers and sisters by hopping into the bodies of larger dolls to use their abilities and solve puzzles throughout the game.

This game is really easy to pick up and play with its simple controls and playability, even though most might say that the game's artsy graphics are really the selling point. They wouldn't be too far from the truth. This game has wonderful visuals, especially for a downloadable game. When you're playing this game you really should stop and take a look at all of the detail in the characters and in the environments. Every fine line, every little detail down to the threading in the rugs on the floor, looks like it was meticulously planned and executed in a way that is so stunning it would make even the modern artist cry. The music fits just as perfect. The gameplay mechanics are pretty simple, run around , talk to other characters, and jump into other dolls. The puzzles aren't at all that hard, and there's so much to do in every level! You can complete the main objective or go and talk to/take over other dolls to complete other tasks to rack up more points and achievements.

The one thing that I could have done without was the unskippable cut scenes, especially early in the game. While there is an enthralling story, involving child labor during the depression, it doesn't make up for the fact that some people just want to play a game. Some of the scenes are a little too long and they happen every time some new part of story is revealed. I can see how this could be frustrating for someone that wants to play this game through a second time. But this is seemingly the only problem with this otherwise creatively charming game.

This game may not have gotten a lot of press, but if it doesn't deserve it, I don't know what game does. Stacking is a fantastically fun adventure and definitely worth checking out.

Stacking gets a 9/10

Review submitted by Mel the Office Gamer Girl

Tetris: Axis coming to the 3DS

2011-08-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Heads up puzzle game fans, Tetris Axis is coming to the 3DS this October. The most recent installment of the addicting puzzle game, that has spanned across just about every console and hand held to date, will feature a variety of new ways to play Tetris. Tetris Axis for the 3DS will feature 20 modes of play. Everything from classic marathon mode, versus, and survival, to fever mode, party modes, and even something that they're calling augmented reality mode. Along side the crazy variety of modes to play, Tetris Axis will have online gameplay so you can play against your friends or rivals no matter where you're at. It should be interesting to see how Nintendo will tie in the whole 3D aspect to what we currently know as a simple puzzle game. Find out for yourself when Tetris: Axis hits store shelves October 2nd.

Phoenix Gamer's Mel Playing for Childrens Hospital Charity

2011-08-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

Gaming for a good cause

Coming this October, Phoenix Gamer editor Mel is participating in a gaming marathon to raise money for Arizona's local children's hospitals. If you would like to donate to the cause, read all about it here.

Phoenix Gamer Interviews Devastation's Robb Chiarini

2011-08-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

This week Phoenix Gamer was able to get a hold of Robb Chiarini, the event director of Phoenix's Premier Video Gaming Event "Devastation". He was awesome enough to answer some questions we had for him.

PG: What, exactly, is DEVASTATION... is it a Con, Expo or what?

R: An EVENT!
Part Convention, Part Trade-Show, Part Tournament. We have elements of all three wrapped up into the event. Conventions are made up of a variety of exhibitors and programming, stuff to see and do. Trade shows are, normally, industry-specific events showcasing new and in-development products. Tournaments, well, you know... they are tournaments!

DEVASTATION offers a host of Interactive Entertainment and related programming, including professional-level video game tournaments, casual gaming areas, Cosplay and Costuming events, non-gaming and athletic competitions, exclusive product announcements and public demonstrations, artist and press tables, guest appearances, community events, convention and exhibitor displays, charity fundraisers and the definitive eSports Live Broadcast in the world.

PG: How many people attended last year and how many are expected this year?

R: We saw around 5,000 people last year and, for this year, your guess is as good as mine. We have made a host of changes that we think are improvements but we will not really know until the doors open that Friday. Our single-biggest change was moving to October (from June), we think this will be better for us but it might end up worse. I am going to go on record saying we will have 5,000+ (crossing fingers).

PG: What are some new things we might see at this year’s event?

R: New things at the event?
- Multiple stages
- Multiple events with qualifying and final tournaments
- A ton of new exhibitors
- 70,000 more square feet of space
- Three-times as many consoles
- PC games
- Cosplay/Costume contests
- Rock! Paper! Scissors! tournaments
- Multiple Live Broadcasts

PG: Do you participate in any of the events at DEVASTATION?

R: I have participated in events in past years, however, I do not think I will be this year... there is just too much going on. If I play in anything, I will compete in one of the Mortal Kombat events and you can almost be assured that I will be commentating on the Live Broadcast for those tournaments.

PG: What is your favorite thing about running DEVASTATION?

R: My favorite aspect of coordinating DEVASTATION is all the people I get to meet. I am social junkie and so having the opportunity to hang out with all the like-minded people that come to the event is awesome.

PG: How do you feel about the Phoenix (or Arizona) Gaming community?

R: Which one? The Phoenix Gaming Community is all over the place, which is good and bad. It means that we have a ton of diversity but, at times, little cohesiveness. I think that all the gamers are a dedicated bunch and, for the most part, pretty accepting of each other.

PG: If you change one thing about it (the community) what would it be?

R:Put everyone within a five block radius of each other. We are so spread out and many people just lack the initiative to gather at times can be frustrating.

PG: Any words for the gamers?

R: This is a community-run event which means no corporation or organization funds or owns this thing. Our success and ability to host this event each year comes from the support of attendees and our Supporters (Exhibitors/Sponsors). So, with that in mind, help us: spread the word about the event, attend (great choice if you ask me) or watch the Live Broadcast over the weekend. We try and raise a lot of money for our charity partner, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and your involvement can help make the difference.

Also, as we are a community-event, we care about what YOU want... let us know what you would like to see at the event; help us improve.

PG: Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Devastation happens this October right here in Phoenix! Check the events page for more information. You can also follow Devastation at their Facebook Page.

Submitted by Mel

Sony Vita Delayed - No Vita This Holiday Season

2011-08-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sony's new system farther off than expected

Sony announced earlier this week that their new hand held system will have a delayed release and will not be available in time for the 2011 holiday season. It was stated that they wanted to be able to give consumers a solid gaming platform and that it would take more time. There are no plans to cut the price of the Vita when it is finally released in the USA, Sony claimed that they don't see Nintendo's cut back on 3DS pricing as a threat to their sales of the Vita. With no solid release date as of yet, Sony says that the Vita console will be available to Japan at the end of this year, no word on when it will be released in the USA.

Microsoft to open Japan Division

In other gaming news, Microsoft has announced that they are opening an Interactive Business division in Japan, with an emphasis on online gaming. Also, the Kinect hadn't been doing too well in Japan so their plan is to develop games that are better aimed that their Japanese audiences. Fans of imports should also keep an eye out for exciting new titles that will be developed exclusively for Japan.

A Word from one of our sponsors

2011-08-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

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Local Game Art

2011-07-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

Local Artist and gamer Mel K. selling video game themed art
Local artist Mel K, better known online as "Mel the office gamer girl", is having an online super sale of her pixel work. Usually showcasing at local galleries and events, Mel fuses together perler beads, to create some our favorite video game characters from back in the day. Check out the sale going on now by clicking here

Gameworks Franchise Purchased By Investors, ESPN

2011-07-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Big Changes in store for Gameworks

The popular gaming venue formally owned by Sega, has been purchased by investors in cahoots with entertainment giants ESPN. A stroll through our very own Tempe Gameworks location proved to be a disappointment regarding things to come. The changes seen were no good. All of the cheery Sega logos, Sonic the Hedgehog merchandise, and anything else distinctly "Gameworks", is now gone. In addition to removing just about everything signature, they have also removed all of their Japanese UFO (crane game) machines and every single one of their classic game cabinets (the wooden ones). At this rate, Gameworks will become nothing more than another Dave and Busters providing mediocre sports themed entertainment and overpriced everything.

Update! When asked about the changes at their current locations, the Gameworks Facebook page stated that they are still involved with Sega, and that big changes are coming for all of the venues. It may be too early to guess what any of those changes may be.

Mana Bar opens second location 7/16

2011-07-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Mana Bar!

What's better than a night out with friends? How about throwing today's hottest video games and top shelf drinks into the mix? Back in March of 2010 Australia's Mana Bar opened their first location in Brisbane. Plans for a second location were announced less than a year later after the venue became way more successful than anyone could have imagined. Their second location, located in Melbourne, opens this Saturday and promises to bring great games, awesome drinks, themed events, and a whole lot more to the gaming community. Follow them on Facebook for updates and to find out where one of their venues might pop up next!

When will Phoenix get a video game bar?

If you're a gamer and you live here in the valley, you probably already know that there's not much of a gaming community outside of tournament play and special events. While part of the problem may be due to the unrelenting heat, there's no reason that gamers in the area shouldn't hold get togethers and events on a regular basis. There is a glimmer of hope with some smaller game venues holding regular events and promoting a sense of community among local gamers. One such place is CADE on 4th street in central, which showcases local gamer art, monthly video game trivia, tournaments, and serves as a general hang out spot for gamers in Phoenix. How much longer will it be before a video game bar opens in Phoenix? It's already proven to be a profitable venture, and there's no doubt that gamers in the valley would flock to such a place containing such unimaginable amounts of awesome. Who will take on the challenge? Who will bring us Arizona's first ever video game bar?!