TheAngrySpark

NCAA '12 Has Half a Cover

2012-02-27T11:26:00.000-05:00

Not just one, but a pair of athletes will grace the cover of EA's upcoming NCAA '12 college footballer. Baylor allum take note-

None other than Robert Griffin III (or RG3) will be one half of the dynamic duo that will feature on the box front when football fans head out to pick up the game later this Summer.

The pair will be a representative of a current and former great of the NCAA. On the one hand, you've got Griffin- the Baylor QB has a Heisman sitting on his mantle (among other honors) and a catchy nickname.

The first student-athlete from Baylor to win the Heisman Trophy, Robert Griffin III – popularly known as “RG3”— also won the Davey O’Brien Award and was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year in 2011. In 2008, RG3 was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches, setting the school’s rushing yards record for a freshman and for a quarterback with 843 yards for the season.

So who's the other lucky player? That 'Great' honor is kind of up to you:

Beginning March 12, fans can log on to the EA SPORTS NCAA Football Facebook page to vote for one of eight Heisman Trophy winners to accompany Griffin III on the cover of NCAA Football 13. The candidates include former University of Southern California running back Marcus Allen, former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, former The Ohio State University running back Eddie George, former The University of Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard, former Oklahoma State University running back Barry Sanders, former University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker, former Florida State University quarterback Charlie Ward and former University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware.

Personally, my vote's for Flutie. I always had a soft spot for that little guy...

Toy Fair '12: K'Nex Angry Birds

2012-02-26T17:21:00.000-05:00

It was probably only a matter of time before Angry Birds mad the transition to an actual toy line. K'Nex has just that up their sleeves for this Fall with a full assortment of building (and knocking down) sets.

I have to admit, I've never really 'gotten' the appeal of Angry Birds. It's fast become the best selling App of all time. I'm sure that stat places the game in very good company as far as videogames go in general as well, as that's a pretty gaudy statement.

With that kind of notoriety, the game has absolutely exploded into the physical space with just about every kind of collectable, plush toy, and knick-knack that you can imagine. This new line from K'Nex has the privilege of maybe being the first one that actually makes sense. Since it's a building toy (and therefor a 'knocking down' toy) it fits squarely in with the theme of it's namesake.

Angry Birds Intro Assortment Building Sets

Favorite characters will fly off the screen as kids build and interact with the Angry Birds world! Fans can choose from one of four fun sets: Red Bird vs. Small Pig, Yellow Bird vs. Medium Pig, Black Bird vs. Small Pig, or Blue Bird vs. Helmet Pig. Every set also includes a fully functional buildable launcher, a white egg accessory, and is compatible with all K’NEX Angry Birds sets. Builders can even use the packaging as an added obstacle! Once built, use the launcher for real-life Angry Birds fun! Suggested retail price is $10.99 each. Ages 5+. Available fall 2012.

Angry Birds “Danger Above” Building Set

With over 170+ parts the Angry Birds fun comes to life with the Danger Above building set! Avid Angry Birds fans can build and then knock down this structure, just like the mobile game! Set includes enough bricks to build a large structure to destroy, a fully-functional buildable launcher, and 2 birds: Red Bird and Orange Bird. Also includes 3 pigs: Small Pig, Medium Pig and King Pig, and a bonus ham accessory. Building set is compatible with all other K’NEX Angry Birds sets. Suggested retail price is $29.99 each. Ages 5+. Available fall 2012.

Angry Birds “T Minus Never” Building Set

The excitement of the Angry Birds world comes to life with the T Minus Never Building Set from K’NEX! Kids can build and then knock down structures—just like in the game! Set features 170+ parts to build and “destroy” and includes 2 birds; Red Bird and White Bird, a fully-functional buildable launcher and 3 pigs: Small Pig, Medium Pig and Moustache Pig, plus a bonus Golden Egg accessory! Building set is compatible with all other K’NEX Angry Birds sets. Suggested retail price $29.99. Ages 5+. Available fall 2012.

Toy Fair '12: K'Nex Nintendo

2012-02-26T17:05:00.003-05:00

K'Nex' series of Mario Kart Wii based building/racing toys is about to expand. The building block company has a bunch of new sets on tap that will include even more of the Mushroom Kingdom. Well, the Mushroom Kingdom's raceways anyway.

I'm a pretty big fan of these sets and I really like the direction that K'Nex is heading with the line in general. Though the main bulk of the series is all about the Kart racing, and it's all pretty cool stuff all by itself, I'm perhaps most optimistic about the stand alone figure line that you see pictured to the left.

There is no (and really never has been a) Super Mario Bros. line of toys. Glimpses here and there over the years of small figurines, models, and mystery boxes have teased fans- but there's a real dearth of real action figures in a continuing and a total lack of playsets. For a property that's been around as long and is as popular as Mario Bros is, that's a straight-up crime. I mean, there's really nothing out there that represents a full and fleshed out menagerie of characters from the games.

Waaaaaaario

Now, let me be clear because there's been no announcement made- there is no Super Mario Bros. building set series coming from K'Nex (at least, not that I know of) or anybody else for that matter. It's the idea and the opportunity that exists here as an extension of the Mario Kart line that gets me pumped up as a big fan of the plumbers. And the expansion of the single figure packs (which are converting to mystery packs BTW) to now include Toad, Donkey Kong, and Diddy Kong are seriously giving me hope that we may see something like that yet.

As for the line as it stands today- there's plenty of awesome stuff coming in 2012. More bikes, karts, courses and even motorized vehicles (!) are all on the way. Some of the new additions to the courses are worth getting excited about too. There are a lot more power-ups and course specific enemies making there way into the sets. Shy-Guys alone warrant quite a bit of enthusiasm... well, they do from me anyway. Now, about that 'World 1-1' set...

Rampant Brutality in Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

2012-02-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City casts you as a member of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella's clean up squad. Judging by the new 'Brutality' trailer that was just released, that's one messy job.

All roads lead to hell indeed.

Maybe Mike Rowe could do an episode of Dirty Jobs about Umbrella. "This week we're heading to Raccoon City to quell a zombie apocalypse in the making. Then we're going clean out some nasty sewers!" Just watch out for the Hunters Mike. They're grouchy.

Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition Trailer-ality!

2012-02-25T13:11:00.000-05:00

The good folks at Netherrealm take us on a guided tour of the new Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition that's on the way for Xbox 360, PS3, and PSV.
Dropping on the 28th of this month for consoles and April 2nd on Vita, MKK includes all four of the extra DLC characters released last year. Aside from Kenshi, Rain, Skarlett, and Freddy, you'll also get 15 classic skins and 3 classic fatalities- Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Reptile.

Mastiff Announces BandFuse

2012-02-24T16:59:00.004-05:00

Now this is a different take on the 'music game' genre. Coming this fall from Mastiff and developer Realta, BandFuse puts playable tracks to real video, all wrapped up with real guitars.

Much like Rocksmith, BandFuse allows for play with real guitars and mic's (via an included adapter)- which I personally think is a really smart direction for the genre to go in if it intends to be viable.

The game also eschews the traditional cartoony graphics found in these types of games for a very nostalgic trip down memory lane with the help of a little FMV. Full Motion Video hasn't been successfully used in videogames... uh... maybe ever, but BandFuse might change that. Since these are music video's we're talking about here, there's none of the cornball acting of Night Trap's past to worry about. There's also some really nice talent lined up for the game that'll make those vids even better.

BandFuse: Rock Legends will let gamers play along with the biggest rock songs of all time on a real guitar by using animated tablature (tabs), which will simplify music for novice musicians while allowing advanced gamers to perform songs as the original artists intended. Singers can also belt out the lyrics using a microphone to keep the party jumping with a massive collection of hit songs from today’s top bands and classic rock ‘n’ roll artists including: “Yellow” (Coldplay), “Back From Cali” (Slash), “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Breaking the Law” (Judas Priest), “Harder to Breathe” (Maroon 5), and “The Bleeding” (Five Finger Death Punch).

With Guns n' Roses' own Slash serving as instructor, BandFuse: Rock Legends might be one to watch.

The game will be available sometime this year for the Xbox 360, but there's no date as of yet. Head on over to www.bandfuse.com for more.

Rhino Revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man

2012-02-24T15:47:00.001-05:00

Amazing Spider-Man #41 (1966)

This Summer's Amazing Spider-Man movie won't have the thick skinned Rhino in it (it's got the Lizard), but that won't stop the two ton terror from rampaging all over the Web-Head's newest game.

It's pretty much standard operating procedure at this point that movie games don't re-tell, but instead expound upon the movies that they're based on. Activision's upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man (developed by Beenox) is a good example of that.

One of Spidey's most classic foes- the Rhino is a prime example of be careful what you wish for. This once common thug was grafted into a synthetic Rhinoceros hide as part of an experimental procedure. Aside from the strength and toughness that he got out of it, it just can't be comfortable. I mean, just look at the rough hide- the chafing alone has got to be B-R-utal.

Of course the 'movie universe' version of the Rhino is a lil' different from the comic book original. To fit in better with the flavor of the film, this Rhino is a cross-breed mutant. The guy at the base of the character, petty criminal Aleksei Sytsevich, is still the same but he's almost become a mindless animal in this incarnation.

Rhino or no, The Amazing Spider-Man is shaping to be one good looking web-swing through the Big Apple. The game will launch alongside the movie, this July.

Win Horror History with The Wasted Land

2012-02-24T13:02:00.000-05:00

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land developer Red Wasp is giving you a chance to take home a piece of Lovecraft history with their Wasted Land Competition.

The prize is quite the doozy: an original(!) copy of Astounding Stories circa 1936. That particular issue features none other than Cthulhu creator H.P. Lovecraft's story At the Mountains of Madness.

Red Wasp Design, the developers of the new Cthulhu-mythos horror/strategy RPG 'Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land' have announced a competition where you could win an original 1936 copy of a pulp fiction magazine featuring the writing of H.P. Lovecraft.

The prize is an original March 1936 issue of 'Astounding Stories' which features part of Lovecraft's classic tale of Antarctic horror, At The Mountains of Madness. Not only that but it has the amazing cult illustrations of Howard V. Brown, who was commissioned to bring Lovecraft's dark imaginings to life.

To win this rare prize what you have to do is submit a review to the App Store (how to) or rewrite the text of an existing review (how to) of their game 'Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land' in the style of H.P. Lovecraft. Red Wasp's designer Tomas Rawlings explains, "Lovecraft was famous for his distinctive writing style; long descriptions with lots of adjectives, using obscure words, plenty of indescribable and nameless things crawling through the text. He was an evocative writer, which is part of the reason why he is still so widely read today. We want people to go Lovecraftian-crazy in reviewing the game with gibbous, visceral pleasure and wild Bacchanalian abandon!"
If you want to win this bit of horror history then simply submit your review to the App Store then email a copy of the review, your App Store username (to prove it is your work) and which country store it was posted on to: contact at redwaspdesign dot com with the subject line 'review competition'. The developers will feature the best entries on their site and pick the winner on Friday 9th March so get entries to us by the 8th.
So dear reader, 'tis time to retire to the study, shut out the world, ink the writing quill and let the horrors of uncaring cosmic madness guide your fragile scratchings...
Please note: This competition is not open to employees of Red Wasp Design or their families, residents of Innsmouth or Deep One hybrids. Sorry :(

'The cover of the 1936 Astounding Stories up for grabs.
Within lies the horror of the Mountains of Madness...'

Oh, and if you're wondering, that's the actual copy that you can win in the pic above. Looks pretty good for being, what, almost 80 years old? Some would say, unnaturally good...

Doodle Roll Wins 'Best in Play' at Toy Fair

2012-02-24T12:33:00.000-05:00

Although Imagination Brands' Doodle Roll hasn't been around all that long as of yet (it was released last Summer) it's fast become a favorite toy of critics and kids alike, taking home a boat load of awards.

The latest prize nabbed by the roll-out art studio is the Parenting Magazine 'Best in Play' award for Toy Fair 2012. The mag sifted through quite a few entries in the creativity toy catagory (shown off at Toy Fair), but chose Doodle Roll as tops-

“It is extremely gratifying to have been recognized by such a prestigious and trusted publication as one of Toy Fair 2012 ‘Best in Play’,” said Marc Cooper, Chief Doodle Officer of Imagination Brands and cocreator of the Doodle Roll®. “The entire team, including our valuable vendors, has worked exceptionally hard over the past year to deliver a top quality product that not only looks first class but functions extremely well. It is amazing how far we have come in such a short time and it is truly exciting to have so many Doodle Roll® versions and other products in the pipe line.”

The toy is actually pretty neat- if you're not familiar with the product, it features a 30' roll-out paper canvas and storage for crayons. Imagination Brands also says they'll be rolling (*ahem) a bunch of new stuff throughout the year- you can check them out right here.

First PC Max Payne 3 Screens are Hard-Boiled

2012-02-23T17:23:00.001-05:00

Max Payne 3 isn't all that far from launch now on every major home console and Rockstar is steadily pumping out the teases and looks. Today we catch a glimpse of the game's PC version in action.

Snake Eater 3D Sneaks onto 3DS Today

2012-02-21T15:51:00.002-05:00

Get ready to go back to the Cold War and the 1960s... or at the very least, back to a few years ago to relive Konami's third game in the Metal Gear Solid saga, Snake Eater, in the glorious third dimension.

The 3DS has been on fire since the Holiday season with some excellent (not to mention big name) releases. That's not about to change this week as Solid Snake creeps his way onto the console.

Set during the Cold War of the 60s METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D sees series hero Snake infiltrating the Soviet jungle to bring back a scientist being held against his will. Beginning on the outskirts of a military base, the player must use Snake's stealth skills along with the foliage and shade that the jungle offers as cover to infiltrate unseen. As the game progresses, old faces make unwelcome appearances and a series of terrifying boss characters must be defeated before leading up to a dramatic twist that brings Snake face to face with a key figure from his past.

But this little guy is more than just a re-play of the classic PS2 game. Konami added in a bunch of stuff to make the action/espionage title something special for 3DS owners.

3D elements: The atmosphere interacts and comes to life with series hero Snake. Springing to life in an immersive experience, the jungle's dense foliage and craggy outcrops realistically brush past as Snake moves through them and the many creatures that inhabit the terrain interact and attack if disturbed by Snake. Adding to the jungle habitat, creatures within the world can also be killed and stored as rations - highlighting how Snake must also overcome his surroundings while undercover on his mission.
Camouflage photography: Within the game, Snake can alter his ensemble to match and blend in with his immediate environment and the possibilities can range from brick-colored fatigues within buildings, to the classic camouflage khakis of the jungle. Users can now take a picture of real-life items and create a camo suit based on them – although the extent of its effectiveness will vary depending on how well your pictures blend with Snake's environment!
Dual-screen format: Enabling easier access to Snake's inventory, which is now located below the main action and also supports gyro synchronization for special actions like balancing on narrow ledges that will draw players further into the world of MGS. Similarly, targeting enemies is now made simpler with the addition of Circle Pad Pro-compatibility, with the second Circle Pad allowing users to target distant foes with ease.

Not huge changes to be sure, but why mess up what's already a great game with gimmicks? If you haven't played Snake Eater before, or just want a portable version of it, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D might be one to watch. It's available now at retail everywhere.

Review: Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted land (iOS)

2012-02-21T01:19:00.004-05:00

The Old Gods of H.P. Lovecraft have seen few and far between successes in the gaming world. Now developer Red Wasp brings the fantasy horror universe to iOS devices in classic turn-based strategy form. Will it leave you running for the asylum, or bowing at the alter?

I'm really no fan of turn-based anything. That's a hell of a way to start this review, I know. See when I was a kid, I was really into table top strategy games like Warhammer and D&D, but as time went by my patience with the medium waned. At this point I don't know anyone who's into gaming with miniatures and I'm not interested in them for anything other than some nice memories.

Pudding Lane sounds so happy doesn't it?

Strategy gaming is much the same for me. Titles like Final Fantasy Tactics, which I once thought were the bees knees, are now all pretty much a jumbo helping of no thank-you. I simply don't have the temperament to plan out complex strategy's and attack plans anymore. Maybe blame the years of playing action games and shooters for souring me on the tried and true art of taking turns- it's as good a scape goat as any.

Definitely not in Kansas

But with all that, when I first saw Red Wasp's The Wasted Land, I was piqued. For one, it's based on the classic horror mythos of Cthulhu, and lets face it, the giant squid-headed god hasn't exactly seen all that many games. And he definitely hasn't seen all that many good ones. There was Dark Corners of the Earth and... ? Yeah, that was about it... unless you count 'inspired' games like Alone in the Dark that is.

Anyway, the second thing that hooked me was the setting. TWL is set in the gritty trenches of World War One. How many games do you see set in WW1 these days? And a horror game set in WW1? I'm a sucker for a unique tale, so I was dying to get to know this one better. That's something I'm glad I did.

As I said, The Wasted land starts off deep in the trenches of the first great war. Britain and Germany (remember, no Nazi's yet) are locked in tight, brutal, combat. Trench warfare was, for the most part, up close and personal- and a horribly bloody affair. If that wasn't bad enough, add in some bizarro stuff that starts to appear via a sect of strange German cultists, and then the high-strangeness really starts.

Pigeons+Coordinates = Boom

The combat situations of WW1 were pretty unique without otherworldly spookiness though. Especially compared to modern warfare, they were a whole other animal and the game does a great job conveying the perils of it's generally close quarters combat. Weaponry ranges from handguns and rifles to bayonets and knives. There's also clouds of deadly Mustard Gas that was the bane of many a soldier out in the field. Walk your men through a cloud of this gunk and you'll start to see their stats fall as it overtakes them.

Special counter options like gas masks are available for some though, as are massively devastating attacks like artillery bombardments. That's quite a sight to see if you're starting to be overwhelmed by the way. You're actually able to kit out your men fairly well and there's a nice stat system in place too. I was quite surprised by the depth.

Graphically, this one is solid if unspectacular and that might actually be the only down point of The Wasted Land. Things don't look bad per say, playing out in a semi-overhead/three quarter view; most everything looks good enough. That said, it's not going to blow you away. Not that it really has to, this isn't meant to be an in your face extravaganza, but if that's something you're looking for, you might be a little disappointed. The audio could have used a little kick in the pants too, while we're on the subject, and the 'theme song' (fitting for the source material) might actually drive you insane. But honestly, I'm picking because there's a lot to like here.

The relatively small levels are very well designed and have some neat elements. I would have liked just a tad more work to have been done on the tertiary details of the game though. Stuff like the effects for the med-kits just seem out of place in a grime-soaked game like this and the look of the inventory screen is definitely lacking. Maybe a little too old school... Once again though, I have to reiterate that none of this gets in the way of the game providing an enjoyable experience and that says something.

This should be familiar to genre fans

Not hurting things at all is the extremely solid gameplay. And with a patch released shortly after launch that added in a bunch of fixes, things have only gotten better. Now, remember that I'm not a strat guy by any means- but I had a great time here. Play control is excessively easy and the nice big screen of the iPad makes navigating and lighting up enemy troops an absolute breeze. Things do trend more to the snug side of the comfort scale when playing on the iPhone, but that's to be expected.

Even if you're not all that into turn-based strategy, I think I can safely say that you'll find a lot to like with The Wasted Land. The Lovecraft universe is loaded with ancient relics, long sleeping gods, and some deeply mystic overtones. Not all that into old H.P's work? That's okay too, because if you're just a general horror dude or even a comic book devotee- you'll more than likely find the fiction crafted here right up your alley.

Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land is an excellent example of how to do strategy right on the iOS family of devices. This is one 'Call' that you should most definitely answer.

Bottom Line
85%

Reviewed by Jason

Toy Fair '12: Earthworm Jim Returns

2012-02-20T16:24:00.003-05:00

How long has it been since Earthworm Jim has seen a toy line? Playmates' lineup of cartoon based figures from the ate '90s is pretty much the only thing that comes to mind. Now Mezco is about to rectify that situation with a fresh assortment of collectibles based on the worm in the power suit.

Developer Shiny's EWJ was always one of my favorite titles from the silver age of the side-scroller genre. It just had all the right conventions and hit all the best possible notes- played like a dream too. In fact, I can recall many a day whiling away the time playing Jim on my Nomad... loved that little console. But I digress...

One of the biggest plusses of the series, was the tremendously imaginative character designs. The Earthworm Jim aside (he's a mutated earthworm in a humanoid battle suit); there was his main antagonist PsyCrowe (exactly what he sounds like), Evil the Cat, and loads more. Right now, all Mezco is showing off is an action figure of the main ~~man~~ worm and a plush toy- lets hope that gets an expansion.

Even without a game or show behind him, it's not hard to envision an Earthworm Jim toy series being a nice little hit. Mezco seems like a good fit too and the sculpting looks great on what was shown- crossing fingers... now.

Skylanders Legendary Triple Pack Back at TRU

2012-02-18T12:17:00.001-05:00

Toys R Us' Legendary three pack of Skylanders figures has made a triumphant return to store shelves this week. Considering how difficult it is getting ahold of anything Spyro related these days, that's something that the game's fans will more than likely be very happy to hear.

Consisting of 'Legendary' versions of Chop-Chop, Bash, and Spyro; the pack will seriously bump up the stats of the three over their standard versions.

Legendary Bash, of the Earth element, hits the portal with double armor-helpful when kids take him out of the package and place him instantly into more difficult levels.

Legendary Chop Chop, an Undead element character, is ready to slice and dice his foes. He's a good guy to have on your team as his defenses are high and he likes to get up close to enemies to attack with his ancient sword.

Legendary Spyro, a fiesty purple dragon from the Magic element, rounds out the Legendary Triple Pack. He can charge at enemies, knock down obstacles with his horns and can fly-making him one of the more versatile Skylanders characters.

Grab 'em while you can- Skylanders is available now for your system of choice (everything except PSV, PSP, and DS). You can (try to) grab the Legendary pack right here.

Mass Effect 3 Trailer Debuts on Walking Dead

2012-02-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

This Sunday (that's tomorrow) the newest trailer for one of the biggest games in recent years, Mass Effect 3, will debut. Chances are that you would have seen it even without a reminder as the spot is scheduled to air during the mid-season re-activation of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Dead is expected to pull in a mind blowing 10 million viewers this Sunday at 9pm EST- the trailer will be broadcast at some point during the show. We know you're probably chomping at the bit for anything ME3 related, so here's a teaser for your viewing enjoyment.

Yes, it's a teaser. For a trailer. And it's awesome.

Official: Abe Lincoln was a Vampire Hunter

2012-02-17T19:57:00.000-05:00

Get ready to think of Abraham Lincoln as a badass, undead slayin', mofo. The first trailer for the upcoming movie based on the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter book is live and in your face.

The book was a little bit of a tongue in cheek affair as I understand it, the flick looks to be quite the opposite. Although the master of the macabre, Tim Burton, is involved as a producer- so looks might be just ever so slightly deceiving.

Yakuza: Dead Souls is Infested with... Mini Games

2012-02-16T18:06:00.002-05:00

A whole bunch of them apparently. From the trailer released today by Sega, it looks like there's going to be plenty to do in Japan to keep you busy between rounds of fighting the undead.

Yakuza™: Dead Souls, this next iteration of the iconic Japanese series, is set in the infamous red light district of Tokyo, which is under attack from hordes of zombies. The game features gunplay for the first time in the Yakuza™ series, where everything from pistols, machine guns and rocket launchers can be employed against the zombie invasion. Players will not only face armies of the undead and incredibly powerful mutants, but a treacherous Japanese underworld that is just as merciless. Playing through the eyes of four of the most infamous characters of the series, witness allegiances shift quickly and the line between friend and foe lost. With all the depth and story of a Yakuza title, plus the addition of exciting shoot-outs and previously unplayable characters Ryuji Goda and Goro Majima, Yakuza: Dead Souls is worth dying for.

New Max Payne 3 Trailer Has Gravitas

2012-02-16T16:57:00.000-05:00

Rockstar released the newest trailer for the upcoming Max Payne 3 today and it's chock full of guns, shaved heads, guns, beards, guns, slo-mo dives, guns, and tough talkin'. And guns.

The basic storyline for MP3 has been out there in the wild for quite a while now, but the little details are starting to slip out now. Max looks like he's (typically) in way over his head with all manner of scum breathing down his neck.

Max Payne 3 will be shooting up PS3's and Xbox 360's everywhere on May 19th, PC's will have to wait it out- they'll get their dose of lead on the 29th.

Protect your iOS Web Surfing With PassTouch

2012-02-16T15:46:00.001-05:00

Worried about your passwords, search history (ahem), and other online stuffs being discovered and otherwise ogled? PassTouch has a nice little solution for you.

Passtouch is introducing a new universally accepted “signature type” password alternative and web browser for touch screen devices like the iPad. Passtouch works a lot like a signature, but offers even more creative freedom. Users create their own Passtouch design by drawing a single continuous line over an interface provided on the company’s app. Unlike anything else that has been previously created, Passtouch is truly intuitive and takes advantage of the iPad’s highly responsive touch screen. Free and paid versions of the app are available in the iTunes App store.

Apparently, there's quite a bit you can do with the feature as it allows for a lot of freedom in creating your own unique 'PassTouch'. After you've drawn your scribble, PassTouch unlocks everything you do online by remembering and storing all of your bookmarks, codes, and passwords... so this is something that you probably don't want anyone else having access to.

The Passtouch web browser allows multiple users to create private profiles, each with their own history and bookmarks. Profiles are protected by a single Passtouch signature, no typing required. While browsing, website log-in details can be saved as bookmarks, which provide one-touch access to password protected sites.

Pretty cool idea. The company is also touting the ease of use that PassTouch offers to those with limited dexterity and the disabled. It also can support multiple users (each with their own 'signature') and is so easy "We even have a four-year-old using it" according to company CEO Jason Boger.

PassTouch is available now on the iPad App Store with both free and paid versions ($1.99 for the ad free paid one)

Country Dance All Stars Trailer Shows off New Deets

2012-02-09T12:18:00.001-05:00

A few more details today for all you roadhouse dancers out there from Gamemill about they're upcoming Kinect powered dancer- Country Dance All Stars.

Country Dance All Stars, the next iteration in the top-selling Country Dance video game franchise, brings a whole new hands-free experience to the dance party. Your body becomes the controller as you kick up your boots and dance your way through over 30 hot routines and songs. Challenge a friend to a dance off with simultaneous competitive play or work together to pull off the moves and collectively build a top score. Boost your boot-scootin’ skills with all new line-dancing routines, and don’t be afraid to belt it out with scrolling sing-a-long lyrics. Share the fun with friends as the Kinect sensor snaps photos throughout each routine. Plus, all new DLC support allows you to keep the party going with downloadable song packs featuring new choreography that will be released post launch.

Dark Horse Presents: Concrete Park

2012-02-08T18:12:00.001-05:00

Remember Eraser? The 1996 blockbusters was one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's last big huge hits before taking office as CA's gov. It was also written by Tony Puryear, author of the upcoming 'Concrete Park'.

Dark Horse Presents #8 will play host to Puryear's first comic book foray, and boy does it sound like a winner:

Concrete Park is a dark and provocative near-future story. It takes place in a turbulent mega-city on a distant desert planet (think Cairo or Rio in space). Young human exiles from Earth must fight to make a new world there. They are “young, violent and ten billion miles from home.” In its ambitious scope, it resembles nothing so much as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but with favelas and aliens, cops and cyborgs, ghettos and gangs, instead of castles and armies.

Even more awesome is that Puryear did the pencils too. Now that's a talented guy. DHP#8 is coming to shops very soon but if you're looking for more from Tony, stay tuned for the big screen re-do of the literary classic- Farenheit 451. He penned the script for that one too.

Grand Slam Tennis 2 Brings the ESPN in New Trailer

2012-02-08T14:37:00.000-05:00

ESPN is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) sports networks in the world, and EA's upcoming Grand Slam Tennis 2 is going to take full advantage of that.

The tennis title (say that three times fast) features an ESPN 'Grand Slam Classics' mode that gives users the chance to replay classic matchups from year's gone by. Given the game's roster, there are some real classics that'll be playable. Grand Slam also showcases a two man announce booth that features John McEnroe and Pat Cash.

Even though Johnny Mac isn't sporting the massive hair anymore, so disappointing, it should be mildly entertaining nonetheless to hear what he has to say about himself.

Country Dance All Stars Gets Down with Full Track List

2012-02-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

In the mood for a little square dancin' at the local waterin' hole? No? Well maybe you'd rather just dance it out in your living room with Gamemill Entertainment's Country Dance All Stars for the Xbox Kinect.

Click on through pard for a full set list of the music and a launch trailer-

Gamemill might be a relatively small publisher, but they actually have a really impressive list of tunes for you to shake your spurs at:

COUNTRY DANCE ALL STARS SETLIST:

Alan Jackson – “Good Time”
Ashton Shepherd – “Look It Up”
Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
Blake Shelton – “All About Tonight”
Brad Paisley – “Water”
Brooks & Dunn – “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”
Carrie Underwood – “Cowboy Casanova”
Chad Brownlee – “Carried Away”
Chris Heers – “Dirt Rich”
Dierks Bentley – “What Was I Thinkin’”
Easton Corbin – “Roll With It”
Eric Church – “Hell On The Heart”
Gwyneth Paltrow – “Shake That Thing”
Hayley Mclean – “Good Time Bone”
Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
Josh Kelley – “Georgia Clay”
Josh Thompson – “Beer on the Table”
Josh Turner – “Why Don’t We Just Dance”
Katie Armiger – “Best Song Ever”
Keith Urban – “Better Life”
Kellie Pickler – “Tough”
Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For A Good Time”
Laura Bell Bundy – “Giddy On Up”
Little Big Town – “Little White Church”
Luke Bryan – “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)”
Miley Cyrus – “Hoedown Throwdown”
Miranda Lambert – “White Liar”
Rascal Flatts – “Life Is A Highway”
Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”
The Last Ride – “Take You Down”
Tim McGraw – “Felt Good on My Lips”
Trace Adkins – “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”
Zac Brown Band – “Chicken Fried”

EA Nabs Licensing Agreement with Czech National Team

2012-02-08T14:03:00.002-05:00

EA Sports FIFA titles are about to get an infusion of Czech National Team Football (soccer to you westerners).

Wrapping up the four year agreement, EA will be including the newly available team in the next edition of FIFA. A fact that has the President of the Czech Republic's Football Association very happy.

“Having the full national team, in the hugely popular FIFA series, with authentic jerseys and players, is a big win for Czech fans,” said Miroslav Pelta, President of the Football Association of the Czech Republic. “Seeing the team in the world’s most popular sports videogame in the coming years is something that will definitely build the connection between our team and our fans.”

Said Matt Bilbey of EA:

“We’re very excited to bring stars of the Czech National Team into our games,” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President and GM of Soccer, EA SPORTS. “For all our fans that support and love Czech soccer, this will only add to the authentic FIFA experience they enjoy.”

SSX Goes Big with Soundtrack

2012-02-08T12:43:00.002-05:00

EA's upcoming reinvention of the classic extreme sports title SSX is almost upon us- and it's bringing a pretty big name soundtrack with it.

“SSX has always been one of EA’s most music intensive, genre diverse and sonically adventurous titles,” says Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music & Music Marketing. “The songs on this new soundtrack cover ground from indie rock, dub step, hip-hop, drum + bass and beyond. As fans of the ultimate snowboarding franchise have come to expect, our artists range from top cutting-edge stars to tomorrow’s hottest underground acts. Ultimately, it’s a soundtrack full of next-level music that is totally ripe for discovery.”

Probably could have done without the dub step, but if you don't care for something on the packed in playlist, you can add in your own tunes. That's always an appreciated feature. There's also something called a 'dynamic music remix' tool happening here. What's that do?

SSX also features a dynamic music remix tool that will automatically remix licensed tracks and custom music based on the player’s actions and performance in-game.

Sounds like some cool stuff- getting a true dynamic and changing background score might be a little bit of a challenge considering we're not just talking about orchestral tracks here. Switching things up in a piece of music that has vocals in it might be somewhat dicey. We shall see.

While we all wait for the game to drop into stores at the end of this month, why not peruse the complete track list? There's bound to be something you'll like... or not. Who can tell anymore, you're so picky.

Artist	Track
Camo & Krooked	Breezeblock
Camo & Krooked	Portal
Dels	Capsize ft. Joe Goddard & Roots Manuva
Digitalism	Blitz
DJ Shadow	I Gotta Rock (Irn Mnky Swagger Mix)
Felguk ft. Example	Plastic Smile
Flux Pavilion	I Can't Stop
Foster the People	Houdini
Handsome Furs	Damage
Hyper	Accelerate
J Boogie's Dubtronic Science	Magik (Egyptian Lover Remix) ft. Aima the Dream, Cait La Dee & Raashan Ahmad
Kid Digital	Done With That ft. Profit
Konrad Old Money	Big Error
Lateef the Truthspeaker	Oakland ft. Del the Funky Homosapien & The Grouch
Nero	Scorpions
Noisia	Could this Be
Noisia	Machine Gun
Pretty Lights	Hot Like Dimes
Raffertie	Twitch (It Grows and Grows: SSX Version)
Run-DMC	It’s Tricky (SSX Pretty Lights Remix)
Skrillex	Scatta ft. Foreign Beggers & Bare Noize
Styrofoam Ones	Better
The Big Pink	Stay Gold
The Herbaliser	What You Asked For
The Hives	1000 Answers
The Naked and Famous	Young Blood
The Prototypes	Your Future
The Qemists	Bones ft. Kellermensch
The Qemists	Stompbox
The Qemists	Lifeline
Theophilus London	I Stand Alone (Ocelot Mix)
TRS-80	Mirage
Turbowolf	A Rose for the Crows
Two Door Cinema Club	Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix)
Wretch 32	Traktor
Zion I and the Grouch	Drop It on the 1