Volatile Mode

I'd Like Everyone to Follow Holygrenade!

2013-03-13T10:05:00.001-04:00

If you were a fan of Volatile Mode, I appreciate your support. It was the ultimate pleasure to come on here and rant about the video game business, and to meet some brilliant people with similar aspirations. I haven't updated this blog in a long while, and the reason being is I'm hard at work on my site Holygrenade.

It's what I tried to achieve with VM but I slowly realized I have no power over my content. More importantly, I have no ownership over my content. All of that is owned by Google as put on display by that dreaded two week ban for hosting a damn giveaway. Having my own site gives me an identity and establishes me as a credible writer and journalist. And also as someone who genuinely adores games enough to write about them at length on a daily basis.

I see this blog still has a number of subscribers, many more than on Holygrenade. Maybe VM has more traction under the Blogger banner. Regardless, I ask you all to head over to Holygrenade.com and let's connect! You can follow via twitter or Like it on Facebook for instant updates, or follow via RSS if you're an avid blog reader. Everyone is welcome!

I want to create a conversation. And I wish for all of you to be along for the ride. So if you were a fan of my work, I politely and eagerly ask you to head over to the new site and invest time in the content. It's been a long road, but Holygrenade turns a year old in June and I want some friends to celebrate with. Maybe with a giveaway or something.

Cheers guys. :D

Holygrenade Update #7

2012-11-14T21:22:00.002-05:00

Holygrenade Update #6

2012-11-14T21:16:00.001-05:00

Hey guys. Almost three months ago was the last update, and it seems like forever. Over on Holygrenade I've made significant changes in not only the content offerings but in the design department as well, and I hope you check it out. I'll be doing this updates far more regularly (probably weekly) at least until Holygrenade matches the numbers for VM.

I encourage you to go over to Holygrenade and subscribe if you like my stuff. Every post on this blog henceforth will strictly be updates for the other. Cheers.

All these posts are from my updated direction, not including ones from before the shift. Hope you enjoy!

http://holygrenade.com/2012/10/the-real-effect-of-metacritic-on-the-gaming-industry/ - How Metacritic has affected the industry.

http://holygrenade.com/2012/10/the-problems-of-promotion-in-games-journalism/ - About "Doritosgate" and various issues within video game journalism.

http://holygrenade.com/2012/10/another-case-of-games-journalism-and-its-wrongful-conduct/ - Expanding more on the previous idea.

http://holygrenade.com/2012/10/life-after-three-where-assassins-creed-goes-from-here/ - What Ubisoft should do after the open-ended Assassin's Creed 3.

http://holygrenade.com/2012/10/some-grievances-of-gaming-journalism/ - Games journalism was a big topic for me, what can I say?

Holygrenade Update #5

2012-08-19T07:19:00.000-04:00

Hey guys, Jeff here. This update is for my new blog, Holygrenade. I implore you to come check out the new site; it's the same old Volatile Mode, just something more permanent. You know, where Google doesn't outright own my content. :)

For those subscribed by RSS feed, here's a direct link to the new site's feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Holygrenade. If you have any problems, tweet me at @JeffHeilig.

Anyway, here are links to my most recent articles:

1. Five Ways to Fix Mass Effect 3's Multiplayer

2. Star Wars: The Old Republic: What Free-to-Play Means Going Forward

3. The "Interactivity Gallery" of Minecraft

4. Pandas Could Actually Save World of Warcraft

5. Zynga's Fall From Grace

6. The Bourne Legacy Film Review

7. Sony Plays Hardball With New "Crossbuy" Initiative

8. Borderlands 2 and All Those Delicious Guns

Cheers guys. Jeff out.

Holygrenade Update #4

2012-07-24T18:52:00.004-04:00

1. One Hour Worth of Battlefront 3

2. Hey There, Digital Friends

3. Consoles Aren't Disappearing Any Time Soon

4. OUYA: The Future of Console Gaming

5. Slender Doing Horror Right For Free!

6. Battlefield 4 is Official: Anyone Surprised?

7. Dear Esther Review

8. The Media's Conduct in Video Game Reporting

Holygrenade Update #3

2012-06-28T12:07:00.000-04:00

Please come check out the new blog, Holygrenade.com. I'll continually post updates on here until traffic starts picking up. If you enjoy my stuff, it's easy to subscribe to.

1. EA, Origin and Metacritic: Sporadic Thoughts on an MCV Interview - I dissect an interview covering EA's handling of Origin.

2. ZombiU and How Zombies Have Feelings Too - Ubisoft is looking to define the zombie survival genre and I feel they have a legitimate shot at doing so.

3. Holygrenade’s Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut Commentary - My thoughts on BioWare's highly contentious ending-bending piece of DLC.

4. Comparing Mass Effect 3′s Gay Relationships - And hot off the presses (as of a few minutes ago) I dally into how BioWare's handled the various homosexual relationships Shepard can enter. Long post!

Again, please subscribe to the new blog. I'm only going to post it limitedly, and only updates. No new content. And share the new blog with people, friends, family! Putting my heart and soul into HG and I'd love for all of you, my subscribers and new readers, to help. Cheers! Jeff out.

HolyGrenade Update #2

2012-06-23T14:58:00.001-04:00

1. The Elder Scrolls Online Bound For Peril? - Is Bethesda's ambitious new MMO already dead in its tracks?

2. Holygrenade Interview: Justin McElroy, Managing Editor of Polygon - We talk briefly about launching a brand new gaming site, and recent controversies in the industry.

3. Gameloft: The Porn Studio of Video Games - An idea (and headline, because I'm not that creative, that I stole from Volatile Mode) about Gameloft creates games baring a striking resemblance to other franchises.

4. What EA Got Right: Defending Gay Culture in Gaming - With all the anti-EA rhetoric lately, I remind people that EA has done something right: defend how BioWare implements gay and lesbian characters.

5. Why Where Handhelds Noticeably Absent From E3 2012? - This one is self-explanatory.

6. Games Journalism Must Stop Reporting Rumours - Also, self-evident.

Holygrenade Update

2012-06-17T05:46:00.001-04:00

I don't know if I'll post here anymore, but please take the time to check out the first three posts on my site Holygrenade and tell me what you think! If you like my work, maybe even think of subscribing?

1. A Mass Effect MMO is on the Horizon - I speculate and give concrete evidence as to why BioWare should consider building a Mass Effect MMO sometime in the future.

2. Male Stereotypes: How Baldness Pervaded the Gaming Industry - I discuss how prominent male characters feature bald or shaven heads, or are advertised as such and dig into why this is occurring.

3. An Open Letter to Lara Croft: We're Sorry - I apologize to Lara Croft directly over misinterpreted comments from Crystal Dynamics about an attempted rape scene that exploded online.

The Reinvented Gaming Blog... Announcing Holygrenade!

2012-06-13T09:11:00.000-04:00

Hey guys. It's been a long time. I'm sorry for only sporadically posting on Volatile Mode, but I'm excited to finally unveil my big announcement.

I bring you: Holygrenade!

Holygrenade is the spiritual successor to VM and I encourage you all to march over there and check it out. The website just launched so the design isn't there, and I barely know HTML or coding, but with a little time I'm sure it'll be aesthetically pleasing. But for the meantime, head over and tell me what you think.

Since Holygrenade is Volatile Mode 2.0, the content will be bigger and better. More of the same, of course, but more in-depth and more controversial. Got dozens of ideas I'm working around right now.

Also make sure to subscribe! (If it doesn't work, please tell me here or over on HG and I'll fix the problem.

Thanks everyone for your continued support, and let's make Holygrenade something of a spectacle. Sound good? Jeff out.

The Elder Scrolls Online is Official!

2012-05-03T12:28:00.000-04:00

Hey guys. Sorry for the long delay between posts. I've been preoccupied with other endeavours, and within the next week I might have a major announcement. In the meantime, just saw this news so I thought I'd give my take.

It's official! On the June cover of Game Informer, Bethesda will give the first concrete details on the MMO adaptation of its long-running series. (How does Game Informer get all the scoops?)

Typical of The Elder Scrolls franchise, Online will fall in the same realm as previous games, but instead of centering on one province every part of Tamriel is getting the treatment. "From Elsweyr to Skyrim and everywhere in between," notes the article.

The game is set a millennium before Skyrim, exploring a brand new portion of Tamriel's history where the Daedric prince Molag Bal attempts to conquer the entire land. Game Informer's feature will also discuss everything from "solo questing to public dungeons", as well glance at the PvP (player vs. player) system as three factions fight for control of Cyrodiil and the Emperor's throne.

This is the planned cover, showing the provinces of Morrowind and Black Marsh. Also worth noting is the ring in the middle, displaying a lion, bird and dragon, confirming what Tom's Guide published back in March:

Needless to say, I'm excited. The timing is curious, though. Maybe Bethesda senses World of Warcraft is floundering and Mists of Pandaria won't save it? Another thought: BioWare (The Old Republic) against The Elder Scrolls should make for a fun contest. Jeff out.

Like this post and others? Please make sure to subscribe on the right via email or RSS feed. Additionally, you can follow me on twitter from the sidebar. Share this post on Reddit, StumbleUpon, Facebook, and any other site that you can. This is exciting news!

Confessions of a Gamer's Girlfriend: My Afternoon with Halo: Reach

2012-04-20T16:27:00.001-04:00

Again, Jess offers her newfound perspective on the gaming industry, this time behind the wheels of parting-Bungie's famous franchise. If you want to found out more, you can contact her via Facebook. I thank Jess again!

Home alone at my boyfriend’s house for an afternoon; I decided to check out Halo: Reach to see what all the fuss was about. Sure, I’ve watched him play it before. I’ve even done a little gameplay with a friend when it first came out. That said, I’m not the sort of person who can truly understand the inner workings of something unless I am left to figure it out on my own.

I’m told the game is the most fun if you play with a Live account. My boyfriend’s system is a Xbox 360, and he does subscribe to Xbox Live. However, I didn’t want my inexperience to mess with all his hard work. Instead I opted to use a guest account that was only local to his system.

Despite my eagerness to get right into the game, I opted to watch the full cut scene at the beginning. Though I found it interesting and well made, there were aspects that couldn’t be fully understood unless one had experience with the previous installments of the Halo franchise.

Fortunately, I’ve heard many stories. So I think I did just fine.

Melee attack has always been my forte, so it was a small challenge adapting to the shooting style of the game. That didn’t last long. Within the first twenty minutes I had the controls figured out, and I was navigating the game without much difficulty.

The gameplay itself was quite interesting. The radar in the bottom corner of the screen was helpful for keeping on track and fighting enemies. There were also various ‘checkpoints’ to ensure I was going the right way and seeing the right things as well. The standard health and ammo count were also available on my screen. The ability to pick up alien weapons for use came in handy, seeing as there weren’t ammunition reloads readily available during gameplay (at least in the earlier part of the game I was playing).

The scenery was beautiful! Between shootouts there was plenty of creative and well thought out buildings and topography to explore. There was also these ostrich like animals running around which drove me to distraction! They were impervious to bullets, and it felt like they were ALWAYS in the way. That said, they added some definite realism and colour to the planet Reach. There is no planet in the universe that would only have ONE type of creature on it!

After two hours and a handful of firefights, I felt like I’d had enough. I am well aware people can get lost in this game for whole days at a time. That said, I’m sure much of the fun comes from playing with your friends, and I was alone.

I foresee myself picking up the controller much more often when I move in with my boyfriend this May. I will absolutely have time for solo game play, as well as playing with friends. Will I play Halo: Reach again? Absolutely! However, to better enjoy my experience I will equip myself with some companionship on the battlefield. It can get awful lonely out there!

The Video Game Obsession of an Alleged Mass Murderer

2012-04-20T07:50:00.002-04:00

Oftentimes the unhindered thirst to kill spreads gradually from a psychologically paralyzing event, like the tragic loss of a parent for instance. In mass murderers, the trigger event is so mentally damaging that their morals and judgment are clouded, and they convince themselves killing innocent people is justified. This is what happened with Anders Behring Breivik, the man alleged to have committed those mass shootings in Norway last year.

He saw himself as a martyr, publishing a manifesto claiming Norway was the victim of rampant Islamic terrorism, and perpetrating his spree was the means to publicize his beliefs. Seventy-seven people lost their lives, mostly teenagers, after a shooting rampage that killed sixty-nine; a bomb exploded two hours previous near the Prime Minister's office killing eight and injuring over 200.

While his trial is ongoing, receiving significant face time are World of Warcraft and Call of Duty, supposedly where he hatched a deep hatred for Islam and "practiced" his shooting skills. The accused played Blizzard's MMO upward of sixteen hours a day, after moving back in with his mother, and stated the game was only a "hobby". Also, he called Call of Duty "a war simulator" that "gives you an impression of how targeting systems work."

Yesterday, Kotaku posted a rather disturbing article delving into Mr. Breivik's World of Warcraft career, showcasing responses of disbelief from guild-mates and online friends alike. Most unsettling was his collection of forum posts, ranging from congratulatory to insensitive. Kotaku cites one particular post where Breivik, using his level 85 mage "Conservatism" says: "Better hated than forgotten, or what?"

Furthermore, Breivik admitted to using Call of Duty 4 to hone his shooting skills. Utilizing a "holographic aiming device" he explained the precision was so correct that "...it's built up in such a way that you could have given it to your grandmother and she would have been a super marksman."

It's common fodder to associate video gaming with obscene violence, in turn trivializing a cultured industry, but there are other points major media is missing. According to The Vancouver Sun, Mr. Breivik also used meditation and steroids to prepare himself, and somehow that tidbit is omitted from most news reports I read. The media world is built on sensationalistic headlines, and claiming a video game responsible is more buzzworthy than "Man used meditation and steroids to commit mass murder".

(The proof is everywhere. After editing this piece this morning, conveniently, I had CBS This Morning on. Featuring international stories, they cited a New York Times article highlighting the role Call of Duty played, and not mentioning other things Breivik did to prepare.)

If you want more of Volatile Mode, make sure to subscribe via RSS feed or email in the sidebar, where you can also follow me on twitter. Also, please spread the word, which can be done below.

Five Suggestions for the PlayStation 4 Launch Lineup

2012-04-18T19:39:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! Before I get this post going, I want to remind you all about my 100,000 hits giveaway extravaganza. Please spread the word!

Sony has slightly lagged behind Microsoft in the console race since the generation started, and while it's likely nothing changes until the eighth round, the Japanese giant can begin anew. Going into the hypothetical PlayStation 4, the far-ranging amount of exclusives trounces the Xbox lineup considerably, therefore the prospects of an early Sony lead are great.

But as I said before, the choice of which games to promote is a necessity. The Xbox 360 grasped the lead originally and never let go, on the heels of a multiplayer revolution. And Microsoft emphasized that and the console succeeded. Sony should utilize the same strategy, but focus on the PS3's major strength: its graphical capabilities. What is shaping to be a pivotal aspect of the eighth generation, and from the long list of exclusives, pushing the PS3 as equivalent to PC (and by keeping Steamworks) is possibly something Sony toys with as release dates approach.

Anyway, to the bulk of this post. Sony gets the Volatile Mode treatment with five suggestions for its launch lineup.

1. God of War IV. The God of War series is one of two visual darlings of Sony's unique bunch of exclusives, the other being Killzone. And with an announcement slated for tomorrow, Sony is obviously committed to continuing the franchise, but in what fashion remains to be seen. What better to commit to than the spine-ripping, decapitating, senseless fun of Kratos' march for vengeance?

It's unclear whether the game is early or later in development, thus a release date is unknown. But similar to Halo, if God of War IV is planned for the PS3, I strongly believe both corporations are releasing games prematurely. As the age of exclusives dwindles, and as the gaming industry becomes more competitive, forming an identity is more important than ever before. And associating a new trilogy within a popular franchise with a console is a great way to achieve that.

2. Gran Turismo 6. This entry I debated because of the elongated development cycle of its predecessor. However, not to include Sony's premiere racing franchise seems criminal. We learned last month that Digital Polyphony was indeed photographing tracks to recreate in GT6, confirming development. Although Sony would be crazy not to push a sequel given GT5 is the highest-selling game on the console.

In my list for Microsoft, I included Forza 5, which Gran Turismo could knock out of the park. Based purely on sales alone, evidently Gran Turismo trumps in popularity. Furthermore, the general resentment of Kinect from mostly everyone in the gaming community further outcasts Forza, whereas the limited profile of Move makes the controller a rarity among GT players.

If Gran Turismo 6 is planned for the PS4, the prospects are great.

3. LittleBigPlanet 3. I'd be disappointed in myself for not having this entry. Media Molecule, somehow, paved the way for players to frame other genres within a platformer. Both main games received critical praise and the adoring fanbase has done everything from racing to first-person shooters. Needless to say, the creativeness shines through.

But more importantly, LittleBigPlanet is one of Sony's strongest exclusives, and consistently performs both critically and financially. Completing the trifecta is inevitable, so delaying to another console expands the possibilities even further. For a franchise of this uniqueness, that may seem impossible; but the projected graphical boost could lead to even more interesting adventures for Sackboy and friends.

4. Heavenly Sword 2. Sadly, the unlikeliest option on this list. Ninja Theory, currently working on the reincarnation of Devil May Cry simply called "DmC", initially planned for a Heavenly Sword trilogy. Enslaved was mistakenly regarded as a sequel, but the studio later clarified. Then the disheartening news: an IT manager at Ninja Theory stated a series revival is improbable due to a studio focus on multi-platform support.

Coveted by fans for having an admirable heroine and engaging story, and collecting critical praise, Heavenly Sword 2 makes its mark as a lost opportunity. However there's always a chance.

5. The Last Guardian. Yes, I went there. It's been three years since The Shadow of the Colossus followup was officially announced -- E3 2009 to be precise. In that three-year span, only miniscule tidbits surfaced with no concrete information. Then Fumito Ueda left the project, throwing development into disarray. As time marches on, it's apparent the project won't be finished before a PS4 release.

The trailer looks remarkable and could pass as a next generation title. Let's hope the full game pans out soon!

If, on the slim chance any Sony executives take a gander at this list, I have no formal background in games producing. And this is only five recommendations -- many variations of this list exist I'm sure, so don't take my opinion purely into account. But don't forget it either. Jeff out.

What are some games you'd recommend? Leave your suggestions or dispute mine in the comments below.

Also, if you want more of Volatile Mode, make sure to subscribe via RSS feed or email in the sidebar, where you can also follow me on twitter. Also, please spread the word, which can be done below.

100,000 Hit Giveaway!

2012-04-16T15:37:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone. There won't be a post going up because I have something to handle, but I wanted to throw this up quickly thanking everyone personally. When I started Volatile Mode back in 2010 I never thought I'd ever get remotely close to 100,000 hits; not even get a subscriber if I'm being perfectly honest. But for every new subscriber and reader comes new opportunities to form everlasting friendships. (And increase the chance of another giveaway.)

I actually held this giveaway before, but for outside circumstances I couldn't complete it. Right now, sitting in my Steam library are four invites to the premium version of Super Monday Night Combat. That's right -- only available on Steam. The follow to Uber's timeless classic of last year is still in development, so hold on to these until the game officially comes out.

Sidenote: Super Monday Night Combat will be free upon release; the premium version is slated to include a bunch of neat accessories from hats to additional skins. For the Team Fortress 2 crowd, this is the perfect present!

Here's how to enter: You must follow me on twitter and RT only one update I do on the giveaway. No need to flood others' feeds with a blog they don't care about. Only one retweet is necessary. I'll write down those accounts, draw four at random, and you can now brag about having the freemium version of Super Monday Night Combat.

I don't know when the contest ends, so we'll have to see. Now I'm focused on spreading the word as much as possible. And please do the same! Jeff out.

Again, I just want to thank everyone for reading the blog. The subscribers especially. Thank you all and have a good Monday.

Five Suggestions For the Xbox 720 Launch Lineup

2012-04-13T20:17:00.003-04:00

The excitement and restlessness of another E3 is taking shape as the year enters April. Only two months to go until the biggest names of the industry show off their offerings of the next year, and already rumours are flying regarding new systems. Safely assuming Microsoft isn't shocking the world by abandoning the console business, a new box should appear before Christmas 2013.

Tense competition from Sony and Nintendo getting a head start puts tremendous pressure on Microsoft to get it right. Beyond the capabilities of the presumed Xbox 720, the best scenario lies in the strength of the launch lineup, where arguably Nintendo holds the greatest hand. But fortunately for Microsoft, almost a decade of gaming has compiled a healthy list of franchises to draw from.

However, the strongest asset is also the most damaging weakness, and same for Sony, when it comes to choosing which titles boast the more desirable platform. So, to help the big guys out, I've compiled a list for each console manufacturer should they choose to heed my advice. Clearly I know what I am talking about (enter sarcasm here).

1. Halo 4. Immediately, Halo 4 springs to mind. But there's a couple of problems: it's planned for this year, and for the Xbox 360. Would it not be more sensible to sport a new trilogy for the lifecycle of a new console? This generation has proven the five-year lifespan is gone, so an entire trilogy can survive one generation. Take Mass Effect as a perfect example.

The original Halo franchise helped idolize the Xbox as a beacon of online multiplayer, and aided significantly in popularizing the competitive aspect of gaming on consoles. The times have changed, but Halo isn't just another franchise -- it's the iconic trilogy on Microsoft's platform. There's a prideful sentimentality for the Xbox faithful, and recapturing that would certainly weed them back. Moreover, the promise of a new exclusive franchise is more imperative than ever, especially with Sony closing the gap, and utilizing a heavyweight brand is a necessity to continue that lead.

2. Emphasizing JRPGs. This is an indisputable point, but something I feel needs attention regardless. To say Microsoft lags behind in the Japanese market is the understatement of the year. Some Japanese retailers even refuse to stock units because there's no demand. The thought of a new generation, however, if executed right, could actually make Microsoft competitive.

There's a natural division because Japanese consumers are devout to native companies. But Microsoft's unwillingness to support JRPGs is probably the cause. Of the almost 1000 games on the roster, the list of notable titles I can count on my hand is short: Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey, The Last Remnant, Enchanted Arms and Tales of Vesperia, among a selective few. It may be stereotypical to suggest all Japanese consumers prefer role-playing games (which is the furthest statement from the truth) but the emphasis on shooters and unplayable Kinect games isn't doing the company good.

If Microsoft ever wants a shot in Japan, there are avenues to take. Lost Odyssey 2 perhaps?

3. The next Red Dead. The fictional expanse of Rockstar's ambitious franchise resonated overwhelmingly with both reviewers and consumers, and the series catapulted to become one of 2010's most coveted games. After monstrous sales figures (12.5 million copies worldwide purportedly) and universal acclaim, the timing is perfect for completing the Western trifecta on next generation consoles.

The graphical magnitude that was Redemption spared no detail in reeling the player into the Southwest/Mexican landscape. But if recent rumours are to be believed, one of the focal points of the next generation is pressing the visual boundaries that consoles allow. A new Red Dead is the ideal candidate for such a monumental push and undoubtedly Rockstar is readying its Western baby for this year or 2013.

4. Crackdown 3. Regardless of Halo fanboy-ism, the original Crackdown was a pleasant surprise. Collecting those delicious orbs moved past the point of side-mission to outright obsession, and triumphing is a proven sign of dedication (or the ultimate completionist). Ruffian Games utterly destroyed a promising sequel and now it's time for vindication.

Sadly, the original developer Realtime Worlds is in game developer heaven, but Microsoft Game Studios possesses an army of studios to tackle the task. Sticking with the cell-shaded design and moving locations, Crackdown 3 is the perfect open world sequel to start things afoot for Microsoft's new gaming baby.

5. Forza 5. Microsoft's response to Gran Turismo, Turn 10 Studios boasts an impressive ability not only to makes games punctually, but produce a series racing aficionados eagerly anticipate. And not forgetting to mention the eye-catching, stimulating shine on those cars, I'm surprised there aren't more racing fans out there.

The aforementioned push for high-quality visuals is familiar territory for racing simulators, and it seems like a marriage of equals. Although the rivalry of Forza 4 and Gran Turismo (and other games in the genre) is the industry's beauty pageant, there's always room for improvement. Additionally, Microsoft should look twice to presenting an eclectic array of titles at launch time.

If, on the slim chance any Microsoft executives take a gander at this list, I have no formal background in games producing. And this is only five recommendations -- many variations of this list exist I'm sure, so don't take my opinion purely into account. But don't forget it either. Jeff out.

What are some games you'd recommend? Leave your suggestions or dispute mine in the comments below.

Also, if you want more of Volatile Mode, make sure to subscribe via RSS feed or email in the sidebar, where you can also follow me on twitter. And please spread the word, also which is done below.

Lost Planet 3 Confirmed!

2012-04-10T08:01:00.004-04:00

It appears Capcom had a little trouble this morning, with a legitimate-looking CGI trailer for Lost Planet 3 that leaked onto YouTube. The publisher quickly pulled any evidence, but not before some astute gaming fan downloaded the video and threw it up himself.

I can't say a sequel is necessarily surprising given the series' incompleteness, but reviews for Lost Planet 2 were almost universally negative. Putting an emphasis on co-op is usually a high point, yet Capcom, according to reviewers, focused too much and neglected single-player. Also cited were inconsistent difficulty drops and spikes that sometimes made the game unmanageable.

Will co-op make its way back? By the trailer only one man is seen taking down a few enemies, and no gameplay is shown. But I'm excited to see what is done for a third installment.

The trailer is below:

Starting Another Project I've Wanted to Do For a While Now!

2012-04-08T08:09:00.001-04:00

Do not worry loyal Volatile Mode readers, the blog will continue. Think of this as me spreading my wings, broadening my horizons so to speak. I've officially started a YouTube channel dedicated to writing, and on display will be some of my poems and just general writing information. Tips, writing bits, and whatever I can muster over the course of a day.

I've always admired the written word, but this gives me the option to really explore my other passion. If you want to explore your creative side, head over to my YouTube channel and subscribe! My first posting is included below. Back to regular posting tomorrow! Jeff out.

BioWare Chooses to Extend Mass Effect 3's Ending, No Changes Coming

2012-04-05T15:25:00.002-04:00

Spoilers ahead! Only dare trek through this post if you've beaten the game.

Here on Volatile Mode I've been quite vocal about my dislike for the ending, and not because of the creative direction of BioWare to leave it down to a game-concluding choice, though that decision was questionable. The persisting outrage stems from the lack of clarification of such a monumental choice, something as little as determining the fate of the universe.

Shepard's adventure is about making the difficult calls and seeing the ramifications through. And the effects are widespread -- the continued existence of four species is left directly to Shepard, and siding with certain races compromises the war effort. But the ending's main issue is that seeing-through aspect was nonexistent, and we are left guessing.

After Ray Myuzka stated altering the ending was being considered and more information would come this month, BioWare delivered on that promise. A couple hours ago the "Extended Cut" DLC pack was announced for download this summer, adding "new cinematics and epilogue scenes that will expand on the game's ending, providing extra detail and insight to fans." That last part is important because it answers a majority of the concern directly.

And the DLC is free. Awesome.

Now let's play the speculation game. Depending on how Shepard's diplomacy skills are, some races won't be attending the final battle. For the purpose of this exercise, all races have been safely recruited so no one feels left out.

The species in play are the Turians, Quarians, Geth, Salarians, Krogan, Asari, Volus, and of course, humanity. Earth is the final battlefield. The spirit of the Catalyst proclaims whatever decision has devastating consequences, including destroying the Mass Relays. With every major militaristic power near Earth, immediately this is a red flag because it means they have no way of getting home. Thus does Earth become the military hub of Citadel space, or at least what's left standing?

Furthermore, how would the Turians and Quarians survive on Earth? Their digestive tracks can't extrapolate nutrients from human food -- a fatal infection is likelier.

With the situation at hand, whatever BioWare comes up with will be a hot topic. And the start of a dangerous precedent. Jeff out.

Interview: Ben Kuchera, Editor of Penny Arcade's The PA Report and Gaming Journalist Extraordinaire

2012-04-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

1. How did you come across video games journalism, and what ultimately made you decide to enter the field?

I really don't remember, to be honest. I grew up reading magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly and GameFan, and I thought that sounded like a cool job, but when I was younger I wanted to make games. Later when I began hanging out on the Ars Technica forum I began to bug the people running the site to let me write reviews. They finally relented, and it turned into a more regular thing, and finally they offered me a job. It was a combination of understanding the audience of the site, being persistent, and luck.

Once I had my foot in the door, I immediately quit my retail job and started writing full time, long before the money justified it. I think anyone who does this for a living metaphorically jumped off the bridge at some point. That was my moment.

2. After reaching that decision, how did you go about worming your way into a career as a games journalist? It's a difficult business to enter, and I know many of my readers (including myself) are aspiring writers, so please give as much information as possible.

Once the door was opened I began working much harder than they expected and tried to avoid doing the things that drove me crazy when I read other sites that covered games. I studied writing in college, and in the early days I wrote from the moment I got up to the moment I fell asleep. You really have to throw yourself at it if you want to stand out.

3. Before you started writing for Ars Technica, what game did you pitch for review and how did you possibly convince a site that doesn't cover gaming news to bring on a games reviewer?

See above for most of this. I don't remember what exact games I pitched in the early days.

4. After working at Ars Technica for a decade, you got a call to run Penny Arcade's newest site, The PA Report. You wrote you wanted to "embark on a new adventure", but did you have second thoughts about leaving? And what were your aspirations when coming into the brand new position?

I didn't leave Ars Technica because I was upset; I still loved the site and the people I was working with. But when an opportunity like Penny Arcade comes along it's hard to turn down, and I began to realize that the entirety of my writing career has been at one site, doing one thing. I began to wonder if I could build an audience at another site, and try a few new things. My aspirations were to try to do all-original reporting and really dig into the industry by writing fewer, longer stories. I wanted to avoid blogging as much as possible.

5. Was there a definitive shift in the style or substance of content you covered for each publication? Ars has never been known as a major player in the video games coverage business, and Penny Arcade has a much higher profile at least among the frequent readership. So did you prefer The PA Report's new approach to stories, by "...longer form journalism with in-depth research, interviews and data, highlighting aspects of the gaming lifestyle that many would miss at first glance"?

I think how I write and what I write about has changed a little, but overall there's not that much of a shift.

6. It seems like a daily occurrence to hear fan backlash from reviews, going so far as to call them biased or paid off. From your perspective, what ignites this type of fury and could you recommend any ways to "legitimize" gaming journalism so to speak?

People love games, and they hate when they're told something they're looking forward to isn't very good. People have strong opinions, and at least online they don't like having those opinions challenged. It really is a vocal minority that loudly complains about review scores, however. Most people keep a clear head about it and handle the different thoughts on games just fine.

7. The PA Report doesn't put forth scores for reviews. Was this your decision or that of Penny Arcade, and would you like to see scoring removed from reviews in general? Most backlash seems to stem from a respective score, even though it's only opinion, yet gaming enthusiasts are fiercely defensive of their favourite titles.

People like scores because they don't have to read the actual words, and you get readers from being on Metacritic, and scores make it much easier to get review copies of games. I'm kind of done with the whole thing; I'll tell you what part of the games I play are good or bad, and you can make up your own mind about how important those things are. The standard review is a pretty boring affair.

8. Now to prominent issues within the industry. Were you surprised by the overwhelming negative response to Mass Effect 3's ending? In your review you never mentioned anything about the ending, but from a personal standpoint, how did you feel BioWare concluded its series and do you think fan response was justified?

I personally enjoyed the ending, and I enjoyed reading the discussion around it.

9. Moreover, Ray Myuzka, co-founder and GM of BioWare, stated in a letter recently his development team was in the process of instituting some DLC package involving the ending. Is BioWare looking to change the ending outright or add other possibilities to culminate the series, or was that just fancy language for DLC episodes? Or, is this just another Final Fantasy XIII-2 ending without the dreaded "To be continued..." on screen?

I have absolutely no idea, you'd have to ask them.

10. With all the rumours flying about a supposed used game ban for the next generation of consoles, do you think there's actually a chance of that happening, and if so, how should GameStop and other retailers respond?

I don't think there's much of a chance of this happening, but who knows? Publishers would love it, but customers would hate it. It would be a very hard thing to pull off.

11. With the utter implosion of UK specialty retailer GAME, do you believe this is the start of a trend with retailers failing or just the consequence of a bad economy?

I'm really not that knowledgeable about why GAME was having its problems; I've never been in one of those stores. In the US, GameStop is doing just fine, so we'll see.

12. Which title is your most anticipated for this year (that hasn't come out yet), and how fun will it be to review?

I like being surprised by games, so I'd love to see something new that really grabs me.

13. E3 and the summer rush of conferences is shortly upon us. Can you give us your insight on what the biggest announcements might be? Maybe the unveiling of a console?

Most of the time the big announcements are surprises, but I think we're probably a year away from a new console reveal at E3.

14. Penultimately, is The PA Report ever looking to expand its editorial team?

Not in the near future, we'll see how things look in six months or so.

15. And, lastly, would you do Volatile Mode the honour of a followup interview sometime in the near future?

We'll see! It all depends on what else is going on.

Thanks for this. It's a real honour to have your opinions grace my barely known blog. Maybe that will change after this interview is published!

Glad to help!

Sadly, Mr. Kuchera is a busy man and he didn't have time to elaborate on any points, but I do appreciate his effort anyway. It's not often you get someone from the industry to do an interview for a lil ole' blog like mine and for him to take time out of his busy schedule is more than I could ask for. Jeff out.

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A Game Will Start Charging Females Less for DLC

2012-04-02T13:46:00.002-04:00

Developers and publishers have been meddling with the DLC model for years, but in no way did anyone think advertising would become gender-based. As Ben Kuchera of The PA Report writes: "Think of it as a kind of ladies night at a bar where drinks are less expensive to try to get women into the door to hang out". I tip my hat to you sir, good metaphor.

The game in question is called Prime World, an upcoming League of Legends-esque brawler played exclusively on Facebook or mobile devices. The strange pricing method is meant to encourage female players, and to keep them playing, the female cast will get special bonuses when paired with other female battlers.

But there's one problem: changing your Facebook gender status is only a click away. And furthermore, wouldn't this actually work counter-intuitively because serious female gamers are getting preferential treatment? It's an interesting idea, and certainly a great way to garner publicity by trying an innovative pricing model, but it alienates male gamers, the likeliest people to play. The many people I know on Facebook still addicted to FarmVille and other Zynga titles are devoutly loyal, so swaying them to play a more complex game is a daunting task indeed.

However, the craziness of this plan might actually be on to something. The majority of Facebook and social gamers are female, and the industry hasn't really grasped a way to appeal to that audience exclusively. It's a huge and growing market and will probably overtake console gaming within the next five years. So while the consoles are getting brawlers pandering to the supposed male persona, this may spark contentious debate among publishers to decide the target of their advertising.

Sadly, this plan misses the point entirely. The industry still hasn't figured out an effective way to advertise to female gamers, but by just giving them a price cut the publisher isn't doing itself any favours. The plethora of male-focused advertising needs to change because of the shifting economic climate, so instead of the corporate side assuming what women want, why not just ask?

Here's one suggestion: instead of advertising to them directly, why not give women the chance to understand what your game is about? Why people, not strictly women, are so hesitant to try games in the first place is because online gaming is seen as a hostile environment. And to a degree they're right. Instead of pandering by making them pay less, why not show women actually playing the game in the first place so they know they aren't alone. Prospective players can relate, and boom - a new fanbase is born.

Nival, the studio behind Prime World, has created some fruitful discussion. I've said my bit, so what is your take? Do you agree or disagree, and what is your reasoning? Get angry in the comment section below! Jeff out.

Like this post? Well you can always get more directly by subscribing via RSS feed or by email in the sidebar. Additionally, you can follow me on twitter to get updates that way. I'm approaching 100,000 hits for the blog, so please spread the love! Below, you can submit this post to Reddit, StumbleUpon, Digg and other sites, and I politely ask you do so. This story must spread! Bye everyone.

Also, I have an interview with the author of the original article, Mr. Kuchera, probably going up later tomorrow. We'll be getting into the nitty-gritty so stay tuned for that. Again, bye everyone!

A Tumultuous March for the Video Game Business

2012-03-31T17:46:00.001-04:00

RIP sweet SOCOM prince.

Another month, another storied list of casualties and controversies from every side of the business. These bumps and bruises are becoming routine, and it seems each month brings a new troubled story that dominates headlines. This March especially, with an unprecedented move from a certain notable studio about an ending in peril. Never has the term "gamer entitlement" been tossed around more than in the last thirty-one days.

Leading into E3, the rumours are flying about what each console manufacturer will bring to the table. The idea of a "Xbox Lite" model from notorious whistle-blower MSNerd caught fire and shortly became a hot ticket tidbit, even though Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything. Furthermore, the Sony fanbase was riled after rumours surfaced saying the PS4, codenamed "Orbis", won't include backwards compatibility nor play used discs.

All this discussion about the used game industry is disconcerting, but what's more important is how GameStop and other retailers, after the demise of UK retailer GAME, respond. GAME's rapid fall from grace couldn't have come at a worst time too, with Mass Effect 3 launching that same week. Alongside other unknown buyers, GameStop was in the market to purchase the remaining 333 stores, but just three hours ago (at the time of this writing) an investment firm known as OpCapita swooped in and saved the day.

Following behind the retailers, developers and publishers had the most trouble of all. Blizzard, for unknown reasons, laid off 600 non-development personnel, perhaps downsizing with Diablo 3 on its way. And speaking of downsizing, Sega was walloped by layoffs and canceled projects after a less-than-expected quarterly result, reinventing its focus on Sonic and three other titles.

A volatile month for THQ ended with it cutting development of the upcoming Warhammer MMO, opting to go first-person shooter with multiplayer elements. The genre shift cost 118 developers their jobs, all from Relic and Vigil. And to cap off, perhaps the most devastating news of all: the closing of Zipper Interactive.

The studio, best known for MAG and the SOCOM franchise, first entered the console market in 2002 and continued exclusively under Sony until yesterday. In the announcement, Sony made no mention of the future of SOCOM, but with three games under its belt, Slant Six Games is likeliest to handle further development.

I was going to mention the Mass Effect 3 ending, but every blog has written extensively on the topic so it's a moot point. Even on Volatile Mode I've dallied into BioWare's conduct and the issue of "gamer entitlement", so you can check the backlog if you're interested. Otherwise, let's see what April brings. And just a piece of advice: Don't believe anything tomorrow. Developers are terrible people. Jeff out.

Interview: the Lovely Raychul Moore

2012-03-28T23:30:00.003-04:00

Around Christmas time she always gets down. (All images are used with permission.)

Hey guys. Got a fresh interview for you, right off the presses. The subject this time is Raychul Moore, a prominent gaming journalist and videographer with a long list of credits to her name. She also has a YouTube channel with an impressive 12,000 subscribers and is quite thorough about her opinions. She graciously took the time to answer a few questions via email, and I hope a followup interview will happen soon.

1. How did you decide on a career in games journalism, and is there any advice you can give prospective writers on getting a foot in the door?

I wouldn't really say I chose it, it definitely chose me. GamePro really took me under their wings and taught me everything I needed to know to work in this industry. They believed me and gave me a chance. I owe it all to them.

As far as advice, I always tell people to just do it. Whether it's writing or getting into the video side, just do it and you will get noticed. There are great sites and opportunities for people wanting to get started in editorial and there is YouTube for people who want to get involved with the video side. You produce the content and the doors will begin to open for you.

2. What about cosplay do you find so attractive and who are your favourite characters to recreate?

I adore cosplay because it's taking the thing I like about games to the next level. In games, I get to be that space marine, or the princess or the ultimate fighter... but now with cosplay I get to dress like them as well!

My favorite costumes I have done so far are definitely Cammy from Street Fighter, Kratos from God of War and my female Thor.

3. You list your all-time favourite game as Uncharted 2. List three specific things (or more if you want) about what makes the game so dear to your heart.

Uncharted 2 is, in my opinion, the example of the perfect game. It has the engaging storyline, in-depth character development, attention to detail in their environments and some of the best voice-acting I've heard in a video game. What's not to love?!

4. When Asylum called you "the perfect woman", were you flattered or angry that you weren't dawned with the title sooner?

Hahaha, definitely flattered. I don't think I am "the perfect woman". I don't like JRPGs or Call of Duty, many would say those are fatal flaws. :)

5. Do you think gender equality within the club of gaming journalists has improved over the last five, ten years?

I do, but I also think that anyone preaching about "gender equality" is their own worst enemy. Don't want people to treat you differently? Well then stop yelling about all the reasons why they do treat you differently. Just my two cents.

6. (This is because I'm curious). With the recent kerfuffle over Mass Effect 3, do you fans were justified in their anger? And, furthermore, do you think BioWare is right go against their creative integrity and ultimately change the ending through downloadable content?

The game industry is the worse when it comes to temper-tantrums. We didn't like Jar Jar but we still love Star Wars. I had a great time in my journey through the Mass Effect series, but just because the ending wasn't everything I had hoped and dreamed, doesn't mean it ruins experience for me.

I do agree that the ending could have had a bit more detail and closure to the over all story, but still, I walk away having had a great time and am thankful for it.

7. What is your most anticipated game of 2012? (One that hasn't come out yet.)

The two games that I am definitely most excited about are Bioshock Infinite and Borderlands 2. Yes yes yes!!

8. Do you think as a professional woman working in the gaming industry that your opinions are received differently from the largely male audience?

If my opinions are viewed differently, it's only because the viewers have to get over the fact that I have boobs first. After that novelty wears off, I think they probably view my opinion the same as any one else. :)

9. Do you have a lot of female fans, and how do you feel you relate to them?

I believe I do. I definitely relate to them and my male fans the same, because at the end of the day, we are so much alike. We love games, action figures, achievements and shooting virtual bad guys in the head.

10. Having over 12,000 YouTube subscribers (congratulations, by the way) what are some questions you're often asked?

Thank you! My most common questions I get are "what are your favorite games" and "are they real".

To which the answers are:

1. Uncharted 2, Bioshock, Silent Hill 2, Fatal Frame, Eternal Darkness, Dragon Age: Origins and Borderlands.

2. Yes.

11. I don't know if you caught this Forbes article, but it caused quite a stir online, prompting this response from Leigh Alexander. What is your take on the "fake geek girl" situation?

It's ridiculous to judge people and stereotypes. I am a geek and I don't think I need to be *hush hush* about it to a "true geek". We are all different and we all show that are proud of who we are in different ways.

I do agree we have an epidemic of fake geeks and gamers out there. But anyone who really cares, can see through the act in a heartbeat. People like to ridicule me for showing cleavage in my pictures or videos, and say I am only posing to be a gamer for attention. This boggles my mind, why do people think I can't be a gamer AND have boobs? Just because I have cleavage doesn't make me any less of a gamer or geek then the next person. Again, we are all different, we game differently, we express our love for games differently. We should embrace this, not tear it down.

12. What are your expectations for Nintendo's upcoming console, the Wii U? Will it replicate the success of the Wii?

I am not sure if it will meet the success of the Wii, but I applaud Nintendo for doing and trying something different. Instead of getting in the race with Microsoft and Sony on who has the better graphics or who has the better shooters; Nintendo has decided to go their own way and so far it's been working for them.

13. Being a prominent YouTuber, who are some of your favourite commentators?

I honestly don't watch a lot of other YouTube channels, only because I know I will start over-analyzing myself. Confidence, it's one of the areas that I am not too skilled at. But, I will say, I am a huge fan of Mega64 and BlackNerdComedy.

14. In your gaming career so far, which game was your favourite to review and which did you hate the most?

Oh, I know the one I hated reviewing the most was Disneyland Kinect Adventures. Wow, what a terrible game. But my favorite was probably Uncharted 2 because I love that game so much I could talk about it for hours.

15. And lastly, would you do my readers and I the honour of tweeting this interview to your mass audience, and maybe, please with a cherry on top, mention this interview in one of your videos? I love watching and I'm positive my readers love watching your videos also. If they haven't heard of you, well they definitely have now.

Of course! I would love to! Yes, tell your readers to check out my Twitter: @theRaychul. I occasionally give away free games and game codes to my followers. :)

Thank you!!

Glad to see Raychul take the time to answer these questions. I wanted to ask her the story behind the unique spelling of her name, but I omitted that because it didn't relate to gaming. Maybe in a followup interview I'll get more personal. Anyway, enjoy the read and check out her YouTube which is full of wonder and intrigue. Jeff out.

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The Greatest Video Game Movie Trailer Ever?

2012-03-27T11:47:00.000-04:00

I actually caught this from someone I follow on twitter, and this trailer is utterly fantastic. However, I can't promise the plot is as enthralling or awesome as other movies, nor does the acting look Oscar-caliber, but the fate of a gang war rests on a poor man's version of Dance Dance Revolution. It doesn't get much better than that.

You can find the trailer by clicking here. Unfortunately the movie isn't listed so I can't post the trailer within the post window, but to compensate, here's the full trailer music for The Hunger Games that I'm obsessed with recently:

Confessions of a Gamer's Girlfriend: Top Five Signs of Video Game Withdrawal

2012-03-27T11:39:00.000-04:00

She doesn't usually scream like that.

And again, Jess makes her triumphant return! This edition, a big life change has prolonged her non-gaming time, as with her boyfriend, and she has noticed some odd behaviour. These are five signs you're suffering from video game withdrawal:

Despite our busy schedules, my boyfriend and I have always made the effort to spend as much time as possible together. Though we have always seemed to make it work, sacrifices are often made. For me, I often find myself scrounging to find time to write. For him, it’s video games that have gone by the wayside. It’s not like I am telling him not to play. We just happen to spend more time at my place, and I unfortunately don’t have a system of my own.

Though he does not blame me (much), there is still some animosity present and I have noticed a few changes in him. Though he does his best to hide it, he is experiencing some of the classic telltale symptoms of withdrawal:

UNEASINESS/UNWARRANTED BOREDOM:
Video games not only used to fill all one’s spare time, it gave something to look forward to; a reflex hobby if you will. With one’s usual activity of choice no longer available, a distinct feeling of unease can set in. “So…what do I do now?” Is the forefront thought on the mind. It’s uncomfortable. Even if there are dozens of equally stimulating and engaging activities available, they just don’t capture the imagination the way video games do.

GRUMPY AND IRATE BEHAVIOUR:
Gaming is a pleasurable activity. When doing things one enjoys, there is an increase the levels of serotonin in the brain AKA ‘that feel good feeling’. When the brain experiences a drop in these levels, a person can become ill tempered and easily aggravated.

DIFFICULTY ENJOYING OTHER ACTIVITIES:
With today’s technology, video games are no longer a just a simple game. They are vast and multifaceted realms, with entire communities dedicated to their infrastructure. When removed from this world, it’s hard to find something else that is as engaging on as many levels. In a sense, other activities are ‘cheapened’ or pale in comparison.

FEELINGS OF EMPTINESS/DEPRESSION:
It’s a commonly accepted concept that feelings of triumph and satisfaction can be derived from successes and met-milestones in video games. Unlocking new achievements and beating difficult bosses and levels give the feeling of accomplishment. With the confidence-building platform removed, a person can actually experience symptoms of loss and depression.

FREQUENT DREAMS ABOUT GAMEPLAY:
Our subconscious mind is a painting of our deepest thoughts and daily activities. Hence why people dream about work, school and people they know. When video games are a prominent part of one’s life, they become ingrained in our character. When they are removed, one feels a sense of longing for said activity. Dreams fantasizing about certain game play, or even casting oneself in the actual game are not unheard of.

With my boyfriend and I moving in together in a few months, it will be easier to not only spend time together, but to make time for individual activities as well. Whether or not I can stave off writer’s block long enough, and find ample time to write more articles is yet to be seen. However, with all the gaming my boyfriend will have time to do when he has his trusty console safely in our communal living room; at the very least his gaming will give me lots of inspiration to draw from and write about.

The Hunger Games Film Review

2012-03-26T15:50:00.004-04:00

Tearing through the box office to the third-biggest opening weekend ever, and biggest for a non-sequel, The Hunger Games' inevitable migration to the silver screen supplanted Twilight as the latest popularized young adult franchise. And they responded overwhelmingly. And thankfully, they got their money's worth.

The Hunger Games is set in a futuristic North America where the country of Panem and its twelve districts are ruled by the tyrannous Capitol. In an intimidation tactic to quell any chance of another rebellion, every year the Capitol chooses two "tributes", a boy and girl between 12-18, to compete in a tournament to the death. Katniss' sister, Primrose, is chosen as the female tribute from their District 12, but Katniss volunteers to save her sister from certain death.

While not an innovative concept by any means, since people have been killing each other to entertain others for hundreds of years, Suzanne Collins (author of the trilogy and who cowrote the screenplay) manages to tell a riveting story of one girl's fight for survival.

Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is easily an admirable character, and it's hard not to root for her. One thing working against the filmmakers was the first-person perspective of the book, mostly involving Katniss' personal thoughts of the events, and that's sometimes difficult to translate to screen. But the Oscar-nominated Lawrence, known for her work in Winter's Bone, played the part remarkably well. Her face broadcasted the overbearing sense of disbelief that one would expect, and the film largely succeeded because of her strong portrayal.

The plot, a competition of kids killing kids, probably perturbed some moviegoers, but the director Gary Ross concealed the acts of violence well. Each death is only hinted at, like distant screams or off-camera confrontations, and the constant tension actually portrays them like human beings. There's one particular moment where Katniss befriends a little girl (I won't say who, but fans will know) and her reaction to what happens feels genuine. Limited by the friendly rating and to not alienate a majority of the fanbase, it's obvious careful consideration was taken when dealing with death scenes.

Unfazed by the colourful personalities of other roles, the other cast members also filled their spots beautifully. Peeta could have simply become a bland, forgettable figure to push events forward, but his interactions with Katniss gave him personality. Self-indulgent Elizabeth Banks sports an unusually perky tone and the always gleaming Stanley Tucci seems excessively enthusiastic. And lastly, Haymitch Abernathy, played by Woody Harrelson, shines as an out-of-touch drunk but still manages to successfully train Katniss.

Visually, the overt glamour of the Capitol residents directly clashes with the poorness of its districts; whether intended or not, the flashy costumes take away from the believability of the film. Otherwise, the main city is stunning, intertwined by streams and fountains, and upon first entering it, Peeta is wide-eyed and mystified by the grandioseness.

Film adaptations of Catching Fire and Mockingjay are planned, so it'll be engaging to see how they counteract the tone of each novel with its respective film. For now, however, The Hunger Games is a marvelous sign of things to come, and worth every penny. Jeff out.

Just a note: I'm going to expand the amount of content here, because my interests don't just involve video games. I really enjoyed the book series, so it was inevitable that I see the movie. So I reviewed it for content's sake. I don't get much feedback from you guys, so I don't know what kind of content you'd like to see. But I won't lose the gaming touch, that I promise.