Gaming Unleashed

Destiny 2.0 Changes Outlined in This New Overview

2015-09-05T23:10:00.001+05:30

David Dague A.K.A DeeJ from Bungie has taken to the PlayStation blog to provide more details about the upcoming new expansion The Taken King and the Crucible Preview Event.
Check out the official Destiny The Taken King Crucible Preview Event trailer below, together with the official Destiny The Taken King Launch gameplay trailer that has already been released to whet your appetite further.

DeeJ from Bungie here, paying you a visit with previews of Destiny Year Two. We’re about to launch The Taken King, and things are about to get a lot more interesting in our shared world. I’m at your service to bring you up to speed.

First up, you’re invited back into the Crucible next week to sample some new combat modes using the weapons and abilities you come to master over the first year of maneuvers in Destiny. Check it out! If you’re wondering how to spend your last weekend before Update 2.0 changes the way we all play, check out the Bungie Weekly Update for some recommendations for this weekend. It’s also full of repeat performances of live reveals and gameplay trailers.

5 things we hope to see in Dark Soul 3

2015-09-05T23:04:00.002+05:30

Anyone who knows me finds it to be no big surprise that I’m a huge fan of From Software’s Soulsborne games, which includes downright classics like Dark Souls and the recent Bloodborne. With Dark Souls 3 a few months away, and the new gameplay footage out from PAX over the weekend, I thought it would be a good time to talk about what I want to see in Dark Souls 3.

Level Design

So far, with all the Souls games and Bloodborne, From Software has been the absolute master of level design, and I hope to see the trend continue. While Dark Souls and Bloodborne had some amazing level design, with most of the environments we explored feeling like real places that could actually exist, Dark Souls 2 dropped the ball on it before its DLC came out. Hopefully, From will take what it has learned from Bloodborne and expand on giving us an epic world that feels real to fight through.

Multiplayer

The Souls games have had some incredibly well-done multiplayer systems, including the player messaging system and the invasions and co-op mechanics. Sadly, except for the messaging system, Bloodborne used a vastly inferior method of ringing bells for multiplayer instead of the traditional summon signs. While Dark Souls 3 is set to go back to the summoning sign system, I hope that it also takes into account the improvements to the multiplayer covenants and networking brought along by Dark Souls 2.

Story

The Dark Souls franchise has traditionally been a bit light on the storytelling, choosing to let players decide their own level of involvement with the going-ons of the world. While I hope Dark Souls 3 uses the same method for storytelling as its predecessors, I do hope that it makes the fates of the older settings, namely Lordran and Drangleic, clearer. Considering a big theme of Dark Souls 3 is going to be ashes and the Lords of Cinder, it looks like we’ll be seeing some of our older acquaintances as well.

Combat

The Dark Souls franchise has some of the best combat mechanics to ever grace an RPG, despite it being deceptively simple. Dark Souls 3 will undoubtedly use the same mechanics from the earlier games, but I also hope it uses some of the improvements Bloodborne had. While I hope Dark Souls 3 maintains the series-tradition of having an unimaginable number of weapons at your disposal, I hope From takes Bloodborne’s trick weapon system and incorporates it into the combat mechanics of Dark Souls 3.

Magic

Magic may have been pretty boring in the original Dark Souls, but Dark Souls 2 expanded the magic system by a tonne, even bringing in new mechanics involving hexes. Hopefully, Dark Souls 3 will carry forward this tradition of massive improvements on the magic system. I also hope to see some of the lesser-used abilities from Bloodborne make their way into Dark Souls 3, including Augur of Ebrietas, which essentially lets you smack an opponent with tentacles, and A Call Beyond, which lets you carpet-bomb an area with magic missiles.

5 superhero games that should be brought over to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

2015-09-05T20:41:00.005+05:30

Who doesn't love superheroes? Who doesn't love video games? If you don't like either, you might just be in the wrong website pal. But if you do, and if you own a current-gen console, you might want some superhero games on it. Apart from Batman: Arkham Knight, the Prototype remasters and the upcoming Deadpool remaster, there aren't very many on the horizon. So here are some games from last gen or so that absolutely deserve a second chance on current-gen hardware.

The Darkness series

Based on the dark and gritty comic series of the same name by Top Cow, The Darkness and its sequel were first person shooters starring Jackie Estacado, amoral hit man and host of the titular force of nature. The Darkness abilities were more or less faithful to the comic but the story was retold and differs greatly from canon. And each game has its own identity, in the sense that while the first was semi realistic noir grime, the sequel went for a Borderlands style look, and both would look fantastic on up to date hardware.

Crackdown

We all know that Crackdown 3 is coming to the Xbox One in a year or so, but I still say there's a place for the original Crackdown on current gen. To give us a taste of superpowered cops versus criminals action, Crackdown 1 could be spruced up a bit and ported over to current gen. The game looked good then and still looks good now. A bit of polish is all that's needed. But a remaster isn't even needed, because as a Microsoft 1st party game, it should be a no brainier to give it place on the Xbox One's backwards compatibility program,

Marvel Ultimate Alliance

On paper, a four player co-op brawler featuring all your favourite Marvel comic book characters would seem like a licence to print obscene amounts of money. And it was with Marvel Ultimate Alliance being a well-received game that sold well enough to justify a sequel which was much less well received. Maybe because it was too simplified or maybe the new developers missed the trick, but there is potential yet. A current gen port of the titles would get interest back in the series as well as bring the kind of fun that the LEGO games now provide.

Batman: Arkham Trilogy

Back in 2009, Arkham Asylum exploded onto the mainstream nailing Game of the Year awards left and right while simultaneously raising the bar for superhero video games and cementing Rocksteady as a true AAA level developer. Arkham City took its predecessors formula open world letting us truly be Batman. Both these games set the stage for greatness which Arkham Knight capped off/ran over with the Batmobile, and so a polished up port of the two to current gen is somewhat overdue. Arkham Origins, while not exactly the best of the series, can also be thrown in to sweeten the deal.

Infamous 1 and 2

Infamous is what happens when you try to craft a superhero/villain saga from scratch. Cole McGrath grew in character as his lightning powers went from "sparkler" to "wrath of Zeus" across two games. The two games form a complete arc with a fitting narrative end that tried to ensure no more sequels. An arc which Second Son broke to introduce better graphics but have less missions and a smaller map. So, I recommend that the Infamous series on the PS3, including the vampire based spinoff Festival of Blood be brought to new gen to revive the Infamous name.

5 video games that would make for amazing TV shows

2015-09-05T20:38:00.000+05:30

Those of us who game on consoles use our massive TVs for the purpose God intended: playing video games. But a lot of us also use it to watch TV shows. Considering the fact that Konami wants to combine these two things together with the recent announcement of a supposedly R-rated Castlevania miniseries, we started thinking about what other games would make for great TV shows. Here are some games we hope some producer notices and turns into a great TV show.

Mass Effect

A multi-species crew aboard humanity's greatest space-faring vessel commanded over by a charismatic, yet prone to extreme mood swings human captain who has a habit of making out with aliens. If this sounds familiar, that's because I just as easily could be describing Star Trek, which Mass Effect bears more than a passing resemblance to. Commander Shepard and the Normandy's adventures are a perfect fit for television, which has already been shown to love sci-fi, and the game series’ great story, background information received from the codec and an endearing cast of characters would make sure that a Mass Effect TV show is a definite treat.

Max Payne

A failed cinematic debut notwithstanding, Max Payne is somewhat under-utilised outside his games and the tie-in comics. His story is essentially that of a rogue cop with an alcohol problem who has nothing left to lose and decides that exercising his death wish is the best course of action. This formula is perfect for a dark, gritty noir crime series that can show Max's fall, badly thought out romance with a femme fatale, and subsequent redemption. Considering how few badass action shows we seem to have, Max Payne would be a great way to fill that niche.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

If Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead are any indication, killing off established characters seems to resonate with audiences these days. Of all the games that tend to kill off main characters, none come close to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, where nobody is safe from imminent death to plasma rifles, no matter how important to the world. A season-long war of attrition against the aliens will provide many moments of heroism, close escapes and superb drama, possibly even related to many characters dying when you least expect it after weeks of character-building.

Infamous

Superhero shows like Arrow, Flash and Daredevil are currently some of the most-watched programmes on TV, and who better to represent gaming that its own homegrown lightning-wielder, Cole McGrath. The first two games centred on the brewing conflict between the super-powered conduits and the majority normal humans. This would be a nice plot element where the rise of such people is met with fear, disgust and hatred and how Cole himself tries to balance out his dedication to his human friends while living as a conduit and having to make difficult choices about his own survival and doing the right thing.

Sleeping Dogs

An underrated gem from United Front Games, Sleeping Dogs put us in the shoes of Wei Shen, a young man caught between his job as an undercover cop and his family and hometown roots with the underbelly of Hong Kong’s organised crime families. A TV show based on this with some excellent writing could be a really good morally ambiguous crime drama. And if the show can force itself to deviate from the plot of the game, we could have a much more interesting plot than the forgone "good guy" conclusion than the game gave us.

Top 5 Gaming Gadgets to Look Out for in 2015

2015-09-05T19:34:00.000+05:30

Gaming

From Oculus Rift to the newest Sony Playstation, it has never been a better time to be a gamer. Here are some of the most anticipated gaming gadgets set to arrive this year.

The technological 'boom' that started in the mid 20th century turned into an unstoppable force. It spread like a plague and it evolved without even allowing us to get used to it. Now we’re enjoying the 21st century, which is packed with incredible technologies. The gaming industry has changed a lot in the last 10 years as well. Thanks to the internet, we can now play our favorite games from any corner of the world, and on numerous types of devices. Here’s an interesting list with 5 of the coolest gaming gadgets to look after this 2015.

Ozobot

Ozobot (pictued at top)is an interactive robotic playmate. It is often called a “game piece with a brain”. The tiny USB-charged robot is in charge of tracking lines and following a specific path. It can also read different colors on a line, and it even adjusts its behavior, thus switching direction and speed. The gaming gadget is excellent for kids who want to have fun.

Ozobot is also a fun way of developing deductive reasoning, achieving understanding of robotic behavior and learning about code language through various games comprising mazes and tracks. It can be used in multiple environments and it instills creativity and strategic skills in children.

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The best PC games of 2015 and 2014

2015-09-05T19:32:00.000+05:30

2015 has been an astonishingly good year for PC games. Whether you’ve been looking for a top-notch RPG to sink a hundred hours into, or a quick lunchtime blast of multiplayer brawling, PC games have offered something for every taste on a silver platter this year. And there’s still more to come.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of great games out there, let PCGamesN help out. This is our guide to the best new and upcoming games on PC. What's more, we’ve even rounded up the best games that came out in 2014, too.

The Best Released Games of 2015

Heroes of the Storm

It wasn’t going to be long until Blizzard entered the MOBA fray, and Heroes of the Storm is their stab at taking on Dota and League of Legends. Yet this 5v5 arena game isn’t just another Dota clone. Instead Blizzard have made a game that is vastly more accessible than your regular MOBA, whilst still tightly holding on to the core characteristics of the genre such as complex heroes and memorising skill sets.

The heroes in question are favourites chosen from Blizzard’s IPs - Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft - and bring their unique approaches to battle arenas that not only ask teams to defeat each other, but also complete side-quests. Heroes of the Storm has multiple maps, each with unique themes and quests built in to divide up your attention. One requires you to power up a golem that can rampage through your enemy’s base, whilst another allows you to transform into an unstoppable Dragon Knight if you capture a shrine. Not only does this provide variety, but it’s intensely fun.

TRY HEROES OF THE STORM FOR FREE

Hearthstone

Blizzard’s incredibly popular card game took itself to another level in 2015 thanks to the impact of last year’s Goblins vs Gnomes expansion pack and the new Black Rock Spire adventure. With a meta-game that’s constantly evolving and a buzzing community of over 30 million players, Hearthstone is the liveliest game on PC.

Hearthstone isn’t interested in your capacity for trash talking opponents, or flipping tables, or building card pyramids. It’s only interested in your brain, and what it does when presented with part of a deck at the start of a new turn. As a result, you know when you sit down to play 15 minutes of Hearthstone that you’ll get a proper game in - because it only does proper games. And that when you win, it’ll be a real, cerebral victory. Your brain will have championed over somebody else’s, simple as - and you’ll get to feel quietly smug for at least an hour. Hearthstone is the best of you.

Getting Our Hands Dirty with Rise of the Tomb Raider

2015-08-26T22:54:00.001+05:30

Rise of the Tomb Raider is a game that’s chock full of adventure, climbing, gun fights, stealth, and – most importantly – tombs. Earlier this month, we got to play through one of the first tombs in the new game, and witness heroine Lara Croft’s return to what made her one of our favorite heroes in all of gaming.

Our demo opened with Lara in Syria, looking for the fabled tomb of an ancient prophet. It’s a scene that takes place before the snowy adventures you may have seen in previous Rise of the Tomb Raider demos and trailers. After a brutal car crash, followed by an explosion, then a fall off a cliff, Lara found herself right near the entrance to the tomb. So, yeah – in case you thought Rise of the Tomb Raider was going to give Lara Croft a break this time... nope!

Google launches YouTube Gaming to challenge Amazon-owned Twitch

2015-08-26T22:50:00.002+05:30

Service aims to help Google-owned video streaming company compete for live gaming audience after it failed to buy market leader

YouTube has launched a dedicated service for gamers, YouTube Gaming, in an attempt to compete with Twitch, the live streaming company it tried to buy last year.

The move sees Google, which owns YouTube, going head to head with rival tech giant Amazon, which bought Twitch for almost $1bn, as the companies fight for dominance of the fast-growing games streaming market.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – five things we learned from the beta test

2015-08-26T22:45:00.001+05:30

Treyarch, the LA-based studio behind the Call of Duty: Black Ops series, first revealed its plans for the third game in the series back in April. At the time, the setup looked like an intriguing extension of the tech-focused Advanced Warfare, with its exoskeletons, directed energy weapons and jet pack manoeuvres. However, Treyarch was promising an even more fluid experience, complete with wall running, underwater fights, and the ability to string together moves into Tony Hawk-like environmental combos.

The studio also introduced the idea of Specialist classes, a selection of nine super-powered combat archetypes offering online players access to a range of devastating attacks as well as interesting defensive options. These effects can be earned during a match and then triggered at key moments – just like the eponymous mech suits in Titanfall.

But how does it all work in practise? Treyarch has just completed a PlayStation 4 beta test featuring four maps: Combine, Evac, Hunted and Stronghold. Participants also got to test the new chained movement mechanics and eight of the specialist classes.

To get access to the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Beta, you must have a beta access code. The easiest way to get a beta access code is to pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops III from a participating retailer, or to pre-purchase the game through the Xbox Live Store.

For more information about Call of Duty: Black Ops III Beta, check out the official website here.

Here’s what I learned as a professional Call of Duty player.

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5 Simulator Games that are Realistic, Weird, Admired and Most Popular

2015-08-21T23:52:00.002+05:30

Simulation is a very popular category of games where you can simulate almost anything. Each simulator is different and it is difficult to decide which one is best, every thing stands out. Therefore, this article covers Most awesome Simulators from different categories.

Most Realistic Simulator – X Plane

The choice in this category was quite simple. Realism is the second name of X-Plane and it’s hard to dispute. The game is to the extent consistent with the reality that was approved by the Aviation Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation (FAA) for use in training pilots. It has already been almost perfect, yet improved in the version 10 of X-Plane, adding super-realistic weather conditions and other bells and whistles. There is not nothing but a cry out: Is the pilot flying with us?

Download X Plane

Most Popular – Farming Simulator

Astragon is a popular name when it comes to Simulation Games and some of it’s titles have been released in English among with Farming-Simulator tops the user ratings.

The idea of this game is brilliant in its simplicity. I think every boy dreams of directing complex machines with many functions. The farm is no exception. Thanks to Urban Farming Simulator even children can taste the tractor work , fortunately without the accompanying smells and dangers.

Download Farming Simulator

The Weirdest – Bus Cablecar Simulator

Trams, trolleybuses, buses and all public transportation in general, is fairly well-worn topic in the simulations. Apparently the creator of Bus Simulator Cable Car wanted to introduce a little spice to the game. Player must first reach the place of work, pick up an order from the dispatcher and go to their responsibilities. Along the way, may also perform ancillary tasks, and earn achievements.

It’s definitely the weirdest simulator I ever played.

Download Bus Cablecar Simulator

Most Anticipated – Euro Truck Simulator

Euro Truck Simulator is a very popular truck driving simulator. The game, despite the fact that already has its age, still enjoys great popularity among the virtual drivers. Looming large Euro Truck Simulator 2, but the Prime Minister the second part of the truck hit was postponed several times already. ETS2 was first to appear in September 2011, then postponed the deadline for December, and this has changed in the spring of 2012. Patience is a virtue, but only if you can wait!?!?

Download Euro Truck Simulator

The most admired- Advanced Tram Simulator

Advanced Tram Simulator is the undisputed king of simulators. The joy of the tram run after two hours of testing, something for which you do not pay a penny. Unfortunately, the incredible realism of the simulation was achieved at the expense of ease of use. However, this realism is one of the major advantages of this game.

Download ATS

Simulators are so many, are so different from each other and addressed to different people so that the choice was very difficult. There are chances that you know something better which deserves to be on Top and Comments are open for you.

20 Best Video Game Websites In The World Today

2015-08-20T23:12:00.002+05:30

20 best video game sites that have earned a place in your bookmarks bar.

Starting in 1974, with the trade magazine Play Meter, video game journalism has now hit its 30th year as an established form of popular media. From printed magazines to entire broadcast television channels, video games journalism has only risen in popularity with the increased mainstream appeal of interactive entertainment.
Now, in the wake of printed media’s steady decline, the internet has naturally risen to become the new home of video games journalism. With low startup costs and an instantly accessible international audience, a web-based magazine is an appealing prospect over the time and finances required to distribute printed content.
Due to the ease in which anyone can start their own web-based magazine, competition in the industry has never been fiercer. From small sites that only cover a specific genre, to high-budget conglomerates that are able to publish the latest AAA exclusives, there’s a wealth of constantly updated content for even the most discerning video game fan to dig into.
In this list, we’ll be taking a look at the 20 best video game sites that have earned a place in your bookmarks bar. By providing unique content, producing the most entertaining videos, or just hiring the best writers in the industry, every video game website on this list excels in their given niche.

20. GameTrailers

URL: gametrailers.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Video content.
Best Feature: Angry Video Game Nerd’s regular series.
Specialising in video content, GameTrailers offers some of the most widely popular gaming series online. From Top Tens to Pach-Attack, GameTrailers has constantly pumped out high-quality videos since its makeover in 2007.
The main draw of GameTrailers though, has to be the Angry Video Game Nerd reviews. Created by James Rolfe, the show typically involves Rolfe in-character, commentating negatively on games throughout history that he considers to be particularly awful.
OK, so GameTrailers may not feature the most in-depth, analytical commentary available online. However, for those just looking to relax while watching some well-produced, high-quality gaming content, GameTrailers beats out almost anything you’ll find broadcast to your TV.

19. Gamers With Jobs

URL: gamerswithjobs.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Articles for people with little time, but lots of love for gaming.
Best Feature: The GWJ podcasts are perfect listening for the morning commute.
Many of us may long for the days of pulling all-nighters to complete a new release, or skipping school to grind out that extra bit of XP. Unfortunately, with adulthood comes greater responsibilities, often leaving very little time for gaming.
The creators of Gamers With Jobs understand this plight though. Working hard to provide the time-challenged with ways to enjoy their hobby, Gamers With Jobs has a wealth of high quality content that anyone can enjoy. Most famous for its long-running podcast, the ‘Gamers With Jobs Conference Call’ has been entertaining commuters for years with its witty discussions regarding recent gaming news.
Also hosting a very active forum, Gamers With Jobs offers a fantastic community for any self-respecting gamer to dive into.

18. RPGamer

URL: rpgamer.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: RPG gaming content.
Best Feature: The reviews that are aimed squarely at the needs of RPG fanatics.
An oldie but a goodie, RPGamer started up as the UnOfficial SquareSoft HomePage in 1995, before emerging into its current form in 1998. As the name suggests, RPGamer is one of the leading voices for the role-playing genre, providing news, interviews and reviews that cover the European, North American and Asian markets.
RPGamer has a sizable following, and is well-known for its regular fan-submitted content, ranging from art to editorials. Most notable though, are it’s reviews, which cover all the elements that are of most interest to your typical RPG fanatic. For example, every review contains specific scores based on the strength of the story and battle system, while also noting down the hours required to complete the title.
If you know your Atelier Roronas from your Baten Kaitos, then RPGamer is a site more than worthy of your attention.

17. Kotaku

URL: kotaku.co.uk
Platform: Multi
Focus: Off-beat news and features.
Best Feature: The ‘In Depth’ section still offers interesting, lengthy features about a variety of topics.
Launched in 2004, Kotaku has swiftly become one of the most popular gaming blogs ever. Despite a somewhat unfocused style of content delivery, and a rather unhealthy obsession with Japanese oddities, Kotaku is consistently entertaining with its wild variety of posts.
Kotaku has had its fair share of controversy, particularly regarding what some consider to be sensationalist journalism. Regardless of inflammatory headlines though, Kotaku’s ‘In Depth’ section continues to be an excellent source of well-researched, fascinating articles that often have something genuinely interesting to say about their chosen topics.
Kotaku might have annoyed more than a few people in its (almost) ten-year run, but the site has managed to remain relevant and produce high quality content, while adapting to the tastes and needs of a growing readership.

16. CheapAssGamer

URL: cheapassgamer.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Advising gamers on a budget.
Best Feature: The frequently updated Price Tracker.
While not the most expensive hobby ever, owning an extensive games library is still a fast way to drain your wallet. Fortunately, Cheap Ass Gamer’s community is working hard to ensure that even the least frugal gamer has no excuse for buying a title at full price.
Almost entirely community-driven, Cheap Ass Gamer hunts down the best online bargains, presenting them in the site’s famous Price Tracker. The site also hosts a hugely popular podcast series, the CAGcast, which offers video game news and discussion.
A must for any money-minded gamer, make sure you pay Cheap Ass Gamer a visit the next time you’re hunting down an elusive pre-owned title.

15. TIGSource

URL: tigsource.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Indie game coverage.
Best Feature: The TIG database, compiling the best that indie games have to offer.
Currently run by Spelunky developer Derek Yu, TIGSource is one of the more proactive communities dedicated to indie game development. Offering more than just gaming news on its pages the site also hosts TIGdb, a database of handpicked indie titles complete with download links, screenshots and community ratings.
It’s a fantastic place to discover real, home-brewed indie titles, and the friendly community is always ready to help out with any queries from newcomers. TIGSource’s competitions have also resulted in several games that have gone on to receive critical acclaim, such as 2D shooter Gang Garrison 2.
For anyone that’s ever had the urge to make a game in their bedroom, basement or shed, TIDSource is a great place to start.

14. Pocket Gamer

URL: pocketgamer.co.uk
Platform: Mobile
Focus: News and reviews for mobile gaming.
Best Feature: One of the only places to read trustworthy mobile game reviews.
With the ease and availability of downloading through Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store, many may question the need for a traditional review site when it comes to mobile gaming. It’s also become an area notorious for paid articles and ‘sponsored’ reviews, placing mobile games journalism on shaky ground.
Pocket Gamer is the biggest and best mobile-only reviews site, and one of the few places we can trust to deliver truly honest reviews. The site also has a well-presented Buyer’s Guide, split up into different sections like “Best Time Management Games” and “Best Running Games”, making it easy to quickly find recommendations based on the type of game you currently fancy playing.
With a huge amount of content and coverage of almost every mobile platform, Pocket Gamer team have worked hard to become one of the only reputable mobile gaming review sites online.

13. Quarter To Three

URL: quartertothree.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Informal news and reviews.
Best Feature: The weekly Quarter to Three podcast.
Like several other entries on this list, Quarter to Three has a huge community behind it. Made up primarily of hardcore gaming enthusiasts , the Quarter to Three forums contain a lot of interesting, no-nonsense discussion.
The Quarter to Three website itself excels in producing analytic, informal feature articles, game diaries and reviews. The regular podcasts are a particular highlight, with a format that resembles a group of (clearly knowledgeable) friends just sitting around and casually chatting about a variety of interesting topics.
Named after the early hours that are often seen during a dedicated gaming session, Quarter to Three is a relaxed site that will appeal those belonging to the more hardcore end of the gamer spectrum.

12. Retro Gamer

URL: retrogamer.net
Platform: Retro
Focus: Articles that take a look back at the early days of gaming.
Best Feature: The ‘Making of’ segments provide an interesting insight into the stories behind some of gaming history’s most iconic games.
One of the few magazines to still exist in print form, Retro Gamer has a relatively small, but hugely dedicated following. Devoted entirely to gaming’s past, the Retro Gamer website continues to revisit old games and the hardware they were played on.
Despite focusing only on early gaming titles, the Retro Gamer team regularly publishes new, nostalgia-filled content. With a strong portfolio of industry connections, Retro Gamer frequently posts features that explore the history behind some of the most legendary games in history, through exclusive interviews and fascinating anecdotes.
Although Retro Gamer is living in the past, the site also frequently takes a look at more modern titles in its ‘Future Classic’ segments, attempting to predict which titles will be remembered or forgotten by history. A delight for anyone that remembers gaming before digital downloads and multi-million advertising deals, Retro Gamer offers a well-written journey down memory lane.

11. IGN

URL: ign.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: News and reviews behemoth that specialises in AAA game content.
Best Feature: The exclusive interviews and event coverage.
Simply too big to ignore, IGN is by far the most popular website for video game content. With 400 employees (and a butt-load of cash), IGN is unrivaled in the sheer quantity and variety of content that it’s able to publish daily.
Particularly useful for its extensive live coverage of industry events, IGN’s video content has among the best production values on the market. Also, thanks to the site’s extreme popularity, a high IGN review score can be an important part of a game’s commercial success.
While it may be fashionable to be critical of the company’s corporate image and business-like approach, IGN’s quality exclusives and high readership numbers have made it a titan in the world of video game journalism.

10. GamesIndustry International

URL: gamesindustry.biz
Platform: Multi
Focus: Games industry coverage.
Best Feature: The jobs section is a fantastic resource for those hoping to break into the industry.
Aimed entirely at those either in, or hoping to break into the gaming industry, GamesIndustry International is all about the business side of things. A serious site filled with insider information, GamesIndustry International isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for the latest Call of Duty multiplayer tips.
GamesIndustry International’s primary focus is on up-to-date coverage of industry news, although it frequently publishes a number of interesting editorials that are written from an industry perspective. The site’s Jobs section is also stocked full of listings, with placements at developers and publishers of all sizes.
If you have any interest whatsoever in the business behind your favourite hobby, GamesIndustry International should be your number one choice for video game industry news and information.

9. Joystiq

URL: joystiq.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Blog-style news, sprinkled with a healthy dose of humour.
Best Feature: The high production value Super Joystiq podcasts.
Of the several popular gaming sites that started up a decade ago in 2004, Joystiq continues to be the most reliable. Always a great source for general gaming news, Joystiq has also ventured further into more extensive editorials in recent years.
Joystiq’s best output though, is the reliably entertaining Super Joystiq podcast, which brings together all the editors in a different role each time. Featuring some great, well-informed discussion that occasionally gets a bit silly, the Super Joystiq podcast is well worth a weekly download.
It may not be the funniest, or the biggest, or the smartest site on our list, but Joystiq has always operated at a high level of quality, with solid content and a talented team of editors.

8. Edge

URL: edge-online.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Broadsheet-style industry stories and in-depth reviews.
Best Feature: The legendary yearly awards.
With it’s first issue printed in 1993, Edge is one of only a handful of gaming magazines that can claim to have survived for over two decades. Famous for its anonymous writing style and industry connections, Edge Magazine is just about the highest standard of games journalism money can buy.
Edge’s website doesn’t hold up quite as well as the printed magazine (hey, they’ve got to make money somehow), but it still contains some of the best written reviews and news pieces on the web. Notoriously difficult to please, Edge has awarded only 16 games with its coveted 10/10 score in its 21-year run. If Edge says that a game is worth playing, you can be damned sure that it is.
Despite lacking the fast and furious output of many sites on this list, Edge is a classic example of quality over quantity.

7. Destructoid

URL: destructoid.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Blogger-style news and reviews.
Best Feature: The vast amount of original video content.
Fiercely independent, Destructoid set out in 2006 to be a “video game lover’s sanctuary”. And, judging from one of the loudest communities in gaming, that’s exactly what it has become.
With its never ending stream of original content, Destructoid is relentless in its wry, tongue-in-cheek approach to games journalism. Additionally, Destructoid’s video content is exceptionally high in both regularity and quality, varying from deep analysis to full on comedy.
A mish-mash of styles, Destructoid is a celebration of the many facets of gaming culture, backed up by a fantastic community that also produces a huge amount of top notch content.

6. Gamasutra

URL: gamasutra.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Video game development.
Best Feature: The ‘Post-Mortem’ features.
Specialising in video game development, Gamasutra is written for developers, while remaining accessible enough for anyone that has an interest in the business of gaming. With some outstanding interviews published since its formation in 1997, Gamasutra is enormously respected for its behind the scenes looks at the industry.
Gamasutra’s most fascinating features though, have to be their regular post-mortems of popular games. These take a look at the best and worst aspects of a game’s development, in an attempt to identify the reasons for its success or failure. With many developers claiming that these post-mortems have been highly conducive to their own works, Gamasutra is a necessity for anyone serious about the video game industry.
Providing some tremendously valuable articles in its time, Gamasutra has long been a voice of authority for all things video game development.

5. The Escapist

URL: escapistmagazine.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Regular segments that explore various aspects of gaming culture.
Best Feature: Ben Croshaw’s infamous ‘Zero Punctuation’ video reviews.
The Escapist online magazine is one of the top providers of well-written, stimulating editorials, and famous for its humorous outlook on video game culture. The site has also played host to some of the most well-known gaming personalities, including Tom Chick and Jim Sterling.
By far the most infamous feature of The Escapist though, is Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw’s Zero Punctuation video review series. Reportedly quadrupling the site’s traffic upon its implementation, Zero Punctuation takes a droll look at a current game release, usually focusing heavily on its negative aspects. More like comedy pieces than serious reviews, Yahtzee’s videos have nonetheless proven influential, and are frequently acknowledged by developers and publishers.
More than just the “Zero Punctuation website”, The Escapist is a brilliant source of excellent writing and hilarious videos.

4. Kill Screen

URL: killscreendaily.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: The arts and culture surrounding video games.
Best Feature: Well-written features that insist on treating games as a respectable art form.
Kill Screen has been called everything from “pretentious” to a “breath of fresh air”, but there’s few who would argue that Kill Screen isn’t unique in what it does. Claiming that “play is a fundamental human endeavor”, Kill Screen closely examines what it believes makes up the meaningful aspects of gaming.
Many of Kill Screen’s articles can read more like poetry than a piece of games journalism, often presenting a unique view both in its arguments and design. Occasionally the site’s content veers dangerously close to pomposity, but no-one could call Kill Screen with it’s wild and weird articles boring.
The total antithesis to the ‘buyers guide’ style of writing, Kill Screen takes all your preconceptions about what video game journalism should be, rewrites them into symmetrical rhyming stanzas, then smacks you round the face with them.

3. Polygon

URL: polygon.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Well-designed highbrow content.
Best Feature: Beautifully presented feature articles.
Although Polygon is a relative newcomer compared to most on this list, the team behind its sleekly designed pages are anything but. Launched in 2012 by the ex-editor-in-chiefs of various sites such as Joystiq, Kotaku and The Escapist, Polygon has quickly made a name for itself as a publisher of some of the best highbrow content in video games journalism.
Living up to its name, Polygon specialises in high quality feature articles that tend to approach a topic from an unusual angle. In particular, their articles often focus on the development process behind video games, in an entertaining manner that sets it apart from much drier sites such as GamesIndustry International.
In addition to their features that look at the human side of game development, Polygon’s reviews are also remarkable for their scholarly analysis that acts as more than just a buyer’s guide.

2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun

URL: rockpapershotgun.com
Platform: PC
Focus: Witty coverage of all things PC.
Best Feature: The game diaries, which are presented in personalised, often hilarious entries that give insight into the writer’s subjective experiences.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun may provide a platform for some of the funniest personalities in the business, but you’d be mistaken in thinking the site is anything but deadly serious when it comes to video games. Based in the UK, Rock, Paper, Shotgun’s articles take an unflinching look at all facets of PC gaming.
The site’s ‘Wot I Think’ segments are brutally honest, and don’t tend to skim over the issues that many mainstream review sites often overlook. Rock, Paper, Shotgun’s game diaries are also refreshing, in that they provide openly subjective opinions that develop with the writer’s gameplay experience.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun’s greatest accomplishment is in ensuring that their content is not only analytical and thought-provoking, but also extremely enjoyable to read. This, combined with an assortment of consistently entertaining regular features, has cemented Rock, Paper, Shotgun’s place as our PC gaming site of choice.

1. Giant Bomb

URL: giantbomb.com
Platform: Multi
Focus: Writing about the games themselves, minus the seriousness of the industry.
Best Feature: Brutally honest, trustworthy reviews.
Giant Bomb was originally started up with the intention of putting the fun back into games coverage, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. In this respect, Giant Bomb has been games journalism’s biggest triumph since its launch in 2008.
The formation of Giant Bomb can be directly attributed to the release of what would otherwise be a mediocre third-person shooter of little note, called Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. Jeff Gerstmann, then GameSpot’s Editor in Chief, reviewed the title with a score of 6.0. This allegedly led to corporate pressure that resulted in Gerstmann’s dismissal from GameSpot. The aftermath saw popular writer Ryan Davis leave in response, along with several other journalists.
Armed with the support of a large fan following, and the intention to escape the kind of environment that caused the original dismissal, Davis and Gerstmann set about creating their own website. Wanting to write less about the industry and more about the actual games they loved, Giant Bomb was formed.
Giant Bomb has gone from strength to strength, and gained a respectable, solid readership due to its wide range of fun, informative content. The team behind the site is tiny but dedicated, and has reliably produced original, endlessly entertaining content through the years.
With the untimely death of co-founder Ryan Davis last year, Giant Bomb lost one of its biggest personalities, drawing thousands of fans to the site in order to pay their respects. In spite of this tragedy, the site that Gerstmann and Davis started almost 6 years ago has powered on, continuing to produce multimedia content of the utmost quality.
Giant Bomb’s community is notoriously loyal and outspoken, and for good reason. One of the most beloved websites of all time, Giant Bomb has truly earned the top spot as the greatest video game website currently running.

Mobile Game Design: How Evil Monkeys Chased Temple Run To App Store #1

2012-01-30T19:44:00.003+05:30

This is the story of how a husband and wife team designed a game with more daily active users than anything by Zynga. Now the #1 free iOS game, Imangi Studios reveals its Temple Run has hit 20 million downloads and 7 million DAU. Co-founder Natalia Luckyanova tells me how by designing Temple Run to be fun without having to pay, it became the top grossing iOS game despite only 1% of users monetizing.

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OnLive Viewer Hits Google TV, Full Gaming Capability Potentially On The Way

2012-01-30T19:43:00.003+05:30

Google TV needs content. Onlive has content. The match is perfect.
Starting today, the Onlive Viewer app is available for downloading via Google TV’s Android Market. This app allows anyone to view gamers hacking away at OnLive games. Note, the app doesn’t bring gaming capabilities to Google TV, but OnLive expects to add that functionality later down the road.

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Kinect Comes To Windows On February 1st

2012-01-30T19:33:00.002+05:30

We knew that Microsoft’s hit motion-control accessory for the Xbox 360, Kinect, was coming to Windows eventually. They’ve been hinting at it, people have been hacking it, and they even released an SDK a little while back. But one of the last things Ballmer said tonight at his keynote was a definite date for when Kinect would be coming to Windows: February 1st.
That’s really all there is to it.
If you’re interested in contributing, check out the SDK, or if you just want to see what people have put together (there has really been some mind-blowing stuff over the last year), scroll through our Kinect tag.

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The Darkness II on Xbox 360

2012-01-26T15:03:00.000+05:30

Genre: First-Person Shooter
Publisher: 2K Games
Release Date: February 7, 2012

The Darkness II takes players down a brutal and personal path as Jackie Estacado, wielder of The Darkness -- an ancient and ruthless force of chaos and destruction. Based on the supernatural horror comic book series created by Top Cow Productions, Inc., The Darkness II breaks out of the sea of conventional first-person shooters with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, which will allow players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons. The game is layered with the use of dark versus light, steeped in deep and twisted storytelling, and engulfed in stylistic violence that is visualized through a hand-painted graphic noir technique that stays true to its comic book origins.

It’s been two years since Jackie Estacado, now the Don of the Franchetti crime family, used The Darkness to kill the men responsible for his girlfriend’s murder. He’s been unable to shake the memory of Jenny’s death since bottling up his supernatural power, and now The Darkness wants out. A sudden, unprovoked attack on Jackie’s life heralds the start of a full-scale mob war, which has clearly been orchestrated by some outside force. The botched attempt opens the door for The Darkness to reemerge, and sets Jackie on a journey to hell and worse, as he unravels the mystery behind the attack and the motivations of The Darkness itself.

SSX on Xbox 360

2012-01-26T15:00:00.000+05:30

Genre: Extreme Sports
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: February 28, 2012

Redefining the franchise, SSX pits riders against both mountain and man. Players explore the story of a team who seek to be the first to descend the faces of the most treacherous mountain ranges on the planet. The team travels the world to face the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them. From the peaks of the Himalayas, where the air is so thin that riders have to descend through the death zone at breakneck speeds to keep from blacking out, to the solid ice ranges of Antarctica, where a sunlit line is the only survival option when temperatures drop 50 degrees centigrade in the shade. And the mountain isn't the only danger players will face. In SSX the first goal is to survive. The second, in true SSX fashion, is to look good doing it.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning on Xbox 360

2012-01-26T14:55:00.000+05:30

Genre: First-Person RPG
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Published by: Electronic Arts

An open-world action RPG, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is set in Amalur, a rich and deeply immersive world underpinned by 10,000 years history, created by 22 time New York Times bestselling author, R.A. Salvatore. Immersing players in a rich, living, breathing open-world dripping with magic and rife with danger, underpinned by strong storytelling, Reckoning lets players define their destiny as they engage in intense action combat while exploring the huge, vibrant and varied world of Amalur as envisioned by the visionary creator of Spawn and acclaimed artist, Todd McFarlane.

Designed by open-world RPG legend Ken Rolston, Reckoning offers players unparalleled choice in a world of infinite possibility. Together, the visionaries and development team behind Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning are creating a game that aims to forever change the RPG genre.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 on Xbox 360

2012-01-26T14:47:00.000+05:30

Genre: RPG
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Also on: PS3

Cocoon -- a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum's rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity. Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal'Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal'Cie.

The moment that fal'Cie from Pulse - the feared and detested lowerworld - awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal'Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l'Cie - chosen of the fal'Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l'Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself. A prayer for redemption.

A wish to protect the world. A promise to challenge destiny. After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins...

Set several years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors have decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off to find Lightning...

Soulcalibur V on Xbox 360

2012-01-26T14:44:00.000+05:30

SoulCalibur V picks up 17 years after the events of SoulCalibur IV with new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil. The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords.

Features
A new generation – Follow the story of Patroklos, son of Sophitia as the battle for the Soul Swords continues.Exclusively on: Xbox 360

Multiple fi ghting styles – Choose from a roster of unique characters, each with their own deadly weapons, fighting styles and visual flare.

Dynamic battles – Blow away your competition using fi nely tuned battle mechanics.

Genre: Fighting
Release Date: January 31, 2012

Dunder Mifflin’s Office Remade As A Counter Strike Source Map

2012-01-25T20:49:00.005+05:30

Long before the advent of such games as Minecraft, virtual worlds were coded primarily as first person shooter maps. You could play Half-Life deathmatch in a super-sized kitchen, Counter Strike on a World War II battlefield and so on. Map making was an artform. But it’s clearly not dead.

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Investors Bet On Social Gambling, $ZNGA Closes Up 6.57%, Now At $9.09 A Share

2012-01-25T20:49:00.002+05:30

The social gaming industry has been getting more and more interested in a potentially big new way to make money: online gambling. And investors, who are now able to buy stock in market leader Zynga, are following suit.
Today, Zynga told All Things D that it was considering how to approach the new opportunity: “We build games and experiences that our players want and love. Zynga Poker is the world’s largest online poker game with more than 7 million people playing every day and over 30 million each month. We know from listening to our players that there’s an interest in the real money gambling market. We’re in active conversations with potential partners to better understand and explore this new opportunity.”

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Kinect Comes To Windows On February 1st

2012-01-25T20:48:00.000+05:30

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Japan’s Video Game Market In 2011 (Sales, Hardware, Software)

2012-01-25T20:47:00.000+05:30

Japan’s video game industry is the world’s second biggest (after the US), but it’s on a downward streak for the fifth consecutive year. Based on sales, the country’s video game industry has contracted by as much as 8% year-on-year, Japan’s biggest gaming magazine Famitsu is reporting [JP].
Between December 27, 2010 and December 25, 2011, Japanese game companies generated US$5.9 billion in sales. The Famitsu says that sales from hardware makers actually went up 2.4% (thanks to the launch of the 3DS and PlayStation Vita) to reach US$2.3 billion. Software revenues in Japan dropped 13.7% to US$3.6 billion last year.

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Microsoft’s Newest Flight Simulator Goes Freemium

2012-01-25T20:46:00.000+05:30

In the gaming world, there are gamers, there are hardcore gamers… and then there are flight sim players. These guys exist on a plane of dedication that they reside on almost exclusively, with a degree of commitment matched only by their spiritual brothers: the train sim players.
Alas, no level of dedication can pay to keep the lights on if the fan base simply isn’t big enough… hence the layoff of Microsoft’s entire Flight Simulator team back in 2009. Looking to start afresh and bring new blood (and new wallets) into the fan base, Microsoft’s taking a different approach with their latest game, Flight: it’s going freemium.

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The Playstation 3D Display Lets You Bring All Of Your Friends

2012-01-25T20:45:00.003+05:30

Back at E3, the gaming world let out a collective groan when Sony announced they were making a special 3D TV for the PS3. However, that groan swiftly turned into a clamor of adoration once it was explained that the TV, in addition to displaying 3D content, would also allow two players to play side by side, seeing different displays through two pairs of 3D glasses. Called SimulView, it was pretty darn cool.
Fast forward to December and the 24-inch TV has shipped and costs $499. The display has two HDMI ports and little else – you plug in a PS3 and start playing games and Blu-Ray disks. Is this PS3-branded widescreen 1080p monitor good? Definitely. But is it a necessary accessory for gamers and non-gamers alike? That remains to be seen. Read on.

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