Microsoft exec feels parents need to recognize consoles aren't 'toys'
UK regional Xbox director Neil Thompson feels parents still fail to grasp that modern consoles aren't "toys." Thompson, who is also a member of ELSPA, explained to MCV that "every responsible member of the video game industry" needs to play an active role in keeping the education process "front of mind." He is speaking specifically about letting parents know that each console has content filters and other specialized tools for them.
So, sit down this weekend with a clueless parent (obviously, that wouldn't be a parent who reads this site) and educate them on responsible console ownership with children. Or, if you'd like to be more passive aggressive, send them the link to the ESRB's resource page on how to set up parental features.
So, sit down this weekend with a clueless parent (obviously, that wouldn't be a parent who reads this site) and educate them on responsible console ownership with children. Or, if you'd like to be more passive aggressive, send them the link to the ESRB's resource page on how to set up parental features.
See the (amazing) Mass Effect 2 gameplay we saw at E3
Just be forewarned that there's discussion of the series' plot and one potential ending for Mass Effect 2, in the event you don't actually want those things spoiled for you. Of course, you could always turn the sound off and just enjoy the amazing-looking visuals.
King of Fighters XII punches through with a new video
It's as if millions of piggy banks suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced ... by giant hammers.
Valve showing off Left 4 Dead 2's 'Swamp Fever' at Comic-Con
Click image for larger dancing zombies
A red-hot press release just landed in our inbox, informing us that Valve will be on-hand at San Diego's Comic-Con to show off a new campaign in Left 4 Dead 2 titled "Swamp Fever." If you're at the show, the game is in the EA Gaming Lounge from 2-9 pm Thursday-Saturday, and 12-5 pm on Sunday, and can be found at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hotel, 401 K. Street. The above image is the only piece of media we received from the new campaign, but it's enough to cause wild speculation. Can we get struck by lightning? Do zombies like dancing in the rain? Have the undead found Jesus? We need answers! While we track someone down to find out, feel free to sup on our fresh, new screens in the gallery below.
Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2 (07/10/09)
Start killin': Battlefield 1943 'Coral Sea' challenge has started
The Battlefield 1943 community challenge to unlock the "Coral Sea" map is a go -- that is, for those who can get into a game. The bonus battlefield will unlock as soon as the individual communities on Xbox 360 and PS3 reach a body count of 43 million. We'd give you the current kill count as of this writing, but it's jumped nearly 50K in this brief time. The corpses are piling up fast!
If someone with math skills wants to track the figures over the next day or so and give us a rough estimate of when they estimate the map should unlock, we won't hold it against you. Once "Coral Sea" opens up, if should include an "Air Superiority game mode." Get killin', folks, who knows if there'll be another carrot dangled in front of us when this challenge is done. We hope there will be.
[Thanks, Doug]
If someone with math skills wants to track the figures over the next day or so and give us a rough estimate of when they estimate the map should unlock, we won't hold it against you. Once "Coral Sea" opens up, if should include an "Air Superiority game mode." Get killin', folks, who knows if there'll be another carrot dangled in front of us when this challenge is done. We hope there will be.
[Thanks, Doug]
XBLA's 'Summer of Arcade' lineup reshuffled
As if this Friday wasn't freaky enough, Xbox Live's Major Nelson has alerted us to a schedule swap occurring within the "Summer of Arcade" lineup. 'Splosion Man has taken the July 22nd spot previously held by TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, which will now release on August 5th. The full Xbox Live Arcade release list -- excluding next week's Monkey Island revamp -- is as follows:
- July 22: 'Splosion Man 800
($10) - July 29: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 1200
($15) - August 5: TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled 1200
($15) - August 12: Trials HD 1200
($15) - August 19: Shadow Complex 1200
($15)
Second dev diary for Dante's Inferno is lustful
Halo Wars title update 3 details revealed
Robot has revealed specific details regarding the third title update for Halo Wars. Most of the changes being implemented are for the sake of balancing the game, and there are also a handful of bug and exploit fixes. It looks like the effectiveness of the Gauss Warthog will see a reduction, with the unit doing less damage to tanks and receiving more damage from grenades. The Warthog will also take three seconds longer to build (25 seconds). Anders has also seen her research speed bonus reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent.
There are a smattering of other changes, the most significant perhaps being that stockpiled units in a locked-down base will now release much faster when the base is unlocked. Very good news for anyone that has seen their stockpiled units killed one by one as they emerge from an unlocked base.
Check out all the changes after the break.
There are a smattering of other changes, the most significant perhaps being that stockpiled units in a locked-down base will now release much faster when the base is unlocked. Very good news for anyone that has seen their stockpiled units killed one by one as they emerge from an unlocked base.
Check out all the changes after the break.
BioShock 2 given another helping hand in Arkane Studios
Have you heard the one about BioShock 2? You know: "How many devs does it take to screw up a BioShock sequel?" We haven't come up with the punch line yet, but 2K Games seems to be increasing the odds of something going wrong for BioShock 2 by adding a fourth studio to the company crowd of developers. Lyon-based Arkane Studios joins lead developer 2K Marin (in California), its collaborator 2K Australia (we repeat: Australia), and multiplayer specialist Digital Extremes (headquartered in Ontario) in a cast that's starting to look like a "We Are the World" tribute to the late Mr. Jackson. We know, we know: outsourcing and globalization are just signs of business as usual these days, but when you've got this many cooks in the kitchen, development could easily flip a wrong page to the recipe for disaster.
"Arkane is assisting in the creation of levels that embody the aesthetic and gameplay ideals that make BioShock such a unique and exciting experience," 2K Marin's Alyssa Finley explained, according to Develop. Oh, well, that's a relief. And here we were worried the plan was to recycle unused assets from the first game.
"Arkane is assisting in the creation of levels that embody the aesthetic and gameplay ideals that make BioShock such a unique and exciting experience," 2K Marin's Alyssa Finley explained, according to Develop. Oh, well, that's a relief. And here we were worried the plan was to recycle unused assets from the first game.
Gallery: BioShock 2
Alan Wake PC plans 'up in the air'
Further doubt has been cast on Alan Wake's timely arrival on PC ... if he ever shows up at all. Following up on a Remedy forum post, which put the mouse and keyboard edition to the back of the line, Edge discovered the PC version is in an even more precarious state than first thought. Sam Lake, lead writer for Alan Wake, told the site that the Xbox 360 version is currently getting all the attention and plans "are up in the air and open." He added, "Once we get this version done we'll see."
When pushed further, Lake repeated that "plans are open" and the company will "evaluate the situation and see what makes sense." Given our wide range of programming expertise, we know that Xbox 360-to-PC (and vice versa) development is only a slightly more evolved form of ctrl-c, ctrl-v, so what's going on with Mr. Wake is a bit of a mystery to us.
When pushed further, Lake repeated that "plans are open" and the company will "evaluate the situation and see what makes sense." Given our wide range of programming expertise, we know that Xbox 360-to-PC (and vice versa) development is only a slightly more evolved form of ctrl-c, ctrl-v, so what's going on with Mr. Wake is a bit of a mystery to us.
Activision: Modern Warfare 2 was always ready for the 'Call of Duty'

Was this a reaction to the fact that consumers weren't really aware of the game without the familiar branding, as made clear by a Google Trends chart tweeted by Destructoid's Nick Chester? (Or recent analyst comments saying as much.) When asked about the apparent change of heart (and art), Activision replied, "Infinity Ward, the original creators of the Call of Duty franchise, has said from the beginning Modern Warfare 2 resides in the Call of Duty universe. This is reflected in the title's package."
The company also said that, "Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. We have focused our attention on Modern Warfare in order to most effectively communicate the fact that this is the first true sequel in the Call of Duty series." We agree: letting people know it's a Call of Duty game is probably a good thing.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Battlefield 1943
($15).Download the trial version of Battlefield 1943
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Bioware wants Dragon Age's user-created PC content on consoles
During a recent chat with CVG, Bioware co-founder Greg Zeschuk spoke about Dragon Age: Origins and what DLC and demo plans the company had for the title. With the PC version shipping with a really robust tool set, console gamers may feel like they're missing out, but Zeschuk says that Bioware is actually looking to get that user content from the PC over to consoles. Aside from that, there's also discussion of new dungeons and expansions that could be DLC, though Zeschuk wouldn't comment beyond confirming DLC is in the works.
As for the possibility of a demo preceding release, Zeschuk says that likely isn't in the cards. It's a problem of finding the right part of the game to offer to fans. "The way the game's set up actually makes it hard for a demo because there are six origin stories and we don't know whether to just pick one or a couple." We'd just say pick a couple (more is better, right?) and go for it, because who doesn't like free content (other than Communists)?
As for the possibility of a demo preceding release, Zeschuk says that likely isn't in the cards. It's a problem of finding the right part of the game to offer to fans. "The way the game's set up actually makes it hard for a demo because there are six origin stories and we don't know whether to just pick one or a couple." We'd just say pick a couple (more is better, right?) and go for it, because who doesn't like free content (other than Communists)?
Zephyr turns into Tornado Outbreak
You'll be able to give Tornado Outbreak a whirl when it launches on Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 this September.
Gallery: Tornado Outbreak
Modern Warfare 2 box art includes 'Call of Duty'

We're not sure if this is a new official name for the game, but we'll do our best to find out. In the meanwhile, check out the full box art after the break.

















