Everybody Calm Down, Kickstarter Is Fine
Thursday, 9th May 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: Amanda Palmer, books, crowdfunding, games, gaming, indiegogo, kickstarter, media, music, rob thomas, rockethub, veronica mars, zach braff
Written by: R Bryant Francis
Seriously guys, it’s okay. Everything’s gonna be fine.
There’s an argument I’ve had with several people over the last few days, among them my compatriot Paul Nyhart, who wrote this article proclaiming Kickstarter is headed for the dead zone. The argument is that bigger institutions are joining the crowdfunding craze and this (somehow) damages the movement. Seriously? Continue reading “Everybody Calm Down, Kickstarter Is Fine” »
George R.R. Martin Has Gaming Addiction; Talks About Upcoming GOT Games
Monday, 25th March 2013Posted in Gaming
Tags: Game of Thrones, gaming, George RR Martin, got, video games
Written by: Jeff Nau
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In a recent interview with George R.R. Martin, right before Friday’s most recent Game of Thrones screening, the author took some time to dish out his thoughts on gaming, particularly the GOT versions he’s had a hand in helping develop.
While he didn’t seem too keen on releasing any details, he was much less reluctant to share his feelings on games and gaming in general — particularly their effect on his writing, or lack thereof. Continue reading “George R.R. Martin Has Gaming Addiction; Talks About Upcoming GOT Games” »
New University Study Finds First Person Shooters Enhance Visual Skills (Tell Us Something We Don’t Know)
Friday, 22nd March 2013Posted in Gaming
Tags: driving, first person shooter, gaming, medal of honor, Need For Speed, skills, Visual, visual skills
Written by: Jeff Nau
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Following a months-long research program, scientists at the University of Toronto have stumbled upon new evidence finding that many lifelong gamers end up developing a set of ninja-like skills that come as, yes, a result of being lifelong gamers.
By ‘set’, we mean not only the physical reflexes that come with years of sitting in front of your console/hand held of choice, but also the visual acuity skills that improve simply by spending hours in front of them. Continue reading “New University Study Finds First Person Shooters Enhance Visual Skills (Tell Us Something We Don’t Know)” »
How Classic Video Games Helped One of the World’s Biggest Metal Bands, POWERGLOVE, Make It To The Top
Tuesday, 19th March 2013Posted in Musician
Tags: gaming, interview, metal band, nerd metal, nerd rock, Powerglove
Written by: Jeff Nau
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Boston’s Powerglove is an exception to the rule that “instrumental bands can’t be successful”– with albums like Total Pwnage, Metal Kombat, and Saturday Morning Apocalypse, the boys have managed to take instrumentals and make them relevant again. How? By making tracks like “Dr. Wily’s Theme” from Mega Man 2 into full-fledged sonic assaults, or turning music from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 into a swell little metal ditty called “So Sexy Robotnik.”
For Powerglove, sexy and video game music go hand in hand. We sat down with bass guitarist Nick Avila to talk about video game music and the band’s plans for the future.
JHS: What inspired you to get your start as an all-instrumental band?
Nick Avila (Powerglove): The four of us had been been in a melodic death metal band together in 2002 and in 2004 Powerglove was started as a side project. We just ended up having more fun with Powerglove than we were having with our old band. Continue reading “How Classic Video Games Helped One of the World’s Biggest Metal Bands, POWERGLOVE, Make It To The Top” »
Amateur Hacker Reprograms THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, Plays as Princess
Tuesday, 19th March 2013Posted in Viral Video
Tags: gaming, Kenna, kenna draws stuff, Link, NES, Zelda
Written by: Jeff Nau
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Hobbyist animator/blogger Kenna W. was so inspired by the dad who reprogrammed Donkey Kong for his daughter (so she could play as the Princess), she decided to do the same for the original 1985 Legend of Zelda game — so she could play as Zelda.
On her blog, Kenna Draws Stuff, Kenna relates the entire process of pursuing her goal — from inspiration all the way to conception. Part of what makes her story so cool is not only her determination to make the game Zelda-centric, but also show how easy it is to try doing the same. Continue reading “Amateur Hacker Reprograms THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, Plays as Princess” »
Museums vs. Game Designers: Are Video Games Truly Art?
Wednesday, 13th March 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: art, Brian Moriarty, gaming, history, MOCA, MOMA, New York City, old
Written by: Jeff Nau
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After decades, the debate over whether video games deserve any kind of acknowledgement in the art world is still raging.
2013, however, marks a bit of a turning point in the ongoing battle: New York City’s MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) has officially acknowledged both gaming’s place in the art world, as well as their own pointless reluctance to do so — while a legendary game designer, of all people, believes they can never be worthy of being called art. So who’s right and who’s wrong? Continue reading “Museums vs. Game Designers: Are Video Games Truly Art?” »
Electronic Arts Will Host Their First LGBT Gaming Event in San Francisco This Week
Monday, 4th March 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: characters, company, Electronic Arts, event, gamers, gaming, gay, lgbt
Written by: Jeff Nau
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Recognizing that there’s an increased love of games from gamers of all sexual orientations, Electronic Arts is making serious headway in reaching out to gamers in the LGBT community.
This Thursday, March 7, that the company will be holding the Full Spectrum convention in New York — an event oriented specifically towards gay, lesbian, and transsexual gamers. Continue reading “Electronic Arts Will Host Their First LGBT Gaming Event in San Francisco This Week” »
Chinese Gamer Dies After 3-Day Marathon — Is China’s Gaming Habit Getting Out of Hand?
Tuesday, 26th February 2013Posted in Gaming
Tags: china, death, gaming, habit, marathon
Written by: Jeff Nau
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A mere few months after a gamer nearly died and another went on a gaming strike until his parents gave him his gaming computer back, yet another gamer in China has fallen ill after his gaming marathon got him killed. According to the BBC, the 30-year-old unidentified man was in the middle of an intense online gambling binge — in the month before his death, he’d reportedly nurtured a 10,000 yuan, or $1,500-a-month gaming habit.
At 450 million gamers, China currently houses a bigger gaming population than any other country on the planet — most of them men, and most of them with a penchant for MMORPGs like World of Warcraft. Now authorities are taking steps to dissuade gamers from becoming addicted. Continue reading “Chinese Gamer Dies After 3-Day Marathon — Is China’s Gaming Habit Getting Out of Hand?” »
PS4 Games Will Not Be More Than $60
Friday, 22nd February 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: 60, games, gaming, people, playstation 4, price, ps4, said, think, tretton
Written by: Craig Hunter
There was much speculation that next-generation PS4 titles could see a price hike–they’re not, don’t worry.
SCEA CEO Jack Tretton explained to CNBC (via GameSpot) that Playstation 4 games will indeed have the same $60 price ceiling PS3 games have. He also mentions that the company will “welcome free-to-play models.”
Tretton also went on to speak briefly about how the rise of mobile games have no effect on the PS4 market. He said that these are “additive experiences” and that big budget, blockbuster titles aren’t going anywhere.
Continue reading “PS4 Games Will Not Be More Than $60” »
Report: Fox News Running Out of Ways to Criticize Video Games, Blames Video Games
Thursday, 21st February 2013Posted in Gaming
Tags: controversy, fox news, gaming, video games
Written by: Paul Nyhart
COZY CORPORATE OFFICE, NEW YORK – Rumors are circulating that Fox News, the media conglomerate responsible for a handful of best-selling books and the rise of the blonde news anchor, is having internal struggles within their game reporting division.
Having recently come down on Assassins Creed 3 Tyranny of George Washington DLC as negatively portraying an American hero, prognosticators are speculating that Fox News may indeed be out of ways to blame the video game industry.
“There were already whispers that they had peaked during the 2010 release of Mortal Kombat, now the industry is all but conceding Fox News is officially irrelevant regarding anything in the video game world,” said Ted Stevens, head writer of Game Boy Color Enthusiast and co-inventor of the $200 headphone. Continue reading “Report: Fox News Running Out of Ways to Criticize Video Games, Blames Video Games” »
Annual EA Sports Challenge Series Presents $1 Million In Prize Money
Tuesday, 12th February 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: 1 million, ea, gamers, gaming, madden, series, tournament
Written by: Craig Hunter
Virgin Gaming and EA have partnered up again for the annual EA Sports Challenge Series. It took place on February 9 and is one of the largest live gaming tournaments in the world. Gaming takes place solely on the Playstation 3 (via GI).
The tournament handed out over $1 million in prize money to players competing in FIFA Soccer 13, MADDEN 13 and NHL 13. Over 1000 spectators piled into Lagasse’s Stadium in Las Vegas to watch 640 different gamers complete.
Continue reading “Annual EA Sports Challenge Series Presents $1 Million In Prize Money” »
Ded Zeds Aims to Remind You Why You Fell In Love With The 2-D Sidescroller
Monday, 11th February 2013Posted in Gaming Personality
Tags: comedy, ded, game, games, gaming, peter, story, zack, zack finfrock
Written by: R Bryant Francis
Remember the old 2-D sidescrollers like Mega Man, Metroid, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night that dominated the SNES/Game Boy era? If you’ve been looking for a new fix for that classic gaming style, 3 Bit Dudes promises to have the solution with their new game “Ded Zeds” for iOS/Android and PC/Mac. Continue reading “Ded Zeds Aims to Remind You Why You Fell In Love With The 2-D Sidescroller” »
$550,000 Video Game Collection Surfaces on eBay [Gallery]
Thursday, 7th February 2013Posted in Blog Archive
Tags: $550, 000, collection, consoles, different, games, gaming, just, seller
Written by: Craig Hunter
How much would you pay for quite possibly the most epic collection of video games, ever? A seller on eBay has listed his video game collection for $550,000.
The user has been growing the collection consisting of games, controllers, consoles and various gaming accessories for over 30 years (via Eurogamer), and judging by the photos below…it shows.
“After a life spent collecting video games I decide to sell off my entire collection,” the seller goes on to say that that there is just to much of it and he has run out of space to store it long ago.
Continue reading “$550,000 Video Game Collection Surfaces on eBay [Gallery]” »
Carolina Games Summit Launches 24 Game Tournament, Expert Gamer Panel This Weekend
Wednesday, 30th January 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: carolina games summit, carolina gaming summit, game convention, gaming, industry
Written by: Paul Nyhart
The Carolina Games Summit – one of the largest one day gaming events in the country- kicks off this Saturday at Wayne College in North Carolina.
The nation’s most 1337 gamers will go head to head in games ranging from Black Ops to Ghost Recon to Magic The Gathering to Starcraft II. Some of the industry’s most vocal leaders will opine on the gaming world’s most relevant issues (state of the industry, violent video games, epic pwnage, etc.) offering a chance for gamers, be it casual or core, to learn more about the industry and catch some exciting competition.
Fed-Up Dad Ends Kid’s Gaming Habit; Son Goes On Hunger Strike
Wednesday, 23rd January 2013Posted in Offbeat
Tags: china, chinese, dad, gaming, hunger strike, keyboard, Yang Yang
Written by: Jeff Nau
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A Chinese man, fed up with his son’s gaming habit, decided last week to break the boy’s keyboard in an effort to curb the addiction.
It didn’t go too well: the younger man, in his 20′s and still living at his parents’ house, decided to go on a hunger strike until his parents fixed his computer.
Continue reading “Fed-Up Dad Ends Kid’s Gaming Habit; Son Goes On Hunger Strike” »
China Says They Will Surpass United States By 2049…Why They’re Probably Right
Wednesday, 9th January 2013Posted in Pop Culture
Tags: china, economy, gaming, gaming jobs, job
Written by: Paul Nyhart
As if China’s gaming industry seeing a 35% increase in action wasn’t enough, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reports the Orient will surpas the United States in “an all around way” by 2049.
Now it is not just referring to the $9.7 billion in sales the Chinese games industry pulled in, the CAS based the decision on “overall health.” The report states that China’s overall state of health has exceeded the United States since 2007, adding that trend will expand in 2019, when China is expected to become the world’s biggest economy. Currently China’s economy is half of the United States, based on GDP ($7.3 trillion to U.S. 15 trillion)., but that again is expected to change. Continue reading “China Says They Will Surpass United States By 2049…Why They’re Probably Right” »
Razer Unveils the Edge Gaming Device, “The World’s Most Powerful Tablet”
Tuesday, 8th January 2013Posted in Preview
Tags: core, Edge, gaming, intel, le, nvidia, RAM, razer, tablet, windows
Written by: Craig Hunter
Razer has been in development for over a year on its project Fiona Windows gaming tablet and the company has now unveiled the retail version called the Edge.
The Edge still has many of the features set out by the early prototypes but Razer has taken much of the design and made several significant changes. Check out the announcement video below.
The Edge will come just like any other tablet now that the permanently side mounted controls have been removed. Razer is calling the Edge the “most powerful tablet in the world” with its Intel i7 processor, Nvidia GT640 LE GPU and 8GB of RAM.
Continue reading “Razer Unveils the Edge Gaming Device, “The World’s Most Powerful Tablet”” »
Project Shield, NVidia’s Portable Gaming Console Unveiled
Monday, 7th January 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: controller, core, gaming, mobile, nvidia, project, Shield, tegra
Written by: Craig Hunter
NVidia is entering into the mobile gaming console space with the announcement of Project Shield. Shield is an Android mobile gaming and media device that ships with the company’s newly introduced quad-core Tegra 4 mobile processor (via CNET). Check out the Shield real-time demo announcement video and image gallery below.
Project Shield, along with the new quad-core Tegra 4 were announced during the Nvidia press conference at this year’s CES. CEO Jen-Hsun Huang took to the stage in Vegas to unveil the company’s surprising offering into to the mobile gaming space.
Here is what we know so far about the Shield. It looks like a common PS3 or Xbox 360 controller but with a 5-inch touch display attached. The flip-top “retinal display” is a 1280×720 HD multitouch screen. The mobile console has full 802.11n on-board WiFi. Continue reading “Project Shield, NVidia’s Portable Gaming Console Unveiled” »
Nvidia Unveils New Graphical Powerhouse Game Streaming Service, The Grid
Monday, 7th January 2013Posted in Technology
Tags: cloud, company, device, game, gaming, grid, new, nvidia
Written by: Craig Hunter
Not only is NVidia bringing us a new mobile gaming console, the company has also made another big gaming announcement at CES with its new game streaming service, The Grid (via GT).
The Grid is more or less the same concept as some of the other services we know about where you can play games on-demand over the internet on your TV, tablet or phone. NVidia Grid is a “fully integrated system product” that is designed to bring high quality graphics over the cloud to your device of choice. Except NVidia is taking a slightly different approach than services like OnLive.
Continue reading “Nvidia Unveils New Graphical Powerhouse Game Streaming Service, The Grid” »
Rise of The Little Guy? What We Can Expect From Video Games in 2013
Friday, 4th January 2013Posted in Industry
Tags: 2013, Bioshock Infinite, games, gaming, generation, iOS, Mass Effect 3, NRA, ps4, Walking Dead, xbox
Written by: R Bryant Francis
2012 saw a year of radical changes, new technology and big cultural shifts in the gaming world. And looking ahead, 2013 might very well turn out the same way. Read on to see our predictions for the new year…
The Continued Explosion of iOS and Mobile Gaming
Though the iPad launched in 2010, 2012 saw some of the biggest and most important titles launch on Apple’s mobile operating system.
Games like Waking Mars showed us how the touch-control devices could be used to bring sidescrollers to a new generation, while games like The Room have shown new ways to think about what we can do with games as a concept. Continue reading “Rise of The Little Guy? What We Can Expect From Video Games in 2013” »
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