Intelligent conversation about games… and stuff
Written and Contributed by: Alex Rubens | Videogame Journalist | @alexrubens
When Shank, the latest stylish game from Klei Entertainment, was revealed, it created a buzz that spread through the internet for days. On the eve of its release, I talked to Jamie Cheng, Founder and CEO of Klei, about Shank and its development. He talks everything from inspiration to his favorite weapon in the game.
Over the next three days, the fine folks at 72 Hours Remain are punishing themselves for the greater good. Hosting a gaming marathon inspired by the 72 hours of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, the team will be playing a plethora of games over the next few days in efforts to raise donations for Child’s Play, a charity devoted to providing games, movies, and toys to hospitalized children around the globe.
From 6AM August 13th (THAT’S TODAY!) until 6AM August 16th, the group will play and complete classics like Shadow of the Colossus, ActRaiser, Wind Waker, Pikmin and more as they aim to beat last year’s total of $1500 donated. At key intervals, specific secret “events” will take place, hopefully prolonging the length of time the team will play.
The entire marathon can be watched live on their website, via Ustream.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate to their cause! Every little bit helps. Click here to donate.
- Mention the event on Twitter, Facebook, in blogs, and in your podcasts… The more people know, the more will join in.
- Follow their official twitter account at @72hoursremain for information, news on the event, etc
It’s a great cause, and a great way to reach their goal! Now, click that donate button!
Category : News
We love BioShock. The world of Rapture is incredible. But, what many feared was that the confines of a liquid universe would eventually become stale.
Enter Irrational Games’ latest: BioShock Infinite.
CodeMasters released a teaser for the third installment in the DiRT series today, appropriately titled “DiRT 3″. A slickly-designed video using transitions to showcase some of the different environments that will be available in the next game is all we get for now, but I’m already liking what I see.
As expected, particle effects are improved over previous iterations (rain and snow in particular are looking better than ever), as well as vehicle and environment rendering, which are beginning to cross into the uncanny valley as far as realism goes.
No specific release date has been announced as of yet, just a nebulous “2011″ at the end of the trailer. A simultaneous cross-platform (PC, PS3, 360) release is hoped for by this PC gamer in particular.
Click here for Part 1 of the trends review | Part 2
As technology advances and pushes the limits of gaming, there has been an inevitable resurgence in classic gaming standards, with possibly none more so evident than the return of several franchises that older gamers fondly remember. Along with these classics come their play mechanics, seeded in memories of Friday night college gaming in dorm rooms with friends huddled around glowing 19″ CRT screens.
This third and final part of the trend report focuses on the “safe mode” in game development this year, as well as the advances in multiplayer gaming, music rhythm game divergence, and dance music games.
Every so often, friends of Team SideQuesting need a little help. Sometimes that means stepping out beyond our day-to-day lives and donating a little to support a cause.
Our friend and yours, the Internet’s James Gillard, has recently been in-and-out of the hospital, out of work, and dangerously close to losing his place of residence. If you’ve been following his tweets, you’d understand how much of a dire situation he is in. And, since he’s a pretty good guy (apart from the constant murdering of us on XBox Live) he’s been as positive as you could ever hope someone could be. Though he’s not asking for it, we, virtual and actual friends of his, are banding together to host an online event.
Much like the “New Gums Day” fundraiser this past January 1st, this event — Romancing the Stones, taking place this Sunday, July 25th — will help James in great ways. Featuring an auction, prizes, and a terrific live show with some incredible guests, Romancing the Stones will not only be a great charity event, but a great event overall.
So, help out! Donate, join the event page, or spread the word!
Full info below! (Thanks to everyone who’s helped to arrange this!)
Click here for Part 1 of the trends review
With the massive push for new technology this year, other aspects of game design are being affected. Visual design, game environments, and story-telling take center stage to make sure that not only are the games technologically impressive, but entertaining as well.
Part 2 of the trend report deals with how visual aesthetics, environments, and character design trends are taking shape.
Each year, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) showcases the games and technology that we will be playing over the foreseeable future. Often, that can mean products that are debuting in the Fall, or even those that are 1-2 years away from completion. These products guide the industry in design and technology for years, as consumers flock to those products that they find more enjoyable.
This year’s E3 continued that formula. The products that were on the show floor and behind closed doors displayed clear trends and direction for 2010 and onward as to what game designers and publishers are proposing to the gaming public. From technology, to visual design, to the cultural sphere around gaming, this year’s show was more subdued in blockbuster announcements, instead focusing on revision and evolution over revolution. Over the next few days we will discuss the leading trends that were apparent at the event. This is part 1 of 3.
Category : News
It’s 100 degrees outside. It’s the middle of July. It’s an unbearable Summer. IT’S HOT.
The best way to prepare for going outdoors? This sweet zip-up jumper from Bethesda! At E3, the Rage and Hunted publisher gave us this ultra-limited piece of swag to pass along to you. With several notable Bethesda logos screen-printed on, you’ll at least be ready for the chilly nights of gaming in Autumn.
How to win? Simple!
Category : News
Castlevania. In many languages, the name roughly translates into “Bad-Ass Side-scrolling Adventure”. The foundations of many past & present 2D gaming experiences fall within the Transylvanian walls of Dracula’s 8-bit castle. And while the magic worked in pixelated worlds, it never quite translated into the third dimension. E3 brought us a hopeful new game, looking to break that streak. Our hands-on time revealed an interesting conundrum:
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is the best 3D Castlevania game, though it doesn’t always feel like one.
