Category Archives: Games and Software

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

Alex’s Take: Microsoft E3 2014

June 12, 2014 Alex McCumbers

For once, I was actually on the edge of my seat with Microsoft. They came out of the gate with games presented by experts in the biggest entertainment industry. I hung onto every word about the remake of Halo 2, packaged with all the other numbered Halo titles. Xbox Live will be flooded with children not old enough to spell when the king of multiplayer returns. Halo: The Master Chief Collection will also run at 1080p and 60 fps. Oh, and there’s access to the Halo 5 beta test, but I’m sure that will pale in comparison. On top of that, several new games were revealed.

Sunset Overdrive blew away the first half of the show with it’s over the top action and art style. Players will be able to create their own character and destroy mutated monsters, which are the product of a strange energy drink. Multiplayer has also been integrated to give eight players the ability to take on challenges by voting for the task at hand. The style is what sets this game apart from the rest; it’s like a combination of Tony Hawk and Ratchet and Clank.

Another title that brought heavy excitement was Scalebound. With the recent interest in giant monsters (Pacific Rim, Godzilla, and Monster Hunter), two beasts clashing together was a welcomed sight. Scalebound also brings its own unique style: as the hero cranks up his headphones with electronic bass beats while sporting bad ass Dragoon armor. Only the cinematic trailer was shown, so gameplay elements are still a mystery. However, any game that gives the player a dragon companion and dubstep can’t be too bad.

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Even though there is already a playable beta, Project Spark was shown off in a new trailer. While these sort of games aren’t new to the market, Spark seems to open the door to new kinds of games that can be made and pushes to give this ability to anyone. The trailer showed a slew of content already developed during beta tests on Windows 8 and Xbox One, which at a glance portrayed almost every major genre in the industry. Finishing off the trailer was Conker slicing through the logo with his chainsaw. Conker is coming to Project Spark, presumably as a playable asset. For those of you unfamiliar with the beer-chugging squirrel, he is the main character of one of the best N64 games: Conker’s Bad Fur Day. It was so good that it was re-created for the Xbox in 2005 for better or worse. This is extremely exciting because players will now have the chance to create the Conker sequel they imagine. Needless to say, it’s going to be fun to browse the games list on Project Spark.

Rounding out the press conference was Microsoft’s love for independent studios. A compilation video showed off some interesting games: Mighty No. 9, a spiritual successor to Megaman (made by some of the same people); an interesting game called Cuphead, which uses an art style that gives homage to old Disney cartoons; and coming from the makers of Limbo is the strangely unique Inside. These three games were just the highlights; many more indie games are coming to Xbox One. In fact, Microsoft claims that a free independent developer kit will be available for these small-time developers. However, I’m not sure how free something like that could be, but I’ll be sure to check into it.

Through the whole event, Microsoft did what they should’ve done: focus on the games. There weren’t any new peripherals, no new services, or deals with major sports broadcasting stations. Nope, just games. With the Xbox One launching without the Kinect, at a lower price point, and tons of games coming out, maybe Microsoft will regain the respect they lost with me at the new console’s release.

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

Alex’s Take: Sony E3 2014

June 11, 2014 Alex McCumbers

The PS3 was the most powerful game system of the last console generation. It boasted better graphics, more disc space, and free online play. In fact, the only thing keeping me from the PS3 was its initial high price point. When the PS4 released with a lower price tag than the Xbox One, I knew something awesome had happened at Sony.

Sony’s live press event this year continued last year’s jabs at Microsoft. It wasn’t nearly as often or mean-spirited like last time, but their jokes still had the crowd rolling. Many new titles of established franchises were shown alongside a few unique ones. PlayStation Now and PlayStation TV were also discussed, but several questions still remain.

The biggest game discussed was Bungie’s Destiny, which was told to have more bonuses and will overall be better on the PlayStation 4. In fact, Sony will be offering a white, 500 GB PS4, bundled with Destiny and 30 days of PlayStation Plus on September 9^th later this year. Furthering this almost awkward love for Sony, PS4 owners can play the Alpha test starting June12; the beta tests will hit July 17^th and Destiny will be released on PS4 first.

Following Destiny was a mysterious game, The Order: 1866. This game appeared on the cover of Game Informer, blasting out of hiding to woo gamers with its strange and dark art direction. Gameplay footage shown at Sony’s press event proved to be intense. The player, instead of a flashlight, held out a lantern with a single candle guiding his way. Stumbling upon an obvious zombie, the character stared in horror as it devoured some poor sap. Then, the zombie transformed into a Mr. Hyde-esque creature that chased the player and slapped him around.

All seemed bleak for the hero, until the magical triangle button appeared on screen. Lucky for the hero, the player hit that button, giving the hero the will he needed to take a health potion. While the art direction and story is intriguing in The Order, I wish quick quick-time events would fade away.

This range downtownsault.org order cheap levitra includes Kamagra tablets, jelly, soft pills and many more. Back pain is the greatest buy viagra for cheap common symptom of TB of backbone. Products rich in zinc include cheese, brown rice, turkey, beans, female viagra buy browse that yoghurt made from raw milk. It can help you promote better 100mg tablets of viagra respiratory and circulatory functions. Sony used contrast to their advantage. After every dark game was a charming one. The most charming of these was Little Big Planet 3. I’ve never really been into Little Big Planet, but I’ve always wanted to give it a shot. Games that allow players to create and share content have always been appealing, but what really blew me away was learning that all the levels that have ever been created from the last two games in the series (according to the folks behind the game is over 8 million) will be playable in full HD on Little Big Planet 3. That’s way more levels than any game has ever had at launch. Not only that, but also with the addition of three new characters, each with their own abilities, players can augment levels they made in the past to fit those characters.

Several games were given the remake treatment. Alongside a new film trailer, the original Ratchet and Clank is getting remade for the PS4. This won’t be an average graphics update either. Sony boasted that the game will get all new assets and set pieces, making the game the best it could ever be. Grim Fandango, a point and click adventure of the past, will also be getting a remake. The crowd exploded at this news, making me feel bad for never playing it. Other games being ported to the PS4 include The Last of Us and Grand Theft Auto 5. Feeling a bit jaded, the PS Vita will be receiving Minecraft and several of the indie titles with its big brother.

There were some shining gems in the press event. Of course there were several sequels and things we’ve seen before, but these games showed a uniqueness not seen in the others. Entwined is a beautiful game about two spirits in love and is available now for $9.99. Bloodborne, the darkest game shown, could be a super-spiritual successor to the Dark Souls franchise. ABZU comes from the makers of the award winning Journey. No Man’s Sky, creates a first person space adventure that lets the player take off to visit other planets. Sony ended their event with a trailer for Uncharted 4, presumably the last game starring Nathan Drake or as I like to say Indiana Croft.

While they didn’t show as many new games as Microsoft showed, Sony did put on a good show. Personally, I think a little too much time was spent on services and television shows. I was even more depressed when absolutely nothing was shared about Square Enix’s big sequels: Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts 3, two games that will force many gamers to buy a PS4.

Screenshot from Warosu.org — Image from Warosu.org

Game File, Games and Software

Batmobile Revealed to have a Battle Mode: Batman Arkham Knight Update

June 4, 2014 Alex McCumbers

Screenshot compliments of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment

With E3 2014 just beyond the horizon, the gaming industry is about to be saturated with videos, screenshots, and surprises. To build hype before the biggest event in gaming, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment revealed another side of Batman’s aptly-named vehicle. Battle Mode, makes the Batmobile more than just a hot rod made for picking up the ladies and turns it into a tank able to take on any threat.

Setting aside the tank for a moment, there is a deeper issue to this game’s marketing campaign. As sweet as seeing the iconic vehicle glorified in next-gen graphics is, why is there such a focus? Personally, I think that the developers are cleverly shifting the eyes of gamers to better surprise them when the game comes out. Didn’t another trailer end with the hint that Batman could die? Who’s the mysterious character with the fancy armor? What does Harley Quinn have to do with the story? What about all that jazz?

While it seems like an almost perfect scheme, Batman: Arkham Knight is assuredly going to blow players away with its narrative. Might not be the most original or good enough for Shakespearean scholars to put down their heavy tomes and pipes, but I would put money on it succeeding well past its goals.

The talented developers behind the Arkham series have proven to be some of the best in the industry with the Batman license. The culmination of these efforts is sure to be beyond epic. Batman has never been cooler.
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From Batman and Robin #12 by Tomasi/Gleason.

Now that we know that Batman drives a tank, I’m hoping E3 brings news of the Batmobile having the ability to transform into a Mech Suit for the Dark Knight.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AykgIIWdPM]

Action, Game File, Games and Software, Multiplayer

Bethesda Softworks Lets Out Its BATTLECRY

May 29, 2014 Alex McCumbers

bc_wp_cossackarcher_faction_1280x800_EN — Image from Battlecry Studio’s Website

The Free-To-Play trend in gaming is an interesting paradigm. These games usually have a business model involving smaller but more frequent transactions, with the purchase of items or other game content. Most gamers fear Free-to-Play will turn into three dreaded words: Pay-To-Win. Unfortunately, several games fit into this taboo, causing many gamers to drop these games at the slightest mention. However, it seems with every month another Free-To-Play game appears. It’s strange to see big name companies attempting this model, but a few have become industry giants with the right implementation. Stepping up to the batting plate is one of those giants, Bethesda Softworks.

Bethesda is most known for the Elder Scrolls series of PC centered games. Most recently, Elder Scrolls Online has entered the MMO world, a no-brainer for the fantasy series. Together with the newly developed BattleCry Studios, Bethesda seeks to create a Free-To-Play game like no other called BATTLECRY. How exactly they will do that has yet to be detailed, but given the company’s track record there can be great things in the works.

Image from Battlecry Studio's Website — Image from BattleCry Studio’s Website

Beginning the ripple effect with an awesome trailer, BATTLECRY immediately puts one in the mind of Team Fortress 2. The characters each have their own distinct look: the Brawler sports a massive metal fist, while the Duelist wields two slender blades and a sweet hat. The amount of care put into these characters is obvious and the setting shows the same care. In a nut shell, nations have deemed gunpowder too barbaric and instead build teams to kill each other with big swords and arrows to determine political debates. What results is a bloodbath on a smaller scale, with less innocents being killed in the process.
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At the end of the trailer, it’s revealed that the game will be in its beta phase in 2015. Whether this will be an open or closed beta is still in the air. I do recommend signing up for their newsletter, as this may put one ahead for access to the beta. Personally, I can’t wait. BATTLECRY looks like a page straight out of Full Metal Alchemist and I couldn’t be more excited.

Get your PCs ready to enter the WarZone sometime in 2015.

Games and Software, Industry Now, Tech World

Inside Look With “Stamp” Creator Erick Ballesteros

May 28, 2014 Jacob M. Neff

Thanks to Stamp creator Erick Ballesteros, we now have an inside look at the new organizational app that is changing the way the world makes appointments! (The interview below involves staff writer Jacob Neff and Stamp creator Erick Ballesteros.)

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Q1. What is Stamp?

A1: Stamp is an iPhone application that empowers freelancing services to accept appointments at anytime with automated scheduling and calendar synchronization.

Q2. Why did you create such an app?

A2: I created this app to further the share economy within our communities. I wanted to empower anyone to become an entrepreneur or run their own business. You can think of it like Lyft. With Lyft, anyone with a car has the freedom to choose their own schedule and make some extra cash (full-time or part-time). Similarly with Stamp, anyone can share their own services/skills to supplement their income. I also wanted to encourage usage of our digital calendars because I feel like the majority aren’t taking advantage of one. By promoting it, Stamp’s service can only increase in satisfaction.

Q3. Why the name “Stamp”?

A3: I like the name stamp because it emphasizes a commitment being made. It can also tie into a time stamp for when selecting a time. There will also be a cross-reward system throughout different types of services for people to recieve great offers.

Q4. What makes Stamp different from other organizational apps such as Evernote, Google Calendar, etc.?

A4: Stamp is different from things like Google Calendar because Stamp has discover-ability and centralized profiles for services to link their Facebook,Twitter, LinkedIn to let the client make the booking decision. In fact we integrate with Google Calendar to make things simpler and each appointment will automatically appear within Google Calendar. We also assign usernames to all services that sign up on our app. By doing this, we allow a very Twitter-esque feel to the app where people can not only stamp with people within their geographic vicinity, but also with people from all over the world (there I said it). This makes the scheduling process even easier for services that prefer to just share their usernames.

Q5. How has Stamp improved organization in your own life so far? Do you use your own app?

A5: I use Stamp to schedule business meetings with others and for workout sessions with my personal trainer. It’s really fun!

Q6. How many downloads does Stamp have?

A6: Stamp just launched two weeks ago on the app store. We have strong initial feedback and we are hard at work improving our service. Additionally, a web app is underdevelopment where the usernames will serve as the subdomain for each service provider using Stamp!

Q7. Where do you see Stamp going in the next 5 to 10 years?

A7: Over the next few years, I envision Stamp creating opportunities for developing nations. It will help many local economies while at the same time creating opportunities for two people to easily schedule with each other regardless of where they are located.

I would highly recommend Stamp for anyone with a full plate as it is an incredibly helpful way to organize appointments. Good news for iPhone users, Stamp is available now on the app store. Android users, hang in there!