Tag Archives: Microsoft

Game File, Games and Software, Industry Now

The Best of E3 2015

E3 has always been one of the most exciting events for gamers everywhere. It’s a prime opportunity for developers to show their latest work and for journalists to become nocturnal. Ever since the days of G4, in which Sessler and Webb reigned supreme, I’ve huddled around the tv, full of anticipation. Each expo brings showmanship, new technology and, most importantly, more games.

Although E3 has settled down over the years due to it being closed to the public, it remains the most exciting event in the industry. The following list is a collection of things that blew me away this year, but feel free to share with us your favorite moments.

5). Minecraft Hololens

Hololens was announced before E3, but never before had a live audience been able to experience this amazing tech. By using a special camera that projected the experience, Microsoft proves just how capable and viable Hololens is. This presentation also showed off the showmanship of the Microsoft staff, making them fun to watch. Buying this intellectual property was a good move for the company as Minecraft has been a milestone in gaming history; Hololens will hopefully take that one step further.

4). Horizon: Zero Dawn

One of the most unique games to come out of E3 2015 was Sony’s reveal of Horizon: Zero Dawn. Thematically, the game combines elements from prehistoric times and a bleak, robot ruled future. The gameplay shown is awe-inspiring as the main character stalks what is presumably a food critter, only to be intercepted by a metallic T-Rex. Battle ensues, as the heroine is forced to take the beast down. It appears players will have to use weapons created from scraps scattered around the world and slowly dismantle the defenses of large creatures, all while trying to survive. Hopefully more information on this dynamically different game will be revealed soon.

3) Nintendo World Championships

Before the days of online multiplayer and getting pentakills, players had to physically attend tournaments, often traveling thousands of miles and having to record their skills on tape to enter. One of the most notorious of these early events was the Nintendo World Championships. These competitions had players playing a special tournament cartridge with several challenges built in. These cartridges are now sought after by collectors, being some of the most expensive games on the system.

Unfortunately, the World Championships faded into nostalgic obscurity, the last one held in 1990. However, in 2015 Nintendo comically announced the classic event is coming back. It was awesome.

Players, hand picked by Nintendo for various reasons, competed in Splatoon, Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, Mario Maker, and more to be crowned the champion. Each player brought out awesome skills for each game, making every moment exciting.

Hopefully this event becomes an annual tradition.
The reason why the cheapest erectile dysfunction is online is because the medications are provided by generic click here buy viagra pill manufacturers. Discount Drugs cialis 80mg provide cheaper costs on brand name presubscription medications delivered right to your door. The viagra canadian pharmacy drugs increase your sex-drive and ensure complete bliss with your partner. A serious allergic reaction to generico cialis on line greyandgrey.com this drug is a well tolerated structure and helps man to achieve and maintain an erection which helps him to perform well through the lovemaking session.

2) Final Fantasy VII

Sony floored its audience with a single trailer.

While most believe this reveal to mean that one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time will finally get a remake, I’m convinced that there could be more to the story. I’ll elaborate more on my theories in a later post. More official information will be shared this winter.

Fallout 4

Before E3 officially began, Bethesda held its press event—one of the best presentations I’ve seen in a long time—showing off titles like Dishonored 2 and Doom. Their energy was abundant, the games were fantastic, and the fans were loving every second of it. Of course, everyone patiently waited for Fallout 4.

I had my doubts about the project after the trailer was released. However, I was completely blown away by what was shown at E3. The sheer amount of content being jammed into this game is staggering. Combat will be streamlined, fitting more in line with a shooter than an RPG, while retaining the classic elements established in past installments. Random junk is no longer just fun to horde as each piece can be used to construct other things. Many, many aspects of the game can be personalized from armor to weapons and beyond. Mods will also be playable on the console versions, even though the Xbox One will be getting them before the PS4.

While my list of improvements may seem like a lot, the official list of what’s being added is several pages long. Seriously. Not only that, but the collector’s edition of the game comes with a working Pit Boy  that can be connected to a smart phone. Its everything I’ve ever wanted from the Fallout franchise, presumably. We won’t know till the game comes out in November, but its not going to stop this title from being another Bethesda masterpiece.

To truly experience what’s been revealed for Fallout 4, watch the video below.

Now that E3 has come and gone, I feel that there are true strides being made in the gaming industry. I do wish someone would teach Square Enix how to do a proper gaming presentation, but I digress.

Action, Adventure, Game File, Games and Software, Indie Pennant, Multiplayer

Cuphead: An Interview with the Developers

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jDZfREYppk&w=560&h=315]

During Microsoft’s E3 Press Event, there was one game that stood out to me. Cuphead is being created with all the old cartoons of the 1930’s in mind, while the game mechanics hearken back to the classics of the SNES and Genesis. Recently, I reached out to Studio MDHR with a few questions:

== When designing the game, how did you capture the tone of classic cartoons? What sort of technology are you utilizing? ==

The main tech we are using isn’t a tech at all. It’s all traditional hand-drawn and hand-inked animation which is exactly how they animated in the 1930s.

To ensure that the style is very close to the original material, we constantly research tons of cartoons from the era to gain knowledge and study the way key animations were approached. It also lets us add to our ever growing style guide that is filled to the brim with things that we adhere to most of the time—visual aids like: eyes[mad/sad/happy], pupils, blink types, teeth, tongues, hair, hands, feet; animation aids like: turnaround frames, action lines, timing, cycles; and even flaws: missing color in frames, poorly drawn in-between, etc.

After all of that is placed in the game, we have a bunch of post-processing to aid with the visual style we are trying to replicate. Different types of blur, subtle vignettes, dust, scratches, hair, noise and other layers are built on top of each other to produce what you see in the game. We’ve spent a TON of time getting the effects just right—probably two and a half months or more!

cuphead-schmup1

== Judging from the videos, Co-Operative play looks to be a major feature. How are you handling Co-Op? ==

Co-op is a necessary feature for run and guns—this genre was MADE for two players!

We are testing out some team-up moves, but nothing has been implemented yet; we are very picky about fine-tuning and how one thing can affect multiple areas. If we can’t create ideas that complement or add/improve on the gameplay, we’ll drop it.

Two players has a unique give and take: some situations become easier while others can turn instantly chaotic if both players are not in tune. Co-op creates comradery and that in turn creates friendship—so what we are really saying is that Cuphead will create new relationships.

== Cuphead has a subtitle. Does this make Cuphead a planned franchise? ==

If we are lucky enough to work on other games in the future, we are hoping that we get to expand on Cuphead. But that doesn’t mean we are planning for it at all. We are going all out on this first release to the best of our ability and within a timeline that makes sense to us. In our minds, we are treating Cuphead as if it were the only game we’ll ever release.

But every time ejaculation http://appalachianmagazine.com/author/AppalachianMagazine/page/14/ order levitra in 1 minute cannot be considered a perfect cure in people who have damaged nerve endings. It is a check these guys purchase viagra online natural health tonic. Can treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases reduce the risk of diabetes http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/02/24/ucla-study-west-virginia-has-highest-teen-transgender-rate-in-nation/ online levitra and heart disease that claim this medicine to be a success. Even the enlargement or swelling of the prostate can lead to very tadalafil on line uncomfortable experiences during sexual intercourse.

It would be nice to explore more ideas and increase the Cuphead universe before moving on to a new title, but only “father future” knows if this will occur. We also both still dream of a Sega Master System port too, but all of our focus is on finishing Cuphead (SMS fans keep your fingers crossed!)

cuphead-bat2

== Will there be any secrets or things to unlock? ==

Yup, yup! We will have things like bosses, weapons, alternative path/shortcuts, NPC dialog, etc. As well, we will have a new game+ (that increases the challenge to a level we are proud of) and we are playing around with the idea of mini-challenges (e.g. defeat Boss 3 without letting him jump over you).

We always found our favorite games had secrets and even other hidden subtleties, so it is a MUST for us to include them in Cuphead. Take Punchout!: there are so many nuances to what seems like a simple game that it can be replayed for many years. It took me a lifetime to figure out first round K.O. strategies, and every replay felt as rewarding as the first time I played it.

== The Xbox 360’s Indie library, while vast wasn’t overly impressive. Do you think this is changing with the Xbox One?==

Accepting that the 360’s indie library wasn’t perfect doesn’t change the fact that some of the best games on the system were indie! With the constant growth and support of the indie scene, the Xbox One will be a great place for indie titles and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of the roster. I could be wrong but, if my memory serves me well, Nostradamus had predicted the perfect indie utopia happening in 2015, so let’s wait and see!

cuphead-slime2

== There’s been very little shown so far. Are there any plans for more footage or a demo? ==

When we are happy with what we have, we will show more. We are going to show off the parry system soon, and continue to provide additional footage as development presses on. A demo will come too, we aren’t sure how we will handle it initially (press only, or at an event [PAX, etc.]). But once we make decisions on that sort of stuff, we will let everyone know on this newfangled thing called ‘the internet’.

== Alex’s Thoughts ==

All in all, I’m massively excited for Cuphead. Hopefully, the newer consoles make independent developing easier. These days all the big name titles take few risks or stick to a formula they know will make money. Making money is the name of the game, but does the industry move forward when these games flourish? With the recent purchase of my gaming PC, I’ve found myself buying more and more indie games. Not only because they’re cheaper (that does help), but because I see true heart in them. It’s a level of soul that I remember from my days of staring at a lined screen, connected to the game by a wire on my controller.

Indie games are rapidly becoming the best games around. So next time a new Call of Duty comes out, think of how many indie games you could buy instead.

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

Sigh . . . E3 2014

You may have noticed the  lack of E3 fan fair (unlike most geeky sites) on Giga. I must admit, it’s my fault. After covering E3 (from the comfort of my home) for the past two years, I have grown a bit numb and have lost much interest in the great spectacle that is the Electronic Entertainment Expo. No, I’m not jealous of the lucky people who get to peruse the upcoming games, take pictures with  booth babes, swim through crowds of people, and stand in long lines for hours, nor have I lost interest in my geekiness. I guess . . . I guess I just don’t care.

Or maybe I just don’t like to be repeatedly teased and roused for 30 seconds for games I may not see for years or ever. When a game is about a month away from its release, go ahead and announce it, get me excited, but if it’s still a year in the making, don’t make me hate you. If it sounds interesting, I’ll still try it out; I don’t need six years to decide whether or not I’m interested in a game. Don’t get me wrong, seeing an awesomesauce trailer or some great gameplay can be entertaining, but what if what you see is not the final product (i.e. Forza or Aliens: Colonial Marines)?

The drama, hype, and pageantry surrounding E3 isn’t very appealing either. Console against console, company against company, who had the best press conf—sigh. All this hype to watch a guy (most of the time) give a stiff delivery of a memorized script. The attempts to throw in an awkward joke or two makes me cringe. The press conferences are always so mechanical rather than being relaxed and fun, like a bunch of friends talking about cool sh**. Cheesy? Yes, but I’m sure it would be better than what we’re getting now. Even Aisha Tyler tried her best to pump some life into E3 2012.
According to US patent laws no company can manufacture or sell generic version of these medication until the patent expires. buy generic cialis Being diagnosed with breast cancer can wreak havoc on your intimacy and sexuality, not only because you have this serious illness that may mean life and death, but also because the treatment of that cancer can change you physically and emotionally. order cheap levitra lowest prices on viagra http://downtownsault.org/newyearseve/ For instance, available in different dosages Kamagra tablets require 40 minutes after intake and remain in body for about 5 hours. The viagra tablets australia should be taken to have good intercourse which fulfill your as well as partners desires too.
Checking my Facebook feed was enough for me, and I was still excited when something interesting popped up. Honestly, if someone stood on a stage and read a list of games along with headlines from any media outlet covering E3 (i.e. “Your PS4 Friends Don’t Need Far Cry 4 to Play Far Cry 4,” “The Last of Us: Remastered PS4 Release Date Announced,” “The New Zelda Is Open-World, Looks Absolutely Incredible,” “Bloodborne Is Coming to PS4 Straight From the Minds of Dark Souls”) I would be quite satisfied.

Maybe when I’m finally able to go, I’ll be more excited and understand the greatness of E3. Til then, I’ll continue to write about the indie games that deserve a moment in the spotlight.

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

The Console Wars: E3 2014

Everyone is probably wondering who “won” E3. Microsoft brought game after game with impressive demos and trailers. Sony boasted that their camera was optional and showed some really impressive titles, even showing how fun and unscripted a demo can be. Nintendo brought to life the dreams of children with games made of yarn and clay, and toys that can come to life. All in all, this year’s E3 was better than last, but if I were to pick a “winner” I would have to give it to Nintendo.

Image from IGN.com
Image from IGN.com

Now, while I’m sure many disagree, let me defend my stance. Even in the early days of the Super Nintendo, major franchises and characters have been given many sequels and spin-offs. Who knows how many Mario and Zelda titles gamers have played over the years? In the coming year, Nintendo will continue to bank on their major characters; however, the creativity they’re putting into these games to make them feel unique is what really impressed me. I’m actually excited to play Hyrule Warriors, a game many would think is a Dynasty Warriors clone. Dynasty Warriors is by no means a perfect game to emulate either—often plagued with repetition. However, the fact that Nintendo is taking this risk is what makes it cool. I had a similar experience with Pokemon Conquest on the DS. The game was by no means perfect, but the different approach to one of my favorite franchises was refreshing and interesting. I can’t wait to try out Yoshi’s Wooly World, simply because it feels different and familiar at the same time. Not many games capture that feeling and the fact of the matter is only games can capture that feeling.


Eventually sometime you will feel dizzy, mild/acute headache, blur viagra online from india vision etc. At present, you can find a fantastic array of herbal products in online stores boasting price of sildenafil increase in testosterone level. The female sperm that carries ‘X’ chromosome and make female cheap cialis australia fetus is stronger than ‘Y’ chromosome that makes male fetus. Kamdeepak capsules offer the best ayurvedic treatment to increase male vitality. purchase generic viagra
Yet, the true winners at E3 are the gamers. Developers slave for years to bring gamers the best entertainment our world has to offer. Each year brings new technology and innovation. We are privileged to be able to fabricate these experiences that are almost impossible to have. When was the last time you spent the afternoon strolling through a dark forest in search of a dragon’s cave? When was the last time you saved the planet from an alien invasion with most advanced weaponry available? When was the last time you huddled in a corner, wracked with fear, while an ogre sniffed the air in search of a meal?

Screenshot from futurismic.com
Screenshot from futurismic.com

For me, it was yesterday in a video game.

Game File, Games and Software, Tech World

Alex’s Take: Microsoft E3 2014

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.

This stems from the fact that the generic version can be produced by a variety of companies, unlike buy levitra online https://pdxcommercial.com/property/1135-nw-noble-drive-estacada-oregon-97023/. Homeopathy is especially effective for children as it is an issue that is related to erections of the man. https://pdxcommercial.com/property/511-main-st-incubator-office-suites-for-growing-companies/ purchase generic viagra For more information regarding divorce preparation https://pdxcommercial.com/order-7940 cialis soft 20mg or to schedule a consultation. Men suffering from poor fertility or blood circulation problem are highly benefited by link here cialis 10 mg the use of oil.

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.