Features Archives
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Xbox One Announced
May 21 2013 by Harold Teekman
Today, Microsoft revealed its next generation console, the Xbox One. It will run on a version of Windows 8, and it will be an "All in One Home Entertainment System". Yes, Microsoft widens its gaze and the Xbox One will also be a cable box where you can watch tv, browse the internet, watch movies on Netflix or watch your blu-ray movies, and listen to your favorite music. The console will have a new controller. It is pretty much a slightly altered Xbox 360 controller, with all the buttons on the same place, except the start and the back button which seem to have been replaced by two unknown buttons. I personally never have had a problem with the D-Pad but it was apparently such a common complaint that it underwent a redesign. It's unknown if this new controller is usable on your pc, but as that has been the case with the Xbox 360 controller I assume it will happen eventually.
More juicy news after the jump.
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We have been so wrapped up in the positives and negatives surrounding Nintendo’s Wii U lately that it’s almost easy to forget that the New Xbox is being unveiled in just a couple days. Always Online rumors seemed to have really killed a lot of the hype the Next Xbox was getting, but soon we can set aside all the rumors and know the truth.
I was a big Xbox 360 fan myself. I really liked the smooth interface, and while not a fan of Xbox Live, I understand it had its merits. Besides, most of my online gaming friends also owned a 360… so it made sense as a community based console. The Next Xbox is ready to be unveiled and I have some predictions ahead that I feel will happen – whether we like it or not.
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Nintendo Direct: Pikmin 3 Blowout - Character Names, Screenshots, and More
May 17 2013 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
One of Nintendo Directs greatest showings today was for the upcoming Pikmin 3. It kicked off by naming the three all new characters: Alph, Brittany, and Captain Charlie. The trio hales from the land of Koppai, which is under threat of a major famine. They crash land into the world of Pikmin and start to gather fruit and various seeds to bring back to their home planet. There is also going to be a challenge mode style Multiplayer aspect, but they plan to talk about that in the future (so, likely the highly anticipated pre-E3 Nintendo Direct).
Inside we have 20+ all new screenshots, 6+ minutes of all new (High Quality) footage, and just a little bit more information about one of the Wii U's most anticipated titles.
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Nintendo Direct: SEGA and Nintendo Enter Exclusive Contract, Sonic: Lost World for Wii U and 3DS
May 17 2013 by Elijah Holt
This news comes straight from today's Nintendo Direct; today, Iwata has announced that SEGA and Nintendo have entered an exclusive contract for Sonic the Hedgehog, meaning the little blue guy won't be on PS3 or Xbox now.
Next, Iwata also announced that Sonic: Lost World, which we posted about just this morning, is coming to Wii U and 3DS exclusively.
This is pretty big for Nintendo if you ask me!
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Pokéxplosion - New Game Trailer, Localization, New Features and Pretty Screenshots
May 14 2013 by Harold Teekman
UPDATE: Even more screenshots and artwork pieces have come out, revealing the look of the Pokédex and more! It has been added to the gallery, so be sure to check it out!Following what was revealed last saturday in the popular Japanese CoroCoro magazine, The Pokémon Company has now announced the US names of the latest Pokémon, along with an amazing gameplay trailer and a bunch of pretty screenshots including the boxart, showing some new features that will appear in the game. First of these is, you can sit on a bench. Yes, you can finally sit on a bench. It's a nice addition to the game, and one nobody expected. And you get a nice view of your surroundings too.Jump inside to learn more about these amazing new features.
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Remember that time when somebody joined a forum, unleashed a bunch of rumors about something, and turned out to be telling the truth? Neither do I. But it appears that today may be that day. An IGN forum member by the name of 100-Year-Old-Gamer has recently taken to action on the IGN boards claiming that he works for Nintendo in some way. Of course, this is a glaring red flag that his information may be entirely falsified. The only reason we may have to believe this user is that his account was created just about a year ago and he has built a reputation on the forums, which does give him a little more credibility, but far from enough to be blindly accepted. If any these rumors hold any weight, however, they're certainly exciting.The first of these rumors is that rather than their traditional E3 showing, Nintendo will air three to five Nintendo Direct streams beginning on May 30th. Given their decision to back down from the illustrious convention hall we've seen in the past, and their recent inclination to announce major news via Nintendo Direct streams, this is entirely believable and frankly quite likely regardless of whether or not this IGN member has any inside information.
The next and perhaps most exciting rumor of the bunch regards the upcoming Super Mario game for Wii U. 100-Year-Old-Gamer says that Super Mario U will be "bigger than any Mario game to date" and looks "unlike anything you've ever seen." Whether this is some sort of continuation of the Super Mario Galaxy precedent or a new game entirely is left uncertain, but it sounds like Nintendo surely won't disappoint.
Head inside for the rest of these juicy rumors!
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‘Pfft, Nobody Needs to Research Video Games’, and How the Media Actually Thinks This
May 13 2013 by Chris London
I love video games. I also happen to love television and film — particularly television and film with good scripts. I write a lot of my own stuff, so I tend to be that guy who says things like "huh, that was well structured" while a dude's getting hit in the balls. Naturally, I love it when my areas of interest overlap; like the Zelda documentary being made, or the Redwall video game currently being developed.Unfortunately, there are times when the overlaps aren't pleasant to sit through. Usually, the overlap happens in one particular area; when a film or television program discusses video games, they do so with almost no integrity whatsoever. It's an incredibly frustrating issue to me, and one that I've ranted on a handful of times to various friends.
Jump inside for examples and complaints; your favorite!
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Well we might finally be able to put the code name Durango to rest, along with other popular naming conventions such as Xbox 720. International Business Times has stuck its proverbial head out on the chopping block by "confirming" the next Xbox will be called Xbox Infinity. It is not the first time we have heard of this name, but it is the first time a major website is going with it as confirmed information based upon their own sources.
As for the name itself... I actually like it. It's a bit refreshing over the continued number system PlayStation uses and it's certainly more unique than the Wii U. Of course, I can't help my bring forth my inner Buzz Lightyear and remind everyone that were bound to go "To Infinity... and Beyond!” If Microsoft doesn't get a deal worked out with Disney to use that tagline, I will be sorely disappointed. What are your thoughts on the name? We'll have more information on the 21st.
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A Video Game Crash Would Be Good for the Industry
May 07 2013 by Colin McIsaac
This is a guest article written by James Widdowson. If you would like to submit your own guest article, we encourage you to do so here or email your work to colin@gamnesia.comThe video game crash of 1983 was a pivotal moment in the history of video games. When Atari released the Video Computer System — known today as the Atari 2600, although that never became its official name until 1982 — they managed to bring a niche product, video games, to the mainstream. In terms of historical significance the Atari VCS is widely viewed today as one of the greatest consoles of all time, and the one that our entire modern industry is built upon. Atari had huge success in the late 70’s and early 80’s, a success that other companies such as Coleco, Bally, Milton Bradley and Mattel also wanted a slice of. All these companies in turn released their own consoles, all superior to the VCS in the technical department, but none of them could come close to matching its success. The Atari VCS was the king of the industry, and the competition was nothing more than its court jesters. But as the years went on the overabundance of consoles and bad, cash grabbing games on the market (such as the infamous ET: The Extra Terrestrial) meant that the industry couldn’t withstand its own weight, and it inevitably crashed.
The video game crash is widely acknowledged today as an event that we wouldn’t want to see repeat itself, but I don’t understand why that is the common view. Although the crash nearly destroyed the industry before it really hit the big time, from its ashes Nintendo carried its Famicom system across the seas from Japan and brought the industry back from the brink. If you look at those immediate five or ten years following the release of the NES it marked the golden age of video games, a unique time in history marked by continual innovation and new ideas. On paper the crash may have appeared to be a bad thing, but as a result, we all received something far greater than what we would have gotten had the industry stayed the way it was.
Head past the jump to keep reading!
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Eternal Darkness Spiritual Successor, Shadow of the Eternals, is Aiming for Wii U and PC
May 03 2013 by Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
Eternal Darkness was an amazing experience on the Nintendo GameCube, but unfortunately the original developing studio has had a lot of trouble with any game since. Many of the minds behind the original game are now at a new studio called Precursor. They are creating what is essentially Eternal Darkness 2.... without technically using the Eternal Darkness name since they do not own the copyright for it. The game will be called Shadow of the Eternals, and it's going to be an episodic styled game told through a total of 12 episodes. Right now, it's only planned for release on the Wii U and PC (giving the Wii U a potential home console exclusive) but there is potential for it to expand to other consoles through some stretch goals.
Wait, stretch goals? That's right, the game is going to require some crowd funding which is launching next Monday. They are aiming for 1.5 million dollars in funds to create the game, with stretch goals allowing them to add more episodes and yes, expand the game to other platforms. This is rather exciting stuff. Hop inside to find out some of the premise behind this all new game.