Gaming for those who care to think.
Features
How to write a game review online
Feb 11th
With the proliferation of blogs, it now seems video game reviews are everywhere. So, which ones can you trust? Which provide valuable analysis of a game and its value? Who cares? Writing game reviews for the Internet is about much more than whether the game is good or not. See below for some "techniques" to utilize in making yourself a game review legend.
Friday the 13th: a tribute in games
Feb 10th
This Friday will see the “reimagining†of one of the classic slasher franchises in theaters across the nation. Standing now at 12 films, it is hard to imagine a film franchise making it this far and not being the subject matter of a game or two. Unfortunately, the only game of note to honor the Friday the 13th franchise was the infamous NES title. Since we can’t offer you promises of a new game, below we offer some game suggestions to get you in the mood for the new film.
Not digging classic games?
Feb 9th
Obviously not every game is for everyone. Still, this thread over at CAG is fairly interesting. The gamer says he simply isn’t in to Eternal Darkness, easily one of the best games on the GameCube, and that’s a system that saw classics like Metroid Prime and Wind Waker.
So, what widely loved (dare say, classic?) games simply don’t do anything for you? Share yours in the comment section below.
Top ten games of 2008
Jan 9th
10) Spore
No, it did not live up to its billing. Yes, it is still an incredibly fun game. But more than being a sim game, Spore echoes many titles on this year’s top ten list by being a creation engine. Half the fun of the title can be had from creating different creatures, homes, ships, etc. through an incredibly intuitive interface. Not what you wanted from the game? Perhaps not for you, but it hardly keeps it from being a good game, or in this case one of the best of the year.
Game design workshop: Cheer Squad
Aug 12th
Game Design Workshop is a new feature where we work through the fictional design of an overlooked genre of game. This is not an actual game in development, but more a pitch for a game we can’t believe no one has made yet.
The pitch
Where are the cheerleading games? Other than one scheduled for the Wii and a few others that have appeared as shovelware, where are these titles? It may sound like a silly premise for a game, but consider it for a moment more.
Video of the day: First Heavy Rain game footage
Aug 11th
Actually, we can’t be sure how much of this is in game or not, but it certainly is showing off more than the infamous crying trailer. You get a couple of quick glimpses of one level (a neighborhood in the rain, who’d have guessed?) and some shots of the team modeling characters. And yes, it’s still as graphically impressive as it ever was.
25 reasons gamers annoy non-gamers
Aug 10th
Sure, a lot of the mistrust between gamers and non-gamers comes from simple miscommunication, but that doesn’t mean some points aren’t valid. Below are 25 popular (and not so popular) reasons why gamers annoy those who don’t play games.
1. Halo is not a sport.
That’s great that you’re really into playing online games, but they’re not a sport. Not anymore than playing Boggle competitively is. Doing something where you get physical exercise rather an avatar is the first step to playing a sport.
2. The controllers are indeed too complicated.
Nintendo isn’t crazy. The controllers for the PS3 and Xbox 360 are unwieldy, especially for someone who last played a video game in the Pac-Man or Super Mario Bros. era. Manipulating it is a skill lacked by many, so why be annoyed at them?
Whatever happened to the gay gaming star?
Jul 28th
Where is the gay video game star? Sure, there have been minor dalliances here and there, but where is the certifiable gay gaming star? It may not seem like a big issue, and perhaps in the grand scheme of things it is not. However, as other minority groups begin to pop up as game stars more often, it does seem that homosexuals are one group left out in the cold, so to speak.
Web game of the day: ButtonHunt 3
Jul 9th
What could be more fun than mindlessly clicking around your screen for a red button? Mindlessly clicking around your screen for a red button because you’re not smart enough to figure out the puzzle to reveal it? That’s the concept behind ButtonHunt 3.
It may not be the flashiest Flash game, but it is one of the most compelling to play. Feeling like a forgotten Nintendo project for the DS, ButtonHunt 3 is simple enough for anyone to start playing, but it will take some clever thinking to play well. Post your tips and tricks for others below.
