www.GameInformer.com

Quickie: Wii U sales up 386% after XBOXone reveal

bunnyking — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:14:00 GMT

Take this quickie with a grain of salt but according to Nintendolife.com's Darren Cavert, Wii U sales have risen to 386% based on Amazon's movers and shakers list.

Also I guess since I'm on the topic WalMart is dropping the price of the Wii U by 20%.

And for anyone confused about EA publishing games on the Wii U, yes they are, even though most Nintendo fans really don't care anymore.

I just thought it was an interesting thing, how really unique the gaming industry can be. Night playas.

Graphics != Amazing games

Joe — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:12:00 GMT

Okay, I've been assaulted with the upcoming consoles ad nauseum, and I've come to the realization that the ones who buy games for graphics are the ones that are killing games. There is no reason to spend billions of dollars on something that at most will last you a week to complete before you move onto the next. It just irritates me, and i'm sure a lot of people who do actually appreciate the more subtle points in games (such as gameplay) are as well. One of the reasons I am a firm believer that when the consoles fall, the Indies will be what keeps we gamers on the map. That is the grinding edge of fun and intrigue, where ideas are formed and released into the world, bits and pieces of yourself, and a few friends at most. Not a commercially scripted amalgamation of violence and dry storylines. I don't want the 80th iteration of halo! It's just milking the same cow over and over again, and for what? a boost in graphics? 4 new weapons? come on people, don't let them position themselves behind you so easily! Game crafting is an art, and what we are experiencing now is an influx of "modern art". where's the passion? I'm not saying tossing money at a game, or making good looking graphics is a crime, i'm just saying they're putting their eggs in a very thin basket. If they're so shallow as to scramble for anything that looks shinier than its predecessor, who's to say these people will be loyal when the next big thing comes out? Just, remember the folks that would have been gamers even if we still had to play the NES. If you would.

Let's Play - Renaissance Heroes

Craigaleg — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:00 GMT

(Please visit the site to view this media)

I rarely delve into the Free to Play market, but it turns out it's the prime place to go for a few Let's Plays. Renaissance Heroes is a recent addition to Steam that plays like Unreal Tournament, with a different look. It was surprisingly enjoyable for something at no cost, but you can begin see where the purchases would come into play once you hit the inventory screen.

As always, adult supervision is advised...but your parents will like this video. maybe. kinda.

Let's Plays are much easier to edit/create/throw together so I will try to post more of these in the future, and maybe even look at a community Let's Play.

Fear not, the video reviews are in a state of playing catchup, but are still very much in the works (Wrapped up Tomb Raider after it was sitting on my Desktop for ages). Real life caught up and priorities shifted for a time, but writing and blogging are very much a therapeutic time for me.

Thanks again for the continued support, you downright sexy bloggers.

Walnut grain and what nots. A grouchy old dude report.

redlitez76 — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:08:00 GMT

Hello from Bum 'F' ED Mississippi, Well doggie, sonny let me tell you what you're old dude watched on the mysterious talking picture box(TV) that was hooked up to that new "Intranet".

There was this here man talking about a New box that looked like if my Atari ST and my 1985 RCA VCR made sweet sweet love down by the creek, and done spit out a baby!

OH shoot what was the name of that there contraption? Chrysler Infinity, Dodge durango? Wait a darn tooting minute I got it! It was called the PSONE!

Yep that was the name the man gave it. Which struck me odd cause didn't they already make that gaming system?

All right all joking aside, I watched the X1's announcement with strange glee and I hate to say it disappointment. Now most of you whipper snatchers (wink) know the Grouchy Old dude is a straight up Sony loving sum bi@ch!

However a little console war never hurt anything either. I thought Sony was gonna go after Nintendo with guns a blazing when they dropped the "wii U" but, after watching the big "N" get shot in the foot by EA and every other developer except for Sega(?) I know that Sony has decided to let the past be in the past.

So here I was watching the x boner announcement on my PS3, and reading tweets off of my Vita with all the glee of a fanboy waiting to trash the enemy.

Then it happened, the press which are supposed to be the neutral side in all of this started to make fun of the x1 like it was carrie on the prom stage covered in blood....Whoa!

This isnt supposed to happen. Then more disdain and venomous remarks were flung upon the new xbox. Till I myself felt bad for Bill Gates!

(Almost.) He is a VERY RICH MAN!

So I here am feeling sympathy for the devil. It's wrong darn it! I should not feel sympathy for the makers BRO-LO and BRO'S OF WAR This is my sworn enemy who I am supposed to hate, but I can't help to feel sorry for the mutt.

So I was thinking what would make the xboner more lovable to everyone and that way I wouldn't feel so bad for despising the money sucking leeches that is Microwhore (oops! I mean microsoft.) Sorry old habits.

Then like a bolt of lighting straight from the gaming gods it hit me.!!!!

Walnut Grain! Now before you pass this notion by think, the x1 looks like a old vcr or old style atari right? And atari was a American console maker right? So why not play up the retro style all the way? Put fake wood and aluminum trim on it and make it look period perfect for the 80's. Who knows, this may cause a revolution and bring the 80's all over again.

(beautiful isn't it?)

Think about it.. The x1 next thing you know nintendo may decide to rename the Wii ewe the right name the NES 2! Plus color it grey and black with red accents.

(not my best but you get it.)

Converse shoes with two laces and duck tail hair do's won't be far behind. Keyboard ties black knock off ray bans....ooh and ZZTOP can make a comeback album that doesnt suck!And you could partner with sears to sell "Sears brand XBOX1" Come on guys please?

Please do this for me Microsoft so I can go back to hating you and cheering the virtues of Sony without having people agree with me, I'm not a antisocial person anymore Now I'm considered (GASP!!!)Normal!!! AAAAAGH!!! I can't stand it some body slap me!

Any way I gotta go it's tapioca pudding night at the old folks home and this grampy ain't gonna be late! (just kidding im not that old ..yet... sigh)

wheres my meds?

all comments are welcome and thanks for reading.

Major Nelson Posts Picture Of Xbox One Game Box

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:02:00 GMT

Microsoft's official Xbox blogger has released a picture of how Xbox One game boxes will look - using Forza 5 as an example.

The picture is above. It's a slightly sleeker look than the 360 game box. It's interesting that the trademark Xbox green - which is largely absent from the Xbox One console itself - returns in the boxes.

[Source: Major Nelson]

Yeah it really was great!

Chaotic Kat — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:43:00 GMT

I played spore for at least a month before I finished it. In the beginning I really enjoy it when your just a tiny little bacteria swimming around trying to get bigger. It was extremely boring and it has strategy for me. My cousin is kind enough to show me the tips and achievements. The game is really an amazing vast world you can explore with your very own creation. In a way Maxis made this a little similar to the Sims franchise, but spore is all about survival of the fittest really. I could play this game for hours, but there are still some faults in the system. I know the point of the game is to befriend other creatures to gain more nests or a buddy, but it took me hours to just get two. So this game is very time consuming, but with a creative mind it is truly an amazing game.

Microsoft Files Complaint Over XboxOne.com Domain

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:25:00 GMT

Despite filing multiple domain registrations that were thought to be for its next-gen console, it turns out that Micrsoft doesn't actually own the right to two prominent Xbox One domains.

The report comes via Fusible, which does very good reporting on domain name filings. According to WhoIs.com, someone residing in the United Kingdom holds the domains xboxone.com and xboxone.net.

Microsoft has filed a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum over the domains, hoping to secure control of them. Interestingly, Microsoft had filed for many Xbox related domain names, particularly a slew of them related to the name "Xbox Fusion," leading many to believe that was the name of the company's next console. As it turned out, that was not the case.

[Source: Fusible]

Turtle Beach To Manufacture Headsets For Xbox One

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:31:00 GMT

Today, video game peripheral company Turtle Beach that it will be releasing a line of gaming headsets for Microsoft’s Xbox One console.

“In Turtle Beach we have a partner that can help Microsoft deliver world class gaming audio experiences to our customers,” said Turtle Beach’s director of strategic alliances Branden Powell. “Turtle Beach has consistently innovated in wireless, surround sound, and other features and we are looking forward to working with them.”

This is significant in a couple of ways. One, we’ve received confirmation from Microsoft that the company will not be packing in a Communicator headset in with the Xbox One, as it did with the Xbox 360 (this is presumably because the unit comes with a next-generation Kinect sensor bar in the box). So, any Xbox One owners who want a headset for online multiplayer will have to be out shopping for an aftermarket headset -- making this a potentially much more lucrative market for Turtle Beach than the 360 was.

Secondly, Microsoft told Game Informer that the new Xbox controller features a “high speed data port” which will allow for new peripherals to be used -- including stereo headsets -- through the controller. Let’s hope Turtle Beach is looking at that functionality.

Full press release on next page

GI Show 158: Xbox One Reactions

Matt Helgeson — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's unveiling of the Xbox One was the news that rocked the video game world this week, and we've got nearly an hour of discussion on the new system.

Host Matt Helgeson returns with Tim Turi, Matthew Kato, and Matt Bertz to talk about everything related to Microsoft's ambitious new all-in-one entertainment box.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

My History With Fighting Games

LuckyKoopa11 — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:51:00 GMT

I grew up in West Texas, you know, the part of Texas that isn't really in the western area.

Well anyways I grew up in a area where EVERY arcade/arcade room within 100 miles had at least one Tekken machine sometimes more. Despite my Mom's overprotective nature, I could run free in an arcade. I didn't play Tekken that much because it didn't give tickets, but I played it enough to be able to get to Level 4 at the age of 7

Even today Tekken is one of my favorites and I still try to get better at it, but Tekken didn't really spark my love for fighting games. When I was 11 or 12, I was looking for good T-rated Wii games because I had recently gained the allowance to play them at home. I bought Tatsunoko vs. Capcom on the Wii because I saw gameplay and thought it looked cool

At first I was perplexed by the Combo perplexity, I later grew better and better at it. I abandoned the Wii remote for a Gamecube controller to raise my combo skills. I later bought Soulcalibur 2 on the Gamecube for the same reason everyone buys it. For Link of coarse. that's when my love for fighting games really sparked, now I've played several fighting games, including some pretty obscure ones.

I recently bought a Dreamcast for the soul reason of playing fighting games, like Garou, my new favorite. I still enjoy several fighting games including rivals like Street Fighter and King of Fighters. I even will resort to importing some fighting games.I still practice and may even enter a real deal championship someday if it's small.

Tell me what fighting games you like to play in your spare time

Civization V: Brave New World Gets Ideological

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:43:00 GMT

A new trailer from Firaxis and 2K highlights the changes players can expect to the various policies, as well as the new ideology system.

In the video below, you will learn about the three ideologies your civilization can adopt upon reaching the modern age, the new wonders you can build, and the new policy trees just waiting to be explored.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

For more about Civilization V: Brave New World, read our in-depth preview here and watch a video here.

Super Replay T-Shirt Contest Winners: Ninja Gaiden/Luigi's Mansion

Dan Ryckert — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:21:00 GMT

In the last couple of months, we've wrapped up our Super Replays of both Ninja Gaiden and Luigi's Mansion. As is tradition around these parts, we threw out the call for t-shirt designs for a contest for each of them. We've picked our winners, and you can check them out below:

Ninja Gaiden winner: Matt Ford

Luigi's Mansion winner: Connor Linton

Both of them will win a prize from the Game Informer vault. Click on to see a few runners-up.

An Exercise In Multitasking

Matt Miller — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:06:00 GMT

The temptation with Star Command is to see all the elements that might have been included, and criticize their absence. Star Command does indeed miss some clear opportunities to deliver more meaningful choices in dialogue, upgrades, and ship selection, but the core experience – battling enemy ships and their boarding parties – is enjoyable enough to stand on its own. Star Command may not be as big and flexible as its opening minutes imply, but the challenge of keeping your ship in one piece is more than enough to make for a great time.

You are a loyal captain in the Star Command fleet, but your new ship is running on a skeleton crew and lacking in basic systems. By tapping around the ship layout, you add medical bays, engine rooms, and shield boosters, and bring on new crew to man the added stations. Over time, successful encounters grant tokens that may be used to upgrade ship systems, lending a light RPG feel to the affair.

The galaxy is a hostile place, and nearly every alien you encounter is out to blast you into space dust. Some battles are prefaced by the façade of a choice-driven conversation with the enemy, but you’re inevitably steering toward a life-or-death fight, subtracting from the sense of player agency in the way the story might roll out. Nonetheless, meeting different species and warping off to alien galaxies is a blast.

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Combat is intense, challenging, and built around juggling multiple tasks at once. Fire a weapon, and you need to tap the torpedo room to prepare new ammo. Listen for the alarms of incoming fire, or miss the chance to dodge the blast. Fighting boarders on the starboard side of the ship? Watch out for the second boarding party teleporting aboard portside, or risk your engineering crew facing a grisly demise. Each battle starts out slowly, as weapons, shields, and other systems charge up. Once things get going, keeping track of everything is challenging. Small mistakes leave you floundering, but wise decisions and quick finger tapping keep your crew alive and your ship ready to take on the next fight. The challenge factor is high, and restarts are common, but diligence pays off until the final battles of your new game+ run, at which point an absurd difficulty spike ruins some of the fun.

Managing boarding parties ends up being the most difficult task, since you need to reassign crew members into a balanced mix of engineering, medical, and tactical personnel, and track the health and abilities of each character involved in the fight. The controls aren’t robust enough to handle the task, and don’t offer enough flexibility to move in groups or set crew to patrol automatically. Firing ship weapons has an enjoyable extra component in the form of distinct mini-games for each weapon type. The game fails to adequately explain how to play these quick sequences, but once you figure them out it makes for a rewarding test of reflexes.

Star Command can’t help but draw comparisons to the indie darling FTL: Faster Than Light. The two games share a number of similar conceits, but Star Command’s focus on timing, large-scale shipboard battles, and quick screen tapping help it stand apart. Even with some iffy systems and a railroad approach to story, Star Command is undeniably charming. The homage to Star Trek comes through loud and clear, and the sprite-driven art style is colorful and attractive. While I can’t help but point out some notable missteps, I also can’t deny Star Command’s irresistibility, and I happily recommend it to fellow sci-fi enthusiasts.

Call of Duty: Ghosts Dynamic Multiplayer!!!

Reptar7 — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:40:00 GMT

This is part of an article I wrote for http://www.callofdutyghosts.us.

One of the most exciting points from the Call of Duty: Ghosts reveal at the Xbox One unveiling was the reveal that multiplayer would be revamped with new, dynamic maps. What is a dynamic map?It is one that changes as the game goes on, so as a mutliplayer match progress, things will happen on the map that should effect gameplay.

We have seen Treyarch do this before in the Black Ops games. There have been maps where players could control doors, and there was a map where a rocket took off causing the map to shake and the people below the rocket to be incinerated. Infinity Ward hasn't really done dynamic maps before, so this is a leap forward for them. Infinity Ward isn't going to just start small with a few switches to open doors here and there, we are going to get some major game changing dynamics built into COD: Ghosts multiplayer maps.

: This reminds me of the Ewoks battle tactics against the Empire in Return of the Jedi

Some of the dynamics that were mentioned in the "Behind the scenes" video at the Xbox One unveiling include "big earthquakes and floods," along with "player driven actions" such as "doors, explosive traps, (and) things that change the flow of the map." One such instance shown is a pile of logs that for some reason comes rolling down a hill to clog up an area of the map. It looks like the area that gets clogged up is a walking path below a bridge, or perhaps a small stream that players can walk through. Once those logs are unleashed, no doubt you can no longer walk that way, thus changing the whole multiplayer game. You can probably control when the logs break, and thus could time it well to trap and kill someone below the logs.

Dynamic maps seems like an awesome new inclusion to me. It is one of changes I am most excited about for the upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts, along with the free-running, smooth transitions, and forward slide. What do you guys think? Are you excited for dynamic maps? And what features would it be cool to have to make the maps dynamic? Leave a comment!

New Stages And Characters, Including Another Virtua Fighter Guest

Mike Futter — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:14:49 GMT

Last year's Dead or Alive 5 marked a shift for the series with the addition of new cliffhanger moments and context-sensitive background interactions. Team Ninja wasn't satisfied though, and after some new content and tuning, the studio is getting ready to release an Ultimate version of the title.

New stages and new characters, including fan favorite Ein and Virtua Fighter's Jacky Bryant, are featured in the new trailer. Dead or Alive Ultimate 5 will be out this fall on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. You can check out our review of the original release right now.

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Diamonds and Rust: Short Story

bunnyking — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:13:00 GMT

Taken from, Last Prophet's, The Demonologist's Cookbook:

Diamonds and Rust

Children ran naked in the streets, ruddy from the cold. Their faces dirty, their hair long and tangled. Little clouds of vapor escaped their hungry mouths. They lived in darkness, the pools of shadow and vacant alleys of once living cities. It was all that was left of humanity.

Some died of starvation, any that happened to be in the streets were as dangerous as wolves. Their frail bodies hid a ravenous hunger and a never-ending thirst. The only thing left to eat and drink in these cities was our own flesh and blood.

The cities where a stark contrast to the remnants of life found in their shadows, giant diamond encrusted monuments. Gold plated trimmings, platinum and titanium facades the most durable and expensive materials arched above the streets, glistening like an echo in the sunset sky.

About five years ago by an American quantum physicist succeeded where alchemist had failed centuries ago. Almost immediately winning the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Science and Peace, he was on the cover of every magazine.

The technology was summed up easily enough; you take one object like garbage and change the molecules around to create something else like diamond. The technology was quickly mass-produced allowing mankind to have unlimited resources.

It was a dream of never ending prosperity, but almost as soon as it began the price of unlimited riches steepened. People traded their most valuable possessions, for more diamonds, more wealth, it was never enough. People traded their children, their lovers, their arms, their legs and even their organs. It was horrendous what people did for one more hit of wealth.

There were riots from religious groups and the people who saw into the moral abyss. Fires raged at street level, blood and diamonds flowed together in rust colored mud. Violence was all the chance of prosperity brought. Satan’s handprints were visible during humanities last days, manipulating it in twisted ways. It was something out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting; disfigured, limbless torsos, eyeless faces, toothless mouths gaping at the sky. Mankind had cannibalized itself for material wealth.

Thank God those days didn’t last. Or even the few of us alive today wouldn’t have survived.

Franchesco Grey(copyright)

Pre-Order FIFA 14 & Get Gold

Matthew Kato — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:24:00 GMT

EA Sports has just announced the current-gen pre-order bonus for FIFA 14, and it will give you more than a leg up on your Ultimate Team in the game.

Pre-ordering a current-gen version of the game (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC) will get you 24 Ultimate Team gold packs doled out once a week for 24 weeks. The packs will consist of 12 cards each, and be the usual mix of players, contracts, a rare item, etc. In the Ultimate Team mode you collect cards for players and other items in order to build a team that you then play in the game against the AI or online.

No word as to what the pre-order bonus(es) for the next-gen versions of the game might be, although EA says you will be able to pre-order them soon. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will come out sometime in the next year, and the Xbox One edition features unspecified exclusive Ultimate Team content.

For a brief look at some behind-the-scenes footage of the next-gen versions using EA's Ignite engine (and Messi talking!), take a look at this trio of trailers. To find out about some of FIFA 14's features, here are the early details.

FIFA 14 for the current-gen platforms comes out on September 24.

New Kinect For Windows Coming In 2014

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:16:00 GMT

A new version of Kinect is included with every Xbox One. Microsoft's other version of Kinect – the one focused on computing and business applications – is also in development. Kinect for Windows uses the same technological foundation as the Xbox One's Kinect, and is slated to release next year.

On the Kinect for Windows blog, Microsoft outlined some of the features of the PC-based version of Kinect. The highlights include a color camera, a noise-reducing microphone, improved skeletal tracking, and an infrared sensor that improves detection in less-than-ideal lighting. Of course, a lot of these features sound familiar to what gamers are getting, but with greater emphasis on real-world application.

For more on Microsoft's motion-sensing strategy, read about how the company is going all-in with Kinect for Xbox One.

[Source: Kinect for Windows Blog]

Get Your Name And Profile In Ubisoft's Watch Dogs

Mike Futter — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:00 GMT

Ubisoft is giving fans a chance to get their names and pertinent details in its upcoming open-world action title, Watch Dogs. You need accounts with both Facebook and Uplay to participate before you can get started.

Once you're in, all you need to is enter your name, birthdate, occupation, and three facts about yourself. This is your opportunity to be creative, so have fun.

Ubisoft will be choosing 30 participants at random from around the world to be included as pedestrians in the game. Find out if you've been chosen on November 19, 2013, when Watch Dogs arrives for PC, Wii U, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions are coming, also.

Enter for your chance to win here, and be sure to check out our recent preview.

Reader Discussion: What Makes A Great Special Edition?

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:57:00 GMT

Today we got details on special editions for Grand Theft Auto V and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Both of them are full of bonuses, but getting consumers to pay extra money isn't easy. Over the years, publishers have included all kinds of extra content to entice people to spend a little more on special editions. Action figures, custom packaging, soundtracks, art books, day-one DLC, and exclusive in-game items have all been dangled in front of gamers in special editions.

Which, if any, of these bonuses can convince you to buy a special edition of a game? Is there anything you'd like to see included in special editions that hasn't been tried yet? Would you rather just see a single, definitive version of the game released without worrying about which edition you'll buy?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

4K Gaming Is Possible On Xbox One, SD Gaming Isn't

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:28:00 GMT

According to the specs released by Microsoft, the Xbox One only supports ultra high resolution 4K video. However, that capability may extend to gaming at some point in the future.

In an interview with Forbes, corporate vice president of marketing and strategy Yusuf Mehdi clarified the point about 4K gaming on the Xbox One. “There’s no hardware restriction there at all,” says Mehdi. So, the question isn't necessarily whether the console can support 4K gaming, but whether developers will make games at that resolution.

On the other hand, the Xbox One doesn't support standard-definition in either gaming or video. According to the information released by Microsoft, the only device only has an HDMI output, which means that it won't connect to older televisions featuring only composite or component inputs. Technically, you could buy converters that make the connection possible, but if you're considering that, your money would probably be better spent on an HDTV.

[Source: Forbes]

Following Rumors, Square Enix Confirms Departure of CEO Mike Fischer

Mike Futter — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:06:00 GMT

Last month wasn't a terribly good one for Square Enix. Not only did the studio report significant operating losses, but also laid off staff in its Los Angeles and European operations.

We reported on rumors last month that Mike Fischer, CEO of Square Enix America, would be departing. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has taken a new position as vice president of digital music and video with Amazon Japan. Fischer follows Square Enix president and CEO Yoichi Wada who also stepped down recently.

Prior to his tenure at Square Enix, Fisher served as the general manager of marketing for Microsoft, the vice president of entertainment marketing for Sega, and the director of marketing for Namco. When asked for comment, Square Enix stated,

"We can confirm that Mike Fischer is no longer with Square Enix. We’d like to thank Mike for all of his efforts and contributions to the company and to its employees."

[Source: Polygon]

Jon Favreau Directs New Trailer, First Gameplay Reveal At E3

Mike Futter — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:13:43 GMT

No one does live-action trailers like Bungie, and the latest for the upcoming Destiny meets the high bar of past work. The 60-second video was directed by Jon Favreau and stars Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution).

Like all Bungie live-action shorts, it helps set the tone for the game. The more interesting news though, is that we'll finally see substantial gameplay at Sony's E3 press conference on June 10.

Destiny is slated to arrive later this year for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Opinion: Do All Video Games Need To Appeal To Everyone?

Kyle Hilliard — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

I recently dabbled in Dark Souls for the first time. I watched my wife play a considerable amount of Demon’s Souls, and I sat near former news editor Jim Reilly, who was obsessed with the Souls games. I know a fair amount about both titles, but had never earnestly tried to tackle either game until recently.

After playing Dark Souls, I understand why the games are appealing. The quiet, foreboding atmosphere and high difficulty make the world of Dark Souls an absorbing and scary place to be. It offers a different type of survival horror atmosphere where you are cautious and concerned for your well-being, and every move requires a moment of thought, down to the most innocuous swing of the sword. It’s an intense experience.

It was also an experience I didn’t particularly enjoy. The frequent deaths and unforgiving ammunition boundaries (I had used up all of my arrows by my third of about eight tries at tackling the game’s first boss) means you have to be careful with how you approach every obstacle. Every enemy is a careful decision of resources and combat skill, making it a frustrating game that generally isn’t the experience I am looking for when I sit down to play. After beating the first boss and exploring the first area, I put the game down in favor of a more forgiving medieval open-world fantasy creature beater-upper, Dragon’s Dogma. Dark Souls isn’t for me, or at least it wasn’t the game I wanted to play at the time when I decided to give it a go, but I love that it exists for the gamer who wants that grueling experience.

Increasingly, video game creators are trying to make sure their games appeal to everyone. Even one of my favorite developers, Valve, appears to spend the majority of its development time on play testing its games to make sure that its experiences are brought down to a common denominator where nearly no one will be confused or frustrated. Admittedly, I am part of the problem. I like games that offer a streamlined experience, but I love seeing games that aren’t concerned with being universally appealing.

Capcom’s Mega Men 9 and 10 are other excellent examples of a developer eschewing the idea of games for everyone. Both of those games were created for a very small, but specific audience: players that want a brutally nostalgic trip back to their childhood. I played neither of those games to completion (mostly because my heart container belongs to Mega Man X), but I love that both games were catered to that specific audience.

The independent scene has become an excellent source of uncompromising titles like this. Games from small, focused teams (or individuals) unwilling to change their games based on the whims of publishers offer incredibly personal experiences that are clearly not meant to appeal to everyone, and that’s okay. It ultimately makes the game more fulfilling for the players that do embrace it. In art, it’s the personal projects that stand the test of time and become a showcase for what a medium can accomplish, and video games shouldn’t be afraid to try and elevate themselves to that goal.

Preorder And CE Bonuses Announced For FF XIV: A Realm Reborn

Joe Juba — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:43:00 GMT

Final Fantasy XIV had some problems following release, and then it was shut down. Square Enix is preparing to re-launch the world of Eorzea on August 27, and the company is doling out bonus content for those who preorder and/or pick up the collector's edition.

The collector's edition is full of cool extras, like exclusive boxart, an art book, and a CD of music from the game. It also comes with in-game extras like a behemoth pet and a coeurl mount. For pre-ordering either edition, you get early access to the new version of the game, along with a Cait Sith pet and a moogle-themed hat.

Click the image below to see all of the CE goodies. For more about what to expect from A Realm Reborn, you can watch this 8-minute trailer focusing on the game's various locations.