Blog Herding: Community Edition 06/21/12

The community focused on a variety of remarkable topics this week resulting in a collection of blogs that you are sure to find entertaining, including a few responding to the industry's concern about mature-rated games and the violence they portray.

Blog Herding Stats:

Period Reviewed: June 11 – June 17, 2012
Number of User Blogs: 86
Number of User Bloggers: 53
Number of User Blogs Herded: 9

Community Events:

Extra Life Gaming Marathon
Despite being months away, the Game Informer community continues to recruit members to represent Team GIO in the upcoming Extra Life charity event, including GI staff member Tim Turi. Contact mojomonkey12 or noobtubin8er for details.

Community Blogs:

Will PlayStation Plus Change Everything?
JC speculates about the future of PlayStation Plus, Sony's premium subscription-based online service teeming with benefits, and the game-changing impact he thinks it might have on the industry.

Can Hollywood Successfully Invade The Game Industry?
The announcement by Quantic Dream that its upcoming game Beyond: Two Souls features a character played by actress Ellen Page is a little concerning to FinalFantasy1026.

The Humble Indie Bundle V Impression
In response to his original blog about the Humble Indie Bundle V, sorryjzargo returns to provide a more in-depth look at the games after having had the opportunity to play them.

My Handheld Hiatus
An interesting look at Craigaleg's quest to return to handheld gaming after growing up and moving on, but realizing there are plenty of adults who still play games on a portable gaming device.

Two Trends From This Generation I'd Like To See Continue
Video games are continually growing and evolving, but that doesn't stop AshaMan3000 from discussing a few features he'd like to see continue in the future, and even one he'd like to see go.

Violence For Violence's Sake
A provocative blog by Jon Gregory aka JMan240 discussing how the video game industry seems to be gravitating towards a more mature audience, while wondering if the graphic violence is too much.

Why The Wii U Just Might Be Brilliant
Despite many of the relevant details remaining a mystery, there are still a number of gamers like Marco Polo getting excited over Nintendo leading the charge into the next generation of video game consoles.

Not Much Scares Me Anymore
One of the most popular blogs of the week, Doctor Apozem muses about how video games have desensitized him to scary situations – except for when it's spiders that are attacking him.

My Wish List For The Dead Island Sequel
Whether you loved Dead Island or not, it's getting a sequel, and xking595x has a few ideas he would like to see incorporated into the next game.

Community Reviews:

World Of Keflings
A charming review by Kate Willaert for an older game you might not have ever heard of. World of Keflings was released for the XBLA back in December 2010, but some might still find it entertaining.

Lollipop Chainsaw Review
Lillipop Chainsaw is an unusual spin on the popular zombie theme, so if you're skeptical about giving the game a try, this very detailed review by NinjaPixel might make the decision a bit easier.

Import Review: Fire Emblem Awakening
Last week LGAR brought us a preview of Fire Emblem Awakening and now he returns a week later to provide a full blown review for a game that's yet to be released anywhere but in Japan.

Dime Store Angel Of Death
Max Payne 3 received solid marks from many of the industry experts, and plenty of attention from the user community who offered their own reviews, like this one by TH3WICK3D1.

Community Podcasts:

The JACKED UP Indie & Mojo Show Episode 37
The hosts welcome fellow GIO member and podcaster born4this to the show as the group discusses the highs and lows of E3 before ending with a hearty discussion on Mass Effect 3.

Robot In The Corner 2-30
The RITC crew shares their impressions of the movie Prometheus, games revealed at E3 they're excited about, and the results of their Max Payne vs. Nathan Drake poll.

Don't forget to send your feedback, recommendations and community events in to my personal Game Informer account located here to ensure this feature continues to provide the content you're eager to read.

Happy Blogging!

Your friendly neighborhood blogging community (06/11/12 - 06/17/12):
@ChrisContinues; Anticitizen-One ; AshaMan3000 (4); born4this; Brandon Whiting is back; Cameron Koch; Caudex (3); Chris, the savior of the galaxy?; CLock6919; Cody Gilley; Craigaleg; DarkeonWarlord; Dawson Wyckoff (4); Derreck (2); DJH (5); Doctor Apozem; Doctor Apozem; Enigma; Ezio Auditore Da Firenze; FinalFantasy1026; Flavious50; footthumb (2); Frosty; Ghost (3); GoldvsSilver (7); indiejones; J Warrior; JC; Jolt the Cynic (4); Jon Gregory aka JMan240 (2); jordanthegamer; jordanthegamer; Juanolo; Kyle Wadsworth; LGAR; Marco Polo; Masterassassin (2); Matt-boy; mikedeas879; Mray901; Nickywhat; Peter Skerritt Jr (3); sorryjzarg (2); Specter; Stranger; The Great Cubone; The Second Musketeer; thegodofwine7; UltiMat3ProDGy07; wayoverdue (2); xking595x; xl9; and of course yours truly...Saint.

Video Game Quote of the Week:
"Can't I just roll a grenade under the conference table?" – Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell: Double Agent