Gaming Today |
- Drunken Argument Ends in Wii to the Face, Assault Charges
- Dreamcast Collection Is Confirmed and Nobody Cares
- Walkthrough Weekend: Lost in Shadow, Ilomilo, Dead Rising 2: Case West, and More!
- 10 Absolute Greatest Gamer Freakouts (LIST)
- Test Drive Unlimited 2 Achievements
- Darkspore ‘Hero Spotlight: Zrin’ Trailer
- Video Game Sales Were Down by $1 billion (or so) in the US in 2010
- ‘Stronger Than Steel’ Glass Invented; Star Trek, Mass Effect Combined
- PS3 Hack Creator Says It Won’t Let You Run Pirated Games
- Hackers Make a Gameboy Advance Phone (VIDEO)
- Mindjack Trophies
- How To Rob a GameStop: Dig a Tunnel
- Unlock Bulletstorm Content in its Demo, Downloadable on Jan. 25
- Oh Noes! PS3 Hack Cheats Trophies; Sony Working on Fix
- Earthrise Gameplay Video
| Drunken Argument Ends in Wii to the Face, Assault Charges Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:13 PM PST
A case of domestic violence that resulted from a drunken argument between an Oregon couple reveals some beneficial facts about the Nintendo Wii:
Police charged 31-year-old Rebecca Varina Sloskowski with second-degree assault after she allegedly hurled a Wii (among other objects) at her boyfriend during an argument, catching him square in the face. The console chipped two teeth and split the man’s lip. According to the boyfriend, the couple was having an argument around 7 p.m. on Jan. 10, and he left to give Sloskowski some time to cool off. When he came back a few hours later, she wasn’t any cooler, he said. Or maybe he was just really good at making her angry again. Either way, shouting and throwing ensued, and apparently Sloskowski has a pretty good arm on her, because the Wii is by no means aerodynamic. I wonder if any of the time she spent throwing bowling balls or flying discs in some Wii sports game helped prepare her to build skills that helped throw the Wii — that would be kind of ironic. It weighs about four pounds, by the way, if you’re looking at your own console as you read this and wondering how well it would handle in a domestic dispute. We don’t condone using video game consoles as weapons, by the way. Those things are expensive. Via Kotaku.
|
| Dreamcast Collection Is Confirmed and Nobody Cares Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:12 PM PST
Back in November when word of the Dreamcast Collection began to spread, I presciently suggested that “Likelihood is that it’ll be some stuff that's already/will be available as downloads, like Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi and Soul Calibur.” And I was totally right, which makes this whole thing not at all exciting unless you like to buy in bulk in order to save a few bucks. So Soul Calibur is not part of the package, but Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi are, along with Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2. Not necessarily bad choices for the pack, but these have already seen the light of day in the HD era, and so we don’t care that this pack exists. Couldn’t Sega have at least called this like “Dreamcast Collection Volume 1″ or something to give us some hope for something cool later? The pack comes out February 22 on the 360 and PC.
|
| Walkthrough Weekend: Lost in Shadow, Ilomilo, Dead Rising 2: Case West, and More! Posted: 14 Jan 2011 04:57 PM PST
More indie platforming this week as Lost in Shadow and Ilomilo continue to lead the line. Use them to prepare for Little Big Planet 2! You’ll need those reflexes. The Frank West/Chuck Greene team-up special Case West is also highlighted. Walkthrough Weekends is a recurring feature, so check back every Friday to read all the most useful hints, tips, guides and lists from the previous week. That way, you’ll be prepared when work ends and fun begins. Don’t spend your free time staring at loading screens! Lost in Shadow WalkthroughIlomilo WalkthroughDead Rising 2: Case West WalkthroughInfinity Blade Game GuideTron: Evolution WalkthroughTron FilesAbraxas ShardsEpic Mickey WalkthroughPinsFilm ReelsSplatterhouse WalkthroughDonkey Kong Country Returns WalkthroughAssassin’s Creed: Brotherhood WalkthroughRift Locations and Puzzle SolutionsFollower’s LairsSide Quests and RewardsCheat CodesMetagame and Shop Quest RewardsUnlockable Outfits and CapesPaintings and PortraitsArtifactsFeather LocationsCall of Duty: Black Ops WalkthroughIntelCodesJames Bond 007: Blood Stone WalkthroughIntelligence
|
| 10 Absolute Greatest Gamer Freakouts (LIST) Posted: 14 Jan 2011 04:43 PM PST
Gamers are notoriously emotional people. Like Sith warriors, we use the strength of our anger to propel us to victory. But sometimes, we are overwhelmed by our dark impulses and the frustration of failure. And sometimes, someone is standing nearby with a video camera, ready to capture the moment. We’ve compiled the greatest moments of fear, anguish, wrath, coursing electricity of hate and impulses of destruction to ever flow out of video game players like a seething, putrid flood of humanity at its worst. Fair warning, some of these are potentially fake, as is always the case on the Internet, but that doesn’t diminish their entertainment value. Larger, fairer warning: These are almost universally NSFW and laden with profanity. They’re also largely hilarious and occasionally frightening. Remember: These are members of your community, and your reaction to them is probably the same as your family’s reaction to you during those worst-of-times moments, like when you get nailed by the blue shell in Mario Kart. A good thing to keep in mind next time you pick up a controller. 10. Points for OriginalityI’ll admit: this is probably staged. However, as far as rage quits go, this is among the most unique and ingenious. Losing a game does sometimes have the effect of making you wish you were dead, so this is something of an apt reaction. 9. Access Denied
There are few things on this planet worse than a technology failure. Murder, disease, famine, disaster, technology failure — pretty sure that’s the order from worst to still really pretty bad. Here’s a video that shows the evil humanity chooses to inflict on itself, as one roommate changes the World of Warcraft password of another, and the angels weep for our dark hearts. 8. The Computer is Clearly BrokenAs we all learned back in the days of the Nintendo Entertainment System, sometimes you need to wail on technology to remind it that it is the machine and you are the human, and the machine’s place is to do your bidding. Although, blowing into the control deck…that might be more of a “favor for a favor” transaction, if you know what I mean. 7. Sportsmanship, dude. You needz it.Yes, games can be frustrating, as can be teammates. The ability to rise above the anger and preserve friendship, to tell yourself, “It’s just a game,” and to walk away without turning on those closest to you is key to not being thrown out of your guild and branded an uberdouche. Learn the lesson well. 6. Life = RuinedThis is actually pretty mean. I take it this kid’s brother and his friends, unsupervised by adults, have taken to torturing his clearly disturbed, possibly possessed younger brother. Unfortunately for the possessing demon, the tiny body it has chosen to inhabit and corrupt really has no recourse for its torment except to throw itself on the ground and flail, or plead for mercy in a tiny, whimpering voice. Satan — you choose poorly. 5. “I Feel Like F—ing Emperor Palpatine!”Here’s 10 minutes of unbridled psychosis. This is another video that is likely staged in at least some degree, especially when it takes a turn into random movie quotes and insane cries of egomania. However, there are a few golden moments in which the subject demands healing while at the same time insulting everyone in digital earshot for their terrible abilities. 4. You Said You’d Bring Chocolate MilkIt’s a clan match, Mom. A clan match. Don’t you understand that I have made a commitment here? Have you ever had a single moment’s thought about my responsibilities? Have you ever thought, for a single solitary moment, about my responsibilities to my team? Has it ever occurred to you that I have agreed 3. CrueltyPoor, poor Jacob. 2. Quiet RageListen closely to get the back story that goes with this video. Here are the details I (believe) are facts based on the monologue. The subject is:
1. The ClassicYou’ve likely seen this one before. That’s okay, you should watch it again, and be reminded why it’s a good idea for this country to fund mental institutions.
|
| Test Drive Unlimited 2 Achievements Posted: 14 Jan 2011 03:58 PM PST
Eden Games and Atari have teamed up again to deliver this multi-faceted racing title. Test Drive Unlimited 2 features a multiplicity of modes, a number of new technologies (realistic vehicle damage, weather, a day-and-night cycle), and a revamped online social-gaming system. When you’re tearing up the asphalt, you’ll also be earning achievements. Check out our list, below. Regular AchievementsSmall Collection – Own three different cars – 5G One of Each – Own a car from each category (A7-A6-A5-A4-A3-A2-A1, C4-C3, B4-B3) – 30G God of Cars – Own all purchasable cars – 50G Mummy – Complete 20 multiplayer challenges with bandages – 10G My Beautiful Caravan – Own 1 house (caravan) – 5G Subprime Crisis? – Own one house from each level – 30G Fashion Victim – Change your clothes or hairstyle 40 times – 10G Hard Earned Money – Bank the maximum level of F.R.I.M (10) – 10G Kangaroo – Make a 100m (109yd) jump (any game mode) – 20G Cruising – Drive 200 km (124 miles) – 5G Easy Money - Earn $100,000 with F.R.I.M. – 10G Car-tist – Decorate 5 different cars – 15G Big Spender – Spend 1 million dollars – 50G Reckless Driver – Drive aroudn and hit 100 AI controlled cars and destructible objects – 10G The Beginner – Win a championship – 5G King of Ibiza – Win Ibiza Cup, are 1 – 25G Coronation - Win all championships and cups – 75G Racing School Master – Obtain all licenses – 20G Level 60 – Reach Level 60 – 100G Aloha! – Make it to Hawaii – 20G Learning – Obtain the C4 License – 5G Fast and Luxurious – Drive a 400 km.h (249 mph) for 5 seconds (any game mode) – 10G Say “Cheese!” - Get clocked by the radar 100 times (Speedtrap game mode) – 10G Tuning Addict – Tune a car to the max level – 5G Cockpit Addict – Drive 500km (311 miles) using the cockpit view (any game mode) – 20G Get Rich or Try Driving – Possess 1 million dollars – 25G Multi-Challenger – Win 5 challenges in each multiplayer mode (Race, Speed, Speedtrap) – 25G Instant Challenge, Easy Cash! – Earn $10,000 in Instant Challenges – 20G Road Eater – Drive 1000km (621 miles) – 10G Fugitive Wanted – Outrun the police 30 time sin Online Chase Mode – 10G My Club and Me – Drive 150km (93 miles) in intra-Club challenges – 15G Club Basher – Win 30 Club vs. Club challenges – 25G Marshall – Arrest 30 outlaws in Online Chase Mode – 10G Reporter – Find all viewpoints (photographer) – 30G Hey! What’s This Car? – Own 1 bonus car (treasure hunt) – 5G Tyrannosaurus Wrecks – Own all 6 bonus cars (treasure hunt) – 25G Ibiza Photographer – Find 5 viewpoints on Ibiza (photographer) – 10G The Explorer – Drive 5000km (3107 miles) – 50G Helping Hand – Succeeded in 10 missions – 15G Events Accomplished – Achieve all missions – 40G Keep Your Distance – Drive for 15 seconds above 100km/h (62mph) with 8 players in “Keep Your Distance” mode – 30G Exclusive Club – Drive a Club car – 10G Exclusive CarS – Drive all Club cars – 30G Co-op Challenger – Drive 150km (93 miles) in “Keep Your Distance” and “Follow the Leader” modes – 15G Me Against All of You – Play 40 challenges in the Community Racing Center – 25G Social Butterfly – Join and invite friends 100 times (any game mode) – 10G Better than a GPS – Invite 10 players to drive with you in your car – 10G Casino Online DLC AchievementsRisk Taker – Give up a Three of a Kind while playing Video Poker and win the next hand – 10G Island Caretaker – Wake up the Island Caretaker – 10G Drinks – Have 10 cocktails at once at a poker table – 10G Casino Fashion Victim – Buy all clothes available in the Casino Clothes Shop – 25G Socializing – Unlock all cocktails and emotes – 25G V.I.P. – Become a VIP of the Casino by reaching level 5 – 35G Ready to Play TDU2? – Win the luxury car displayed in the entrance hall – 20G Western – Play the “duel” emote at the same time as your rival at a poker table for two – 15G Wanted – Get the right look to get the reward – 25G 1-in-38 Chance – Win a straight-up bet at Roulette – 20G
|
| Darkspore ‘Hero Spotlight: Zrin’ Trailer Posted: 14 Jan 2011 03:15 PM PST
EA has released a new trailer for Darkspore. This trailer is the first hero spotlight for EA’s upcoming Spore spin off. You can download this video here or watch it below.
|
| Video Game Sales Were Down by $1 billion (or so) in the US in 2010 Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:58 PM PST
The NPD says total revenue from the sale of physical video games and video game hardware and digital content and rentals (the latter two are basically guesses) in the US was down 5% in 2010 from 2009. That means, deep breath, the gaming industry only raked in $19.3 billion from American consumers. Bejeezuz, man. That’s just so sad. Like, Bobby Kotick might only be able to by four or five new mansions this year because of that. Sad day. Meanwhile, the top consoles for the year were, in this order: Nintendo DS with 8 million sold, the Wii with 7 million sold, the Xbox 360 with 6.7 million and the PS3 with some unknown number we won’t learn at least until Sony releases their quarterly earnings report. Remember that these are US numbers. One last note. Yesterday, I thought it mildly strange that a game, Just Dance 2, that came in second in sales to Black Ops during the ridiculous holiday shopping season would only be seventh in total sales for the year. One fact I did not notice then in the NPD report is that Black Ops, for the year, sold twice as many copies as Madden NFL 11, which was no. 2 for the year. So the gap between Black Ops and Just Dance 2 during the holiday season must have been quite large.
|
| ‘Stronger Than Steel’ Glass Invented; Star Trek, Mass Effect Combined Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:34 PM PST
We’re not the first to make this observation, but we’ll do it any way. Science has brought us one step closer to Star Trek. But in the process have accidentally stumbled sideways into Mass Effect. We’re talking about the fascinating invention of a metallic glass that has demonstrated resilience and damage-toughness ‘beyond that of any known material’. Let that sink in: it’s transparent, and stronger than metal.
Yes, we’re describing Transparent aluminum. And that’s awesome, but here’s what caught our eye:
That’s right folks, we’re talking about this stuff:
And you thought it was another fictional god-particle like Element Zero. Shame on you. So what the hell is palladium? It’s an elemental metal, part of the Platinum group of metals, which includes Platinum (duh). All group metals are highly resistant to wear, which is why they’re popular for making jewelry. But they also have some extremely useful qualities, like excellent high-temperature characteristics, resistance against chemical attack, and stable Electrical properties. Palladium is notable for having the lowest melting point and density of the group. This apparently makes it very useful in the catalytic conversion process, which is why 90% of the world’s utilized Palladium is currently found in our cars, making toxic fumes slightly more breathable, and is also likely why they selected it for this, er, super glass. Until yesterday, we assumed that the Normandy needed so much palladium in order to convert the gaseous emissions resulting from all that Eezo processed to make a ship’s Mass Effect field stable. Now? We’re guessing they need it for the windows of their Meanwhile, speaking of things you probably thought were always going to be fictional, did you know science has already theorized element zero? It’s true. Now if we could only get to Mars and discover the Prothean Ruins before we run out of planet, I might be able to relax.
|
| PS3 Hack Creator Says It Won’t Let You Run Pirated Games Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:30 PM PST GeoHot, or George Hotz if you’re a loser, is the bro who “jailbroke” the PS3. He went on Attack of the Show yesterday to talk about it, and he says the hack doesn’t allow users to play pirated games. Here’s the video. So, yeah. This isn’t quite the bittorrent defense, but it’s close. I discussed this with fellow GameFront bro Ron and he put it this way: “Even if the hack doesn’t do it, it opens the door for someone to write the homebrew app that will. It’s like me giving a heroin addict a needle and a pound of smack and telling him not to use any.” Basically, despite his intentions, this is Pandora’s Box.
|
| Hackers Make a Gameboy Advance Phone (VIDEO) Posted: 14 Jan 2011 01:52 PM PST
Some people aren’t willing to wait for Sony Ericcson to get around to announcing its Playstation Phone. Windows Phone Hacker is showing off an old-ass phone they created out of a Gameboy Advance and an HTC Hermes Windows Pocket PC. They also made a video of the thing in action, which you can watch below. What’s in the video is still just a prototype, but it does actually seem to work, although you can’t use the buttons on the Gameboy housing yet. It includes an animated GIF running at startup that copies that of the Gameboy Advance and uses a PocketGBA emulator that lets it actually play games. In an extra nice touch, it also uses Nintendo music and sound effects for its notifications. I wonder how many of these Nintendo could sell if they were willing to actually make them. Via Engadget.
|
| Posted: 14 Jan 2011 12:41 PM PST
It’s a little like The Matrix, a little like Surrogates, a little like a lot of other things. Mindjack, the new 3rd-person shooter from Square Enix, is all about plugging yourself into other people’s minds. Below, we’ve got a full list of all the game’s trophies. Bronze TrophiesMind Hacker – Mind hack successfully for the first time Honorary Citizen – Mind Hack 100 citizens Newbie – Reach Level 5 Head Case – Take our 30 enemies with head shots Combo King – Defeat 10 enemies in a row using attack combos Artisan – Equip a plug-in for the first time Birth – Experience the wonder of birth as a Wanderer Contact – Successfully make contact with Rebecca at San Mira Airport Shield – 10 people engaged as bullet shields get defeated Blue Coat – Win 5 times as a Blue Hacker Apprentice Gatekeeper – As a Red Hacker, hack into an enemy and win Gatekeeper – As a Red Hacker, successfully defeat 50 Mind Hacker enemies Guardian – As a Blue Hacker, successfully defeat 50 Mind Hacked enemies Red Flag – Win 20 times as a Red Hacker Blue Helmet – Win 20 times as a Blue Hacker Red Cap – Win 5 times as a Red Hacker Blue Hacker - As a Blue Hacker, defeat a Mind Hacked enemy for the first time Street Ripper – Mind Hack a Titan and defeat 10 enemies Gun Wheel Guru – Mind Hack a Gun Wheel and defeat 20 enemies Muderous Machine – Mind Hack a Quick Draw and defeat 10 enemies Multi-Tasker – Mind Slave 4 enemies at once Medic – Heal 20 people Scratcher – Mind Hack a Swarmer and defeat 10 enemies Hothead – Defeat an enemy within 1 second of them being Mind Hacked Receptionist – In Host Play, be hacked into by a Red Hacker for the first time Red Hacker – As a Red Hacker, defeat a Mind Hacked enemy for the first time Puppet Master – Successfully Mind Slave 255 times Mower Man – Use a Finishing Blow on 50 damaged enemies I Know Kung Fu – Defeat 100 enemies using Attack Combos Silver TrophiesBerserker – Equip the "Berserker Time" plug-in and clear "Destruction Site" or "Steel Giant" Demigod – Equip the "Demigod Time" plug-in and clear "Headquarters" or "Doorway" Artist – Obtain all plug-ins Hacker – Reach Level 30 Star – In Host Play, get hacked into by over 100 Hackers Red Devil – Win 50 times as a Red Hacker Blue Blood – Win 50 times as a Blue Hacker Gold TrophiesMind Jacker – Clear half of the scenes with Hackers present Guru – Reach Level 50 Platinum TrophiesPerfect Hacker – Obtain all trophies Secret TrophiesCounterattack – Successfully join forces with Rebecca to repel the terrorist attack Quick Mover – Working with Fernandez, make good time to Nerkas Campus Betrayed – Discover Fernandez's betrayal Confessional – Discover Rebecca's link to Jim's wife Piece of the Puzzle – Obtain an important piece of the NERKAS puzzle Search – Search the port for hidden bodies Reunion – Join forces with your comrade in arms, Fernandez Pyrrhic Victory – Uncover the truth, but lose something valuable Push the Truth Button – Successfully press on to confront Andrew Gardner Terminal Departure – Evade enemy forces and escape San Mira Airport on the monorail Digging Down – Dig down into the truth behind the attack at the airport Breakthrough – Escape the security cordon Need help unlocking these trophies? Check out our complete Mindjack Walkthrough!
|
| How To Rob a GameStop: Dig a Tunnel Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:56 AM PST
It seems GameStop is doing something right when it comes to store security. Apparently they’re now employing forcefields or laser grids or auto turrets, because one burglar was so daunted by breaking into the front of the store, he broke into the one next door — then tunneled through the wall. GameStop’s crack team of security experts had not thought to reinforce their stores’ drywall, it seems. Police in Greenville, Tennessee, have arrested Steven Paul Archer of Chuckey, Tennessee, and charged him with felony burglary. The cops are alleging Archer nicked $5,342 in merchandise and another $288.55 in cashy money from the shop — certainly a deep cut into GameStop’s record sales from the holiday season. GameStop wouldn’t comment to Kotaku on the robbery, but for the suspect to have moved out five grand in merch, he probably had to go back more than once through his little hobbit door. In my favorite fantasy scenario of the crime, he had several British accomplices, a network of tunnels, and Steve McQueen riding a motorcycle to Switzerland. However, there are easier ways of getting those Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Editions. Via Kotaku.
|
| Unlock Bulletstorm Content in its Demo, Downloadable on Jan. 25 Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:21 AM PST
The rumors are true! Xbox Live and the Playstation Network will see a downloadable Bulletstorm demo on Jan. 25, but European players have to wait a day longer to check out the game. Even better, demo players can (potentially) unlock content that’ll work in the game’s multiplayer mode when it’s eventually released on Feb. 22. According to a press release from Epic Games and Electronic Arts, the demo will feature Bulletstorm’s “Echo” mode, which sounds like an arcade-style mode in which you earn points for creatively killing bad guys in campaign levels. From the release:
The emphasis in the demo is on Bulletstorm’s Skillshots, which are basically hilarious and ridiculous ways to kill enemies that all seem to center on sexual innuendo. The demo includes 45 such possible Skillshots. The press release also says this:
That sounds great! Except for that little asterisk. That almost always means something lame. And sure enough, at the bottom of the release, the asterisk corresponds to the phrase, “Content subject to availability.” That could mean you’ll need to be on your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 as close to when the demo becomes available as possible to guarantee your extra content. Synchronize your watches!
|
| Oh Noes! PS3 Hack Cheats Trophies; Sony Working on Fix Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:05 AM PST
Sony is looking into the latest in Playstation 3 homebrew hacks, one which lets players unlock game trophies without actually earning them. The horror. It’s the latest security breach since the PS3 doors were blown off with the release of the console’s root key, apparently allowing anybody with a programming background free reign to screw with Sony’s machine. As you might have guessed, Sony is not happy about it. Neither are its lawyers. Sony told CVG today that it’s aware of the hack and is looking to fix it. They wouldn’t comment much about the situation because it’s a security issue, but they did say the solution will probably come as a network update. Via CVG.
|
| Posted: 14 Jan 2011 10:19 AM PST |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Gaming Today To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment