HONEYMAN-ON

UPDATE OF CANADA VACATION SOON

2011-10-27T21:13:00.002+01:00

Hello there readers. Bet you're wondering where the updates have been for a while.

Well the answer is that I've been on vacation for a couple of weeks, meaning that I haven't had regular access to my blog to provide you with interesting updates that you may otherwise like to read from time to time. I do however have an interesting update to come with a post of my experiences taking a vacation in Toronto, Canada.

There will be interesting observations, how I feel about tipping and state taxes, the nightlife, a trip to Niagara Falls, photos and the odd video or two.

Be sure to check Honeyman-On in the next couple of days to see what it is all about...

Feel like posting any comments on the matter or your own experiences in the pleasant country north of the USA? Feel free to post them in the Comments section down below.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 video builds up the fire

2011-09-22T05:05:00.000+01:00

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is almost upon the fighting game community

So it has been well known that a sequel to the has been in the works for a while now with an imenent release in Japanese arcades this Autumn.

To whet the tastebuds of eager fans fund below a trailer for the title with a wicked remix of the main theme from the first TTT released back in 2000.

Are you looking forward to Tekken Tag Tournament 2? Feel free to post any thoughts in the Comments section down below.

LONG TIME WAITING FOR AN UPDATE

2011-09-11T16:00:00.000+01:00

So it has been nearly two months now since my last update on the blog here. I can only apologise for my lack of frequent updates but what with moving, readjusting to a new shift and trying to fit it around everything else, updating the blog has temporarily faded into the background as of recent.

I wil try to get back to regular updates on the blog soon as I do enjoy doing it and need to get back into a routine.

Look forward to future updates soon.

By the way, you might like to check out my friend Seb's blog in the meantime as his output has been quite high as of late. Take a look if you're interested:

http://kinsta.blogspot.com/

Signing out for now.

Seb's new mixtape is quality humourous gold

2011-07-09T22:28:00.000+01:00

In a more humourous twist on his most excellent mix tapes, outright great soul Sebski has put together a new mixtape for the adoring masses (except this time its a little tongue in cheek).

Electro Mix 4: Electro Fighter vs Pop Remixes - The Fête of Two Worlds by Kinsta on Mixcloud

Be sure to check it out and leave any thoughts on what you think in the Commetns section below.

Tweets coming at you on a sunny Summer weekend

2011-06-26T11:03:00.000+01:00

So this week's Tweets of our favourite three Japanese developers carries some interesting information regarding the current projects they are working on.

Producer on beat-em-up Street Fighter IV, Yoshinori Ono, responds to a fan's request for new DLC in SF: Arcade Edition regarding the potential inclusion of Elena (keeping things ambiguous as usual). He also confirmed that fans should not expect Street Fighter X Tekken on other platforms beyond the 360, PS3 and Playstation Vita.

Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada talks about dragon radars and gaining the Gametrailers award for best fighting game at this year's E3 event in Los Angeles. He also commented on the mention that the game could be multiplatform, stating that it is too early a stage to truly say if this will be the case or not.

And Hideo Kojima comments on a show he went to see at the Dome Theater called Young Alive, The Future of the Opening IPS Cell, explaining that it features prolific voice actress Nana Mizuki and Shouzo Iizuka together with CG elements crafted in 3D to boot.

The games designer also reminisces on a photo from 20 years ago, showing him and former work colleagues who worked on earlier Metal Gear Solid games, wondering if the girl on the right in the was at the time the new recruit Sato-san (which you can see HERE)

An update not too much out of the ordinary from our famed developers then. Be sure to continue checking Honeyman-On for more weekly updates and feel free to leave any comments you want to in the section below.

The week's tweets talk of returns home, Tekken on iPhone and Saturday TV dramas

2011-06-19T16:54:00.001+01:00

Hello again avid readers and welcome to this week's updates of our well known Japanese game developers. This time around we have tales of returning to Japan, iPhone games and dramas on Japanese TV station NHK.

Let's start with the latest update from Super Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono.

Returning from this year's E3 in Los Angeles, he explains that he has returned a heavy rain-ridden Japan which is no surprise given the country is in the middle of tsuyu (known to Westerners as rainy season).

He remarks that it feels that the tasks related to the presentations at E3 are done and dusted, charging up for the next project presentation he will have to give when he gets back to Capcom.

In response to a fan's question on his Twitter account as to whether Tekken will appear on the iPhone at some points, series producer Katsuhiro Harada replies that this is merely unconfirmed at this stage, adding that an iPhone Tekken game may just be a little difficult.

And Metal Gear Solid producer Hideo Kojima talks of a Saturday afternoon TV drama called Otokotachi no Tabiji (Journeys of Men for Western ears).

The film-minded game designer comments on the series' stars Shinichi Chiba and Masao Kusakari also starring in another drama together that carries the name of Jyujirou (Cross in English). He wonders if and when this will receive a DVD release, ever being the eager consumer of media.

Another interesting week in the lives of our three renowned games designers then. Feel free to leave any thoughts in the Comments section below, continue checking Honeyman-On for more Twitter updates and some original content in the near future as well (as soon as life calms down again).

Sebski's mixtape is the greatest...

2011-06-11T20:22:00.000+01:00

Hey there interested followers. Be sure to check out my good friend Seb's latest mixtape he put together courtesy of the cool website Mixcloud:

Electro Mix 3: Super Electro Fighter III - 3rd Strike by Kinsta on Mixcloud

Any thoughts (or should be feelings) on Sebski's mixtape? Feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

You can check out the fellow's Facebook page here too: Seb's Facebook

This week's Tweets are great and interesting

2011-06-10T17:00:00.000+01:00

Hello again and thanks for checking out Honeyman-On for the latest Twitter updates from our three main Japanese developers.

This week we have updates from Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono wanting to make sure that one of his followers returns home safely and has checked out the Himlock Dome. He also refers to something called WINERY which he bursts out in song at although what this is related to exactly, one can only guess.

Metal Gear Solid producer Hideo Kojima asks his followers if they have read the short story Satori in this month's issue of the magazine Da Vinchi, wanting to see how they felt about it.

And Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada has a follower that doesn't often remember his correct name for one of his followers, instead wanting to see if he could refer to them by their affectionate nickname of El Boro Harada Nachos or Erohana instead (together with funny face).

All in all, some brief and slightly exciting updates from our main developers at Capcom, Konami and Namco. Be sure to check Honeyman-On again where we will be able to check the updates of our favourite Japanese developers when next weekend comes around.

2011-06-09T11:28:00.000+01:00

A very quick post for those interested in great mix tapes, check out my good freind Sebski's latest offering (via Mixcloud) and enjoy.

Electro Mix 2: Super Electro Fighter Ii Turbo by Kinsta on Mixcloud

Feel free to post any thoughts and comments in the section below once you've had a listen.

Busy days

2011-06-09T11:06:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in the last week. Real life has been quite hectic what with arranging to move and changing job location soon.

Do keep on checking Honeyman-on for updates on the latest Twitter updates of Japanese developers. I'll keep it going as long as I a able to...

The weekly tweet updates are coming

2011-05-28T19:00:00.000+01:00

So we once again have our weekly Tweet updates for consumption by interested parties. Let's start with the postings of Street Fighter IV producer, Yoshinori Ono.

In his most recent post he highlights that the team is in the process of checking the progress on upcoming crossover fighting title, Street Fighter X Tekken.

He remarked that using post-its in this IT age seems a little low tech, but it is the easiest way to inform everyone on the team. As Monday roles around, the weekend is left for preparation, preparation.

Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada explains that during a recent presentation, the feedback that he received as a result of recent playtesting had provided a clear impact.

He also remarks that even though Heihachi had his trademark bald patch and hair it didn't make as much of an impact as he had expected, wishing that he could have made the head of the Mishima family a little bit older this time around instead.

And Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has had time to spend with his child that he had with his now divorced wife. He even got to take him to the centre where the motion capture is carried out.

Kojima explained that he has made an impression on other kids that it may seem that all he does is play games rather than get down to work at his current workplace. His own child had also remarked that although he is often busy, really all he seems to be doing is play games.

Trust a son to point out the truths of his father.

Be sure to continue checking the Twitter updates of these three developers via Honeyman-On, updated once a week and maybe even some interesting news comes our way.

Developers tweets, episodes, long sleep, old eyes and late nights

2011-05-21T22:43:00.000+01:00

Well the Twitters of our three favourite Japanese developers are red hot as usual with their regular updates on their job and personal developments:

Yoshinori Ono has pointed fans of the upcoming Tekken X Street Fighter to check out the Episode 0 movie on the dedicated Japanese website, highlighting that it is full of fisticuffs and fighting.

He also replies to one fan's question, stating that even if characters die in the Tekken series of games, death is meaningless (possibly hinting at the supposed death of Heihachi Mishma in Tekken 5 and Kazuya before that in the prior games).

Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada realises it is far too late in the day to be using Twitter, updating at 4:26am in the morning and explaining that he will pass fans' opinions onto the development team.

Asked by a fan if this was annoying (despite Harada's polite replies) to have to respond to so many question from his Twitter account, he answers that only the questions of users 思い込み＆ Jumping the gun have lots to them (joking around, of course).

And Metal Gear Solid series producer Hideo Kojima explains that he has slept for 9 hours already...

It is really poor that he can't read a book properly with his old weary eyes.

And upon playing Playstation 3 FPS Killzone 3, he explains that he found Shin-chan. Could it be referring to Crayon Shin-chan by chance? For readers' perusal, find below an image of the show's main protagonist:

Crayon Shin-chan, for the uninitiated

Be sure to keep on checking Honeyman-On for Tweets of the best Japanese developers together with some other interesting updates too (they will be coming, honest).

Tweets are tweets, just in Japanese

2011-05-14T16:38:00.000+01:00

So in recent tweets from our trusted 3 developers, Super Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono has retweeted Tekken producer Kastsuhiro Harada's Tweet on wearing the local code of dress whilst in Dubai over his regular everyday clothes, mentioning that it suits him more to be dressed that way (and that he already doesn't want to return to Japan)

Katushiro Harada has brought to our attention the date for the next location test for the upcoming release of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, scheduled for May 16th.

He has also commented wearing clothes sent in from fans together with his trademark sunglasses, colliding into Japanese women's luggage, apologising profusely and almost feeling like crying.

And Hideo Kojima has updated his Twitter explaining that he trapped his little toe in the door this morning, resulting in it becoming quite swollen. He went on to explain that he had taken a photograph of it but had not upped it to his Twitter yet as it was mealtime.

All in all, exciting information from our three developers from Capcom, Namco and Konami. Be sure to keep on checking Honeyman-On for regular updates and I do promise additional updates as well.

To keep the output going and a link to a friend's ideas

2011-05-11T03:12:00.001+01:00

In my efforts to keep the blog going I will definitely keep the Twitter updates going and also try to update with some interesting tidbits along the way.

The next couple of months may get very busy for me but I'll do my best to provide updates to readers.

In the meantime, check my friend's Posterous account for some very interesting readings and ideas (Clark O'Gara's Posterous):

http://posterous.com/people/4wEUpry3fehj

And some thought provoking and stimulating stories:

HERE

An interesting way to spend a sunny morning...

...and Good Night!

A suitable mixtape for a sunny day

2011-05-09T10:53:00.000+01:00

Another quick post but for anyone who is interested, you can sample my friend's recent mixtape if you fancy having a listen sometime. It will certainly bring your day up and a smile to your face.color:#999;">Electro Mix 2: Super Electro Fighter Ii Turbo by Kinsta on Mixcloud

Link to an old friend's website

2011-05-08T23:05:00.000+01:00

Just a brief update but a valid one all the same. I have an old friend who is an upcoming and hard-working artist, based in Wakefield and currently studying at university.

If you have the time, do check his website out and feel free to leave comments. It's really, really special.

Charles Saul, Fine Artist

Twitter, twitter, twitter

2011-05-06T22:21:00.000+01:00

So, for this week's update we have for you a bit of Hideo chatting about listening to an interview of the director for the film Mr. Nobody, Jacko Van Dolmar:

He talks of how the director explained that an artist's role is not a simple but complex profession, feeling that through his film he made its often simplified image appear more substantial, transmitting its complexity.

Kojima remarks that he admires this in the director.

Yoshinori Ono gets asked if Sakura and Asuka will appear in the upcoming Street Fighter X Tekken:

And Katushiro Harada advises that he will be visiting Dubai soon,

And jokes about giving out his credit card details via PSN.

All in all, a fairly standard week (oh yes, there was a breach of the Playstation Network as well but that has been mentioned a thousand times already).

Be sure to keep on checking the blog for updates of these developer's tweets and other news (I promise I will update with something different soon).

Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Three-way Twitter update

2011-04-30T15:29:00.000+01:00

So, given that the weather is nice today and I should be outside enjoying the sun rather than updating this (but I've done everything I need to do today, just about), you can see the updates for Yoshinori Ono, Katsuhiro Harada and Hideo Kojima down below.

Producer on the Street Fighter IV series, Yoshinori Ono, has updated his Twitter tweeting that he will return to Japan from San Fransisco after his recent visit to Capcom USA. He also explains that he had with him some important ROM that will be shown at this year's E3. Could it be Street Fighter X Tekken? We'll have to wait until E3.

Producer on the Tekken series of games, Katsuhiro Harada, has updated his Twitter account explaining that the current recording sessions will probably not finish today, eating canned food in the studio the whole day, being poisoined with thoughts of reading the manga Golgo 13, voice actors in Kagawa prefecture, voice actors and impossible directing duties in recording.

And game director on the MGS series of games, Hideo Kojima, has updated his Twitter feed, explaining that he has finished reading the novel "Genocide" written by Kouno Toshiaki, being amused by it, the novel having an interesting translation and its author's uncommon outlook on the world, carrying many elements that run in the MGS series such as the Iron Mountain report, PMC, child soldiers, and military-industrial complexes.

Be sure to continue checking Honeyman-on for updates on the tweets of these game creators as they update their Twitters and also for other pieces of information and news.

And enjoy the sun whilst you can catch it.

Kojima's tweets are scenic

2011-04-26T10:29:00.000+01:00

Kojima's recent tweets on his Twitter account have taken a more scenic turn with updates detailing the setting sun:

And noting that we are still in the season of Spring:

Given the artistic flair of the Metal Gear Solid series of games, is it any wonder Kojima has such a leaning towards the beauty of nature?

Do keep on checking Honeyman-on for updates and feel free to post any thoughts in the Comments section below.

Yoshinori Ono to attend E3

2011-04-26T10:12:00.000+01:00

So in one of his latest tweets, Yoshinori Ono has confirmed that he is going to attend this year's E3 in June in Los Angeles.

Any expectations of what he will show at the event beyond Street Fighter X Tekken? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section and look forward to the next tweet update.

Harada talks Anna's face

2011-04-23T11:36:00.001+01:00

So Katsuhiro Harada has updated his Twitter once again, showing his appreciation for all of the positive updates on the dedicated Facebook/Twitter pages.

He also talks about being happy that the team were able to improve the facial animation of character Anna Williams in the upcoming title Tekken Tag Tournament 2 together with bringing the facial animation of other characters in the game up to scratch too. Will avid players get to see these improvements at the upcoming location test? Those lucky enough to attend should post in the comments section with their verdict.

Until next update.

Kojima answers questions

2011-04-19T11:16:00.001+01:00

So Kojima updated his Twitter again recently with details of his latest instalment of Hideo Channel Radio once again. He mentions that his answers will be provided via a certain magazine (but which magazine will that be?)

He also briefly laments that answering questions for around 30 minutes can prove to be a little heavy.

Be sure to keep on checking Honeyman-on for regular updates as regular as I can provide them (and as long as my eyes don't drop out from my day job first!)

Yoshinori Ono takes a holiday

2011-04-18T11:24:00.000+01:00

The producer on beat-em-up title Super Street Fighter IV, Yoshinori Ono, has posted that he has been able to take a holiday from work for the first time in a month. What would any member of a prestigious games development team do on a valued day off? Play more Street Fighter it seems.

Continue to check Honeyman-on for updates from the best Japanese developers' Twitters as well as other riveting updates.

Yoshinori Ono updates from the beach with some friends

2011-04-10T22:29:00.000+01:00

So a recent update via the Twitter subsite Twipple sees Super Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono update from this year's Captivate with his trademark Blanka together with bobble heads of Ryu and Kazuya.

Looking forward to the news releases from Captivate '11? Do check Honeyman-on in the near future for updates of the main announcements from this year's Capcom news-fest.

Katushiro's Twitter today

2011-04-09T21:58:00.000+01:00

So, Harada-san has spoken in his recent tweet and response by another tweeter of his desire to visit Toronto and Canada. The reply to the tweet suggests that Toronto, Canada would be a great destination to visit. Could this be for some form of trade show? Or is he just expressing his own desires regarding his future holiday destination?

Be sure to check Honeyman-on in the near future for more updates on the best game developer Twitter updates (and other things, or course).

Short post for some potentially interesting news

2011-04-08T21:29:00.000+01:00

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id=10150207545724715

See if this works for you at all Mr. Hill.

Regards, Patrick.

Tweets of news from 3 big Japanese game designers

2011-04-08T21:21:00.001+01:00

So the recent tweets of Katsuhiro Harada, Hideo Kojima and Atsushi Inaba show that Tekken facebook page has reached 1 million users, Kojima's talks about listening to the latest music and Atsushi Inaba talks about his upcoming title, Max Anarchy.

Be sure to check Honeyman-on once again for an update on these fellow's Twitter accounts in the near future.

The Sixth: Colour of Sky

2011-04-02T12:02:00.000+01:00

Awaking to any colour of sky, each morning at the same time. Hear the humdrum of the vehicles as they pass by on the city streets, a substitute alarm to that by my bedside. The invisible hand pulls me from the mattress and I break into my daily routine, going through oh so familiar motions.

First day of the week, progressing fine. Second day of the week, getting by. Third and fourth days of the week are sluggish as usual. Last day of the week just makes me want to escape away.

Days off are days of luxury. Free days to do what I choose to, sticking to a plan or no plan at all. Enjoy them whilst they are here for they pass all too quickly, wrapping the week around once again. Cherish their value for they are yours to enjoy and utilise as you please.

Keep it brief but await The Seventh, soon.

The Fifth: Pace of Life

2011-03-04T19:27:00.000Z

In it's deluge, they who are born swim in the sea of life. It's pace ever speeding but never limitless, it prays for those who like to be absorbed in its swash. Sometimes not noticing the way of the currents, the tides go back and forth, pressing against the States and Japan as each wave turns a new sign of change in the world's progression.

Seemingly still yet with a presence of growth, these changes sneak up unawares on individuals in their time. it strikes as a venom, spreading through the body and joints in a paralysing fashion, chilling those infected to the spot. Not without the want for someone to come save them, unable to progress to the next stage.

It can't be stopped but there is joy in the madness. Albeit fleeting and sometimes hard to grasp, life's little pleasures are things we can take for ourselves. From that simple enjoyable meal or a new dress shirt to an interesting game, CD or DVD, they who find value within the simple things in life can appreciate on their unstoppable journey that which is joyful to hold.

Appreciate both sides of life. We each have only one, for all their ups and downs. Take from it what you will, it's yours.

Please kindly await The Sixth.

The Fourth: Shifting of stuff

2011-02-27T22:54:00.000Z

Moving around, evocative tones. The ability to have everything and yet nothing, allowing for variety and an exchange of ideas. The want for more and yet trying to balance it with less. How does an individual make it so?

Is there ever too much or can it be too little? Ever progressing and speeding technology, allowing for more to happen quickly. Dare to keep up, or catch a Cafe Nero and chill? Aim for the stars or just get by?

Having possessions helps keep us happy. Whether by necessity or sheer promotion, the accruing of stuff is something that can be great whilst overwhelming. Will we move purely towards a digital age or are we forever going to hang among mountains of materials and physical goods?

I leave the end decision on that, to the readers...

MVC3 Impressions

2011-02-19T17:03:00.000Z

Courtesy of my kind friends (thank you Zee) I managed to give the latest in the stunning crossover of two fictional worlds a spin with Marvel vs.Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds.

The fighter will throw off any fan of the genre to begin with. In efforts to keep matches swift, characters carry less vitality meaning they can be flawed easier from only 3-4 decent combos. Also, the in-game X-Factor (activated by pressing all four main attack buttons) allows for hefty power and speed boosts, bringing any former sense of game balance right down to zero.

The latest iteration is a heap of fun though. The roster is varied with the likes of Resident Evil's Wesker, DMC's Dante and Bionic Commando's Spencer alongside the likes of Marvel's X-23, Phoenix and Deadpool.

The game remains user-friendly enough to allow beginners to give their best whilst higher-level players can show off their combo ability and skills in the heat of battle. MvC3 doesn't hide its beauty, the music and sound effects reminiscent of previous iterations in the franchise from Ryu's trademark theme to varied tracks for new entrants.

Among the modes on offer include Arcade, Versus, Training, Mission Mode and Online for players to face off against each other as they duke it out. News of future costumes and characters (Jill Valentine and Shuma Gorath have already been announced) via DLC are also highly anticipated.

MvC3 is worth checking out after the ten year wait. Seasoned players may be initially surprised at the changes but once they become accustomed to what has been altered they will get used to most of the adjustments.

The Third: Eyes Always Open

2011-02-11T18:04:00.000Z

Hodi's lack of sleep is his main driver, providing him with the means to drive on regardless of whatever comes to hit him. Dishevelled and coarse, peaking through puffy eyes that hold nothing back. Relishes the good old days when things were more exciting and happening, the people he knew were all on their way to different goals and ventures.

Waking in the morning, or is that the evening? Being alert and responsive to the world around you, wanting to participate in its ongoing flow, knowing that it paces on ahead of you as you wake with each day. The knowledge of what is held before like that written in a book, providing details on not only what is to come but what may happen.

Is it the daytime, or is it the evening? The days just seem to be a blur. Irregular hours and a shifting format present a new way of living, that of day to day, week to week. They who enter a sweet slumber are fortunate enough to capture some downtime. Everyone else just keeps on rolling to the best of their ability.

Caffeine is ever a friend as a stimulant for continued work and growth. It keeps the head alert and makes once dozy minds perk up, allowing for progress and diligence to persevere in the toughest of times. That which can stretch man beyond his recognised limitations, further than that which he accepts and recognises.

Eyes always open. Peering out and straight to the world. Know there is no end as you gaze upon that which lies out in front of you. Always with open eyes.

DANCING STYLE

2011-02-06T22:46:00.000Z

The spinning of feet upon the floor. The journeying of man through the whirlwind. His feet and hands entwined in the air, creating room for changing twists. Sending himself through the motions, bringing his body down into a shape, he moves and contorts like a snake, writhing like seeking its next feed.

The music plays out like any regular ritual, always proud and present in its execution. He sees the ability to bring life to his creation, making him causeworthy and able to step forth in the crowd.It fills him with joy, hardship and somewhat sorrow as he recognises the path and makes it become something substantial. The time and ability to reocognise his purpose, it reaches out and bellows his name.

The major call of purpose and identifying that particular move. Defining it and seizing the moment. There is no wrong in its presence or captivation. It is always there, ascertainable through perseverance and hindsight. Working towards a greater goal, its realisation something that can be chewed upon.

Develop up a dancing style. Come and show it all the while. Stand by the sidelines and feel somewhat woozy. Let those who are able put forward their best moves, bringing it down and representing for the night.

Peace yo.

DRINKS AND DRAWING

2011-01-30T23:01:00.000Z

A partnership not unlike Bonnie and Clyde, Rodrigo and Gabriella, Simon and Garfunkel. Malone had known the scent of many a fine spirit in his years. The material-laden workdesk, the rule across his drawing aisle used for accurate and precise strokes, bringing together the framework of what would become Bridgewater Place, south of Leeds City Station. His weathered and aged hands show workmanship, their lines and ridges signs of the years of projects he had undertaken in his career.

Wearing D & G glasses, a dress shirt, cashmere pullover and trousers with pronounced seems, Malone's dress sense reflects the organised and minimalist manner of his workplace and flat. A a crystal tumbler rests upon the desk of his latest work assignment, filled heartily with Jack Daniels rum. One of Malone's favourite tipples, signs of his profession and his addiction intertwined.

Illustrating accuracy is still present but shaky at times. Taking a sip to quell the jitters of old age, Malone feels eased as he works, bringing together the structures that create his paycheck and means to persevere. Midori to absinthe, sake, Jack Daniels and rum are all on rotation, their presence a necessity for work progress in Malone's mind.

Darkness. The slow opening of eyes and recognising the sound of ambulance sirens, Malone barely observes the area around him. He identifies the ambulance's interior, wondering why he is on the patient's bench under morphine, a medic attending to his needs, speeding to Leeds General Infirmary. He feels the weight of being rushed to a hospital bed, nurses and a doctor talking around him, then passes back into unconsciousness.

Becoming used to the comfort of a hopsital bed after three days, Malone tries to remember what took place. Working fervently at his desk with the ususal J & D to hand to aid the shakes, he had a project deadline that evening. The vaguest memory of the technical pencil slipping from his hand, falling to the left out of his designer chair, then darkness. After that it was all just a blur. Nurse Rene brings a pen and pad to his bedside, allowing his skilled hands to keep busy, practicing the basics, roughing a concept of that lost project. The oscilator acts as a metronome, letting Malone keep time in his head as he joins the lines on the sketchpad.

Returning home following discharge four months' later, the seasoned architect turns towards mentoring. Young and training architects look towards Malone for guidance, drawing upon his knowledge and experience. His fine-trimmed grey beard and heavily-weathered hands impart his age, his ever-keen eyes peering through his designer glasses, not missing a detail. Sipping a cup of jinseng tea, the days of absinthe, sake and rum belong with his past. Malone's reliance on them fading away like his age, a firm and welcoming reminder that they are not to be depended upon anymore.

Martin, one of Malone's most eager students, finds him on the floor. He checks for a response. Nothing. A pulse? Faint at best. The sounds of the ambulance are highly mute and almost unrecognisable, medic's voices mere mumbles and sound. Hearing like being submerged under water, Malone struggles to distinguish the situation around him, quickly slipping back into slumber. Dr. Khan and fellow surgeons work on the operating table for seven hours, their intricate methods not unlike Malone at his work desk. He drifts in and out of consciousness, wondering why those figures in green scrubs and facial masks are so manic, barking out orders and putting various surgical tools into his body.

And then darkness...

Saturday, July 13^th, 2012

Malone Harrow, 65 years of age. An architect by trade, winner of the Gretsch award for his design of Bridgewater Place. A dilligent worker with a shrewd mind and high attention to detail, he was commited to his cause and known for enjoying his drinks. The photo on the casket displaying his designer glasses and a reserved smile, signs of cheerful times for a designer in his prime. His favourite drinks are offered in memory; the display of rums, vodkas, gins and various other high-quality spirits aligning his resting place. Firm reminders of his two favourite things in life; drawing and drink.

Raise a glass to the memory of Malone.

YAKUZA 4 REVIEW

2011-01-22T17:57:00.000Z

Yakuza. Notorious Japanese gangsters, chronicled in everything from film to classic plays. Their severity, heavy. Their dedication, unquestionable. Their presence in gaming? Here and there until one Toshihiro Nagoshi and his team decided that players should be allowed to enact their desires to be their own Japnese crime don. A new series on the PS2 and four iterations later, Yakuza 4 has fans take control of Kazuma once again in the semi-fictional local of Kamuro-cho. Only this time, he's joined by a few friends. Is the latest iteration able to draw gamers into its world all over again?

The foruth in the notorious franchise throws players into another tale of intrgue in the Yakuza underworld, played out among the locales of Kamuro-cho (a recreation of Tokyo's Kabuki-cho). Fans will get to grips with the likes of protagonist with need for only one suit, Kazuma Kiryu, former homeless man turned money lender Shun Akiyama, detective out for vengance Masayoshi Tamura and yakuza hitman and former prison inmate, Taiga Saejima.

SEGA's provides four times the brawling this time around, allowing players to experience each character's story whilst kicking ten shades of shit out of various gangs, punks and street layabouts. All round fighting is Kazuma's speciality, Akiyama focuses on quick and agile kicks, Tanimura enjoys submissions and aikido-style attacks whislt Saejima prefers to rely on brute strength to dole his beatings out on the various adversaries.

Those familiar with the series will feel at home with the system. Newcomers will receive a tutorial to ease them into each fighting style together with explanations for using weapons, takedowns, throws and the game's speciality, heat actions. Building up the glowing blue guage under a player's health allows the unleashing of a character specific strike, resulting in the enemy of choice seeing head or face smashed against the nearest inanimate object available at the time. Alternatively, characters may perform their own trademark move resulting in some interesting and ever-violent retribution against the ensuing thugs.

Building on the expansion of the play areas offered in Yakuza 3, this game's outing will allow access to areas such as Kamuro-cho's rooftops, Rojiura (backstreeets) and chika (underground). Entertainments have increased with favourites such as golf, billiards and darts returning alongside making your own bar hostess or nabbing a fine malt whisky at one of the various bars.

Character-specific missions can be undertaken such as Kazuma's brawling against rival gangs to fight their leaders, Akiyama's hostess nurturing, Tanimura's chasing down of local muggings or even Saejima's ability to train fighters to shine in the ring. Yakuza 4 makes a sound job of balancing the playtime over the four male's tales in this instalment, their natures varied, their paths due to cross as play progresses.

Music and voices carry on the trend from previous titles in the series, providing a combination of techno, trumpet and rock beats in battle with Japanese-voiced characters in various guises, pleasing those who long for authenticity. More an extension of Yakuza 3 than a true upgrade, the title is graphically sound but with only a year between the two games much has been reused, providing brawling fans with a title steeped in familiar locales, gangs and activities.

Qualms aside, fans of the franchise will have already made their decision. For eveyone else, Yakuza 4 is an interesting dip into what makes the franchise enjoyable with a new spin this time around. Splitting the gameplay between four characters provides a refreshing change, albeit with the same fighting and heat actions available in different guises.

If you want to enjoy another gangster yarn, that will be satisfied. If you want revolutionary gameplay, look elsewhere. And for anyone else, you could do much worse than spend 8-10 hours of your time bringing the beat down on Japan's underworld. An accurate example of the Japanese crime world? Maybe not. Enjoyable while it lasts? At least until the next Yakuza title comes out, we can't say no.

7/10

Not quite four times the charm but doing a good job of hanging in there

The Second: Pier Side Reunion

2011-01-22T14:18:00.000Z

Swish.....sway.....swish.....sway.

The sea lapped the pier's side, small waves brushing up against the wooden beams that supported the walkway. The mid-afternoon sun was in the distance, its red hue marking the skyline with various flashes and stabs of subtle colour.

Stood at the pier's end, looking out to the sea, a tall, slender and gaunt man of appearance wearing a brown trenchcoat, mid-40s, short greying hair and stubble; his face weathered with age, drinking and years of concerns. By his side, a younger lady, around her mid-20s, curvacious, 5"4', blond hair styled into a crop and a matching 60s-style black and white checked one piece dress to boot. She appeared melancholic, subdued by thoughts of something elsewhere.

To give him a name, well, most would call him Jonah. Swallowing a mouth full of sea breeze, he turned to his companion, emitting in a dulcid tone "Marriete, I'm glad you came. After all my requests, you finally acknowledged one of them, came to this location and well, here we are now."

Mariette looked Jonah in his weary eyes. Born with heterochromia, an incident three years ago meant this rare genetic change left the young lady peering into one green eye, the other a mixture of blue and grey, almost unlike anything she had seen before. And yet, she knew Jonah from years ago, his then charming smile illuminating this unique aspect of his person.

"It had to be done eventually. There was no way to postpone this indefinitely." Mariette spoke whilst swallowing hard.

Stepping into her near vicinity, Jonah was inches away from Marriete's still youthful and beautiful visage, his breath impacting on her cheeks. Speaking once again in dulcid and measured tones:

"Well yes.....you're quite right about that. There most certainly.....was no way to postpone this forever."

A minute passed as Marriete embraced Jonah, her grasp reviving thoughts and feelings of happier, painful and agonising times; the vibrant youth Jonah and enjoyed through their time together. The feeling was as before, that comfort that one never wants to let go of yet secretly knows wont last forever.

Loosening her embrace, Mariette looked up towards Jonah's face, unassuming and accepting of that which had gone and what may come. Not a smile nor sadness, his expression presented 'being', a state of acceptance achieved without always knowing.

Cuffs were placed on Jonah's wrists, their hard steel shackled around his aged person. He looked down upon them and let out a little chuckle, causing Mariette to react with a slight of surprise. Jonah once again spoke in his measured manner, muttering:

"To think, I was the one who was out to lure you into my web. Lack of foresight is a dangerous and funny thing."

Mariette paused for a moment, looked into Jonah's face once more to locate his train of thought but then allowed it to be. Looking out from the pier edge to the sea once more, she then hollered over to the Boston Police Force cars that were near by.

"Jonah Tellsmith. I am arresting you on charges of fraud, embezzlement, deception and perversion of the cause of justice. You have the right to speak but anything you do say can and will be used in the courts of law as evidence."

Jonah looked at Mariette, and looked, and looked.

"O'Donagghy, take this man aw-"

Mariette was about to finish calling her fellow officer to take Jonah away in one of the BPD's vehicles.

"Love. Just love for you. Wrong or right, it won't go away. Love."

Jonah added his departing comments as O'Donagghy grabbed the collar of his trenchcoat, a firm sign this would be the last time Marriete would be seeing Jonah outside of secure walls and a prison cell.

As the vehicle door was opened, Jonah took one last look towards Mariette. This would remain unreturned, instead gazing out across the pier edge towards the red-dipped sun.

Chuckling once again, Jonah felt O'Donagghy's coarse hand push him down into the back passenger seat, adding "Good riddance to fucking scum like you. I hope the inside treats you nicely for the time you go down for, if you even make it that far you fuck." Not from happiness but a smile all the same, Jonah sat in the BPD car, waiting to be taken away, knowing what lay ahead.

Staring out towards the distance, no tears are to be shed by Marriete. A mixture of discomfort and resolution, uncertainty and anguish, she thinks briefly of Jonah's future and knows the likely path. It passes and goes to the back of her mind. She is still unsure but it doesn't show. She spends a while longer staring out as the red-tinted sun moves down the horizon to bring about the dusk.

Going through the motions as if throwing a dime into the sea, wishing for free. Mariette throws nothing though. Those times with Jonah are all she lets go of to the best of her ability.

The small waves continue to lap the pier sides.

Swish.....sway.....swish.....sway.

Review coming soon

2011-01-17T21:49:00.000Z

Good day there. I will put up a review of Ryu Ga Gotoku 4 soon. However, with life going at 1,000 mph right now, don't hold your breath for the day I post it.

You'll enjoy reading it, I'm sure.

The First: Main street stroll

2011-01-16T20:37:00.000Z

A subdued, rainy day. Cars swishing through the fret, droplets splashing from their wheels and dispersing upon impact of fast car windows. Unmbrellas in their hundreds, painting a picture not unlike a thousand flowers in the sky. The holders of those protectors from the elements dressed in various bussiness shades of black, beige and grey. Car lights shine as they glint over the windows of lofty skyscrapers, the grand skyline dreary and thick with the weight of many grey clouds.

Out walks a young lady in a jeans skirt, designer frilled-blouse, Calvin Klien three-quarter length woolen jacket, knee-length boots, a pretty crop of hair and a happy-go-lucky demeanour. Her presence and appearance offsetting the sea of workforce that flows behind her. She strolls seperately from the crowd, knowing she can remain independent from the norm. One day she may have to conceed. Until that time comes, she will stroll with pride and know independence and freedom in her mind.

It lasted six months. Sunny day, the source of energy high in the sky. Those in business atire are strolling along the same boardwalk, this time in dress shirts and coats carrying various shades of blue, sunset yellow, teal and white. Their demeanours still slightly sullied but optomistic. Traffic speeds by, sunbeams glinting off their windscreens and vehicle bodies like dancing energy. Our independent young female is nowhere to be seen. What is the cause? Did she fade into the crowd like so many before?

By the boardwalk is a plaque. Closer observation reads:

“In memory of Saema Mertigo, 23. A cheerful and upbeat girl who will always be in our hearts.”

No one thought this individual spark would disappear so early. Had the rain kept up, maybe she would still be here. Sadly this is not the case along the main street. It holds no sympathy even for the unique ones in the crowd. Becoming an office temp., Mertigo realised why those shades of grey, beige and black were in abundance in the rain. She will never feel the same again, or be able to. Her elegant body a grim memory of the markings from that day. The last steps taken from the roof of the building above. A faint reminder of young independence.

RRP versus pocket change release. The cost of purchasing portable games

2011-01-16T11:28:00.000Z

OPINION

I read an opinion piece on the MCV website this morning, discussing the challenges of portable game RRPs in the current climate. An interesting topic, sure, and one worth debating over.

The article highlights that 3DS titles will retail for higher than current portable releases (£30-£35 for the uninformed). It also suggests that Sony may follow a similar path with its upcoming PSP2, due for release later this year.

Providing the iPhone's game download service as a counterpoint, it highlights the quality of titles avaialble with Apple's popular mobile compared with dedicated games portables. Price is considered, comparing the 99p-£5.99 iPhone offerings with the dearer fair of Nintendo and Sony.

MCV also considers the frequency of users playing games portably today, suggesting the numbers are fewer than those of 2005. Quoting Nicholas Lovell in an article over at Gamesbrief, he reckons that “The iPhone has taken price expectations down to somewhere between $0.99 and zero,” creating a difficult arena for the PSP2 and 3DS to compete in.

Mark Howsen, sales director for MCV SCE UK offered his opinions on the matter, explaining that consumers will buy-in to the costs of hardware but will pay very little, or if possible nothing at all, for a machine's software. An investor call held by Nintendo of Japan CEO Iwata in October this year over declining software sales would help to add weight to Howsen's suggestion.

The President for Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime and Satoru Iwata, have spoken of their fears of the iPhone's presence in the handheld games market. Iwata has also discussed digital approaches the company hopes to take upon the 3DS' launch. Does anyone expect a counter to the cheap pricing of iPhone games in the games industry soon?

Consideration should be given to the money spent versus free time. It may be said that £30.00 for a handheld title is worth every penny. Alternatively, it may be better invested or spent on necessities. MVC's Ben Parfitt highlights that if an iPhone game such as Flick Kick Football can take 17 hours of his time, why not pay £1.79 over £30.00?

One important question is left hanging in the air. Will iPhone competition or recent market circumstances force the major games companies to bring their prices down? Or will we see a splitting of hardware on offer along the likes of iPhone game releases? Observing the development of RRPs for the 3DS and PSP2 post-launch will be highly interesting for the next few years ahead.

Any thoughts on the cost of portable game releases versus the likes of donwloadable phone games? Feel free to post what you think in the Comments section below.

2011-01-16T10:02:00.000Z

OPINION

Gaming giant and developer Nintendo is due to unveil its newest console, the 3DS, at a press conference in New York next month in preparation for the machine's release in Japan in February and the US and Europe in March. It can be expected that the games giant will pull out all the stops to promote its upcoming machine when the event is held, showcasing its features and the software that will be released upon launch. Will the machine be handheld gaming's revolution or will it end up being another machine with a gimmick that comes at a high price?

The 3DS will retain the dual screen idea that was introduced with the DS, carrying a 3D screen on top and a regular touch screen at the bottom. It will also allow players to use its in-built cameras located on the outsides of the device, letting users take 3D photos and capture 3D video. Players will also find a camera positioned above the 3DS' top screen which will allow them to take 2D photos and capture 2D video.

Backwards compatibility will come in the form of supporting Nintendo DS (and DSi) software. The 3DS cards that will launch with the device will be able to carry up to 2GB of game data, akin to those of the current DS. A virtual console service allowing download of Game Boy, Game Boy Colour and titles in 3D will also be available from the machine's launch. The handheld will even allow for playback of 3D films such as How to Train Your Dragon and Tangled.

Lots of features, lots of capability. Surely the screen functionality on the 3DS will not turn out to be solely a gimmick to sell the machine at ¥25,000 in Japan and a rumoured $250/£180 in the UK when it is launched? This gamer here would certainly hope that this is not the case.

Any thoughts on what you are expecting when the 3DS is launched early next year in Japan, the US and Europe? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Money for old rope. Is pre-owned big business these days?

2011-01-13T15:49:00.000Z

OPINION

Sounds like an obvious thing to talk about but none-the-less an important one in the current climate. The pre-owned games market is quite possibly bigger than ever these days with stores such as GAME and Gamestation, HMV and now even Argos offering gamers the ability to trade their old titles in for credit against newer titles on the market.

One only has to take a peak through the doors of those stores to see the multitude of titles on offer, allowing gamers the ability to switch last week's Dead Rising 2 for this week's Dead Space 2. Quick trades on titles usually yield the best trade prices, seeing a quick turnover and several copies of FIFA 11 littering the shelves mere weeks after official release.

So what's the bone of contention here? How come publishers get upset that high street stores resell their titles in their droves, recouping profits that would otherwise go into the hands of the likes of Rockstar, Ubisoft and their ilk? Are they entitled to the value these titles sell for when the same can't be said for the likes of old furniture, cars and DVDs? Is it also not understandable that the resale of said titles means that publisher's games are being promoted twice with one title going back into another customer's hands, allowing free promotion of said game?

Not to rock the boat too much on this but what do you think about the whole pre-owned situation? Are publishers in their right minds regarding their approach with the retailers or will it continue to be a volatile relationship in the vein that has been ongoing to date?

Too many games in the marketplace?

2011-01-10T19:17:00.000Z

A little controversial but maybe that's just me. Anyway, have a read of the short opinion piece below. I will write a review again eventually, honest...

OPINION

Someone had to ask it. Now its out in the open. Hands up if you feel there are too many games in the marketplace? I see many hands raised. That says something.

So, what changed between now and the last ten years? When did there become a throng of titles all around us? Were the days of the 16-bit era that much different? Count the number of sequels for the likes Mario, Sonic and Rockman as examples of titles that had various numerals proceed them.

Admittedly, then there were only two main machines at the time. Look around now and three machines dominate the gaming space.The multitude of titles that spill from them are plenty. The Wii could be guilty of generating enough shovelware to fill a landfill.

With ever busy lifestyles these days, how does a gamer find the time to experience all the genre has to offer? Not even two games industry fellows I know have the time to sample all its delights, and they go from sticking to one title to sampling several at once.

Let's also remember DLC titles that come in various means and sizes. Their availability speaks for itself, their variety vast and plentiful. Add these to the mix and what is a person left over with? Far too many titles to filter down what they will play, lest they attempt to play everything that ever gets released (no one person has that much time nowadays).

Do you think the games market will see a retraction in the number of titles available in the near future? And do you get the time to play everything that you want to when it is released? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Do games have to be 'long' when their gameplay suggests otherwise?

2011-01-09T11:30:00.000Z

OPINION

Games are an enjoyable pastime for most. Their level of involvement high, enjoyment thorough and plentiful. The time players can commit to a title depends on the genre, amount of content, available spare time and other worldly commitments (they do exist). In our ever-busy world, what compels developers to create titles that have players dedicate their loyalty to one game when there are so many to experience?

Think of the first incarnations of Donkey Kong, Mario and Zelda. Their length, short. Their gameplay, everlasting. Games you can return to and play over and over. Similar titles in the arcade genre such as SEGA Rally, Virtua Fighter, Street Fighter and their ilk carried this simple, absorbing quick-fix nature of gameplay, appealing to every gamer's inner child like toblerone.

Simple, unadulterated fun. Looking at the current games market, we have stories woven into titles from the expected RPG genre through to fighters, puzzle games and even iPhone games that cost you a mere pound. Valiantly attempting to lengthen the player's time with each title, yet how many skip those 'cut scenes' to get to the meat of the experience? The developers' efforts and 40-hour work stints crafting the threads tieing those games together, gone in the click of a button. It could be asked if it is necessary for such scenes if the option to skip them is present, something gamers may have welcomed in story-heavy titles such as Metal Gear Solid 4.

Let's not forget of multiplayer and where does it sit among this conundrum? A main feature in titles among the likes of Call of Duty through to FIFA and a means to keep gamers engaged, could this be seen as adding 'length' to titles that are otherwise pick up and play in nature? Or, is the feature an essential part of the mesh that harbours modern titles, providing players with enough bang for their buck if mum can only buy little Jimmy one title for Christmas?

Unless you choose to walk around with your eyes closed, last time I checked people seem busier than ever these days. Recession, technology, change. It all appears to be hitting fast and rapidly, showering individuals as they survive from day-to-day. The iPhone, iPad, PSP and DS are increasingly providing titles catering for individuals' fast-paced lifestyles, allowing them to have a blast on Angry Birds before the day's planning meeting gets underway. This short-burst gaming fits with professionals' modern lifestyles, finding little time to spare for the likes of Fallout: New Vegas and Resonance of Fate. Have long and immersive titles had their day in the modern and rapidly shifting market? I'll leave that open to the Comments section.

Could the day of the long game be a thing of the past? Do you see the market turning towards shorter experiences or will there always be a place for the likes of Zelda, Final Fantasy and their brethren? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Could games reach the level of interactive movies?

2011-01-04T23:26:00.000Z

An interesting topic to say the least that is not unique but still valid, over the gaming generations the question has been raised from time-to-time of can games reach the level of interactive movies?

OPINION

Now sure, it sounds pretentious to suggest that something where a player controls the on-screen actions through pressing buttons and directions on a joypad could reach the level of emotional and intellectual depth that some of the greatest pictures in cinema history such as Citizen Kane, Schindler's List, Dead Man Walking, The Deer Hunter, Pan's Labyrinth or the recently released Inception have been able to entice from their audiences. And yet, those very same films make connections with the audience's emotional base through the same means and mechanisms to reach their empathetic epicentre, becoming absorbed in the story unfolding before them of the emotional plight of the characters involved.

Games are still a reasonably young medium. The developers' ability to weave a tale that players care about, that they can spend time with and want to see unfold piece by piece is a trial within itself. The likes of many a JRPG reach the level of maturity one can expect from teen fiction, yet the 1,000 years of dreams presented in Lost Odyssey, a series of short stories that recall experiences encountered in immortal protagonist Kaim's life allow for an interesting departure from the action, a suitable reprieve from the pace of the game's battles and adventuring.

The Uncharted games wear their inspiration on their sleeves, allowing adventure fans to enjoy a romp not too dissimilar from the outings of one whip-cracking archaeologist who has a fear of snakes. Heavy Rain showed gamers that they can enjoy a different experience by controlling the action on screen (or should that be actors?) as the story unfolds not too unlike a big screen movie as they get one step closer to figuring out who The Origami Killer is after all.

As there are several examples of titles that are capable of achieving the heights of involvement and movie-like depth such as those mentioned previously, we have been graced with several examples of titles over time that aim to be 'cinematic' yet would possibly be more enjoyable if they were to focus on being the best games they can be for the audience.

Titles such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Resident Evil 5, Halo 3 and Prototype were worthy titles in regards to their gameplay, appearance and overall impression they left on the player. The length of MGS4's cut-scenes were at times enough to test any avid gamer with a penchant for adoring army-tech, terms and a pre-OAP Snake, RE5 presented its best rendition of Black Hawk Down, Halo 3 pulled out all the stops towards the end and Prototype wanted us to feel all mean, moody and somewhat empathetic for its protagonist Alex and his ever-evolving body.

We should also ask that if games can be interactive movies, does this mean that they are losing the sense of what the essence of games are? In most cases, pure unadulterated fun, allowing players to escape for an hour or two in their day or to unwind from the stresses and troubles the day may have thrown their way. The future games market over the next few years will determine if the industry continues to go down this road or whether the likes of Nintendo, Apple and Facebook determine the types of games that are released for casual players versus the core players who will put their money down on the latest titles to get their next taste of something they can enjoy and absorb.

Do you think games can be interactive movies? Should they attempt to achieve such a goal or stick to what the general public knows them for; some fun time and 'for children' to spend time with and enjoy? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the the Comments section below.

Are the large budgets for games justified or do they need to go back to their roots? Do we need to be reminded that it's just a game?

2011-01-03T23:46:00.000Z

No sooner is it the New Year than the blog is getting updated at a regular pace. Things may cool down as time goes by but I'll see how I go. Enjoy the opinion pieces in the meantime.

OPINION

The budgets on mainstream video game titles such as Killzone 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Resident Evil 5 and their ilk are reaching those of movie-like proportions in recent times. Growing from the leaner funding more reminiscent of indie projects in the days of Nintendo's SNES and SEGA's Megadrive, the increased popularity of games among the general public has played as much a part in the growth of funding for gaming projects as it has contributed to increase in production values for the beloved format. Is the presence of an astonishing budget necessary in the games we play today or do we need to take steps back to more simpler times when we remember that titles were enjoyable for merely being fun?

Let's consider the current market. Expecting games to go back to the days of the SNES would be somewhat foolish given the expectations of the gaming public. Does anyone think a Call of Duty title done in the style of 16-bit graphics would appeal to anyone in this day and age? And yet, are modern gamers concerned as to how pretty a game looks if it plays well underneath the glitz and sheen?

CoD is a perfect example of a title that excels in gameplay and its online component, looks nice enough and yet doesn't appear to be preoccupied with looking like the best title on the market (it is one of the smoothest, however). Football titles such as FIFA and Pro Evo do well in recreating the appearances of professional football's most recent line-up, yet are more well-known for their intricacy and subtlety of control rather than how many times we get to see a close-up of Wayne Rooney's face.

Looking on the flipside of this, titles such as the auteur-leaning Shadow of the Colossus or alternate retelling of Monkey, Enslaved: Journey to the West represent games that carried high budgets yet were less than impressive when sales figures emerged. One has to wonder why this was the case when both titles delivered through their gameplay ideas, worlds, characters and scenarios. It is reassurance enough that titles wont always achieve stellar sales figures despite being produced on reasonable budgets, artistically appearing to be the best thing since sliced bread (twice).

Publishers and developers must be aware of their investments in titles carrying higher budgets too. Like any business, they weigh up the risk-reward of the project on offer, willing to provide funding if the title shows potential for high returns and a continuous revenue stream. Naturally, such high investment warrants the demand to see financial gain in response. The higher the contribution to the budget, the greater the yearning for increased profits for those investors involved. There must be a stopping point for those willing to put their assets on the line for a game that has no guarantee of achieving predicted sales targets until the first weeks' worth of sales begin to roll in and the calculations can be done.

Mainstream titles aside, players should consider the other end of the spectrum. Titles released for the iPad/iPhone and DS are suitable examples of games that emphasise the fun factor over graphical prowess. Angry Birds, Canabalt, Critter Crunch, Scribblenauts and Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training are perfect examples of pick-up and play games, allowing avid handheld gamers to have a quick bash on their favourite title for a short amount of time before they get on with their daily lives.

They carry a particular charm that brings players into their world, wanting to better that hi-score or create an object to use in the Scribblenauts universe. They show that studios don't have to spend a fortune on creating something that will appeal to gaming fans without having to look like art in motion, nor getting obsessed over how many polygons per character are being thrown around on the screen. Just providing unadulterated gaming fun for the player.

Current economic conditions could be the catalyst for publishers and developers alike to explore reducing budgets on titles over the next few years. That, or working in-house and contract staff to their limits to get titles to meet street date, to budget and as visually impressive as possible to (try and) ensure maximum revenue returns.

What do you think of the large budgets attributed to mainstream titles such as Killzone 3, Call of Duty, GTA 4 and their likes? Do you feel it adds to the overall gaming experience, or do you prefer lighter gaming such as those offered on portable machines , the iPhone and iPad? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Original titles versus sequels – the ever burning question

2011-01-03T00:07:00.000Z

Opinion

Always a bone of contention for fans of the medium of video games, the urge to play original properties in the market is ever present as they thirst for that title carrying something a 'little bit different' about it from the rest in the genre. Considering the offerings of original titles over sequels, what are the key concerns both developers and gamers carry when it comes to this ever contentious issue in the industry?

If we think about original titles in the games market, every title started with the first in the franchise at some point. Games such as Mario, Zelda, Street Fighter, Sonic and Resident Evil all had to start from one, then move forwards to their consequent sequels. Now in their later numbers and iterations, they still bring the charm and quality that are expected of these famed series.

Examples of newer IP in the games market can be seen in the likes of Enslaved, Resonance of Fate, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Uncharted and the upcoming Rage, Shadows of the Damned and The Last Guardian. Each title offers elements of interest together with borrowing from established titles that proceed them such as the Metal Gear Solid-esque elements present in Batman:AA.

Contrast this with franchises that receive yearly updates such as FIFA and Pro Evo, the ever famous GTA and Red Dead series and more recent titles that are due to break their original IP virginity and progress to the realm of sequel with the likes of Dead Space 2, LittleBigPlanet 2 and Batman: Arkham City.

With the frequency of changes in the real world of professional football it is understandable why EA and Konami's franchises receive yearly instalments. The GTA and Red Dead iterations only come around once in a blue moon. The likes of ship engineer Isaac, Bruce Wayne's alter-ego and Sackboy getting their second outings aren't too much a cause of dismay when we remember the enjoyment and success the first instalments of these franchises brought to the table.

There are more severe cases of sequel-itis hitting high times though. A beloved franchise to my heart, The King of Fighters, at one point pumped iterations out on a yearly basis with only the last three instalments being spaced out with longer development cycles and release windows. The Fire Emblem, Yakuza, Call of Duty and Pokemon franchises seem to grace players with sequels every year, giving them more of the same type of action and excitement they crave whilst bringing small tweaks and refinements to the established system.

Whether this is a purposeful move by the developers to retain the same fan base whilst attracting new followers along the way is difficult to call. No business with common sense wants to alienate its established userbase with the next instalment in their popular cash-cow (the various iterations of Sonic over the years and the most recent title, Sonic Colours, would be good examples). Financial suicide and bankruptcy is not an avenue the likes of Activision, Ubisoft, EA, Nintendo or SEGA will experience soon, nor will they be in a position where they have to if their best franchises continue to be popular, generate revenue and profit.

When it comes to original IP and sequels there are no answers for they who want to create original titles. The desire and the will can be present but gaining the support, finances and results are just as important as creating the final product. For the owners of developers and players, sequels are a no-brainer due to the use of existing resources, the lower time for the development cycle, giving the fans more of what they crave and making consistent revenue in the process (undoubtedly #1 in the Business 101 book).

Quality titles such as Enslaved experiencing middling sales figures can be disheartening but one only needs to look at the lacklustre numbers for Tony Hawk: Shred and Rock Band 3 to see that sequels do not always enjoy commercial success despite the quality and joy the title provides. Maybe when the economic climate improves and consumer's wallets have more spare change again, sales of titles, be they new or sequels, will experience growth in what continues to be a challenging market.

What do you think of the situation regarding original IP versus sequels? And is it wrong that developers concentrate on producing sequels when the workload is less to create what is still a new experience? Finally, is it realistic to expect developers to release only original IP with each title they create? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Is Japan falling behind 'successful' gaming trends or is it just finding its way in the current gaming market?

2011-01-01T22:18:00.000Z

Opinion

Not the first article on the matter but never the less an interesting one to cover, the games industry in the last seven to eight years has increasingly seen a shift in focus from a prominent Eastern dominance in the era of the Dreamcast, Playstation 2 and Gamecube to the West with the emergence of the X-Box, its successor the Xbox 360 and even Apple's i-devices.

We frequently hear that Japanese games have lost their way, that they do not care to cater for the Western market the way that developers such as EA, Ubisoft, Rockstar and Activision have with recent releases such as Dead Space, Assassin's Creed, Red Dead Redemption and the Call of Duty series.

Is this truly the case or do we need to have a more rounded look at the Japanese games market to understand if its developers are purposefully catering towards a larger Western audience or just sticking to their guns regarding the titles and genres that are being turned out from its most prominent studios?

Individuals such as Square Enix's Yoichi Wada and Capcom's Keiji Inafune have gone on record to suggest that the Japanese games industry is five years behind, that it needs to be more Western-facing in its development goals. Why would these two executives of the industry be so outspoken on the matter, the Japanese notoriously reserved and formal when delivering official press conferences and interviews?

One should also consider the rise of the FPS genre with the introduction of Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360. Popular titles such as the Halo and Call of Duty series have led the way, catering to the needs of PC FPS fans and bringing some of those over to the console medium, an area of interest for those who normally go to the lengths of building a specific rig to play their favourite titles on.

It would also be worthwhile to consider the number of titles Japanese studios have developed in recent times that either are Western-themed or have been co-developed with Western studios. Vanquish, Lost Planet 2, Quantum Theory, Dead Rising 2, Bionic Commando and Dark Void to name a few examples are representative of titles that are influenced by those from the West such as Gears of War or are solely or jointly developed by studios such as GRIN or Blue Castle (now know as Capcom Montreal).

It could be said that this is done so the Japanese studios can stay competitive in the industry, or that they want to explore the options that are presented with a title that is co-developed with Western and Eastern ideas fused into one title. The exhilarating feel of the adrenaline-fuelled Vanquish is a fine example of a 3rd-person shooting title with Western influences but retaining its Japanese flavour. In comparison, Quantum Theory has tried to emulate the same success of Epic's renowned series but is more debatable in its execution.

Japan's gaming industry still has a multitude of quality titles to offer avid gamers the world over. Titles such as Bayonetta, Super Street Fighter IV, Tekken, Final Fantasy, Mario, Sonic, Zelda, Pokemon, Professor Layton, Resident Evil and many more franchises have come from Japanese shores and experienced impressive sales figures since their inception. They each carry those distinct Japanese gaming qualities that are often replicated but rarely bettered.

Loved by gaming audiences the world over, they show that Japanese-developed titles have and still do cater for a world audience to the same degree as successful titles such as Call of Duty, Uncharted, GTA4 and their ilk. There are also several examples of titles that hold their Japanese identity after localisation has taken place such as Persona 3 & 4, Star Ocean: The Last Hope and the Ryu ga Gotoku series of titles.

It will be interesting to observe 2011 and the next few years ahead to see whether the Japanese games market will persevere with offering more Western-themed titles or whether stalwarts of the industry for years to date such as Mario, Sonic and Zelda will continue to be appreciated by audiences worldwide from the land of the rising sun.

What do you think of Japanese developers crafting and releasing Western-themed titles? And do you still think the Japanese market holds its own when it comes to releasing fresh titles that hold that distinct Japanese flavour? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

One last little opinion piece

2010-12-31T16:38:00.000Z

So 2010 is coming to a close and we will be ushering in 2011 soon enough. New Year's Eve is upon us and New Year's Day is but a short time away. Hopefully the new year will bring with it a selection of interesting titles, innovations, positive surprises and not too many pitfalls (although they will inevitably happen along the way as well).

All the best to everyone from January onwards. Don't get too down about the VAT increase, other things and changes coming our way next year. Rolling through it is the human way to deal with it after all (something I need to learn more about and will undoubtedly experience more of in the next few years).

See you in 2011!

An early Happy New Year to one and all

2010-12-31T16:09:00.000Z

As the title says. Make sure you enjoy it if you are able.

Sending love from York.

Games in the news – why are games still getting so much heat?

2010-12-31T15:42:00.000Z

OPINION

It seems like a bizarre concept in the modern day. And yet, games as a medium still receive lots of heat when it comes to mainstream media coverage. The attention gathered through debate programmes, one-off special edition shows and newspapers seems not to be much different from the situation 4-5 years ago when the likes of GTA, Bully, Manhunt or pretty much any Rockstar game would receive coverage from tabloids, broadsheets and TV alike in great measure. Of course, one has to consider the agendas of newspapers providing such coverage on titles that are usually renowned multi-million sellers within the first few weeks of release.

A good example to draw upon would be the recent Panorama special, aired on BBC One that cared to highlight the reality and dangers of gaming addiction. The 30-minute special covered players of titles such as World of Warcraft through to the likes of popular modern day console titles as well as the levels of addiction attributed to MMORPGs (massive multiplayer online roleplaying games for the uninitiated) in countries such as Korea (renowned for having some of the best quality broadband internet connections that side of the world).

The producers of the special would have their own agenda when it came to presenting the points they want to make in the programme, otherwise what would be the point in creating the documentary in the first place? Watchers could also take away from the programme what they feel are the key messages presented within, based on the knowledge that they themselves hold to construct a rounded understanding of whether there are underlying issues inherent within gaming addiction or whether it is a cause of habit, much like other daily habits that people conduct in work, socialising and other areas of their lives.

Another example of media taking an axe to the medium was on the Alan Titchmarsh Show which aired a few months back. Although early afternoon shows such as Titchmarsh's cater for a particular audience, it is useful to remember the scenario at the time. Present were Titchmarsh, actress Julie Peasgood, the former editor of the Sun, Kelvin MacKenzie and editor of online games website CVG, Tim Ingham.

The points made in the section were as clear as day. Although it wanted to explore if violent videogames were to blame for cases of violent behaviour in children and teens, how could a fair and balanced argument be presented when Tim Ingham was the only one on the panel presenting the stance that officially released titles in the UK on all formats carry age ratings by the BBFC (British Board of Film and Classification)? Mackenzie was more understanding of the matter, explaining that he could not truly judge as to whether said games were solely responsible for inducing violent behaviour in young individuals in each case. He did acknowledge, however, that it was a matter requiring further research to see if there was any substantial validity regarding the connection.

It was somewhat unfortunate, and maybe expected, that Julie Peasgood ignited the fires of sensationalism in the audience by launching full throttle into how the examples she raised of violent titles were definitely responsible for cases of violent behaviour in young children. It should be noted that Peasgood provided a voiceover for a violent video game titled Martian Gothic: Unification back in 2000.

Titchmarsh tried to represent the middle ground but through a few MacGuffins over names of titles such as Call of Duty and the nature of their gameplay, it appeared that he was paying as much attention to information being fed through his earpiece as he was the debate at hand. Can we truly blame a mid-afternoon programme on ITV for wanting to present such a debate in five minutes when in all honesty the matter is more complex than what can be covered in an amount of time you can count on one hand? It would be nice to see a section on the same show someday presenting a positive example of how games have contributed to UK youth's education and development.

A good and slightly whimsical example as a counterpoint might be Charlie Brooker's Gameswipe, a BBC One programme which deals with the medium in a swift but caring fashion, Brooker himself a gamer and not ashamed to talk about it. To take a quote from the man himself on his Twitter page back in March,

"Which is less civilised? Some gunplay in pixel-land, or an unfair one-sided censorship debate before a mooing audience in reality?"

Looking away from wider media, a wise mind and pair of eyes only has to check the sales figures for Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Kinect and the Playstation Move as examples of high-selling gaming devices with alternate methods of control and interaction. The Wii Fit balance board and the means of controlling Kinect are great examples of how gaming can have a positive impact in the home, allowing users to keep healthy if used correctly or demonstrate their worst attempt at replicating the dance routines in Dance Central. The Playstation Move shows through compatible titles released since launch how they attempt to bring families together, play party games and rip each other apart when the mum of the family bests her son or daughter on Start the Party.

Surely if games didn't receive this wider recognition and appreciation from the general public and were only a single-player experience, would the mainstream media still be taking such bold steps to prove that games are detrimental to the development of individuals as they grow up, mature, achieve successes and make mistakes like anyone doing anything in their life will do (life is, after all, only perfect with all of its imperfections brought into the equation. Anyone who's watched The Animatrix, for example, can testify that the idea of a 'perfect world' would only bring boredom to the human race in the long run. Or read up on Thomas Edison sometime to see what 'dedication' stands for).

One last point should be considered here. Gaming addiction aside, how much of any existing addiction can be branded 'addiction' and when is it merely a habit that an individual has chosen to adopt and carry out every day, suiting them and bringing them happiness in some form or other? It could be put simply that eating, drinking, smoking, working, watching TV, writing, reading, computer work, cleaning, opening doors and filing are 'addictions' if done regularly enough. They could also equally be referred to as habits as they are carried out frequently, sometimes necessarily, for humans to keep on living.

It is important to remember, like daily activity, that we all place labels on things around us in life to make sense of them and function in society, whether that be as a role model to others, a follower of said role models, a trendsetter, an extrovert, an invert, sociopath or maybe something else unexpected altogether. Let's just try to remember (like I should try to as well) to carry out the important things regularly and fit the 'enjoyable' ones around those where we can, media sensationalism or not.

What do you make of mainstream media's continued interest, and sometimes controversial coverage of games and their influence on youth in the UK? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments section below.

Bye-bye disc, hello digital? How long before the physical disc becomes obsolete?

2010-12-31T14:56:00.000Z

Probably one of my last updates before the end of the year, a little opinion piece that will hopefully stimulate some feedback and conversation. Beyond that, expect a Happy New Year greeting come the time.

Opinion

Although not a new phenomenon, games being released in digital format is steadily increasing with the introduction of services such as Xbox Live and PSN. Being able to purchase titles for the Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network services means that players the world over have received easy access to several indie and officially released titles over the last couple of years, allowing them to play said titles from their hard drives or in the case of PSN, transfer it over to their PSP for play on the go. Does this mean however the death knell for disc-based titles?

From the sounds of what CEO of Take-Two Interactive Strauss Zelnick has said, disc-based titles aren't expected to go anywhere, anytime soon. He sees the medium as a vital asset to the company's business model, allowing them to continue generating consistent profit whilst allowing fans to keep a hard copy of the title in their possession. However, the likes of indie developers such as Hello Games and even large publishers such as Rockstar and SEGA show that digital downloads are becoming more popular than ever, especially given the recent financial climate. The ability for them to publish titles in a format that can cut down on production costs of manuals and cases is an important consideration from a business point of view. It also allows the company to maximise profits from the sale of their games via a download-only based service.

Reading an article on Forbes.com today by columnist Paul Tassi, he predicts that by 2020 physical game media will be gone, digital downloads will take over and stores such as Gamestop and Best Buy will disappear or be non-existent. Users will have accounts that will allow them to access their purchased titles, meaning less worries about a hard drive being wiped. Tassi is probably reflecting on the current situation when casting his predictions on the future of gaming. However, the next ten years will be a good measure of how accurate or not his forecast ends up being when it comes to the games market.

We should also consider how the pre-owned market has affected disc-based sales of titles over the last couple of years. A major bone of contention between publishers and retailers, it can not be denied that they have impacted on the sale of newly-released titles as the economic recession has hit. Although retailers would justify that pre-owned sales are necessary for them to remain competitive in business in general, publishers frown heavily on the pre-owned market, seeing it heavily as A) impacting on new sales, and B) the retailers making profit on previously sold titles.

The argument could be posed that pre-owned sales stimulate interest in future titles from these publishers. Another argument could be that no such approach is taken towards pre-owned sales of CDs, DVDs, books and furniture. Moreover some game titles hold little to no value when they are traded and resold, meaning retailers hold more stock than required when it comes to games on shelves. However, the publishers aren't ones to sit idly by; creating an interesting situation as they need to maintain the work relationship with the large retail chains but have this ongoing issue that creates a continually challenging business situation.

Do you think disc-based titles will be around for some time yet? Or do you see digital downloads of titles taking over completely from physical-based media entirely in the next ten years? Any thoughts, feel free to throw them in the Comments section below.

GAMES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2011

2010-12-27T01:01:00.000Z

I'm going to make this update brief as it's late in the day and my brother's being hospitable to me as of late. As the title suggests, what follows is a short list of titles I'm looking forward to in 2011. Read on to see what gets me hot under the collar in regards to upcoming releases for what will hopefully be an uplifting year.

Dead Space 2

Following on from ship engineer and protagonist Isaac's main horror outing on the vessel The Ishimura in the first Dead Space, the sequel will see our determined survivor traverse a dig site referred to as The Sprawl, playing home to several necromorphs (the undead menaces in the game) and no doubt new dangers and challenges to endure.

Added features include increased manoeuvrability, a new weapon referred to as a Javelin Gun and the ability to use jet boosters on Isaac's suit to allow him to fly around in anti-gravity. Expect lots of scares, shock value and maybe some twists when Dead Space 2 hits near the end of January 2011.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3

It has been 10 years since the last instalment in the franchise and with unofficial reports of this coming to next gen machines for a while, it was only a matter of time before Capcom made a formal announcement that that latest in the franchise was in the pipeline. This time around players will be graced with cell-shaded 3D over traditional 2D, leaving long-term fans slightly perturbed by the added dimension. However, trailers of the title show the game looking amazingly pretty and stylish in equal measure.

Capcom will not disappoint with the gameplay portion of the game seeing teams of 3 returning, assists, specials, supers, max supers and so on coming around again. Making a return will be the ability to switch characters between supers and changing characters mid-air combo seems like a welcome addition to the franchise.

Old faces Ryu, Chun-Li, Iron Man and Wolverine will be returning to the fray. Joining them will be new faces of the likes of DMC's Dante, SSFIV's Crimson Viper and Biohazard's Wesker together with Marvel's rebellious teen with claws X-23, multi-ability user Super Skrull and omnipotent dark lord Dormammu. The game's looking better with each trailer released and one can only hope MvC3 will keep players warm when it is released near Valentine's Day in mid-February.

Valkyria Chronicles 3

Fans of the franchise were initially upset that their favourite franchise was being taken from the PS3 to its smaller brother, the PSP. One sequel later and we arrive at the third in franchise, looking better than ever and no doubt due to the development team getting used to the portable's hardware.

This time around tells the story of rogue unit Nameless in the game's fictional continent of Galia. Players will get to grips with disgraced former elite soldier Kurt Irving, battlefield survivor and descendant of the Valkyria Riela Marcellis and vengeful Darcsen (the in-game minority), Imuka.

Protagonists take the form of Imperial army faction Calamity Raven who the Nameless unit will cross paths with throughout the game. Old systems from VC1/VC2 make a return, as does the game's graphical style. New to this instalment are Special Points that will initiate character-specific abilities and perks. The demo of the game looks and plays well so hopefully the finished product will live up to high expectations.

Yakuza 4

I'm aware this has been released in Japan already but Western fans are having to sit pretty until April next year. Joining Kazuma this time around will be former homeless man-turned money loaner Shun Akiyama, vengeful police detective Masayoshi Tanimura and former-imprisoned gangster Taiga Saejima. The play area has been expanded, allowing players to roam the rooftops of Kamuro-cho.

Players will also be able to roam the game's back streets (called the Rojiura) and the game's underground which encompasses Kamuro-cho's sewers, parking lot and various shopping arcades. Separate sections of the game will see fans take control of each of the 4 main characters, each harnessing their own fighting styles, before they are brought together to intertwine their stories into one. Be sure to check the game out when it is released with the emergence of Springtime next year.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

Covered somewhat in this blog already, the next in the Uncharted franchise was announced approximately a week ago to much internet furor. This time around players will see the treasure-hunting Nathan Drake venture across the Ru'bah Khali desert in search of another lucrative treasure.

Joining him will be series' favourite Victor Sullivan (Sully to his fans) together with equal measures of shooting, traversing, automatic weapon pickups, fighting multiple enemies at once and hopefully some exhilarating original set pieces to boot. The game is due in November next year and should shape up to be as worthwhile an entry in the franchise as the previous two entries to date. Let's hope Drake keeps his sharp wit and acerbic tongue whilst he's at it.

Other gaming highlights of 2011 I am looking forward to include Batman: Arkham City, Devil's Third, Duke Nukem Forever, Gears of War 3, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus: The Collection, The Last Guardian and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Let's hope that 2011 proves to be a good year for game releases and also a few (positive) surprises along the way.

All the best for 2011 and let me know what you think of what's in store for gaming next year, or what you would like to see, in the Comments section below.

What happened to local multiplayer?

2010-12-24T12:18:00.000Z

OPINION

Something came into my head recently. No, not what day of the week it was or what I'm going to have for dinner. The idea that came to me recently was, what happened to local multiplayer? Anyone remember the days where playing multiplayer meant going around to your friend's place, picking up a controller and giving something like Street Fighter or FIFA a thorough playing for an hour or two?

Call it an old-fashioned way of looking at things but with high-speed broadband connections, friends in far-reaching places of the world and online multiplayer included in titles such as Call of Duty, Uncharted 2, Gears of War and their brethren, the idea of sharing the same screen and complaining that your avatar is too small for your eyes to comprehend appear to be slowly becoming a thing of the past (at least as far as the more powerful machines on the market appear to be concerned).

The Wii, however, does seem to hold up a valiant candle against onliine-only multiplayer with titles such as Wii Sports, Wii Play, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Mario Kart Wii showing that you can still have fun with friends and a Wiimote or two.

Let's not forget the wireless ad-hoc play offered by portable machines such as the DS and PSP (remember those?) Although admittedly not as popular in the West as its native Japan, ad-hoc play on games such as Monster Hunter prove popular for PSP fans, allowing up to four players at once and collaborative monster-hunting a plenty.

That, or competing on Mario Kart with other DS owners in order to take the top spot is firm reassurance that local multiplayer still has a beating heart. It may just have to remain on an internet-free portable device to be the case.

What are your thoughts on local and online multiplayer in the modern day? And do you enjoy playing with other people or prefer to play solo when it comes to your gaming time? Any thoughts, feel free to post them down below.

3DS press conference to be held in New York in mid-January

2010-12-21T22:31:00.000Z

So Nintendo of America has announced that it will hold a press conference in New York for the upcoming Nintendo 3DS on January 19^th 2011. Press invites have been sent out to the relevant outlets and excitement is building as to what details will be revealed regarding the new 3D portable games machine.

We can hope that a firm price and release date is given as the release of the machine in the West is scheduled for sometime in March next year. It is somewhat surprising that Nintendo has not provided these details already though given that the release of the machine is only about three months away. Those eager to play the device are yet to get hands-on with the machine with only those lucky enough to attend E3 (press or otherwise) having had some playtime with the machine and being able to pass their impressions on via word of mouth, magazine coverage or online blogging.

There is no better way to find if a machine will find favour with the general public than to give them some hands-on time with a selection of the titles that will be released with the 3DS at launch. Knowing Nintendo's track record I am confident this is something they do not need to be shy about, nor do they need to make drastic changes to the device if feedback is overly negative.

Can I also submit a personal request and hope for a 3DS version of Advanced Wars whilst we're at it?

What are you hoping to hear when the Nintendo press conference for the 3DS is held on January 19^th in New York? And would you like to get some hands-on playtime with the device prior to release if given the opportunity? Any thoughts or contributions you have on the matter, feel free to post them in the Comments section on this here blog.

What will the VAT increase mean for games retail?

2010-12-21T22:27:00.000Z

OPINION

Hey there Patrick, you're late to the forum aren't you? We were discussing this ever since the increase in VAT got announced...

Okay, okay. I realise that this is not an entirely new issue but I thought I'd write up a short piece as several retailers and indies have made their voices heard regarding the matter and I figured I would contribute my opinion on the impending situation.

So, we all know (with some trepidation) that on January 4^th next year the VAT rate is being increased by 2.5% to 20%. This will be spread across everything in the UK and with pending cuts also announced by the government, morale is down and people are on the defensive as they save in order to prepare for the worst case scenario for the upcoming year. But enough about what every breathing person in the UK knows already. What we need to consider are the knock-on effects of the VAT increase.

Distributors are passing on the increased cost price to retailers, meaning that their profit margins will be narrowed even more so than before come next year unless they are willing to increase the RRPs they regularly sell games at. Given the already fierce competition the high street faces from online retail it is understandable why they are reluctant to do so. However, successful businesses need to be able to make money, and if possible, profit. If it sounds like retailers' backs are against the wall, well just look at the quarterly and yearly financials for 09/10 for companies such as GAME and HMV. Those companies' profits are not on the up recently, that's for sure.

If the current situation with major retailers is a tough one, what of that with indie stores? Perhaps at the top of indie chains pyramid is high-street retailer Grainger Games who despite the current climate has expanded its store count and its retail presence. Another retailer, CEX, seems to be surviving in the current volatile climate although whether it is generating profit or breaking even remains to be seen. Many other indie stores and chains are having to fight for what they can get and it is understandable that they are feeling marginalised with the VAT increase. Unlike larger retailers, chain stores or supermarkets, they can't afford to sell at a loss lest they don't have the funds to keep the shop and the business running, let alone retain and maintain customer loyalty.

It has been interesting to observe internet commenters who have voiced their opinions o the matter. It is easy enough for them to say on forums and Comments sections “If you can't make it work, pack up shop and get down the Job Centre like everyone else.” To some people, the continuation of the business is as important as healthy maintenance of the family unit or relationships with friends. A greater understanding of why retailers and indies are highly concerned about the VAT increase is essential to having a more rounded and well-informed view of the current and situation and the next 12 months.

There is also the argument that retailers didn't pass on any of the profits made whilst the VAT rate was reduced to 15% back in 2009. Again, it is necessary to understand the key reasons as to why this was done (mainly to encourage and increase consumer spending together with helping companies return to profit). If the argument being presented is that retailers kept the profits for themselves, well they are businesses after all! It should also be remembered that this was enforced in a period of ongoing economic downturn and decline as well. It is hard to see this argument stand up when the reality around us everyday suggests otherwise.

What are your opinions on the upcoming VAT increase an how it will affect games retail, online an offline? And do you make your game purchases online only or split them between the internet and the high street? Finally, how would you react if game RRPs were increased? Any thoughts, feel free to post them in the Comments down below.

Uncharted 3 announcement impressions

2010-12-19T12:21:00.001Z

Sorry for the delay in updating. Experienced some problems with logging into Blogger this week.

So, the trailer for the inevitable 3rd in the Uncharted franchise was unveiled earlier this week, confirming that yes, Drake will return and yes, there will be some desert adventuring to be had for our death-defying and daring adventure.

Although the trailer is only brief at 1:30 mins it shows Drake in an arid desert, the wreckage of a crashed freight plane a short distance behind him. He narrates over the top as the trailer plays out, plucking an automatic rifle from a deceased soldier's hand buried deep in the sand. He then walks to the top of a sand dune; surveying the area before declaring “I did this”, possibly suggesting some form of tie-in with the game's subtitle, Drake's Deception.

The trailer then cuts out to fan-favourite Victor Sullivan (Sully to his fanbase) who emerges from the shadows, trademark cigar in hand, asking (on behalf of the viewing audience no doubt) “What the Hell does it all mean in English?”

Drake responds, saying “Be careful what you wish for. It might just get you!”. The trailer then cuts back to our intrepid adventurer still surveying the desert, before the trailer cuts away to small snippets of gameplay we can expect in the upcoming game, followed by the Uncharted 3 logo burning into vision and finally a US release date of November 11th 2010 (let's not confuse things by using the American date format now).

You can either check the trailer out down below or if you have PS3 access you can download it from PSN in both SD and HD formats. All I can say right now is “Bring next November on Sony and Naughty Dog!”

Oh yeah, Merry Christmas and thank you kindly to my followers. Love you all!

As ever, feel free to post any thoughts you have about the trailer and your anticipation for Uncharted 3 in the Comments section below.

Any potential for a fourth competitor in the games market?

2010-12-19T11:51:00.000Z

The last Saturday before Christmas, Hell has frozen over and the crazy shoppers invade the streets of Leeds once again to purchase their presents in a mad rush for a day that is meant to celebrate the birth of the Holy One. Instead we help inject the struggling economy with a nationwide bout of spending for a short time and retail hopes to gain every last penny and pound from it (I'm not being cynical in the slightest, honest).

So a Merry Christmas to all and please, on Christmas Day, just stay home and put your feet up. Leeds can be quiet for one Saturday of the year for a change, can't it? (So much for wishful thinking...)

Moving on, I'm aware this is not the first time the subject has been raised on the matter but I thought I'd write something to try and stimulate some conversation (and possibly debate) about whether a fourth major competitor could, and should, enter the existing highly, highly competitive games market.

OPINION

Roll back the years by twenty or so. Who do you remember being the main competitors in the video games market? No, not every single one. The main two?...

...That's right. Nintendo and SEGA. For years they were the two major Japanese companies that went head-to-head, trying to outdo each other with some form of innovation present in their current console or handheld at the time, playing the one-up game against each other and aggressively so. The NES and Master System, the SNES and Megadrive as well as (although not directly comparable in terms of power) the N64 and Saturn and the Gamecube and Dreamcast. For many years gamers knew nothing else and that was the way it was until Sony and Microsoft came into the market and since then it has (and will never be) the same again.

Flash forward again to the modern day and what do we have? The market is definitely in an interesting state at the moment to say the least. Nintendo seem to have gone the way of Apple and made its hardware, the Wii and DS (and some of its software) accessible to people from all walks of life; from kids to adults to eighty year-old grans who can kick your arse on Wii Sports.

Sony did lose some ground with the launch and slow uptake of the Playstation 3 upon release but has in recent times experienced steady growth and renewed faith among players in difficult market conditions. The partial surprise (or maybe not so much if you break it down) is Microsoft gaining popularity and many an online gamer with the Xbox 360. Although the machine still experiences difficulty selling in territories such as Japan, one only has to remember the immense size and wealth of the Microsoft company to realise that it very much is a company where its money (and game exclusives) certainly talks.

Let's not delude ourselves here. Each of the existing major competitors in the current games market have fought hard and taken their own approaches to gaining, maintaining and increasing market share in a notoriously competitive and difficult industry. Let's also realise that out of the three main competitors, one is a multinational electronics manufacturer and the other the biggest provider of PC operating systems and software around the world. Where possibly could there be the space for a fourth competitor among the big boys then?

Think of Apple's popularity in recent years. Formerly a provider of Mac computers and laptops (Macbooks) to advocates of their brand over regular PCs, they are renowned for their ease of use, editing, creating, designing and all around reliability. They see the rise in popularity of MP3 players and decide to make the market their own with the iPod. “What's the big deal though? It's just another MP3 player!” I can remember friends of mine saying at the time. And yet now the iPod is as synonymous with the MP3 player as Hoover is with vacuum cleaners.

Since then we've had the iPhone, its variants and most recently the iPad. Although Apple's devices are typically expensive compared with other alternatives on the market, their reliability, usefulness and brand image have assured their increasing popularity and advocation by consumers the world over. Moreover, how many independent developers have released titles for the iPhone/iPad in the hopes of making the next hit title on a meagre budget (such as Canabalt or Angry Birds) for a maximum return in revenue? Furthermore, how many of the general public who own some form of Apple product would prefer to buy a game for 50p-£1 and play for 5-10 minutes a day rather than spend anything up to £40-£50 and dedicate hours to a newly purchased title in order to feel their purchase was worth it? Just go ask the owners of iPhones/iPads and you'll quickly find out.

It would be foolish to forget another potential contender for fourth place among the industry big hitters. Who would have thought that Google would one day supercede Yahoo as the most popular internet search engine? And yet here we are, commonly using Google for many of our day-to-day internet searching needs (if you want to contest that claim you can Google it, of course). Not only successful with search engines, Google has developed an easy to use and speedy web browser with Google Chrome, allowed online users to edit and share documents via Google Docs and has made its search engine and other software available on numerous mobile phones such as HTC-brand models and the android series of handsets.

Besides the current mood in the games market, the majority of the world enduring an economic recession and the possibility of a double-dip occurring next year (think a repeat of the economy's worst in 2009), are there any other major reasons why one of the most successful companies on the planet that is experiencing continual growth should not get its hands further into the gaming market?

It maybe is not so much a question of can Google do so or not but in what way can they enter the market, and more importantly, how can it sustain its presence once it has claimed its place alongside the existing competition? Anyone in their right mind knows in the current climate that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft do not want either Apple, Google or some unexpected contender to be getting a slice of their games market pie if they can help it, ever.

Do you want there to be a fourth competitor in the games market? And do you think there is even any space for another company to have a reasonable market share alongside the main three of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft? Any thoughts, go ahead and record them in the Comments section below.

VANQUISH REVIEW

2010-12-13T20:30:00.000Z

The far future. An era which mankind looks towards in equal measures of hope and trepidation. A future that could hold for him the potential to either rise to the stars or fall into the depths of hell. Had anyone thought the future would instead bring grown men in bio-suits attempting to kick seven shades of good stuff out of their enemies, sliding around on rocket-boosting knees and catching a cheeky smoke, well, it's either highly coincidental or they have been spending time with the latest 3rd-person shooter to come from developer Platinum Games, Vanquish.

The game's opening cinematic shows a world encountering infection, on the brink of destruction. Enter Sam Gideon, the main protagonist in Vanquish, donning a bio-suit (referred to as the Augmented Reactor Suit (ARS)) provided to him by the game's expert scientist, Francois Candide. And its not just any suit. It allows Sam to boost forward, speeding along courtesy of the suit's in-built jets, allowing the player to avoid enemy fire whilst shooting in style. Sam is a versatile sole, capable of highly accurate running and gunning, melee attacks, rolling out of harms way, and taking cover from enemy barrages. The player can also activate a timer on the suit, allowing them to bring the proceedings to a slow-mo pace and targetting enemy weak spots in order to inflict more damage.

Players have a standard assault rifle at their disposal or if they fancy, can switch to a machine gun, shotgun for heavier hitting power or grenades in regular and flash variants. They each have their own uses, be it for a steady barrage against the enemy waves or packing a greater punch against the game's heaving bosses. Store boxes can be kicked to reveal weapon power ups and refills, explosive barrels can be shot to create havoc to various degrees or gun turrets and walkers can be manned in order to apply some 28. calibre pressure on the player's nemesis.

It provides the player with an interesting array of options to use in battle, kicking arse and taking names. The game's main campaign, roughly a six-hour stretch (with the selectable difficulties of Casual, Normal, Hard and Casual Auto for beginners) will take the player through a riveting ride of action, gunfighting and machoism with the characters mostly gruff (in-game American war hero Robert Burns literally takes it home), manly and no doubt influenced by its Epic produced cousin, Gears of War. Leaderboards are also present, allowing players to update their stage clear times in aiming for the top spot. A tutorial mode is also on hand lest players forget the game's controls, needing assistance with targetting, slo-mo and so forth.

Vanquish's world is both detailed and varied. From Sam's bio suit and his comrades to the game's huge bosses, robots, technology, environments and battleships, they possess a polish and sheen that carries Platinum Games' stamp of quality established in their former titles (lollipop-sucking witch anyone?) Sam can even grab a smoke in the heat of battle, a pleasant reminder that there can be donwtime even in crisis.

Although not groundbreaking in its genre, Vanquish is a worthy entry in today's 3rd-person shooter market, presenting an interesting run and gun with Platinum Game's own spin and flavour plastered all over it.

The game's duration works for it rather than against, sits highly within its genre and will appeal to 3^rd person shooter fans and those who want to forever improve their stage record (and look pretty stylish whilst doing so).

8/10

When Western-style Japanese games can be good

EXTRA EXTRA! Here's the game's intro, courtesy of Youtube. Check it out...

Managing your games time

2010-12-12T11:40:00.000Z

OPINION

Play for 30 minutes, play for 30 hours, play for 30 days. The degree of time an individual will spend playing games varies based on their choices, commitments and wants. How does an individual manage their time in the unpredictable, challenging and current humdrum of life, the recession and all of the challenges it brings?

Let's cast a brief overview at the choices. Depending on what you believe, you can choose how to act and react in any given situation. Theoretically therefore you can choose to play a game for a matter of mere minutes before you switch it off, like an iPhone game, and call it a day, right?

And yet, when a game is truly absorbing and captivating it hardly ever seems like that is the case. Whether you consciously or subconsciously carry on playing for prolonged periods in lieu of other responsibilities.

But suggesting only this would seem a little rash and ill-informed. For those choices to have an impact, we have to consider an individual's commitments. Generally speaking, a child's commitment is mostly towards their parents and friends, granting them more free roam for gaming time and indulgence.

Becoming teens, they gain the increased capacity for decision-making and responsibility in their life, splitting their gaming time between life, school, romance and other important obligations. Moving into adulthood, commitment to work, family and friends challenge the length of play time individuals can commit to (sometimes if any at all).

Of course, it comes down as much to our self-control as it does the game's ability to keep the player sucked in for prolonged periods of time. There has to be a point where we can put down the controller and say "I'm done", even if we have to say it out aloud to stop ourselves.

How long do you think is reasonable amount of time to play games for on a weekly, or even monthly basis? Feel free to post any thoughts in the comments section below.

BLAZBLUE: CONTINUUM SHIFT REVIEW

2010-12-11T23:11:00.000Z

Rebel one, action! Hearing those words, players will know they are in for a clash of weapons and wits as they pick up the controls and join the fray. Its time for another round of fisticuffs with the cast of one of the prettiest looking HD fighters released yet from Japanese developer Arc System Works in recent memory. Only this time around, its married not with the suffix of Calamity Trigger but the smoothly sounding Continuum Shift.

As much an update as a semi-sequel to the first game's release, players will see all of the previous BB's cast return for another round of brawling together with a handful of new (albeit present in BB's overall story) characters that add some extra and much needed flavour to the existing roster of pugilists such as Ragna the Bloodedge and Noel Vemillion.

Joining the cast is the dapperly dressed, snake-eyed knife-wielding lieutenant of the game's Holy Order of Knights, Hazama. The remaining newcomer to BB:CS is his fellow female knight who could easily be mistaken for a Japanese magical girl, Tsubaki. They bring their own independent flavour to the mix and with the unlockable boss, M-12 and optional DLC characters already available for download (Rachel's lychanthropic butler Valkenhein and tonfa wielding squirrel girl of the Holy Order, Makoto) it provides for even more interesting match-ups between seasoned fighting fans.

Controls carry over from BB: Calamity Trigger with attacks, throws, specials, supers, Astral Finishers and the Drive button which activates a character-specific skill such as Ragna's energy draining attacks, Noel's gun kata or Hazama's chain-like whip, Uroboros. Also making a return is the Burst ability which can break you out of an enemy's assault in the middle of a pinch and the knockdown correct which allows your player to spring right back into the action. The combo system carries on in the same vein with chains being the order of the day, finishing off with your move of choice. It all adds up to make for some interesting matches as high-level Arakune players decimate suped-up Bang Shishigami practitioners with their combinations an curses.

This time around fans and newcomers alike will find four new modes at their disposal (Challenge, Legion, Score Attack and ) in addition to the regular Arcade, Versus, Training and Network modes on offer (not to forget the Replay Theater on hand to record the best matches). They carry a lot of bang for your buck with a variety of options on offer, providing hefty playtime for dedicated fans.

Continuum Shift looks as crisp and sharp as ever in HD with characters and backgrounds intricately detailed, plentiful and neither in short supply. The soundtrack is as rambunctious as ever with many a pumping rock track on hand, from Ragna's familiar theme Rebellion through to Hazama's piano and guitar combo melody, Gluttony Fang.

Network Play is robust, allowing players to create rooms and invite up to five additional opponents to join and face off against each other, altering match parameters to allow for use or suspension of Astral Finishers, Supers and so forth. Fights fly in quick succession, their duration seemingly brief but thrilling and substantial in execution. Replays can also be saved through this mode, allowing players to rewatch some of their favourite fights at their leisure.

Continuum Shift is a worthy update to its predecessor, a refreshing spin on the franchise and genre that feels as tight and refined in its presentation as it is in its combat and execution. For seasoned fighting fans or even newcomers to the fighter, this could be one of Arc System Works' finest offerings for the genre to date.

8/10

Keep Continuum-ing on please ASW!

VALKYRIA CHRONICLES 3 DEMO REVIEW

2010-12-01T20:25:00.000Z

Previously thought to be a one-off treat for Playstation 3 owners that fused the genres of third-person shooting and strategy into a unique blend of a game, Valkyria Chronicles brought to the medium a highly original, valuable and memorable gameplay experience for many. That the series' subsequent outings changed their format from the PS3 to its' portable brother, the PSP, caused many of the title's fans to be disheartened as they saw their beloved franchise become downsized.

The main trio in Valkyria Chronicles 3

Thankfully, little was lost in the transition as VC2 retained the quality gameplay of its predecessor whilst adding interesting tweaks and changes to the formula. Now we find ourselves with the demo of the 3rd in the franchise, proving that the Valkyria Chronicles series hasn't died a death on the PSP after all and that there is plenty more still to be offered in the world of Gallia with Valkyria Chronicles 3.

The demo sees players take control of a variety of squad members in the unit referred to in the game as Nameless and includes the main protagonist who was exiled from his previous squad, Kurt Irving. Joining him is a young woman with valkyria powers flowing through her body courtesy of her bloodline and carrying the nickname of shinigami (meaning Death in Japanese) on the battlefield due to her being the last surviving member of her former squad, Riela Marcellis. Finishing the main trio in VC3 is a Darcsen who is out for revenge due to her parents being murdered by a member of the Valkyrie race, Imuka.

These three take the lead in the squad that is made up of various other castaways who joined Nameless' ranks along the way as they face off against an opposing Imperial Army faction named Calamity Raven in the fictional continent of Europa (the game's take on Europe).

Nameless Squad member #7, Kurt Irving

Nameless Squad member #13, Riela Marcellis

Nameless Squad member #1, Imuka

Players will get to experience two missions which will firstly see them fight off a huge tank attacking a floral village reminiscent of those found in The Netherlands. The second mission has players guide their own squad members and tank through a battlefield littered with bunkers armed with cannons, enemy soldiers and lancers to reach and seize the enemy's main outpost.

The game's control method carries over from that of its predecessors with characters given a set amount of movement to manouver into a suitable position, take aim on the enemy and either attempt to get a good head shot or two in, strike the opponent's body, throw a grenade their way or use some ragnaid for healing purposes. Ambitious players may choose the lancer class out of those available (this time around there are seven classes to choose from) and attempt to take an enemy tank or gun turret out in one fell swoop.

Nameless squad's Imuka in action

So far, so familiar ground. Where the battles in VC3 spice up, however, is in the character-specific potentials that are included this time around, referred to in the game as the SP system. These take one turn each from the player's existing stock when they are in their Action Phase (your turn in the game) and provide individual characters with bonuses such as Kurt's Direct Command which allows him to pick up two allies and bring them along with him to provide extra firepower in an assault.

Riela's Valkyria mode provides her with temporary invincibility together with the ability to use the trademark sword and shield of the titular Valkerie race to inflict a killer blow on the enemy whilst Imuka's Open Fire sees her laser sword target several enemies at once to inflict a multi-hitting blast on the opposition. They help spice the battle up and allow players to turn the tide in the event the current fight is not going according to plan.

Riela using her SP move, Valkyria

The game's story so far appears to focus on the conflict between the Nameless squad and Calamity Raven although if the previous games are anything to go by then another force will come into play later in the game that will assist in mixing things up even more (cameos of popular characters from VC1 & VC2 are reported to appear in this latest instalment in the franchise).

Going by the content of the demo, it looks like the VC series is due to experience a promising future with the release of Valkyria Chronicles 3in Japan in January 2011 and a Western release hopefully not too far behind.

The demo comes highly recommended for ardent Valkyria Chronicles fans or those who like a strategy game on their PSP with charm and energy in abundance. I can say with certainty that VC3 could be the proudest ride of the valkyries yet.

Thought you'd like to meet Catherine

2010-11-24T23:28:00.000Z

Persona and Shin Megami Tensei franchise developer Atlus, in their efforts to continue bringing gamers titles with an interesting and alternative slant, are currently developing a title with an unabashed ero feel to the proceedings. One that goes by the very suitable and sublime name of Cateherine.

Why should you be interested in this game? Well, not only is it Atlus' first HD title but it also deals with the concept of the game's main character, Vincent, having nightmares that feel far to real to be merely in his mind. So real, in fact, that those who experience them and die in said nightmares find that this overlaps into real life with several males in their 20s and 30s dying in the real world too.

The game's main protagonist, Vincent

The game sees the player follow Vincent as he meets an attractive young woman with blonde hair in pigtails, a white dress and a very erotically playful nature named Catherine.

The lady on the right (not the dude), is Catherine

Although Vincent is in a relationship with a women carrying a very similar name who works as a mid management level employee in apparel, Katherine, he is lured by Catherine's charms and before he knows it ends waking up in bed with the young temptress after a one night stand.

The game appears to stay true to the tone and mood of previous Atlus titles and hopefully will not disappoint. The game is due for release on the Xbox 360 and PS3 in Japan on February 17th 2010. Will a Western release follow? With the abundance of Atlus fans in the USA and Europe, we can only hope it is a matter of time before Catherine tries to lure us into her aura of attraction.

You can view the trailer of Catherine down below. Make of it what you will.

You can check the official website out for the game HERE.

Thanks, as ever, goes out to Andriasang.

Check back on the blog soon as I intend to do more updates on Catherine leading up to the game's release as it has peaked my interest in the last couple of months.

BUSY TIMES

2010-11-14T09:58:00.001Z

Forgive me for not updating the blog much recently but I've been attending a few interviews of late, have one in Manchester next week and obviously have to do what preparation I can in order to give my best at the interview.

I'll try and update in the next few days but until Wednesday it's all systems go. Don't let that put you off visiting all the same.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 boxart looks the business

2010-11-04T23:50:00.000Z

Just a very quick update tonight but a box shot of upcoming title Valkyria Chronicles 3 has popped up and looks very nice indeed. Check it out below and post any thoughts you have in the comments section.

Good night.

New SSFIV costumes video

2010-11-01T16:21:00.001Z

Hey there folks. I'm aware that I haven't updated the blog for quite a while but I've been A) mega busy and B) away in Basingstoke for this weekend. Still, better to update late than never.

Below you'll find a video for the first pack of costumes that have been made a available for Super Street Fighter IV which include new alternate costumes for Dudley, Makoto, Guy, Deejay and Hakan. Be sure to check them out below and feel free to leave any comments on what you think of them or what future costumes you'd like to see.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 character info. comes-a-fightin'

2010-10-08T19:58:00.000+01:00

New information has been revealed in Japanese games magaizine Famitsu recently that detail some of the characters from the game's squads, Nameless and Calamity Raven.

The game takes place in 1935, the same year as the first Valkyria Chronicles in the neutral nation of Galia. Players will command Gallian Army squad 422, referred to as the "Nameless" due to its members being referred to by number only.

The three main characters in the squad are Kurt Irving, an officer who graduated at the top of his class at the Lanseal Royal Military Academy but an unexplained event caused him to be redeployed to the Nameless squad. He endeavours to restore his former honour.

Joining him is Riela Marcellis, a descendant of the Valkyria who can wield the lance and shield those of Valkyria heritage are notorious for. She is referred to as the "god of death" as she was the sole survivor of her former squad due to her Valkyria powers and consequently sent to the Nameless squad.

We are also introduced to Imuka, a Darcsen who's village was wiped out by the Valkyria and is out for revenge. Although she is renowned for her ability in battle she is also known to ignore the orders of her superiors.

The squad leader of Nameless, Ramsey Kurou, is also detailed as an army man who feels no loyalty to hisupper ranks, enjoys alcohol and women but still has renowned ability as battle strategist.

Three of the commanding officers from the unit Calamity Raven, the Antagonists of the game, were also introduced. These include Dahau, the group's leader who desires to separate from the Darcsen race who were believed to have destroyed much of the game's re-imagining of Europe in the past.

He is joined by Lydia Agute who is an aide to Dahau but shows no loyalty towards her superior. She also appears to be observing Dahau and Calamity Raven, potentially becoming a double-crosser later in the game.

The final member of Calamity Raven to be introduced is Zig, a Darcsen who is an admirer of Dahau who is inexperienced but is valiant and has strong determination.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 is due for release in Japan in January 2011. Expect a Western release not too long after and keep on checking the blog for updates on the game leading up to its Japanes release.

A demo of the game should be available sometime in November and I hope to pick up a copy of the game when it comes out early next year. I'll write up some impressions when I've given it a decent amount of my time.

In the meantime, if you're desperate for a continuous Valkyria Chronicles 3 fix you could do no worse than check out the official Valkyria Chronicles 3 website.

Thanks Andriasang!

Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is looking interesting

2010-09-29T12:18:00.000+01:00

The newest trailer has been released for the upcoming 3DS version of Super Street Fighter IV and shows a couple of interesting features to be included in the title. Be sure to check out what's to be included in the game down below.

One Piece returns to readers, everyone is giddy

2010-09-28T23:59:00.000+01:00

Not normally what I post about but it's no secret among fans that I'm a big fan of the manga One Piece. It's also no secret that the manga went on a 4-week break recently, partly so the author could get some rest but also due to the story moving into its 2nd stage, often referred to as The New World (Shin Sekai for the dedicated folks).

The manga returns this week and spoilers have popped up around the internet. I wont go crazy here but you should be able to see below how the crew are looking after a 2-year break in the storyline:

Looking god Strawhat Pirates. Here's to the author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda giving us readers many more interesting stories, adventure, characters and fighting for the next few years to come.

Going to Basingstoke, gonna have a good time

2010-09-28T23:42:00.001+01:00

So I'm going to see a friend I haven't seen for a while in Basingstoke this weekend which should be fun as he tends to get a stack of game promos through the work that he does. May get to try out some of the newer releases first-hand and see if there is anything worth picking up in the next few months.

I might also be fortunate enough to go to Eurogamer Expo although I hear that tickets have already sold out for the event. Oh well, if I go I'll be sure to do a write-up on this here blog.

Will keep you posted.

More footage of Yun and Yang in SSFIV: Arcade Edition

2010-09-19T12:13:00.000+01:00

Loads of videos are emergingin showing footage of Yun and Yang in SSFIV: Arcade Edition. Check a couple out down below which show some of the tricks the twins will bring to the roster:

Someone please bring SSFIV: Arcade Edition to the UK!

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 inbound

2010-09-18T14:00:00.000+01:00

Man, looks like TGS is a treasure trove of reveals this year. Hottest news is that Namco Bandai is working on Tekken Tag Tournament 2 which will see a Japanese release in Autumn 2011. In the meantime, check out the promo video below:

Wesker and Spiderman join the MvC3 fray

2010-09-18T12:23:00.000+01:00

This is the last post today as I'm meant to be having a day off but its all part of the learning process.

Wesker from Resident Evil and everyone's favourite web-slinger Spiderman have been revealed at TGS this weekend. Now I can have my team 'leather trousers' after all.

Check out the video below and see for yourself:

SSFIV: Arcade Edition video shows Yun and Yang at their best

2010-09-18T12:15:00.000+01:00

A new video has been posted on Youtube showcasing the upcoming aracde release of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Fans of the franchise will also happen to notice two familiar kung-fu twins from Hong Kong who have joined the roster (and about time!)

Check out the video down below:

There's also a general promotional video for the aracde edition of SSFIV:

Say what you think of the upcoming release of SSFIV:Arcade Edition in the comments. Hoping for a home version update? I sure am.

Valkyria Chronicles 3 looks promising

2010-09-18T10:56:00.000+01:00

With confirmation that Valkyria Chronicles 3 is definitely on the horizon, lots of media has beome available for the title which will see a Japanese release on January 27th. Be sure to check out the videos and screens below which shows some of the game's story, characters and their motivations, the antagonists Black Raven and even some gameplay (normally a rarity these days).

Thanks Andriasang for the screens and Siliconera for the vid!

Newest Marvel vs Capcom 3 trailer from TGS looks the best yet, X-23 and Tron Bonne confirmed for roster

2010-09-16T12:42:00.000+01:00

Capcom has released a new promotional trailer for its upcoming title, Marvel vs Capcom 3. Check it out below and get excited for the title when it is released next Spring.

I will update the blog today with the gameplay videos for newly announced characters X-23 and Tron Bonne. They're looking good, that's for sure. Soon I'll be able to have my 'Team leather trousers' finally.

UPDATE: Character videos added below:

Character portatits for X-23 and Tron Bonne have also been added:

And finally to titilate your tastebuds, a gameplay video showcasing the two characters.

Enjoy.

Yun and Yang coming to Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition

2010-09-12T20:56:00.000+01:00

Looks like there will be a couple of worthwhile reasons for people to play the arcade version of Super Street Fighter IV this winter. Yun and Yang are joining the fray and impressions of the two kung-fu twins from Hong Kong seem to be decent.

Be sure to check out more details and impressions over at the link below (thanks as ever to Event Hubs):

Yun and Yang in SSFIV: Arcade Edition

Make no mistake! Blazblue: Continuum Shift £17.99 pre-order on Zavvi.com

2010-09-06T20:44:00.000+01:00

It may be too late but Zavvi.com has the updated version of weapons brawler Blazblue with Blazblue: Continuum Shift on pre-order £17.99. Be sure to check the link below and get your pre-orders in as they will have to honour the price if your order has already been placed.

Blazblue: Continuum Shift Zavvi pre-order

UPDATE: Looks like the price has gone back up unfortunately.

On the upside, looks like you can pick up Blazblue: Calamity Trigger for cheap in their Monday deal of the day if you're quick for no more than £10.00.

Most certainly a bargain given the quality of the title, a genuine breath of frash air to the fighting genre.

Commenting now easier with pop-outs

2010-08-30T18:24:00.000+01:00

Hey there folks. Just a little update but I've changed the settings now so people can click on the comments for posts and write their comments directly into the pop-up box that will appear rather than having to go through loads of pages.

Certainly makes it easier for people to leave their thoughts now and is better than going through several pages and having to verify and confirm them.

See, even this cat agrees that it's better!

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Gamescom vids look the shizzle, show in-game supers

2010-08-28T08:49:00.000+01:00

Capcom were nice enough to unveil a couple of gameplay vids from last week's Gamescom event of their upcoming title Marvel vs. Capcom 3 being played pretty well and also showcasing the level 3 suprs of Capcom's Amaterasu from Okami and the menacing Super Skrull from the Marvel universe.

Be sure to check the game out when it is released in Spring next year.

Cheers Capcom Unity blog!

Still here

2010-08-23T20:41:00.003+01:00

Hey there. Just to let people know that I'm still around and that I wont let this blog die just yet. Will do a more significant update soon though.

Ciao for now.

Playstation MOVE impressions coming and Street Fighter X Tekken screenshots take us close and personal

2010-08-12T21:17:00.000+01:00

Hey there folks. Be sure to check SPONG.com soon as there will be impressions of the Playstation MOVE posted for all of you who are interested in the upcoming motion-control device from Sony.

Also, check out new screenshots posted by Yoshinori Ono of upcoming title Street Fighter X Tekken:

All I can say is looking good! Thanks to Event Hubs for the screens.

General gibbers and KOF XIII arcade intro

2010-08-06T13:45:00.000+01:00

I said I'm going to do more regular updates and by damn, here we go! Hope folks are feeling okay as my eyes are of the weary kind this week, that's for sure but thankfully it's because I'm doing more work rather than wasting my time away doing the 'easy to lose track of time' thing of 'extended internet browsing'.

If you have the spare time you can still pop over to the website SPONG where you can see some of the contributions that I have been doing recently.

Also, pray for a console release for KOF XIII soon. In the meantime you can enjoy the into to the game which does certainly whet the appetite to say the least!