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Are There No More Bad Games Being Made?

October 17th 2008 05:56
fallout 3


The latest copy of PC Powerplay has reviewed a raft of new games, many of which are the big name releases for the coming holiday season. And lets face it, games that are acrsoss platforms these days are pretty much the same. Startling, these games, of which there are eleven, average out at a score of 7.9/10. It's easy to say that most of these titles are flagship IP's for the publishers, but in an age where smaller developers are being consumed by the EA's and Activision Blizzard's of the world, it seems to indicate that blockbuster titles are becoming the norm, designed with low risk and huge amounts of community feedback along the way.

Perhaps you put these remarkably high scores down to the reviews themselves... The question has been raised in the past as to the legitimacy of game reviewers scores, with many tarred with the gamespot brush, but this magazine has long had a reputation for quality and impartiality and there has been no reason to think otherwise.

The actual list of games looks like this:

Fallout 3 : 9
Far Cry 2 : 10
Warhammer Online : 7
Dead Space : 7
Crysis: Warhead : 7
Civilisation 4 : 8
Brothers In Arms HH: 8
Mercs 4 WIF : 7
Pro Evolution 9 : 7
X2 : 8
Falcon 4 : 9

Production values in games are at Hollywood levels now, with professional writers and directors involved. Gameplay mechanics are being improved through the boot camp of expos, media and community events held showing early builds of their games. It's a smart system, allowing hard core fans the opportunity to let the developers know where they are doing well or screwing up and giving them the chance to fix it before launch. And a system that seems to be resulting in monotonously predictable review scores.

The upside is that we are getting higher quality product, it's becoming gamers paradise. The downside... Too many to choose from? Or is it the new ways in which games are selling and marketing themselves through DLC and micro transactions? Like those changes or not, the fact is that consistancy seems to be the word of the season, with something of quality for every genre fan. And in the year to come there can only be more of the same, as developers get to grips with console technology and the emerging engines.

And the reason for the picture? I suppose it's because the moral of the story is that we can now pretty much have our cake and eat it too.

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fracture lucasarts xbox


Our predictions for Fracture are, thankfully, still looking hopeful thanks to the early review of Fracture from Kotaku.

Opinions are divided about the game, but I still hold firm on the idea that it's in multiplayer that the unique features will shine, and it sounds like others are agreeing. In fact, those that don't mention multiplayer are the ones panning the game. Sure, a compelling single player experience would be nice, but lets face it, nobody was expecting it. LucasArts are arguably making a habit of weak storyline... Ahem Force Unleashed...

Mike Fahey runs through the entire game and lays it out pretty simply. The single player doesn't cut it, but the terrain deformation in multiplayer makes for a fun and replayable battleground. The weapons come across as being well balanced, with the right mix of ass kick and graph-gasm to turn on hard core gaming fans.

So it sounds like the variety and fun in the game is up to you, dear reader. Through creative use of the terrain deformation many enjoyably bone crunching deaths can be created. I can't wait to see this played in touraments, it will be an extremely enjoyable contest of brain snapping strategy and slaughter.

Us mere mortals can get our hands on the game now.
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star wars mmo


The Force is strong with this one... This one being the day of the 21st October. The date has been textured in as the launch of a new LucasArts and Bioware joint proejct, considered by most to be the much anticipated and often spoken of Star Wars MMO.

A postcard invitation to the LucasArts press event sent out to various media outlets (and just because i'm in Australia, don't think I didn't notice the mail box has been bare, LucasArts) speaks of an "official unveiling of the game that's been rumored about for years," which certainly fits the bill. It also boasts floating robots and hooded figures in a setting described as being reminiscent of a Star Wars setting.

The joint project is currently in development at BioWare's Austin studio, which was specifically created to manufacture MMO worlds.

The evidence is stacking up. Prepare thyselves gamers.

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dead space


EA are letting you choose which console will be the better for the upcoming space horror shooter Dead Space


[ Click here to read more ]
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PS3 Left For Dead By Valve

September 24th 2008 05:30
valve


Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead. Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner


[ Click here to read more ]
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Fallout MMO Hot On The Heels Of Fallout 3?

September 24th 2008 00:17
fallout 3 MMO

The pre-release hype machine is building Fallout 3 to almost unachievable proportions, with any possibility of more Pip-goodness being lapped up like water for a thirsty canine companion. Interplay has supplied one more ration for Fallout starved fans with the hint at a Fallout MMO currently being worked on at their new Orange County office.

[ Click here to read more ]
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quantum of solace


Bond. James Bond. I am a fan, always have been. I've even dabbled in a Martini or two based on nothing more than that they are the drink of choice in the movies. They're good by the way


[ Click here to read more ]
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fracture


It looks crazily hectic and a load of laughs. Check out the world mangling fun of Fracture mutliplayer in the clip below


[ Click here to read more ]
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guitar hero rock band


Guys who run gaming companies are the kind of people who don't like to let you die wondering. In a classic piece of schoolyard pouting, Activision boss Bob Kotick would like to let you know that Guitar Hero is doing well. So well that Rock Band can go suck eggs because it has girls germs


[ Click here to read more ]
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Microsoft TV Ads: Clone Wars The Next Step

September 18th 2008 03:56
bill gates windows


They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Others say it's a desperate attempt at attention from people out of ideas who have been soundly whipped by the new bully in the schoolyard. That bully is Apple, and with the resounding panning of the new advertising campaign from Microsoft, Bill Gates is poised to flatter the pants off Steve Jobs


[ Click here to read more ]
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fallout 3


Australia is an island. And that's we way we want to stay according to Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus. Debus wades into the debate surrounding the modification, or non-modification of Fallout 3 to comply with the Australian Classifications Board. "In the board's view the game warrants an RC classification in accordance with item 1(a) of the computer games table of the National Classification Code," Debus said


[ Click here to read more ]
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fallout 3


There are some great things about Australia. Our beaches, appreciation of English humour and Jennifer Hawkins to name but a few. Then there is the Classifications board. The anti-Hawkins. I say this because all of the great work she has instigated to create the image of Australia overflowing with fantastic sights and beautiful people is about to be overshadowed by what is being called Fallout 3 - Australian Edition. This is the now infamous version of Fallout 3 that has to be created to cater for the Australian Classifications Boards willingness to ignore the fact that discerning adults play video games


[ Click here to read more ]
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Ubisoft Planning Far Cry 3 Already (LINK)

August 28th 2008 00:22
far cry


Far Cry is synonymous with lush forest settings, and if the rumours are true the third installment is due to stay that way


[ Click here to read more ]
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fallout 3


GamerChip brings you the news you have been waiting for: RedAnt, the Australian distributor for Fallout 3, has confirmed through the EB Games website that the game will be released on October 17th. The RedAnt website is yet to post details which will be of concern to some, but EB Games has yet to steer us wrong on this one


[ Click here to read more ]
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