Hardcore Gamer vs Casual Gamer - A New Definition

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What does it mean to be a gamer in this day and age?  In the past to be a gamer you just had to play video games.  This was when being a gamer required you to either have a home console or PC and play either solo or have friends come over.  If you were a PC gamer it also meant you knew a thing or two about computers.  If a game was online, it took effort.  But soon gaming has became accessible and wide spread.  Now the fact that a gamer was just someone that played games, the term needed a division for clarification.  Those that had been playing games when the hobby was difficult needed a way to make themselves seem special to all the newer players, so they termed the gamers that played easy games; games that take little to no skill; as casual gamers and the original gamers then labeled themselves hardcore gamers.  This title  gave them a sense of pride and arrogance over the newcomers to the gaming world, but it has been awhile since these terms were created and just as gaming has evolved, these terms need to evolve as well.

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Star Wars: The Old Republic has Christmas Release

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So they have announced the release date of Star Wars: The Old Republic.  It will be coming out December 20, 2011 for North America.  Do you think they have it close enough to Christmas?  Well, if you are in Europe, it is a bit closer with December 22, 2011.  Along with the release they have announced the subscription model:

  • 1 Month - $14.99 Per Month
  • 3 Month - $13.99 Per Month ($41.97 at time of charge)
  • 6 Month - $12.99 Per Month ($77.94 at time of charge)

So there you have it.  And if you have pre-ordered the game be sure to enter your code at http://www.swtor.com/preorder/code.  This will give you your early access to the game.

May the Force be With You.

Game Over - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

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Time for another spoiler laden edition of Game Over, this time featuring Deus Ex: Human Revolution.  So if you have not beaten the game come back later.  If you have not played it, read our review.  But if you have, played it or don’t care, then continue on.

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Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

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The Future is Now

It is the year 2027 and technology has started to advance to the point where it is merging with humanity. The line between man and machine has started to blur, and it is in this world that Deus Ex has placed us. You are Adam Jensen, head of security for Serif Industries.  Serif is one of the leaders in human augmentation.  It is your job to protect your place of business from corporate sabotage and possible terrorism from Purist, a group of people that find augmentation a sin against the human body.  They are not necessarily a terrorist group, but there are extremists within any movement.  You are first introduced to the world by talking with Dr. Megan Reed (I think she is your girlfriend).  While walking around with her you see many of Sarif’s experiments, and eventually talk with the owner David Sarif.  That is when things go to hell and an environmental alarm goes off.  As the head of security you head on down to take care of things to find some guys that look like a black ops team.  They have invaded just as Megan is getting ready to make leave for a conference in DC for a breakthrough announcement.  You are even doing a good job holding your own against these soldiers, until an augmented infiltrator throws you through several inches of safety glass almost killing you.  You are kinda saved by Megan, but at this point you pass out due to blood loss and fade to black.

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Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

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The Future is Now

It is the year 2027 and technology has started to advance to the point where it is merging with humanity. The line between man and machine has started to blur, and it is in this world that Deus Ex has placed us. You are Adam Jensen, head of security for Serif Industries.  Serif is one of the leaders in human augmentation.  It is your job to protect your place of business from corporate sabotage and possible terrorism from Purist, a group of people that find augmentation a sin against the human body.  They are not necessarily a terrorist group, but there are extremists within any movement.  You are first introduced to the world by talking with Dr. Megan Reed (I think she is your girlfriend).  While walking around with her you see many of Sarif’s experiments, and eventually talk with the owner David Sarif.  That is when things go to hell and an environmental alarm goes off.  As the head of security you head on down to take care of things to find some guys that look like a black ops team.  They have invaded just as Megan is getting ready to make leave for a conference in DC for a breakthrough announcement.  You are even doing a good job holding your own against these soldiers, until an augmented infiltrator throws you through several inches of safety glass almost killing you.  You are kinda saved by Megan, but at this point you pass out due to blood loss and fade to black.
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Elder Scrolls 2 - Free!

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So it appears that The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall turned 10 yesterday.  As a present Bethesda is giving you the game for free at http://elderscrolls.com/daggerfall/.  I don't know if this is old news or new news, but since I just heard about it I felt it was worth talking about.

Just remember, when you start playing this game take note that it was made in 1996, so the graphics are going to look really dated.  As seen from this screen shot:

Holy outdated graphics Batman!

 

Daggerfall featured a massive true 3-D world the size of Great Britain and helped usher a gaming renaissance in 1996. The full version of Daggerfall is available for download and playable through a DOS emulator.

Mario + Portal Gun = Awesome Game Idea

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A few months back I posted a few videos of Mario with a portal. Well it appears that the idea took deeper root than we thought it did.  The team at stabyourself.net is now creating this:

Yes, a banner! What? You don't like just a banner? OK fine, this is actually a game that combines the original Super Mario Bros. and the portal idea from, you guessed it, Portal.  The game will have the original Super Mario levels, the Lost Levels, and a built-in level editor.  Finally the game will have simultaneous multiplayer.  So let's look forward to this game (which will be FREE) to come out soon.  In the mean time sate your appetite with this video of the gameplay.

Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword Bundle Release Info

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Image courtesy of gonintendo.com Check out their site for the full press release by clicking the imageNintendo has just announced details concerning their up and coming Legend of Zelda release.  As stated earlier, the release date is official November 20th.  At that time of release, Skyward Sword will be sold in a limited-edition bundle including the game and a gold Hylian styled Wii Motion+ Controller for the price of $69.99.  This is a very good deal as you get the Wii Motion+ controller for only $20 with the game.  It's useful for those of us like me, who haven't made the plunge into buying one of the new controllers. 

Nintendo is also including a special treat for everyone who buys an initial production copy by inlcuding a bonus CD containing the 25th Anniversary soundtrack as performed by the symphony this fall.  So not only do you get the game, you also get a fully orchestrated soundtrack of the past twenty-five years of classic Legend of Zelda music.  And for those of you not interested to purchase the bundle, never fear.  Skyward Sword will also have just a game disc release for $49.99 and will also include the music CD for the initial production run.

I don't know about everyone else, but I for one am excited and am really looking forward to this game.  I'm going to have to go and see who I can do a preorder from so I can get that controller with the game.  It looks really nice and it's a good buy for me.  I'm also really digging the official cover box art for the game.  I know there has been talk about the game's esthetic, but I really do like the water color look of the illustrations and game.  It makes it feel classic and timeless like an epic story.  Just a couple more months to go at this point and I can't wait.   

DeusEx And Gamestop - Not the Happiest Couples

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If you purchased a PC copy of DeusEx: Human Revolution you would be lucky to find a code inside for a free copy of the game on OnLive, unless you purchased it from Gamestop.  Gamestop was not aware of the included coupon when they received the games, and since they do not have a partnership with OnLive was rather appauled that the coupon was included.  So much in fact they opened all of the copies of the game and removed the voucher.  Well people, including Square Enix, were not happy about new product being opened and the coupons removed.  Now Gamestop, instead of having to deal with angry customers that are mad about them opening the game before being purchased, Gamestop has decided to just outright not sell the PC version.  The promotion that SquareEnix has setup is in direct competition with a cloud gaming service that Gamestop has in the works.  So they are just going to return all the copies of DeusEx: Human Revolution.  If you purchased a copy through pre-order they will still honor it, but don't expect your OnLive game coupon.