Wizorb prepped for a November release on PC

post from Destructoid on 29 October 2011 11:05:05 PM. © Destructoid

Wizorb prepped for a November release on PC screenshot

It's become increasingly clear that, for certain developers putting out Xbox Live Indie games, following up with a secondary PC release is the way to go. If the title in question is of high enough quality, of course. Wizorb is one such game, and its PC release has been set for Monday, November 7.

This will be happening by way of digital distributor GamersGate. Though keyboard and gamepad support is included, the developers say mouse control is where it's at; this input method "makes Wizorb rely even more on reflexes which feels great and makes the game a tad easier."

Grand news for those unwilling or unable to grab the original release. While not currently dated, Linux and Mac ports are also being worked on. I could see it doing particularly well on the App Store, but one step at a time.

Wizorb Coming to PC November 7th [Tribute Games via GameSetWatch]

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Games Media Awards trolled by sponsor

post from Destructoid on 29 October 2011 10:06:18 PM. © Destructoid

Games Media Awards trolled by sponsor screenshot

The Games Media Awards is a UK event, showcasing and recognizing specialist and mainstream games media. The event celebrates games media internationally, as well as in the UK. Amidst the celebrations and commiserations at the most recent event, on the 26th, the behavior of the evening's sponsor, Grainger Games, ruined the experience for some.

The English retailer brought bikini clad women, midgets, a hideous orange hummer and the cherry on top -- Grainger Games' very own brand of condoms. Because all of those things simply scream videogame journalism. Those things on their own are random and tasteless, but it was the actions of the retail chain's representatives that crossed the line. They heckled speakers, flicked condoms into people's food, interrupted the host and according to Xbox LIVE editor, Daniel Maher, "two of them attempted to physically and verbally intimidate [him]." Classy stuff.

Stuart Dinsey, MD of Intent Media -- the company who run the event -- has issued a formal apology for the ludicrous behavior of Grainger Games and it certainly doesn't look like they will have much of a future attending industry events.

I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize wholeheartedly for this -- and to make it very clear that Grainger will not be welcome back in any capacity to the GMAs, or any Intent Media events.

One of the retailer's area managers responsed to criticizm by asking if people don't have better things to do. Perhaps he thinks videogame journalists should be covering politics or wars instead of things that happen in the industry. On the Grainger Games website a more thought out response was put up.

We wholeheartedly apologize if we offended anyone at last night's GMAs. It was never our intention to upset anybody. We sponsored the awards to show our support for everyone invlived in games media and we continue to value and appreciate all their hard work and commitment.

A lovely sentiment, but I doubt it's worth much to those who were heckled or had condoms thrown in their soup. Much like the recent controversy over Cannibal Corpse at BlizzCon, their actions were probably not malicious, but they were utterly stupid. Of course, unlike the BlizzCon fiasco, you'd expect an event sponsor and retail chain to be a bit more professional than a metal band.

I doubt the actions of the childish representatives of Grainger Games was enough to spoil the evening for the award winners, though. Eurogamer won best website, Edge walked away with best print magazine and Rock, Paper, Shotgun nabbed best blog.

Here's the full list of the winners:

Games Magazine: Edge
Games Website: Eurogamer
Specialist Writer (Print): Christian Donlan – Freelance
Specialist Writer (Online): Keza Macdonald – Ign
Coverage In A National Newspaper: The Guardian
Coverage In A Mainstream Magazine: Shortlist
Regional Games Columnist: Dave Cook – The Scotsman
Games Broadcast/Podcast: Sentuamessage
Games Blog: Rock, Paper, Shotgun
Rising Star: Martin Gaston – Videogamer
Games Media Awards: Colin Campbell

Congratulations to all the winners.

Games Media Awards soured by sponsor... [gamesindustry.biz]

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Shoot Many Robots' survival missions are a blast

post from Destructoid on 29 October 2011 09:04:59 PM. © Destructoid

Shoot Many Robots' survival missions are a blast screenshot

If you haven't already read Conrad's preview about Shoot Many Robots, then you should probably take a moment to click the different colored text above and catch up. For those of you already in the know, keep reading and I'll share a little more about Demiurge Studio's drunken Metal Slug-meets-Borderlands action romp that's coming to console and PC download services next year.

At an event earlier this week, Ubisoft was showing off the latest build of its recently acquired four-player side-scrolling blast-a-thon. The campaign section I played remains faithful to what our mustached muse described back at GDC, but I also had the pleasure to tackle a little of Shoot Many Robots' take on horde mode -- survival missions.

Shoot Many Robots (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade [Previewed], PC)
Developer: Demiurge Studios
Publisher: Ubisoft
Release: Spring 2012

Survival missions are exactly what they sound like: destroy wave after wave of robot enemies with the hopes of lasting long enough to acquire some sweet new loot. The one map I played saw a bevy of different enemy robots attack in hectic hordes. Choppers, Tankbots, and Small Frys all attacking with only mine and my partner's death in mind. Like Gears of War's Horde mode, thankfully, it's not over until every player has fallen and if you're quick enough, you can resuscitate a downed teammate to prolong the carnage.

It's all pretty typical by today's gaming standards, but Shoot Many Robots' elaborate loot system adds to the strategy needed to make the most out of each survival mission. Messing around with some of the equipment I had available to me, my redneck warrior was decked out in some fairly nonsensical gear. Every item in the game grants some sort of tactile advantage for success. The bat wings that were strapped to my back afforded me a floating ability -- gliding me gently out of harm's way -- and my Viking helmet let me smash foes from the skies with thunderous ground punches. Ironically, this was a great combo as I was able to stay alive for a very long time.

The stage I played on was fairly claustrophobic, but eventually one side of the area busted open from robots an expanded the play field. It's going to be interesting to see if this mode can provide enough variety to make it worthwhile. Survival missions like much of campaign level I played were crazy, intense fun, but as of now it's definitely an appetizer to the main course -- something you only want to snack on to get the taste buds salivating.

Oh yeah, before I forget. One quick tidbit regarding the campaign and its branching pathways offered. When online -- since everyone has their own screen --teammates can split-up and go different routes. It's a nice touch for an already promising game, but a simple feature that could have made games in the past (see: Moon Diver) much more enjoyable.

Shoot Many Robots aims to recapture the magic that this genre once dominated the market with. It may be a run-and-gun shooter at its core, but with all the RPG, co-op, and whacky character customization piled on top -- as Conrad put it -- "fans of classic shooters are going to have one hell of a good robot apocalypse to look forward to" next spring.

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Bethesda devs actually talk about Squidbear

post from Destructoid on 29 October 2011 09:04:59 PM. © Destructoid

Bethesda devs actually talk about Squidbear screenshot

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In case you guys missed yesterday's Destructoid Show, we had some big news. On their first ever Skyrim-centric episode of the official Bethesda podcast, a couple of the artists discussed Squidbear. I guess the moral of this story is, if a joke isn't funny, just repeat it as loud as you can and eventually someone will pay attention to you.

Also, if you haven't already, go read my big fat Skyrim preview. When I write things with words in them, it makes me feel like a legitimate journalist. Y'know, as opposed to a guy who invents animals by accident.

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My Game Writers Block : Was My Dads Lack Of Faith
In Me My Motivation All Along

post from 8bitrocket on 29 October 2011 08:22:26 PM. © 8bitrocket

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ith-in-me-my-motivation-all-along/

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Goodbye Dad, Hello Code Writers Block

post from 8bitrocket on 29 October 2011 08:22:26 PM. © 8bitrocket

My dad died just about 5 months ago. In that time, I have done lots of things. I have written a ton of blog entries (some good, some okay, and many bad ones), I have changed jobs, read at least 10 books, and started to play hardcore video games (i.e Gears Of War 2, Dragon [...]

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ith-in-me-my-motivation-all-along/

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Resurrection, New Mexico Collector's Edition

post from Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com on 29 October 2011 08:00:00 PM. © Hidden Object Games and Free Downloadable Games at Fenomen-Games.com

After a terrible traffic accident Amy Walters finds herself trapped in Resurrection, New Mexico! Now she must work with lost souls to escape the dark and mysterious world that seems to have a mind and a will of its own in this exciting Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game. Can you reach the â€œother sideâ€ in time to live again and reunite with your daughter? Find out as you attempt to escape from Resurrection, New Mexico!

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TtWaV teaser: Battlefield 3 Vs. Modern Warfare 3

TtWaV teaser: Battlefield 3 Vs. Modern Warfare 3 screenshot

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Some people had strong feelings about Jim Sterling's opinion of Battlefield 3. Some people were upset that Jim didn't like the game as much as they did, while some were actually happy to see the game get a "low" score like a 7.5, because for them, that score confirmed that Modern Warfare 3 is a better game. Never mind that Modern Warfare 3 isn't even out yet, and has yet to recieve a review. If Battlefield 3 got a 7.5, then that means it automatically lost the fight going on between these two inanimate objects that we call videogames, which was a good thing for some.

I'm having trouble wrapping my head around that. Why do people feel the need to pit these two games against each other? Though they have similar settings and themes, they have pretty different features, gameplay styles, and priorities, right? Why treat them like two titles that are trying to do the same thing, where only one can win? Is it a Coke Vs. Pepsi, Team Edward Vs. Team Jacob, or Sony Vs. Nintendo Vs. Microsoft-type thing, where riling up the consumer on either side of the rivalry only works to instill cult-like brand loyalty, and in doing so, ensuring profits for both "competing" parties? Is it partially a PC Vs. consoles thing, because the Battlefield series is associated by some with PCs, while many think of Modern Warfare as a largely console focused affair? What's really going on here?

And why wont anyone just tell me which game is factually better than the other? Is the one where you shoot guys, or is it the other one? I NEED TO KNOW.

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Find the Alphabets: Halloween

Find the Alphabets: Halloween is another hidden object game from Mixgames1. In this game, you have to find alphabets on the images. Are you able to find all the alphabets? Good luck and have fun! [Created and Subbed by Aykut] Play this game!

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