Team Fortress 2′s Bot Problem
Valve Software, the creators of Team Fortress 2, have long allowed users to host their own servers. Consequently, there are a huge number of TF2 servers, most of which are at least partially populated by bots. It isn’t nearly as much fun for players to play against bots, and many of the former TF2 fans that I know have since switched to other games due to the bot problem. Valve Software should take steps to combat this problem, lest TF2 become the exclusive domain of the bots.
Angry Birds, The Movie
Angry Birds, the physics-based game that has taken the world by storm, is going to become a movie. Rovio, the creator of the game, confirmed that the film will be produced in conjunction with Marvel, and is apparently going to explore the emotional connection between players and the infamous angry birds.
Real-Life Portal Gun
What would happen if the portal gun from Portal was real? I’m not sure that I want to find out.
Left 4 Dead Fan Art and Cake
Left 4 Dead fan art and cake, as no zombie-killing expedition is complete without artwork and something to eat (something apart from brains, that is)…
Rocketbirds: Hard-Boiled Chicken
Rocketbirds: Hard-Boiled Chicken, which is being released exclusively on Playstation, is coming out on October 18. This kick-ass game can be played either in single-player mode, or in co-op mode featuring with players. Particularly cool is the turret-style move in which one Budgie jumps on top of the other, with the bottom Budgie taking care of all the running and maneuvering. This game looks awesome, and I can’t wait to try it out!
IPhone Gladys
What happens when you combine an iPhone with Gladys from Portal? I’m not entirely certain that I want to find out.
Team Fortress and Team Fortress Two Fan Art
Enjoy fan art featuring characters from Team Fortress and Team Fortress Two.
A Look at NHL 12
Possibly EA Sports top game, NHL 12, is getting ready to makes its 2011-2012 season debut. NHL has been one of EA Sports best reviewed games year in and year out over the last 5 years. This year’s version besides having a new and improved physics engine will feature numerous advancements to the game. First off goalies are going to become more active in the game. Players will be able to screen the goalie and even bump into him knocking him down. Goalies will also have the ability to fight each other now. Hopefully the game has a classic goalie fight feature so we can see Mike Vernon fight Patrick Roy again. Players will also be able to check other players in different ways, which can result in helmets getting knocked off, and being checked through the glass or over the boards. It will also be harder for players to get checked to the ice because players will now be able to brass themselves or attempt to regain their balance. NHL 2012 will also feature the Winter Classic, something hockey gamers have wanted the past few seasons.
Besides upgrading the game play for NHL 12, the game also features numerous upgrades to its Be a Pro and GM game modes. When playing the Be a Pro mode players will now be able to start their player in the CHL in order to build up his skill before going to the NHL Draft. In the GM Mode it will be significantly harder to acquire top tier players via trade. In the past you could continuously trade players for someone slightly better than your player. You could keep doing this until you had a roster full of the NHL’s elite. And in GM Mode younger players won’t be so greedy when it comes to contracts. Players have a better understating of their true value and will not try to hard to get you to over pay them.
NHL 12 will also feature the addition of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets were formerly the Atlanta Thrashers until they were bought and relocated this spring. The game will also feature Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos. Stamkos last year had 45 goals and 46 assists. NHL 12 is slated to hit stores September 13th.
Music For Gaming Situations
After playing my fair share of video games while blaring obnoxiously loud music, I have gotten to the point where I know exactly what I want to listen to when I play. Different games and different genres deserve their own special song or song type, which is why I have created a list of five situations or games, each with their own song to fit what is happening.
1. Un-winnable Situations-The End by The Doors
When it comes to playing a game mode like Nazi Zombie or the extra mission in Halo Reach where you have no chance of surviving you need something that has that kind of feel. I know when I am nearing death in Nazi Zombie’s; I tend to listen to the song The End by The Doors. In the movie Apocalypse Now, The End is played at the climax of the movie this signifying the end of the mission and the film. In the game it is no different. When zombies are surrounding you and here the music playing you know that it is time to go out in fiery blaze of glory.
2. Intense Driving-Style by The Gorillaz
Whenever I’m flying down the freeway to and from school my driving habits are entirely based on the music I am listening to. If the music is slow and soothing a drive very peacefully, if I am listening to something up beat with a booming base, I am usually flying down the freeway and in most racing or driving games that is the kind of music you need. My song for driving games is the song Stylo, which is by the Gorillaz. The song features a loud bumping base that last throughout the entire song. Plus, the music video involves a car chase with a revolver wielding Bruce Willis giving chase.
Bruce Willis in the Stylo music video
3. Puzzle Games-Shine on You Crazy Diamonds Parts 1-5 by Pink Floyd
Puzzle games need something soothing to compliment the intense thinking that is going on. I know that when I am writing a paper or when I would do math I would listen to instrumental songs. Lyrics can be distracting because before you know it you are spending too much time singing along. My personal preference for something like this is Shine on You Crazy Diamonds parts `1-5 by Pink Floyd. Though the song does have words they only make up about a minute and a half out of the 14-minute song. The rest of the song is filled with easygoing guitar riffs, a synthesizer and a saxophone that plays throughout the end of the song.
4. Grand Theft Auto/Saint’s Row/ Other killing games- Fuck tha Police by N.W.A.
What is a better song to listen while killing cops than Fuck tha Police. The song is actually encouraging you and cheering you on as you do missions that involve killing rival gangs, drug busts, and of course killing cops. Really any thing by N.W.A. works because the old school rap compliments the game much better than newer music.
5. Sports Games-No Commentating
Yes I said this was supposed to be about music to listen to while playing video games but when it comes to sports games it’s about turning the games music and commentating off. My buddies and I call it zen-sports. When playing a sports game most notably NHL, turn of all of the commentating and music and turn up the sports sounds and turn down the crowd a tad. The result is like going to a sporting event and only hearing the sounds of the crowd and what goes on down on the field.
A Look at Gears of War 3
The conclusion to the epic story of Gears of War is almost here. Gears of War 3 once again follow Marcus Fenix and his band his fellow Gears as they try to survive. The lambent have evolved into a greater threat that is now not only threatening Humanity but also the Locusts. It is up to Marcus and his crew to save what’s left of their civilization.
Gears of War 3 features a ton of new weapons and enemies as well as a few new allies. One of the coolest new weapons is called the Silverback. The silverback is a mech suit that players will have the ability to use that has a giant machine gun and rocket launcher attached to it. Players will also be able to provide teammates with cover because the suit has strong armor. Other new weapons include a heavy sniper rifle, incendiary grenades, a retro lancer that as a bayonet attached instead of a chainsaw, the digger launcher, and a sawed off shotgun. Some of the new Locusts that will appear in the game include the savage grenadier, the digger boomer, and the Kantus Knight. The game will also see the return of the berserker both in locust form and lambent form. The game will also see a new Carmine brother. Whether he dies like his two brothers in the previous games was voted on and will be revealed once the game is played.
Horde mode is also back with numerous upgrades as well. Horde 2.0 as they are calling it features a reward system. Players will earn points from killing enemies, reviving downed partners, and completing rounds which can then be used to purchase upgrades. These upgrades include barriers, machine gun turrets, mortars, and even a silverback. Horde will also feature larger enemies that include wreavers as well as berserkers. Gears of War 3 makes its highly anticipated debut September 20th.
