Opinion: Publishers Are Chasing The ‘Call Of Duty’ Audience – And It’s A Big Mistake
In light of the disappointing sales performance of both Resident Evil 6 and Dead Space 3, survival-horror enthusiast Mark Butler argues that publishers are making a grave error by trying to attract Call of Duty fans. In recent weeks, I’ve found myself mulling over the folly with which major games companies are adapting and re-branding key franchises, in order to appeal to the ‘Call of Duty audience’. Last year, Capcom admitted they... Read More
Opinion: Why I’m Sick Of Video Games Being The Scapegoat
Following the horrific elementary school shooting in the US, various media outlets and politicians are once again pointing the finger at video games as a key cause of real-life violence. In this furious response, Jacques Voller explains why he’s had enough of such accusations. When a national tragedy happens, it’s only natural that people want to blame something. Case in point: the recent Connecticut shooting that shocked America and the... Read More
Review: Plantronics GameCom Commander
Jonathan Szafran delivers his verdict on the hot new gaming headset from Plantronics, compatible with PC, tablets and smartphones. A limited edition headset for those in the pro-gaming circuit, the GameCom Commander is designed to make the shouts from the crowd and other surrounding distractions disappear beneath its noise-cancelling ear cans, and is to date one of the best headsets I have used. But it does have a few minor faults that may turn-off... Read More
Opinion: Lack Of Creativity Is Killing The Games Industry
With the current gaming landscape dominated by sequels, prequels and reboots, Jacques Voller argues that repeated recycling of the same-old ideas and mechanics will be the death of gaming. There’s a common theme that comes up whenever people discuss what exactly is killing the games industry – and that is the over-abundance of DLC, and the reliance of developers and publishers on it to keep their revenues afloat. However, one issue that’s... Read More
Game News: Daily Mail Blames Call Of Duty For French Terrorist Shootings
Sensationalist UK newspaper The Daily Mail has today made astonishing claims that French terrorist Mohammed Merah – who gunned down seven people earlier this year – was inspired to commit his violent acts by playing Call Of Duty. Following statements by the gunman’s wife that the couple used to play games such as the Call Of Duty titles together, the Mail ludicrously argues that “rather than a deeply religious extremist fighting... Read More
Opinion: Eight Greatest Success Stories Of This Gaming Generation
With rumours surrounding next-generation’s hardware continuing to fly around the web, Dan Jenko explores the groundbreaking games and franchises that have defined this current console generation. While the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii generation is far from over, we do appear to be getting close to the end of their lifespan. The Wii U is widely-expected to be released by the end of this coming year, and though we’ll definitely have to wait... Read More
Opinion: Anybody Else Bored Of Shooters?
It may be gaming’s most popular and profitable genre, but Mark Butler is thoroughly fed up with the modern-day shooter. Here, he explains why. I hear tell shooters are pretty damn popular these days. Indeed, I’m reliably informed that the biggest franchises earn lavish praise and hundreds of millions of dollars for their creators who, it is said, occasionally take time off from collecting awards and accepting expensive gifts to cure... Read More
Opinion: Bugs And Glitches – How Much Is Too Much?
With countless gamers complaining about Skyrim’s glitches, and the feeling that companies are putting ‘unfinished products’ out onto the market, Mark Butler looks at the issue of bugs in games – and to what extent we should tolerate them. While recently pondering the many bugs and glitches of Skyrim, and the extent to which they have negatively impacted on some gamers’ enjoyment of the experience, I was struck by just... Read More
Mad Mack: Five Games Skyrim Should Have Sex With
Disgruntled gamer Dave ‘Mack’ McConkey takes a look at five gaming experiences the blockbuster RPG should get down and dirty with, in an attempt to improve everything from its unsatisfying melee combat to its disappointing enemy AI. I may not have played the latest Elder Scrolls experience for quite as long as some, for whom it has undoubtedly become more of a lifestyle choice than a computer game. But the internet is all about the uninformed... Read More
Opinion: Has Horror Taken Over Mainstream Gaming?
Many have suggested that serious horror titles have all but disappeared from today’s gaming landscape, but Mark Butler argues that horror themes and influences have come to permeate many of the medium’s biggest titles and franchises. The story of horror gaming over the past 25 years or so is not just one of evolution within the genre; it is also a tale of near-unprecedented, wider influence on the video games medium as a whole. Horror... Read More
