Opinion: How Sony Won E3 – And EA Somehow Managed To Claw Themselves Back Into The Good Books
Following yesterday’s eventful console unveilings and game announcements at E3, Jacques Voller argues that Sony triumphed while Microsoft failed – and that EA, against all the odds, managed to win over a great deal of gamers. So. There we have it. Sony has just won E3 – and has more than likely claimed the next generation to boot. After all the controversies surrounding the Xbox One’s draconian measures when it came to DRM,... Read More
Opinion: Modern Games Need More Than Tight Mechanics And Pretty Graphics To Succeed
With a number of major releases failing to light up the charts this year, Dan Jenko suggests it’s no longer enough for developers to tick the usual boxes – and that creativity and innovation are needed to make an impact. Let’s get one thing straight before we begin – core gameplay mechanics (and, to a lesser extent, visuals) are the crux of any good video game. But while this will no doubt continue to be the case as we undertake the generational... Read More
Mad Mack: Why Bad Business Means Bad Games
With a number of major game launches proving hugely disappointing of late, disgruntled gamer and business consultant Dave ‘Mack’ McConkey draws on his own industry expertise to explain why Triple A firms are badly screwing-up their current output. There have been a number of rather disastrous game launches in the past few months. The eagerly-anticipated Aliens: Colonial Marines turned out to be more ‘colon’ and less ‘hoo-RAH’;... Read More
EA: A Love-Hate Relationship
With Electronic Arts once again dubbed the ‘Worst Company in America’, long-time critic of the firm Mark Butler explores his conflicted feelings on the publisher – and explains why he both loves and loathes EA at the same time. So. EA have once again been voted the ‘Worst Company in America’. Given the worringly high number of firms currently engaging in infinitely more shady business tactics and morally-dubious areas... Read More
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
Mad Mack: Don’t Buy EA Games, Don’t Engage In Micro-Transactions – And Get Yourself A PC
Following Cliffy B’s rant to Kotaku, and EA continuing its general nefarious activities, disgruntled gamer Dave ‘Mack’ McConkey suggests how gamers everywhere can avoid being exploited by greedy mainstream publishers. Well, it certainly has been a busy couple of weeks for the games industry. First, Dead Space 3 decides that it wants to be Aliens. Then Aliens decides that it wants to be ET, and then EA decides it is sick of this... Read More
Dead Space 3 – Early Reviews Hail Sci-Fi Sequel As “Amazing Roller-Coaster Ride”
The first few reviews are in for Isaac Clarke’s highly-anticipated return, and initial verdicts are highly positive for the action-horror blockbuster. Dead Space 3, which releases today in the US and elsewhere later in the week, has been the subject of copious controversy due to the introduction of micro-transactions and fan fears that it has completely abandoned its horror roots. But early verdicts on the game have been glowing. AusGamers... Read More
Opinion: Does It Matter That Dead Space 3 Is Aimed At A Wider Audience?
Controversy continues to surround high-profile sequel Dead Space 3, with fans taking aim at changes apparently designed to make it appealing to a larger consumer-base. Ahead of the game’s release next week, Mark Butler asks whether EA and Visceral Games should be saluted for trying to evolve the series, or condemned for selling it out. A few days ago, I posted an article which quoted Dead Space 3 producer John Calhoun as saying that the use... Read More
Dead Space 3 Producer: “We Need To Appeal To Action Fans Who’ve Only Played Games On Their Smartphones”
Forthcoming horror sequel Dead Space 3 has been the focus of various controversies in recent months: from concerns over changes that appear to make it more of a standard third-person shooter, to last week’s revelations that the game uses micro-transactions as part of its weapon crafting system. And this weekend, in an interview with CVG, producer John Calhoun appears to have only added fuel to the fire by suggesting that the use of micro-transactions... Read More
Mad Mack: How THQ’s Greatest Games Might Look In The Hands Of EA
Next week, THQ’s most high-profile IPs will be auctioned off to the highest bidder – and EA are said to be one of the companies looking to pounce. Disgruntled gamer Dave ‘Mack’ McConkey imagines how the likes of Metro and Saints Row might ‘evolve’ if EA gets hold of them. So despite talk of securing a last-minute buyer, it looks like THQ are going to go the way of the dinosaurs and enter administration, auction... Read More
