TOP GAMES TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN 2010

DARK VOID

We've seen this game before. It's the familiar Humans vs Aliens combination where players must battle the aggressors before humanity is destroyed forever. OK, so we've seen this many times before. However, the story and gameplay Dark Void is implementing makes this game worthy of your interest. A pilot, William Grey, crashes in the Bermuda Triangle and teleports into a parallel universe, where humans are slaves, and the superior alien race are looked upon as Gods. If this universe only had jetpacks, maybe someone could do something about it. Oh wait, there are jetpacks? Yes!

Dark Void takes the gameplay mechanic we've seen before in games such as Superman and Iron Man, and adds flight to what would normally be a typical third person shooter. Add in the vertical cover system developed by Airtight Games, as well as a sure-to-be-memorable score composed by Battlestar Galactica composer Bear McCreary, and you have the recipe for an awesome gaming experience. If the recent movie rumors are true, Brad Pitt may bring Dark Void to life on the silver screen. Which means we could see this new IP turn into a brand new multi-million dollar franchise. Does this sound like a winner to you?

DANTE'S INFERNO

EA, EA, EA... it's such a love-hate relationship with you. Dead Space came along and blew my mind and ever since, I find it hard to doubt your abilities to create a truly epic gaming experience. I don't want to like you, but you made an intelligent decision to have the same developers behind Dead Space, bring Dante's Inferno to life. And if this game will be the Xbox 360's version of 'God of War', I believe millions of gamers will find it hard not to purchase.

Based on Dante Alighieri's poem, The Divine Comedy, you control the character, Dante, to chase your beloved Beatrice into Hell and free her soul from Lucifer. The player will find themselves playing through the nine Circles of Hell to save her. Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery are all levels you'll need to face to complete the game. You can imagine the amount of creative flexibility Visceral Games must have had when thinking of demented and twisted ideas for each of these circles. The sky is the limit and I look forward to seeing the finished product. Even if I may find some images disturbing.

RED DEAD REDEMPTION: MY NAME IS JOHN MARSTON

I'm not sure how long this video will last, but it looks like the brand new Red Dead Redemption trailer was leaked a few days early. Rockstar San Diego has really created something special here and I can't wait to get my hands on this gem. As one of the few people who got a chance to see Red Dead Redemption (aka Grand Theft Horse) being developed, back in 2008 when I interviewed for an artist position there, I can see it has come a long way. Welcome back Western genre. Welcome back indeed.

A few of these leaked videos showed up on YouTube but were removed very quickly by request from Take 2. I'm hoping since I found this video on GameTrailers.com that it will be ok for me to re-post. Either way, enjoy while you can.

Update: Game trailer was removed from site. Embedded new one.

Video Source: ShogunGamer.com

GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR GAMER BOYFRIEND 2009

Following up on last years Gift Ideas for your Gamer boyfriend, I decided to keep that list going for 2009 with other ideas to consider. Tomorrow is Black Friday and if you are running out of ideas to get your boyfriend here are a few things you should look out for:

XBOX 360 HARD DRIVE: New 60GB $99 or Refurbished 60GB $79
Yes, I know it is expensive. And most of us 360 owners are still rockin' the 20GB hard drive we were given when we bought the damn thing. But there is just way too much content on this console to keep the 20GB, so it could be time for this upgrade. Consider it an 'investment'. From Xbox Live Arcade games, and now being able to download full Xbox games from the Marketplace as well as new features being added all of the time, this purchase could go a long way. The 120GB hard drive is rip off at $150, or refurbished at $99. 60GB hard drive for $99 or find a refurbished one for $79. Either way, your boyfriend will be appreciative.

GAME INSPIRED T-SHIRT: $20
Just like last year, T-Shirts are always a winner in my book. And guess what? T-Shirts are still in style. Guys are still wearing them. Can you believe it? This year, get a bit more creative. What's your boyfriends favorite game? Google that game, and T-Shirt to see what you can find. Chances are, someone, somewhere out there has made a T-Shirt for it. If you have a Half-Life fan on your hands, this shirt is a no-brainer. SplitReason.com is a good site to check out this year as well as JINX.com.

HOW ABOUT A HOODIE INSTEAD?: $25
If you find yourself in a cooler climate, think about a Game Inspired Hoodie. If your boyfriend has the video gamer physique, nothing says I love you more than a hoodie that shows the world how he got that body in the first place. Amazon.com is your friend, try searching for gifts there as well.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED MOUSE PAD: $15
One of my favorite things about Christmas are stocking stuffers. I love finding out what in the world can fit inside a stocking. Why not combine the stocking stuffer with one of the greatest images to ever pop up on your boyfriends screen during a game? The Achievement Unlocked icon definitely says I love you. Zazzle.com has mouse pads, T-Shirts, Stickers, neck ties, mugs and hats so you're sure to find something for your loved one.

ACHIEVEMENT LOCKED: $15
Combine the Achievement Unlocked gift you give him with another gift both of you will enjoy. Check out the Achievement Locked underwear, if not just for the laugh.

XBOX 360 OR PS3 TRAVEL CASE: $20-$30
A travel case is not every gamers dream come true. But it is extremely practical and I have found mine to come in handy on numerous accasions. The one that I ended up getting was spontaneous so it's not as nice as these I found. So take your time, find a travel case that fits him, and throw in a couple of extra surprises (aka Modern Warfare 2, Borderlands or Uncharted 2) in the carrying case when he opens it up, and then watch how big his smile gets




Don't forget to check out my list from last year for even more ideas for your gamer boyfriend.

DAMN IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A GANGSTA: PANDEMIC STUDIOS SAYS FAREWELL

Back in 1998, Pandemic Studios was formed as an independent game studio. I bet Pandemic wishes they stayed that way before EA purchased them in 2007. Because as of November 17, almost at the end of the year 2009, the studio has officially been closed. Yet another group of developers to add to the pool of talent currently applying for those hard to get positions in the industry.

I can't say I personally enjoyed games by Pandemic, mainly their last game 'Mercenaries 2: World in Flames' for the Xbox 360. But it still sucks to hear bad news like this. Much as I expect in most of the industry, some of the employees retain their sense of humor and deliver an Oscar worthy performance of one of the greatest scenes from the movie, Office Space. OK, it's not close to being Oscar worthy, but unlike the movie, this is real.

I have dreamed about doing something like this at my last job before I left, but they replaced that damn fax and copy machine before I left, ruining my dreams forever. For these 3 employees at Pandemic, their Office Space re-enactment dreams were finally realized.

To rub salt on the wound, EA Los Angeles announced soon after the closure that they would be developing a new Mercenaries game, called Mercs Inc. Some Pandemic employees will continue working at EA LA. Most will be let go.

BORDERLANDS: ZOMBIE ISLAND OF DR. NED DLC

For those of you who did not know, Borderlands is actually an awesome game. I've been playing it until Modern Warfare 2 came out and surprisingly, I keep going back to play after beating Modern Warfare 2. It feels like a Fallout 3 type of game but with 10 times more action, and there is 'fun' included. No running miles and miles in deserted landscapes only to be killed once you finally get where you're going, making you start the 5k marathon all over again.

If you haven't picked this game up yet, I suggest you give it a go. You can play it by yourself, or with up to 4 players online. And the best part? As with any game that comes out now it seems, Zombies have now been added into the mix. I haven't downloaded the DLC yet because I have yet to beat the game, but when I do, this DLC will be welcomed with open arms.

Send me an invite online if you want to join in on some 4 player Co-Op. I have yet to play with other friends online, mostly because all my friends are playing Modern Warfare 2.

WHEN GAMING AFFECTS YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Sometimes in a gamer's relationship, a line is crossed. Example: Your girlfriend comes home in the middle of a Halo clan match only to disrupt your killing spree. After the disruption, you proceed to snap at her, like it's her fault? "What the f*** babe!? Are you kidding me? I only needed one more kill. Great timing babe... ggreeaatt." I've been there guys. But we don't need to be such assholes when this situation happens. My girlfriend knows how important video games are to me. Video games are important to a lot of guys out there. But when gaming affects your relationship, how far is too far?

Like most of you gamers out there, video games have been a part of our lives in one way or another since we could remember. Some guys choose sports, some guys choose to mod their cars, some guys choose to get drunk and do stupid shit with their buddies to pass the time and tape it all for YouTube. So if it's not gaming, it's Poker night. It's Fantasy Football. It's Beer Pong Championship 2009. Either way, there is something that could get in the way of a relationship. But gaming? Gaming seems to be a developing problem, dare I say epidemic, for a lot of couples.

Exhibit A:


What girls need to understand about us guys and our games

Gaming is what we do. It is a stress reliever. A portal that takes us away from reality. A way of unwinding after working all day or going to school and it's also a way that we bond with our friends. For me personally, I don't live anywhere near my friends, so having the 360 around to hop online and play games with your bud like he was right next door is important to retaining that friendship. Online gaming is a community, and we really enjoy being a part of that community.