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Metal Gear and Snake infiltrate the Smithsonian Museum

Darren Resnekov
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The METAL GEAR franchise has risen to even more elevated heights, as Konami have announced that a portfolio of historical video clips and images from Metal Gear Solid and its sequel Sons of Liberty will be on display in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibition The Art of Video Games opening March 16th to the public to attend. Additionally, art from the fourth instalment in the franchise, Guns of the Patriots will be on display alongside the others. Although i didnt play the original Metal Gear which debuted in Japan in 1987, I clearly remember the Metal Gear Solid hype on the Playstation One and the path it set for others to follow in the steath-action genre.

The first METAL GEAR SOLID was is in a different league to anything that had been previously released on any console platform and was the brain-child of Hideo Kojima, who for the first time combined cinematic fully voiced cut scenes with 3D Tactical Espinoage action which added the new element of stealth to the genre. Sons of Liberty continued the storyline of Solid Snake and also introduces us to the destructive Dead Cell who harbour the armageddon like Metal Gear Ray.

Guns of the Patriots signalled the end of the franchise and Solid Snakes adventures, as he ventured deep into enemy territory using all the skills he had learnt over the years combined with a huge arsenal of weapons and equipment. Players had to travel around the globe, infiltrating enemy territory and remainig out of sight in order to foil Liquid Ocelots plans for global insurrection.

As part of the surrounding event leading up to the event Hideo Kojami will be participating in discussions about the artistry and creativity involved in game design, alongside the exhibitions curator Chris Mellisinos. Fans who wish to watch the panel session live and free can do so on March 17th at noon and by visiting http://www.americanart.si.edu/calendar/lectures/archive/2012/gamefest/kojima/

 

 

 



Razor Academy: e-Sports Learning Platform                    

Joshua Moris
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Razor has decided that it was time to bring a whole new level of gaming to e-Sports by developing a platform to enhance gamer knowledge. Appropriately named the “Razor Academy”, players around the world will gain access to interviews, guides, commentary, game analysis, and even documentaries.
Here is a list of contributors for the new platform:
Abdulatif “Latif” Alhmili – Streetfighter champion

Bachir “Athene” Boumaaza – world famous gamer and YouTuber

Toby “TobiWanKenobi” Dawson – professional Defense of the Ancients commentator

Ben “MrBitter” Nichol – professional StarCraft II commentator

Martin “AngeL” Olsen – professional Defense of the Ancients player

Protato Monster – League of Legends YouTube channel

John “Swifty” Pyle – World of Warcraft legend

Rachel “Seltzer” Quirico – e-Sports journalist and gamer

Stuart “TosspoT” Saw – professional commentator

Kendall “arCtiC” Smith – professional console gamer

Leigh “Deman” Smith – professional commentator

Kevin “RotterdaM” van der Kooi – professional StarCraft II commentator

Alexei “Cypher” Yanushevsky – Quake professional
These special guests will be joined by elite members of the Team Razor squad to be guests on shows as well as commentators for events. The primary events targeted at the moment are Starcraft II and League of Legends, and the team plans on providing in-depth analysis to help hone your skills. If there are specific e-Sports stars that you wish to follow, Razor Academy will track their progress and have their videos available for your viewing pleasure.
Here is a quick word from Robert “RazerGuy” Krakoff, president of Razer USA:
Unlike some other sports where professionals use tricked-out equipment made expressly for them, pro gamers use the very same hardware off-the-shelf that is readily available to you. Have you ever wondered what they use, why they use a certain type or style of mouse, keyboard, headset or surface? Razer Academy will strive to educate and demystify the why and how of gaming hardware. The Razer Academy aims to quench your thirst for e-Sports, providing a platform to not only improve and develop your game, but to make it your true passion. The star contributors to the Academy are legends in their own right and, drawing on their experience and talent, will provide some truly mouth-watering content to help you become a pro-gaming baller too.
While currently in its beta phase, Razor Academy is up and running for gamers eager to up their game. Test out the site now to give them your feedback (here).


Rocksmith finally announced for Europe                    

Dustin Spencer
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Rocksmith arrived late last year and proved to be an interesting and effective tutor to those who wanted a more authentic guitar experience on a console. Well, sort of. You see, North America was originally the only region in which this strumming romp could be picked up by music buffs in training, but luckily Ubisoft must have seen success somewhere as Rocksmith will now be headed to Europe, the Middle-East and Asia on September 12th of this year.
“Rocksmith has already seduced hundreds of thousands in North America and we are very proud to bring this game into our territories”, said Geoffroy Sardin, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer at Ubisoft EMEA. “The main reason for this success is that Rocksmith offers so much more than previous guitar games: the possibility to actually master a real instrument. “


This release will be featured on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC/Mac and is set to include all of the songs and lessons from the original release, along with additional content that has yet to be detailed.


New Kingdom Hearts 3D Screenshots                    

Michael Irving
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Disney and Square Enix have revealed more images from the upcoming 3DS installment of the Kingdom Hearts series, subtitled Dream Drop Distance. Bizarre name, to be sure, but the series isn’t one to shy away from weird titles. And besides, it fits the 3D label.
In addition to the character designs for the new game, including Disney stalwarts Mickey, Donald and Goofy, and series’ returners Riku and Sora, there’s a sneak peek of some of the minigames on offer – although out of context, I have no idea what I’m looking at.
It’s also been revealed that the game includes a new Disney world to explore: The Grid, as seen in Tron: Legacy.
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance isn’t far from release in Japan, but Europe, America and Australia will have to wait until later in the year.


Rising Star Games puts down roots in North America with Phil Robinson as VP of Operations                    

Travis Bruno
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For many years a company in the United Kingdom has been publishing plenty of titles for plenty of different platforms. However this company has never stepped foot in North America until now as they have established a headquarters in California. Could they be a rising star in the gaming industry?
Well… that was a bad pun. Moving on! Rising Star Games now has a base of operations in the United States and today they have revealed that Phil Robinson will be the Vice President of operations at this new office. Those curious as to what Rising Star Games will be doing in North America will be glad to hear that their first game, a bullet hell shooter developed from the legendary Japanese developer Cave named Akai Katana, will be released in Q2 2012 exclusively on the Xbox 360.


CnC Tiberium Alliances launches beta; will be free-to-play                    

J. Bradshaw
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EA announced today that Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances will be launching as a “massively multiplayer online (MMO), browser-based, free-to-play strategy game that delivers a whole new way for players to experience the Command & Conquer Tiberium universe.”  The game is being developed by Phenomic and is currently in open beta.  You can register to try out for the beta by visiting the official website of Command and Conquer Tiberium Alliances. 
According to EA, players will be able to “harvest valuable resources, foster strategic alliances and engage in relentless battles as they strive for world domination. With in-game news and status feeds, players get frequent updates, creating a completely interactive and dynamic gameplay experience that has gamers strategizing, reacting, and adapting on the spot.”
 


Soulcalibur V update coming March 21st with gameplay tweaks                    

Travis Bruno
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Earlier today Namco Bandai announced that they will be releasing an update for Soulcalibur V later this month on March 21st. The update will contain a number of adjustments, such as gameplay tweaks and character balancing per community feedback. Also they will be optimizing online ranked game searching to make things a bit easier to find people better suited to your skills.
This update will be free of course and will be available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 simultaneously. Those hoping for some actual DLC will have to wait until April 3rd for the Xbox 360 version of the game to receive additional costumes for character creation, while PlayStation 3 owners will need to wait a day longer.


Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – Believe in Ghosts #3                    

Dustin Spencer
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Finishing off their video series detailing the upcoming Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Ubisoft have put out  “Believe in Ghosts: Episode 3”, which details the game’s mechanics even further. Richard “Mack” Machowicz explains in the clip about how important gathering intel is on the battlefield, and just how it will work into Future Soldier’s multiplayer mode.
The entire clip shows off an entire mission, with both real and in-game footage being used to show how players will use this said intel to become victorious. You can check out the video in full below, and Ghost Recon’s next epic chapter will find itself in stores come May.


MotoHeroz Launches on the iOS                    

Dustin Spencer
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After already seeing great success on the WiiWare, Ubisoft are now launching Motoheroz for the iOS as of today. For those unfamiliar, this side-scrolling racer features a vibrant and colorful world for players to race in, with tons of loot and secrets to be found within each stage.
To go along with this release, Ubisoft and Redlynx have also brought out a trailer for the more portable versions, which features the twisty tracks that players can speed through as they set out to get the best times possible.
Check out the trailer below, and click either link to snag this gassed up platformer now.



iPhone/iPod Touch – $.99

iPad – $2.99


Go undercover in Hong Kong with the developers of Sleeping Dogs                    

Travis Bruno
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You have to admit, United Front Games has some pretty big balls. You wouldn’t be able to pay me enough money to walk the streets of Hong Kong and openly try to find members of the Triad to talk with, however these developers have put it all on the line when it comes to making Sleeping Dogs as you can see in the below developer diary.
In this developer diary the developers at United Front Games discuss the game’s setting of Hong Kong and explained how they researched various members of society including members of the Triad. Though if you listen closely it is easy to see that this probably was the most uncomfortable and life-threatening experience they had ever had.
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