The latest EA Mobile update has some information on Mass Effect apps, the sequel to the popular Flight Control, and an important milestone for Tetris Free.
First off, fans of the Mass Effect series can download two new Mass Effect apps from the iOS store this week, Mass Effect Infiltrator and Mass Effect Datapad. Infiltrator and Datapad will allow players to enhance their weapons and also influence the ending in Mass Effect 3.
Flight Control Rocket is the sequel to the popular Flight Control game by Firemint, and will offer an interesting intergalactic twist, and it will be released in the iOS store sometime in March. In the meantime you can view the trailer below.
Finally, an important milestone update as Tetris Free has achieved for 10 million downloads on the Android market.
While I have no intention of looking up the individual members of the Australian Classification Board responsible for deeming what you and I as adults are allowed to view and play, this is directed at them nonetheless. Firstly, do you actually play the games you are classifying? I only ask, as your rulings denote that the answer is a clear no, or that you are playing them in total disregard to other titles you have allowed in with no issues. First Mortal Kombat, which is so far removed from reality and would actually be deemed tame by most movie and even anime cartoon standards, and now EA’s Syndicate. While I understand the need to keep certain delicate sexual material out of circulation, you have no moral right or place telling Australian adults that they cannot experience legal material simply because you find it objectionable. I find many things in life objectionable but they are all socially accepted and basically my opinion on those matters don’t count. Just like yours shouldn’t.
Syndicate has been banned on the grounds that enemies can be dismembered, decapitated and generally massacred by the sheer force of gunshots. It was also found offensive that enemies could continue to be trashed even after they had been killed, which the board says exceeds acceptable levels of violence in the industry. If this is to be believed one must wonder how much the developers and publishers of Dead Island which is a culprit in all of those categories had to hand over to get is passed. Syndicate has some aspects that conceptually could be construed as unnecessary violence such as making enemies kill those around them and then themselves, something that cool as it is in a game I would have thought was much more questionable. Anyway, my point is it is no more offensive than any war or combat game that has been released. In truth I find games like Modern Warfare and Battlefield more offensive as they glorify real life war against human opponents.
At least games like Syndicate, Binary Domain and Mortal Kombat have an element of fantasy that should allow them leniency in classification. They are set in space for heavens sake, and a nation of gamers should not be denied the chance to play these games that are readily available in EVERY other country even New Zealand (sorry kiwis no harm meant), just because some unstable soul who has been living in his parents basement watching torture films his whole life decides to go on a murder spree which is clearly a result of the copy of Syndicate he has left in his Xbox 360 before he went out.
Anyway, long and winded this is not meant to be, but pull your heads in Australian Classification Board and have a good look at the archaic system you rely on. The main result of all this is increased overseas sales from other countries, loss of sales for Australian retailers, annoyed publishers that give up on that market, annoyed gamers who are tired of being treated like children, and pirates who have a legitimate excuse to download the game since its not available to buy.
Sports Interactive have announced the release of an update for Football Manager 12, ensuring all the players are in the correct teams after the January transfers.
The patch update is available through Steam now and also includes a number of fixes for the game such as some crash issues and player decisions. The patch may automatically download through Steam depending on your settings otherwise you will need to install t manually.
One of the staff members of the Sports Interactive for FM12, Jeremy Brock, answered some questions about concerns with downloading the patch, stating that you will not lose your saved games however you will obviously need to start a new file if you want the effects in your manager mode.
Madman has announced that anime fans will be able to participate in an interesting online voting event where they have a chance to determine what the world considers to be the the Top 20 Anime titles of all time.
Fans can choose from over 100 anime titles from the Madman catalogue, featuring titles such as Akira, Neon Genesis, Astro Boy, Dragon Ball Z, and many many more. The voting will also allow for wild card entries, anime that were not included in the initial list of titles.
Voting will end on 5 April 2012, and upon closing Madman will commence a countdown where they will be revealing a new anime from the top 20 each day until the number one anime is revealed. Prizes will also be given to voters for their comments and participation, and on the day of the 20th day of the top 20 countdown, the day the number one anime gets revealed, one lucky voter will win all 20 titles from the top 20.
You can hop on the official voting site right now and cast your votes.
Today, the third person shooter Unit 13 has been released for the Playstation Vita in Australia, bringing adrenaline pumping military shooter action to the powerful handheld. Developed by Zipper Interactive, Unit 13 takes advantage of all the input and connectivity features PS Vita has to offer. Dual analogue sticks offer console shooter controls on the go, in addition to Sixaxis and front and rear touch support to offer an intuitive, immersive experience.
Unit 13, a counter-terrorism squad deployed with only one objective; complete the mission. Missions focus on contemporary scenarios creating an experience that is loaded with authenticity. The 3G connectivity of PS Vita are at the core of Unit 13 and bring all-new challenges and ways of playing to the genre, with daily missions and an online leaderboard access to check how performance rates against PSN friends, or any player in the local area or worldwide. If your friends overtake you in the leaderboards, 3G will alert you instantly.
Unit 13 is now available at all Playstation Vita outlets as a game card and on the Playstation Store as a digital download.
This awesome artwork that resembles an action movie poster from the 1980s is actually the final cover art selected from the often delayed but still highly anticipated Max Payne 3. But fear not, the game is finally ready for a 2012 release and it will happen in May 2012. The latest cover art is an updated version from the one that was initially unveiled.
The game will be released for for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on 15 May 2012 in North America and 18 May 2012 in Europe, with the PC version launching on 29 May 2012 in North America and 1 June 2012 in Europe.
Looks like Max Payne is ready to gol a Chuck Norris on the gaming world.
Nintendo recently announced quite a few new additions that will be joining the eShop soon, and one of the more interesting titles listed was Ketzel’s Corridors. After just a day of waiting and wondering just how this puzzler would play though, a new trailer has risen to give us a good glimpse of what to expect.
Imagine “Hole in the Wall”, but instead of moving limbs to fit, you must quickly align Tetris-like blocks to move forward. That is the vibe given in the new clip, and with the Aztec art design and clever mechanics, I honestly think this is yet another perfect fit for the platform as the 3DS’ visual depth should make this simple puzzler a rather immersive one. Check out the first trailer for Ketzel’s Corridors down below, and once an official date is announced, we will be sure to bring out an update.
With the (currently slated) biggest game of 2012 releasing this week, retailers everywhere have decided to temporarily cut the price of last year’s greatest, which is none other than The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Gamestop,Best Buy, and Amazon are now listing the behemoth Bethesda release for just $39.99.
This includes both in-store and online pick-ups, so if you have been on the fence before for one reason or another, consider your excuses void. Another worthy mention is the coveted collector’s edition of the game, which has been discounted at all Gamestop locations for just $79.99. Yes, it indeed can be great to wait.
If you thought the lovable Sims were done yet, you would be wrong as EA are determined to lengthen the third installment event further…and this time with super-stardom. The Sims 3 Showtime is the newest expansion pack and puts your own creations in Showtime Shores, a luxurious location where these residents can get a glimpse of the fast life of fame. Your own Sim can set out to become a singer, magician, acrobat or DJ and put on performances for audiences, where the player must work hard to craft their skills in order to put on the best show possible.
Also launching alongside Showtime is The Sims 3 Showtime Katy Perry Collector’s Edition, which will use the pop-music superstar’s likeness and let players get to explore a world themed in the “California Girl” herself. I still remember quite enjoying The Urbz quite a few years ago, and even though The Sim’s constant stream of expansions can hurt the wallet, it’s still nice to know that the fans of the beloved franchise will never have to complain about wanting more.
Sega are back with some more screenshots and a brand new trailer for the upcoming “London 2012” developed by Sega Studios Australia to celebrate the London Olympics coming to the world this June. This time we are graced with a fly through of the all important Aquatic Centre, which will be home to all the action packed swimming as well as the more delicate diving and brutal water polo amongst many others.
Despite still being a WIP the trailer looks aesthetically amazing, with detailed and rendered pools and stadiums, and a natural fluidity to the water movement.
Im sure there are a lot of fans waiting for some actual gameplay footage to see whether it stands up to the gorgeous looking trailers that have so far been released to us. Stay tuned for more London 2012 news.
