A Tumultuous March for the Video Game Business

RIP sweet SOCOM prince.

Another month, another storied list of casualties and controversies from every side of the business. These bumps and bruises are becoming routine, and it seems each month brings a new troubled story that dominates headlines. This March especially, with an unprecedented move from a certain notable studio about an ending in peril. Never has the term "gamer entitlement" been tossed around more than in the last thirty-one days.

Leading into E3, the rumours are flying about what each console manufacturer will bring to the table. The idea of a "Xbox Lite" model from notorious whistle-blower MSNerd caught fire and shortly became a hot ticket tidbit, even though Microsoft hasn't confirmed anything. Furthermore, the Sony fanbase was riled after rumours surfaced saying the PS4, codenamed "Orbis", won't include backwards compatibility nor play used discs.

All this discussion about the used game industry is disconcerting, but what's more important is how GameStop and other retailers, after the demise of UK retailer GAME, respond. GAME's rapid fall from grace couldn't have come at a worst time too, with Mass Effect 3 launching that same week. Alongside other unknown buyers, GameStop was in the market to purchase the remaining 333 stores, but just three hours ago (at the time of this writing) an investment firm known as OpCapita swooped in and saved the day.

Following behind the retailers, developers and publishers had the most trouble of all. Blizzard, for unknown reasons, laid off 600 non-development personnel, perhaps downsizing with Diablo 3 on its way. And speaking of downsizing, Sega was walloped by layoffs and canceled projects after a less-than-expected quarterly result, reinventing its focus on Sonic and three other titles.

A volatile month for THQ ended with it cutting development of the upcoming Warhammer MMO, opting to go first-person shooter with multiplayer elements. The genre shift cost 118 developers their jobs, all from Relic and Vigil. And to cap off, perhaps the most devastating news of all: the closing of Zipper Interactive.

The studio, best known for MAG and the SOCOM franchise, first entered the console market in 2002 and continued exclusively under Sony until yesterday. In the announcement, Sony made no mention of the future of SOCOM, but with three games under its belt, Slant Six Games is likeliest to handle further development.

I was going to mention the Mass Effect 3 ending, but every blog has written extensively on the topic so it's a moot point. Even on Volatile Mode I've dallied into BioWare's conduct and the issue of "gamer entitlement", so you can check the backlog if you're interested. Otherwise, let's see what April brings. And just a piece of advice: Don't believe anything tomorrow. Developers are terrible people. Jeff out.

Interview: the Lovely Raychul Moore

Around Christmas time she always gets down. (All images are used with permission.)

Hey guys. Got a fresh interview for you, right off the presses. The subject this time is Raychul Moore, a prominent gaming journalist and videographer with a long list of credits to her name. She also has a YouTube channel with an impressive 12,000 subscribers and is quite thorough about her opinions. She graciously took the time to answer a few questions via email, and I hope a followup interview will happen soon.

1. How did you decide on a career in games journalism, and is there any advice you can give prospective writers on getting a foot in the door?

 

I wouldn't really say I chose it, it definitely chose me. GamePro really took me under their wings and taught me everything I needed to know to work in this industry. They believed me and gave me a chance. I owe it all to them. 

As far as advice, I always tell people to just do it. Whether it's writing or getting into the video side, just do it and you will get noticed. There are great sites and opportunities for people wanting to get started in editorial and there is YouTube for people who want to get involved with the video side. You produce the content and the doors will begin to open for you.

2. What about cosplay do you find so attractive and who are your favourite characters to recreate?

 

I adore cosplay because it's taking the thing I like about games to the next level. In games, I get to be that space marine, or the princess or the ultimate fighter... but now with cosplay I get to dress like them as well!

My favorite costumes I have done so far are definitely Cammy from Street Fighter, Kratos from God of War and my female Thor.

3. You list your all-time favourite game as Uncharted 2. List three specific things (or more if you want) about what makes the game so dear to your heart.

 

Uncharted 2 is, in my opinion, the example of the perfect game. It has the engaging storyline, in-depth character development, attention to detail in their environments and some of the best voice-acting I've heard in a video game. What's not to love?! 

 

4. When Asylum called you "the perfect woman", were you flattered or angry that you weren't dawned with the title sooner? 

 

Hahaha, definitely flattered. I don't think I am "the perfect woman". I don't like JRPGs or Call of Duty, many would say those are fatal flaws. :)

5. Do you think gender equality within the club of gaming journalists has improved over the last five, ten years?

 
I do, but I also think that anyone preaching about "gender equality" is their own worst enemy. Don't want people to treat you differently? Well then stop yelling about all the reasons why they do treat you differently. Just my two cents.

6. (This is because I'm curious). With the recent kerfuffle over Mass Effect 3, do you fans were justified in their anger? And, furthermore, do you think BioWare is right go against their creative integrity and ultimately change the ending through downloadable content?

 

The game industry is the worse when it comes to temper-tantrums. We didn't like Jar Jar but we still love Star Wars. I had a great time in my journey through the Mass Effect series, but just because the ending wasn't everything I had hoped and dreamed, doesn't mean it ruins experience for me. 

I do agree that the ending could have had a bit more detail and closure to the over all story, but still, I walk away having had a great time and am thankful for it.

7. What is your most anticipated game of 2012? (One that hasn't come out yet.)

 

The two games that I am definitely most excited about are Bioshock Infinite and Borderlands 2. Yes yes yes!!

 

8. Do you think as a professional woman working in the gaming industry that your opinions are received differently from the largely male audience? 

 

If my opinions are viewed differently, it's only because the viewers have to get over the fact that I have boobs first. After that novelty wears off, I think they probably view my opinion the same as any one else. :)

 

 

9. Do you have a lot of female fans, and how do you feel you relate to them?

 

I believe I do. I definitely relate to them and my male fans the same, because at the end of the day, we are so much alike. We love games, action figures, achievements and shooting virtual bad guys in the head.

 

10. Having over 12,000 YouTube subscribers (congratulations, by the way) what are some questions you're often asked?

 

Thank you! My most common questions I get are "what are your favorite games" and "are they real". 

 

To which the answers are:

 

1. Uncharted 2, Bioshock, Silent Hill 2, Fatal Frame, Eternal Darkness, Dragon Age: Origins and Borderlands.

 

2. Yes.

 

11. I don't know if you caught this Forbes article, but it caused quite a stir online, prompting this response from Leigh Alexander. What is your take on the "fake geek girl" situation?

 

It's ridiculous to judge people and stereotypes. I am a geek and I don't think I need to be *hush hush* about it to a "true geek". We are all different and we all show that are proud of who we are in different ways.

I do agree we have an epidemic of fake geeks and gamers out there. But anyone who really cares, can see through the act in a heartbeat. People like to ridicule me for showing cleavage in my pictures or videos, and say I am only posing to be a gamer for attention. This boggles my mind, why do people think I can't be a gamer AND have boobs? Just because I have cleavage doesn't make me any less of a gamer or geek then the next person. Again, we are all different, we game differently, we express our love for games differently. We should embrace this, not tear it down.

12. What are your expectations for Nintendo's upcoming console, the Wii U? Will it replicate the success of the Wii?

 

I am not sure if it will meet the success of the Wii, but I applaud Nintendo for doing and trying something different. Instead of getting in the race with Microsoft and Sony on who has the better graphics or who has the better shooters; Nintendo has decided to go their own way and so far it's been working for them.

13. Being a prominent YouTuber, who are some of your favourite commentators?

 

I honestly don't watch a lot of other YouTube channels, only because I know I will start over-analyzing myself. Confidence, it's one of the areas that I am not too skilled at. But, I will say, I am a huge fan of Mega64 and BlackNerdComedy.

14. In your gaming career so far, which game was your favourite to review and which did you hate the most?

Oh, I know the one I hated reviewing the most was Disneyland Kinect Adventures. Wow, what a terrible game. But my favorite was probably Uncharted 2 because I love that game so much I could talk about it for hours.

15. And lastly, would you do my readers and I the honour of tweeting this interview to your mass audience, and maybe, please with a cherry on top, mention this interview in one of your videos? I love watching and I'm positive my readers love watching your videos also. If they haven't heard of you, well they definitely have now.

 

Of course! I would love to! Yes, tell your readers to check out my Twitter: @theRaychul. I occasionally give away free games and game codes to my followers. :)

Thank you!!

 

Glad to see Raychul take the time to answer these questions. I wanted to ask her the story behind the unique spelling of her name, but I omitted that because it didn't relate to gaming. Maybe in a followup interview I'll get more personal. Anyway, enjoy the read and check out her YouTube which is full of wonder and intrigue. Jeff out.

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The Greatest Video Game Movie Trailer Ever?

I actually caught this from someone I follow on twitter, and this trailer is utterly fantastic. However, I can't promise the plot is as enthralling or awesome as other movies, nor does the acting look Oscar-caliber, but the fate of a gang war rests on a poor man's version of Dance Dance Revolution. It doesn't get much better than that.

You can find the trailer by clicking here. Unfortunately the movie isn't listed so I can't post the trailer within the post window, but to compensate, here's the full trailer music for The Hunger Games that I'm obsessed with recently:

Confessions of a Gamer's Girlfriend: Top Five Signs of Video Game Withdrawal

She doesn't usually scream like that.

And again, Jess makes her triumphant return! This edition, a big life change has prolonged her non-gaming time, as with her boyfriend, and she has noticed some odd behaviour. These are five signs you're suffering from video game withdrawal:

Despite our busy schedules, my boyfriend and I have always made the effort to spend as much time as possible together. Though we have always seemed to make it work, sacrifices are often made. For me, I often find myself scrounging to find time to write. For him, it’s video games that have gone by the wayside. It’s not like I am telling him not to play. We just happen to spend more time at my place, and I unfortunately don’t have a system of my own.

Though he does not blame me (much), there is still some animosity present and I have noticed a few changes in him. Though he does his best to hide it, he is experiencing some of the classic telltale symptoms of withdrawal:

UNEASINESS/UNWARRANTED BOREDOM:
Video games not only used to fill all one’s spare time, it gave something to look forward to; a reflex hobby if you will. With one’s usual activity of choice no longer available, a distinct feeling of unease can set in. “So…what do I do now?” Is the forefront thought on the mind. It’s uncomfortable. Even if there are dozens of equally stimulating and engaging activities available, they just don’t capture the imagination the way video games do.

GRUMPY AND IRATE BEHAVIOUR:
Gaming is a pleasurable activity. When doing things one enjoys, there is an increase the levels of serotonin in the brain AKA ‘that feel good feeling’. When the brain experiences a drop in these levels, a person can become ill tempered and easily aggravated.

DIFFICULTY ENJOYING OTHER ACTIVITIES:
With today’s technology, video games are no longer a just a simple game. They are vast and multifaceted realms, with entire communities dedicated to their infrastructure. When removed from this world, it’s hard to find something else that is as engaging on as many levels. In a sense, other activities are ‘cheapened’ or pale in comparison.

FEELINGS OF EMPTINESS/DEPRESSION:
It’s a commonly accepted concept that feelings of triumph and satisfaction can be derived from successes and met-milestones in video games. Unlocking new achievements and beating difficult bosses and levels give the feeling of accomplishment. With the confidence-building platform removed, a person can actually experience symptoms of loss and depression.

FREQUENT DREAMS ABOUT GAMEPLAY:
Our subconscious mind is a painting of our deepest thoughts and daily activities. Hence why people dream about work, school and people they know. When video games are a prominent part of one’s life, they become ingrained in our character. When they are removed, one feels a sense of longing for said activity. Dreams fantasizing about certain game play, or even casting oneself in the actual game are not unheard of.

With my boyfriend and I moving in together in a few months, it will be easier to not only spend time together, but to make time for individual activities as well. Whether or not I can stave off writer’s block long enough, and find ample time to write more articles is yet to be seen. However, with all the gaming my boyfriend will have time to do when he has his trusty console safely in our communal living room; at the very least his gaming will give me lots of inspiration to draw from and write about.

The Hunger Games Film Review

Tearing through the box office to the third-biggest opening weekend ever, and biggest for a non-sequel, The Hunger Games' inevitable migration to the silver screen supplanted Twilight as the latest popularized young adult franchise. And they responded overwhelmingly. And thankfully, they got their money's worth.

The Hunger Games is set in a futuristic North America where the country of Panem and its twelve districts are ruled by the tyrannous Capitol. In an intimidation tactic to quell any chance of another rebellion, every year the Capitol chooses two "tributes", a boy and girl between 12-18, to compete in a tournament to the death. Katniss' sister, Primrose, is chosen as the female tribute from their District 12, but Katniss volunteers to save her sister from certain death.

While not an innovative concept by any means, since people have been killing each other to entertain others for hundreds of years, Suzanne Collins (author of the trilogy and who cowrote the screenplay) manages to tell a riveting story of one girl's fight for survival.

Katniss, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is easily an admirable character, and it's hard not to root for her. One thing working against the filmmakers was the first-person perspective of the book, mostly involving Katniss' personal thoughts of the events, and that's sometimes difficult to translate to screen. But the Oscar-nominated Lawrence, known for her work in Winter's Bone, played the part remarkably well. Her face broadcasted the overbearing sense of disbelief that one would expect, and the film largely succeeded because of her strong portrayal.

The plot, a competition of kids killing kids, probably perturbed some moviegoers, but the director Gary Ross concealed the acts of violence well. Each death is only hinted at, like distant screams or off-camera confrontations, and the constant tension actually portrays them like human beings. There's one particular moment where Katniss befriends a little girl (I won't say who, but fans will know) and her reaction to what happens feels genuine. Limited by the friendly rating and to not alienate a majority of the fanbase, it's obvious careful consideration was taken when dealing with death scenes.

Unfazed by the colourful personalities of other roles, the other cast members also filled their spots beautifully. Peeta could have simply become a bland, forgettable figure to push events forward, but his interactions with Katniss gave him personality. Self-indulgent Elizabeth Banks sports an unusually perky tone and the always gleaming Stanley Tucci seems excessively enthusiastic. And lastly, Haymitch Abernathy, played by Woody Harrelson, shines as an out-of-touch drunk but still manages to successfully train Katniss.

Visually, the overt glamour of the Capitol residents directly clashes with the poorness of its districts; whether intended or not, the flashy costumes take away from the believability of the film. Otherwise, the main city is stunning, intertwined by streams and fountains, and upon first entering it, Peeta is wide-eyed and mystified by the grandioseness.

Film adaptations of Catching Fire and Mockingjay are planned, so it'll be engaging to see how they counteract the tone of each novel with its respective film. For now, however, The Hunger Games is a marvelous sign of things to come, and worth every penny. Jeff out.


Just a note: I'm going to expand the amount of content here, because my interests don't just involve video games. I really enjoyed the book series, so it was inevitable that I see the movie. So I reviewed it for content's sake. I don't get much feedback from you guys, so I don't know what kind of content you'd like to see. But I won't lose the gaming touch, that I promise.

Mobile Games are Having a Great 2012 So Far

It's been a lightning three days for mobile fanatics, still salivating at the thought of shooting birds into space. A ludicrous premise, perhaps, but somehow Rovio has rifled off another bit of extraordinary success. Angry Birds Space has collected ten million downloads in only three days, proving the doubters wrong.

After Angry Birds short trip down winner's square, many industry watchers casted doubt on if Rovio could change the formula much without losing that basic grasp of control. And if pissed off birds sacrificing themselves to kill pigs wasn't enough, by adding zero gravity, the studio has revolutionized gameplay without completely destroying the brand.

Before Space, another little game called Draw Something tore through the charts. The top download in 85 countries, it's been downloaded 35 million times in six weeks, and developer OMGPOP was recently snatched by Zynga for a cool $180 million. Initially, the price was a shock considering Draw is a new IP; maybe background politics or a bidding war played into the exorbitant amount. This deal, however, shows the ferocity of potential business from optimistic publishers.

Simple in execution and free of charge, OMGPOP's new creation emulates Pictionary in every way. The developer is planning a wealth of new features and fixes, which now parent company Zynga will be heavily promoting.

It's been a torrid year for mobile releases, and this trend is likely to continue throughout the year.

Personally, I wonder what other mobile titles will succeed this year? I don't follow mobile gaming too much, but this story just fascinates me. Voice your suggestions in the comments below! Jeff out.

13 Things Not To Do When Writing A Game Review

An awesome image from Wired Magazine.

Here on Volatile Mode, I have covered many aspects of the gaming industry. The backlog offers an eclectic assortment of posts to tickle the palate of anyone remotely interested in video gaming, and I'm glad to be given that opportunity by my incredibly beautiful audience. But this time, I'm going to try something different. Something new. Not innovative, but new. I'm attempting to create the longest list possible of things not to do while writing a review.

And I hope you'll spare the time to join me. If you have your own, please add them in the comments! We're all critics at heart so please feel free to share. Enjoy the list!

1. Not finish the game. It's an epidemic how often professional reviewers don't make it to the finish, and claim to have a grasp of what's happening. And then they criticize the story for not being interesting when their playthrough is left unresolved. How is that even ethical?

2. Include personal bias. I don't mean to exclude opinion because that's the point of a review. I mean having preconceived notions before trying a game and letting that influence your critique. It's good habit to view games as a blank slate.

3. Be completely negative. No one likes a pessimist. Even terrible games have some redeeming qualities, and reviewers should try and balance the good and bad out. See the value of why a developer chose this mechanic and specifically why. Most games even out to a seven or eight anyway.

4. Forget to stress your opinion is one of many. Surprisingly, and this is something I'm guilty of, a lot of people decide from one heavily critical review. And in the age of Metacritic that's all it takes. One damning review can make or break a game's success, but we tend to forget that's only one perspective. Others played the game too. Others probably liked the game. Others hated it. And consumers forget that.

5. Speak broadly. The words "many" or "most" relating to the audience should never find themselves in a review. It's bad to speak on behalf of a percentage of the populous because a review is just one person. And that review is strictly that reviewer's opinion. Nothing more. If you hate a game, say why "you" hate it and not why "most" would hate it.

6. Be a crybaby. Anything written and put online will receive backlash. It's just the nature of things. And reviews are hot topic issues, especially unpopular ones. Thus, reviewers need thick skin to survive the comment onslaught. What a reviewer writes is picked apart left-and-right until the piece of writing is left bruised and bloodied. Expect backlash.

7. Write a review if you've written a preview. One problem with games reviewing is since editorial teams are small, often the same writer is pegged with writing most coverage for one game. That including previews, features, and ultimately the review. Reviewers should begin a game with no bias, like I said in point two, and this is obscured when watching exclusive footage. Also, evidently a preview is followed by an interview and one-on-one camaraderie, blurring the professional lines even more.

8. Fluff a point. Get down to the nitty-gritty. Your personal tales aren't the reason a reader is reading reviews. That said, don't botch the opening paragraph either. If it's a sequel, discuss the prequel. If it's a new IP, discuss the developer's reputation or some extraordinary situation involving the game that people will recognize.

9. If there's multiplayer, don't beleaguer the point. Yes, it's common for games these days to include needless multiplayer modes. But a reviewer's job is to analyze the package they are presented with, not what could've been. Mention how multiplayer feels and other concepts and recommend it or not -- that's it. Which leads kindly into the next listing...

10. Go off on a tangent. It's rare for professional reviewers to do this, but sometimes unpaid reviews enter obscure areas unrelated to the game. I can guarantee that ninety percent of people reading stop then. Reviewers are just tools, mechanisms whereby through their experience consumers decide whether to buy a game. Readers don't care about a reviewer's personal life.

11. Giving a score. I'll probably get some flak for this but who cares. A score out of ten doesn't fairly represent two years of hard work from a capable developing studio. Plus, people just want to know if the game is worth getting. Give a recommendation on whether the game is worth the purchase, rent, or nothing. Not sugarcoat it by hiding behind a scoring system. (Clarification: this is purely my opinion. It is industry standard so proceed how you will.)

12. Hypothesize on the future. Concluding statements usually give grandiose expectations for future installments. A reviewer isn't a developer nor is (s)he a publisher. There's no way that person can prophesize on the future of a series without hard sales figures, and usually reviews come out well before a game is released. Leave the speculation to experts on the business side.

13. Purposefully entice readers to comment. Surely this has happened, and in my head I can recount plenty of times. For smaller blogs this is actually encouraged because of the limited audience, but mainstream sites are guilty of this in a controversial bid for attention. It's actually discouraged -- a properly executed review (without a score) shouldn't have any comments unless they disagree with a point. And if every statement is backed by facts that's not necessary.

Before I go insane, I'll cut the list off at 13. I'll consider doing a part two soon, or maybe tackle the opposing side. "How to Properly Write a Game Review" would be spectacular to talk about. Anyway, as I said before, if you have your own suggestions, leave them in the comments below. Jeff out.

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BioWare's Creative Integrity Has Capsized

The Illusive Man stares in disappointment.

Ray Muzyka, founder and general manager of BioWare, wrote this post declaring a long suspicion of fans and critics -- the ending of Mass Effect 3 is officially getting a makeover. He said: "Building on their research, Exec Producer Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey." Apparently we'll know more in April.

In my review, I voiced my displeasure for the ending like so many others have, but I never expected BioWare to backpedal on their creative process. The Mass Effect universe certainly deserved a more absolute ending, one where the player plays witness to the ramifications of their actions. One of the most appealing portions of the franchise is seeing the benefits and detriments of those decisions in real-time.

For BioWare to portray an uncertain ending, by some accounts, doesn't do fans "justice". Now the issue of "entitlement" is another whole topic in itself (and will likely get some coverage here), but instead of typing out the various reasons why so much discontent is directed at the ending, I'll just post this video. Courtesy of The Angry Joe Show. It's a little long though.

Fearful of the outcome, some have raised reasonable concern over BioWare's backpedaling, particularly regarding other franchises with unfavourable endings. The Twitter-verse has lit up with comparisons to Borderlands, among other recent franchises, that carried disastrous endings. Yet Gearbox wasn't perceived as criminal for robbing fans of a weak story to begin with. Comparing these games is a rather feeble attempt to belittle the "Retake Mass Effect" movement hilariously popular on Facebook. Read into the idiocy if you dare.

However, ultimately going against their initial stance, BioWare caved. I assume EA feels the PR language bullshit didn't work, and they've concocted a clever way of working it into downloadable content. The image that comes up is a newspaper salesperson: "Here! Get your endings here!"

We'll see where the developer takes this next month. Like every Mass Effect 3 controversy, the response should be a spectacle. Jeff out.

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Awesome Battlefield 3 Music - "It's Time" by John Dreamer

Recently I heard this awesome tune from the soundtrack of Battlefield 3, and now I can't stop. The orchestral nature of the song really captures that enthralling feeling of first loading up the game, but as I am no music critic, I'll let the song do the talking. "It's Time" by John Dreamer:

Volatile Mode's Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Games Journalist

Oh, Fox News. You silly.

It appears to be the ultimate profession. Attending conferences yearly on someone else's dime, playing the latest games before anyone, and writing about those experiences for a worldwide audience. But what prospective journalists don't realize is a career in games journalism is an impossible dream for most due to supply and demand. An overwhelming work force and few paying gigs available.

Now I'm on this same path. And, sadly, there's a better chance I won't make it because of that seemingly insurmountable challenge of breaking away from the pack. Being a leader instead of playing follow the leader. But ways exist to worm ahead of the competition. That motivation is the driving force behind this guide. 

Although I don't have any professional writing experience, I've done my fair share of tireless research and applied practical thinking to create this handy guide for anyone aspiring to enter games writing. Enjoy.

Establishing and maintaining a reputation has become one of the most daunting tasks since the Internet gained prominence. It has that uncanny sense of filtering out the stupid and useless to make way for productive content, and in the freelancing business, the best writers. Millions of blogs exist out there today, which often leads to the destruction of some great sites. Marking a path through the clutter is the first method to making it professionally -- starting a blog.

By creating your own little piece of digital paradise, you can essentially write anything you want. Blogging is perhaps the truest form of limitless creativity online, and it's both free and easily accessible. However, blogging has boundaries in regards to exposure: eventually you'll build an audience and maybe catch the eye of the IGN staff, but this works adversely because it takes times to build that audience. Nothing is instant and success doesn't happen overnight. On my personal blog, Volatile Mode, it took the better part of a year before I saw respectable numbers.

On the other hand, there's the option of writing for a volunteer site. Contributing your time and energy to a non-paying gig may seem demoralizing, and that's why I chose the blogging route. Though, ideally, the site of your choosing already has established its credibility and has a solid following. Additionally, the best prospects have E3 press passes and the means to get there. Given the right circumstances, they'll happily send you along, and the Staples Center in June is a hotbed for writing talent. And, more importantly, several opportunities to network. Be flashy, hand out business cards; whatever it takes to attract attention.

Third, and most annoyingly to actual professionals, is emailing them and asking. This method guarantees direct contact, but the likelihood of them responding isn't good. I'm assuming they receive thousands of messages daily, thus using creativity in the subject line is essential. The title of your email can be as simple as "I need your help", or more eloquently like "If you don't read this email someone you know will get hurt". (I don't advise actually using that.) Keep the message short but include your credentials and links to your work, and you may just get lucky.

Lastly, there's the freelancing route. E-magazines like The Escapist pay heartily for submissions each issue, though only exceptional ideas with great pitches earn consideration. This works partly to familiarize yourself with what it takes to make it, but also works to getting your name out to the loyal readership. Every query letter gets a response and they may just give you the courtesy of explaining why your idea doesn't work.

The games journalism industry is incredibly dynamic, and that dynamism will continue to grow alongside the business. As video games mature and reach a mass audience, more writers will be needed to articulately communicate what's happening, and video game coverage could earn a sense of legitimacy. Or I'm fooling myself and the future looks as dire as ever. But these four ways are, for argument's sake, the best to achieving your dream.

The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale Review - "Beside The Dying Fire"

Hey guys. I know the bulk of my posts discuss video gaming, but I've been enamoured by AMC's The Walking Dead ever since I caught its premiere. And since the second season finale is airing tonight and I'm in the writing mood, I wanted to give my take. Enjoy the review! Spoilers, of course!

It was most appropriate to review the second season finale as my first episode, given the explosiveness of what happened. And what an episode it was. Everything from a zombie invasion to a few major revelations to some character deaths, the season finale firmly anchors The Walking Dead's place among the best shows today.

The first half of the episode was beyond thrilling, whereby the sound of Carl's gunshot, a zombie hoard invades the farm. It's been a long time coming too, but what an astonishing way to shift locations. Characters running frantically all around the lot, and somehow all major characters make it out alive. It wasn't three episodes in a row with a major character dying: Jimmy was overwhelmed, sacrificing himself to save Rick and Carl in the burning barn, and Patricia, eaten while still holding Beth's hand.

By far the coolest sequence was Rick and Carl inside the farm. Rick telling an apprehensive Carl to climb the ladder and drop the lighter was extremely frightening as Rick swings open the doors to let the walkers through. The ideal shot of the episode was after the barn collapsing as walkers ravage the rest of the farm. It seemed almost metaphorical -- like it was time to move on. Also, Rick speeding off and leaving Andrea was a truly terrifying moment; given the string of recent deaths, I was unsure if Andrea would go.

It turns out everyone is infected! What Jenner whispered to Rick was that everyone is a carrier, and that death turns anyone into a zombie. When Rick unveils this information, the group slowly begins to distrust his supposed leadership. And later, after their vehicles run out of fuel, Rick tells Lori Shane's true fate. She pushes Rick away, foreshadowing the rest of the group's reaction as they camp for the night.

And now for the nod to fans: as Andrea is abandoned and barely making it through the forest, a mysterious figure comes to save her. Wielding a katana fearlessly, this character is a particular favourite from the comics, and one that's been confirmed to appear in season three.

This episode really showed Rick's breaking-down emotionally, culminating in a hateful but realistic speech about the state of the world. Piling on the murder of his best friend and leadership responsibilities, Rick finally snaps, putting his feelings out there. And the group doesn't like what he has to say.

Most notable is the last shot, especially with fans of the comic, who know that place very well.

Overall, I cannot wait until season three. Rick's temper is finally getting the better of him, and it'll be interesting to play witness as to how the group responds. Moreover, the news that everyone is infected will change the dynamic of the characters' relationships, and I'm positive we'll see that evolve over the course of future seasons. Jeff out.

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Mass Effect 3 Review - "Warbringer" (Spoilers)

Because FemShep is more badass.

To say BioWare eclipsed the other Mass Effect games seems like a damning statement. The rampant hatred involving the many controversies has so firmly implanted a strong sentiment of distrust amongst the developer's faithful, leading to the term "gamer entitlement" being thrown around. And to a degree that's perfectly true -- but also a testament to BioWare's ability of producing compelling stories. The fans feel strongly they're owed a proper conclusion, and rarely do franchises ever achieve that heightened popularity.

That said, desecrating Mass Effect 3 because of its ending is vile and incompetent thinking, and demeaning BioWare's efforts. It might not have the greatest ending, but that shouldn't overshadow what is an excellent take on a galactic society on the precipice of collapse.

The Reapers cometh and Shepard taketh the battle to them. It's felt immediately -- within the opening cutscene in fact -- and days are darkened as the Reapers descend to Earth's surface. Mass Effect 3 concerns the ultimate fight for survival, a fight not without struggle. The war defines each race, and utilizing various bargaining chips BioWare does an incredible job at highlighting the unique political intricacies of every species in Citadel space.

Reemerging characters and recurring storylines reaffirm that sense of individuality as a thousand variables or more, over three games, give a completely incomparable experience. Though, the weight of those choices vary greatly. In some cases BioWare remarkably captures the essence of your seemingly simple decision, while others feel needless and never amount to anything concrete. In fact, one notably important decision from Mass Effect does nothing whatsoever (if you want to know which one, please ask in the comments below).

One satisfying aspect is BioWare answering almost every lingering question from the universe, and any fan will know which ones I'm talking about. Particularly, Tali's identity forced quite the unexpected response; anger surrounding the purported use of a modified stock photo caused hysteria, one of many problematic responses from consumers. However, most ongoing conflicts meet their resolution in some format and this gives a resounding feeling of closure.

As is Mass Effect tradition, combat feels comfortable and seamless. Small refinements from Mass Effect 2 are evident, and by including the ability to dive BioWare creates a strategic atmosphere for every battle. The improved melee attack, the Omniblade, makes upfront confrontations surprisingly effective for a game built around cover mechanics. This used in tandem with the Vanguard class is a lethal combination.

Compared to other controversies, the fervor shrouding the multiplayer mode revealed EA's intentions -- of which market the publisher was trying to attract. And to its credit, replicating a Gears 2-esque Horde system but with classes was the proper way to go. Receiving much resentment prior to release, multiplayer feels fully realized and large in scope. Varying enemy types and an assortment of maps (and incoming DLC) guarantees the mode's longevity. The harder difficulties turn from easy massacres to calculated killing sprees, and wrongly estimating the enemy is costly. It goes a long way to pushing the series forward -- whatever the future holds.

Mass Effect 3 was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting a triumphant title given the wide range of expectations, though BioWare splendidly wrapped up the series. Future downloadable content seeks to correct -- or outright change -- the game's ending, unusually befitting for a series targeting player investment. And the developer is right to appease overwhelming demand. A fantastic game nonetheless. Applauded, commended, whatever your word for it; another masterful conclusion from the masters themselves. Jeff out.

P.S. Check back as I review The Walking Dead's season two finale!

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An Incredible Week of Fan Activism in Video Game Development

Interestingly, the industry is in a state of flux. While monstrous publishers are berated for disingenuous business practices, beloved studios are grabbing headlines and free money simply by asking. And no more has this division been shown than within the last month.

Recently, Tim Schafer pandered to gamers' hearts via Kickstarter, to make a point-and-click adventure, a genre the studio made famous. At first glance, anything from Double Fine would garner mass attention. Yet publishers refused to fund the project because it wasn't a first-person shooter (speculative, of course). Their pledge went viral and donations poured in within hours, even trending first worldwide.

The fund hit their projections in eight hours and just passed the three million milestone, making it one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns ever. And what happened? The studio crowdsourced -- or, actually, fan-sourced. The contributors were admirers of Double Fine's work, including many prominent personalities (and even some gaming journalists; don't tell nobody). Thus, a widely-released game was funded by fans, for fans, and not helmed by a profit-motivated entity.

Double Fine's success has displayed the true power of the audience, where admiration and reputation are worth more than dumping downloadable content into consumers' laps. The intense relationship is generated from a genuine appreciation for the artistic nature of game development, and how Double Fine seems undeterred in stifling creativity for a few extra bucks. And, expectedly, others have recognized the potential for Kickstarter, like what's going on with Wasteland 2.

Setting the benchmark for post-apocalyptic titles, Wasteland realized in 1988. A sequel has long been called for by fans; and to inXile's credit, they came out in droves. After setting up a Kickstarter fund last Tuesday, the project reached its ambitious total of $900,000 in two days. They made the project run 35 days, not knowing the explosive fallout (no pun intended). The extra cash will allow for many versions, including Mac and Linux, and more content without budgetary concerns. Again, replicating what the future of game development might look like.

Just within the last week was another notable example of fan involvement: Mass Effect 3's ending. The well-documented anger over BioWare's decision to have an ending come down to a single choice set fans ablaze, accusing the developer of short-sighting a marvelous game. A massive story leak last August set development back, and it may have been a blessing-in-disguise judging by how distraught fans were over what was revealed. Claiming to care for fan opinion, Casey Hudson talked exclusively with Digital Trends about the controversies.

Regarding the endings, Hudson said:"I don't want the game to be forgettable, and even right down to the sort of polarizing action that the ends have had with people -- debating what the ends mean and what's going to happen next, and what situation are the characters left in."

Hardly a game of Mass Effect 3's magnitude would ever be forgotten, establishing an innovative standard in the amount of branching plots and overarching stories that few franchises have ever achieved. But Mr. Hudson's perspective, with that fear of making the game "forgettable", is misinterpreting the point. Fan outrage stems from an obscenely passionate (and almost exclusive) ownership of the franchise, and what the fanbase will remember are the various controversies.

Making the studio respond was one thing, but over 14,000 signatures is another. Some fans have gone further as to turn the outrage into a positive message, raising $40,000 for Child's Play. The charitable aspect adds weight to the claim and benefits a good cause -- smart on their part.

While there is a sense of 'gamer entitlement' (a term thrown around a lot lately from this scenario), it's the first time in a long while that fans have so actively revolted like this. And assuming BioWare isn't business tone deaf, it's also a first that fans have actively sought downloadable content this soon after release (in an effort to change the ending).

Some have speculated the botched ending was EA trying to pull a Final Fantasy XIII-2, leading the ultimate conclusion to downloadable content. Obviously this shouldn't be the case, because next time anyone visits a major gaming site, the top headline will read: "BioWare Offices Burned Down".

How this trend evolves over the coming months could have a profound impact on the future of game development. From outrageous business practices to simple courtliness, fans get a gold star in active participation. BioWare, Double Fine and inXile are all working away on their latest projects due to vital support or criticism, only to better craft (and tell the world) consumers actually have a say. Another gold star everyone.

Now go sit down and finish your homework. Your assignment: write an angry letter and show you care. Jeff out.

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Meeting Garrus in Mass Effect 3 (Spoilers Ahead)

Does he look hungry in this picture or is it just me?

Insert spoilers tag here. You've been warned. I've noticed Garrus and my male Shepard have an intense bond. Like a Human-Turian bromance. When he's not devoutly calibrating the Normandy's weapons, he stands staunchly by Shepard's side growing from a simple C-Sec investigator to Primarch adviser.

As most characters, Garrus is severely affected by the situation on Palaven, the Turian homeworld. Even the most powerful military force of Citadel space cannot repel the Reaper's push, and to devastating results. Millions burn in the first two days, including a giant fiery blaze where Garrus' birthplace once stood.

To secure a necessary alliance, the Turian Councillor divulges information of Palaven's Primarch being stuck on that planet's moon, Menae, where he's needed at a Turian summit to discuss the situation. If Shepard could rescue him, he would guarantee Turian support to retake Earth. But, obviously, things don't go over smoothly and the Primarch's ship is blasted out of the sky. Furthermore, the hierarchy is in chaos as Reaper forces quickly scour the moon.

Shepard arrives to find bases overrun, and learns the new Primarch is named General Victus. Unable to secure transportation, Garrus leads right to Victus' position, inundated by Reaper soldiers. The new Primarch, unfamiliar with diplomacy, is apprehensive about taking the position, but it's something he understands must be done. The story continues as a Turian-Krogan alliance is implemented to create a unilateral front against Reaper attacks.

While Tali's role is more direct, Garrus' actions concern the safety of Palaven's citizens, where he becomes a sought-after adviser for Primarch Victus. He's always had leadership qualities, but decided early to take after his father and join Citadel Security. While Shepard was under house arrest, Garrus took it upon himself to create a "Reaper task force", preparing however many Turians he could against the upcoming invasion. It's unclear what the ramifications of this actions are.

Notably, Garrus is incredibly reserved about taking on responsibilities, as is Tali, which leads to the best Easter egg of the entire series:

Please keep checking back for more on interacting with the colourful from Mass Effect 3. Jeff out.

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Meeting Tali/Legion in Mass Effect 3 (Spoilers Ahead)

She's determined behind that mask. You can't tell? Neither can I.

Spoiler alert. You've been warned.  Of every character in the Mass Effect universe, Tali is the quietest. And she comes across as naturally nurturing, almost motherly, and it's clear through dialogue that Tali deeply cares and respects for Shepard on a personal level. But her concern for Quarian survival overshadows everything, even Shepard, as evidenced by her willingness (and almost exile) to help her father research the Geth.

Unlike other characters, Tali plays a profound role in the war for Rannoch, the Quarian homeworld, which Shepard must resolve to have either side join the anti-Reaper forces. Through my lawyerly abilities I managed to save Tali from permanent exile in Mass Effect 2, and her Geth expertise allows to rise quickly to the Admiral-ship, where she plays an essential role.

She's recruited to help Shepard take down a Geth dreadnought broadcasting a Reaper signal to every Geth ship warning of the upcoming battle. Eventually, they land on Rannoch's surface to save a fellow Admiral and disable a Geth base. After single-handedly taking down a Reaper, Shepard now has the option of either stopping the war, or siding with one faction. If a file from Mass Effect 2 is uploaded, it's possible to broker peace and have both sides join the war effort, but unfortunately my playthrough didn't have that.

I felt sympathetic toward the Geth, given their desperation by aligning with the Reapers. They were seen as the enemy across the galaxy but were forced into that position by the Quarians, their creators. Legion, saved inside the Geth dreadnought, dies regardless of what follows, but his sacrifice permits a Reaper code to reach the Geth hive mind, giving them full awareness. As Legion is uploading the data the Admirals quarrel about continuing to fight, and if Shepard doesn't earn enough brownie points in Tali's loyalty mission from Mass Effect 2, the Quarians are annihilated. And that's exactly what happened.

Though, the aftermath almost caused some emotion. Almost. Tali, overwrought by her race's extinction, takes off her mask and throws herself off the cliff. I found it rather poetic and appropriate for BioWare to give her that kind of out: the world she fought so hard to save becomes her resting place. Of all the casualties of former crew members, Tali is the most memorable and heartfelt because you hear the strain in her voice.

Her unfortunate demise is below:

You can also read my account of the controversy surrounding Tali's identity here.

Please check back for more accounts of each character from the Mass Effect universe. Jeff out.

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Meeting Miranda in Mass Effect 3 (Spoilers Ahead)

A rather intriguing glance at Miranda's cameo in any game with a medic.

Again, this is a massive spoiler tag. The following post discusses character deaths of Mass Effect 3, and there's a lot of them, so please look away now. Actually, you know what, go play the game. Except for the rather disappointing ending, the game continuously weaves an engrossing story and gameplay is exceptional. I can't recommend it enough.

This post is dedicated to those sorely lost in the ultimate battle for survival. From crew members to reemerging characters, the seemingly immune cast from the suicidal mission of Mass Effect 2 drop like flies in the third game, and only certain parameters can save each character -- whether they were romanced, etc.

Prior to release, BioWare claimed more than a thousand variables account for an individual's adventure, meaning everyone would have a different perspective and a different Shepard. From little decisions like the Rachni's survival, to whom was sacrificed on Virmire, the course of action differs drastically and that's something heralded by fans. And rightfully so; however, going against the perception of traditional Mass Effect, all endings lead to, essentially, the same conclusion. Worst of all, though, you don't know the ramifications of your actions.

We start with Miranda who, after abandoning the Illusive Man, is being hunted by Cerberus spies. She's met sporadically through the game, and her request to Shepard again involves Oriana, her sister. Miranda's fervently protective nature leads her to Horizon, and to a Cerberus-backed facility disguised as a human refugee camp called Sanctuary. Here, Cerberus is experimenting on survivors to implore the use of indoctrination, precisely to emulate how the Reapers operate. Henry Lawson, Miranda's father, runs the facility and Shepard and crew must help the situation.

In one of the poorly-designed death scenes (under ludicrous circumstances) the final encounter shows Henry holding Oriana at gunpoint. Shepard storms in, demanding Oriana be let go and the research data be handed over. In the way my scene played out, a renegade option triggers, shooting Oriana in the knee. Miranda takes advantage and blows Henry through a window, probably killing him. I've heard that if Miranda is romanced she's doesn't perish, but otherwise she does.

After a lengthy speech, she dies. What's ineffective about this scene is it's unclear what actually killed Miranda. She's holding her stomach, so assuming she was shot, there's no wound; and two, she wouldn't have enough strength to use biotics. Perhaps I'm thinking too much into this, but it is something to think about.

Via IGN, the entire Horizon mission is posted below where Miranda survives:

I plan to do an entire series over the next week about each character, and how my interaction with them went. Keep reading! Jeff out.

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Get Ready For More Achievements From Downloadable Titles

According to a recent report from Xbox360Achievements, based on details from a "prophetic" source, Microsoft is upping the gamerscore totals for downloadable titles, including DLC. The source states the policy change will allow 800 gamerscore and 62 achievements, up from 350 gamerscore and 35 achievements.

If the claim is correct, this is awesome news for all sides. The change makes downloadable titles more attractive, gives developers more room to reward certain accomplishments, and encourages developers to put their games on the Xbox Live Arcade. Additionally, this hinders the fervor caused from the lack of exposure for indie titles, where Sony benefited marvelously.

But this news is definitely highlighting the future of digital content, where developers are gradually competing against not only each other, but mainstream titles issuing a continuous stream to fans. And it's clear who is winning as of this moment. Though, an expansion of the current model gives small developers a distinct advantage: by offering more achievements, essentially they can divide their game's content more, treating the player to a better overall experience. Thus arcade titles are more attractive. Especially to the "achievement whores" out there desperate for more gamerscore.

Microsoft has sensed that competitiveness spilling over into the digital scene, as more publishers push post-release content. And, evidently, this works threefold to Microsoft's credit. First, the move gives Arcade considerable exposure; second, the company is seen as recognizing smaller studios; and third, the money pours in. It's rare for a marketing strategy to benefit nearly everyone -- and Microsoft comes out looking brilliant as a result.

Eventually, however, indie developers are shafted. There's been calls forever for independent games to have achievements, and realistically that would increase sales exponentially. Eighty Microsoft Points for a title as simple as Techno Kitten Adventure, and to be adequately proportional, let's say 100 gamerscore. Microsoft wins again: it supports the indie community and awards consumers by incentivizing the titles.

Because of the costliness of maintaining Gold yearly, and also the awkward structuring of Microsoft Points, I never found myself investing in downloadable titles. I own Castle Crashers, but that's as far as my digital collection goes. I'm not an achievement whore (was in a past life, a dark time indeed) and due to financial limitations I'm only (planning on) getting two to three games this year, including downloadable games. And, to this day, I haven't figured out why.

Rarely do I applaud gaming companies for anything, but by all accounts this is brilliant. A smart move by Microsoft to back itself out of a corner and small studios get more recognition and creative freedom as a consequence. Strangely, it's a win-win situation. We need more of those going forward. Jeff out.

A Controversial Week of Lost Faith - Fan Response to BioWare and Capcom

Amid controversy, Mass Effect 3 still amassed huge praise from critics and widespread success, selling 890,000 units on launch day in North America alone. While those numbers are favourable, it's the controversies that surfaced after which dominated the conversation. From day-one downloadable content to the multiple endings to Tali's identity, the seemingly inescapable wealth of troubles have rattled BioWare's reputation amongst its faithful and cast ubiquitous doubt over future games.

The troubles have amounted to fans taking an unusual stand: start a petition to change the ending. Likely this won't amount to anything concrete, but a petition is definitely a sign of the displeasure and passion fans feel toward the franchise. Not to enter spoiler territory, but the three possible endings are particularly grim, and those advocating a change wish for happier times. Personally, I found the endings abrupt; commentary to reveal the ramifications of your choices would've been better.

The critical response to BioWare has served rather fortunate for Capcom, battling its own problems. Also released this week was Street Fighter x Tekken, and the fighting community is up in fisticuffs because of on-disc content. Twelve characters, meant as DLC and to be unlocked this fall, are already on the disc, yet Capcom claims this is to balance 'compatibility'.

Of course, what Capcom is saying is purely dishonest. It's been a standard for multiplayer components of most games to be compatible, not just limited to the fighting genre. This is a blatant attempt to monetize an anticipated game, and Capcom certainly isn't the first (and aren't the last) to sham consumers.

Because of a well-crafted PR response, some sites have shown sympathy, saying this saves Capcom the trouble of releasing a "super" version later. First of all, Capcom will release another version regardless because fans will blindly purchase it in droves. Secondly, "ensuring the smooth transition for DLC" is beautifully woven PR language, and apparently it has worked.

Normally I don't watch the Angry Joe Show, but he puts it far more eloquently than I ever could:

It's difficult to assume where both cases are going. But it's been an interesting month so far. Jeff out.

The Ending(s) of Mass Effect 3 and Troubles For the Road Ahead

As earth burns...

Of course, this post is full of spoilers, so if you haven't played through Mass Effect 3, you are doing yourself a disservice. It's a splendid experience, but the ending is troublesome. So stop reading (but please come back later) and beat the game!

The Reapers have laid waste to the homeworlds of Citadel space. Rannoch, the Quarian homeworld, through the Geth; Palaven, home of the Turians; Sur'Kesh, inhabited by the Salarians; and Thessia, the crown jewel and home of the Asari have all been annihilated by Reaper forces. These races must make the ultimate choice of sacrificing their own planets to obliterate the Reapers forever in the Battle for Earth.

But all the little choices and decisions made from the first two games never amount to much, because the ending simply comes down to one decision: whether to control or destroy the Reapers, or turn everyone into synthetics to curtail disaster. Each choice leads to the same conclusion. Shepard dies, but I've heard it's possible our protagonist lives through the events if your "Galactic Readiness" level is high enough. This is a measure of your collective force's resources, and this can be affected by playing through the multiplayer.

There is a scene of Joker's valiant attempt at escaping the blast inside the Normandy, only to be swallowed up and crash on an unknown planet. The only aspect changed with this scene is the colour of the blast (red for control, blue for destroy, green for synthesis).

Otherwise, depending on who you took with you, those people are likely gone. But some have been complaining how discrepancies, like characters appearing in this cutscene who were brought into the final encounter. Though, this is all just speculative.

There's also a brief scene after the credits roll (below) with a mysterious figure and his daughter (I'm assuming, the voice acting isn't the greatest) showing everything was just a grandfather retelling the story to the next generation. Soon after, the child asks if the figure can tell her "another story about the Shepard", and he slyly replies: "One more story." This has caused rampant speculation about the future of the franchise, and whether Mass Effect, the story of Commander Shepard, will be continuing in some fashion. (I imagine it will, but not in the traditional form. Perhaps an MMO or something. But that's another post.)

Moreover, many have voiced their displeasure over the uncertainty of their actions, and what happened. After the credits, that scene is shown and a message pops up encourage players to continue the adventure through DLC, though this was inevitable given EA's recent track record. Likely further pieces of content will cover the aftereffects of Shepard's decision, with multiplayer expansions and optional missions to boot.

The Mass Effect trilogy ended as BioWare intended: this was Shepard's story and his/her part is finished. But given the wealth of decision making and actually witnessing the consequences of those choices, the ending is bittersweet. Fans are accustomed to getting the full brunt, and the series of endings didn't do enough to accomplish that feat.

In March, we've already had two major releases spoiled by uncertain endings left to downloadable content. Final Fantasy XIII-2 being the other, with the devastating phrase "To be continued" written on screen. Let's hope this doesn't turn into a trend, or an industry standard, where remarkable culminations are developed strictly for the digital space. We could be embarking on a dangerous road trip, my friends. Jeff out.

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Tali's Identity Has Become A Topic of Fierce Debate (Spoilers)

As perky Europeans patiently wait outside troubled video game retailers (I'm referencing GAME), BioWare's seemingly sloppy attention to detail has caught fire online. Apart from anger sprouting from DLC concerns, a bittersweet ending, and just general consumer disapproval, in Mass Effect, Tali's face (the Quarian crew member) has been a long-term speculation game.

In the lore, the Quarians are driven from their homeworld, Rannoch, by the synthetic, hive mind collective known as the Geth. Abandoning their home planet, the Quarians are now nomadic, carrying millions on a flotilla consisting of thousands of ships. Their weak immune systems force them to wear environmental suits, thus shielding their face, and their appearance was a hot button issue. Eventually, her face is uncovered in the third game, but the revelation was met with a hostile response.

The anger originates from the scene below, but only if Tali is romanced.

And, frankly, the anger is justified. On the left is a stock photo found by some very astute fans, while on the right is a close-up of the photo.

Therefore, BioWare easily solved an issue fans have quarreled over for five years. Many have questioned BioWare's intentions, especially on the forums, as to whether this is the developer compensating for bad dialogue or some other terrible aspect (as perceived by fans).

Personally, I think BioWare was lackluster here. The mystery beckoned at least a little creativity, the amount of creativity it took to imagine the various races of the Mass Effect universe, and to not give the Quarians their due seems wrong. The studio didn't even remove the red nail polish! But I'm not a developer; maybe I'm just some overzealous, protective fan heavily invested in a series from the beginning. Who knows.

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Metacritic User Reviews Tear Mass Effect 3 Apart

As reviews come pouring in, Mass Effect 3 has garnered universal acclaim. Every review pegs the game as an epic finale and one of the finest endings to a legendary story. I'm unsure of that claim, because I'll have it within three hours of this writing, but I can expect I'll come away with similar assumptions. Reviewers are hard to trust, but everyone speaking high praise is a great sign for BioWare.

However, often competing with the universal praise are consumers, as was the case with Portal 2 last year. Day-one DLC was vehemently opposed with Valve, and Bioware finds themselves in a similar situation. The adversity likely stems from multiple content packs available right away, including the ability to shortcut multiplayer, and the "From Ashes" DLC which caused some trouble among dedicated fans.

Filtering through all the red circles, the only positive reviews I've encountered were pity votes. Commenters were critical of nearly every aspect, notably disparaging the "cliched" story (seen as a strength of the series) and how decisions through the first two games don't resonate enough to be worthwhile. Also, without delving too much in the story, a lot of people complained about the unnecessary and undeserved deaths of beloved characters (without spoiling anything).

The game has only been out for seven hours (as of this post) in North America, so it's safe to say all the bitterness comes from people forcing themselves through the main plot and nothing else. But Metacritic has a history of exceptionally bad user reviews to counteract overt praise, and it should've been expected Mass Effect 3 couldn't escape the trend.

I'll be picking up the game soon-ish and posting my review by the end of the week. Jeff out.

Assassin's Creed 3's First Trailer Shows Assassin Goodness

As the world is buzzing with Halo 4, Mass Effect 3 and Assassin's Creed 3 all trending worldwide today, that last title has caused a particularly notable stir with a trailer this very morning. Every video game site and blog in existence has referenced this trailer, and for the faithful readers, I hope you aren't disappointed in me referencing it either. It marks the supposed culmination of Ubisoft's highest-grossing, fantastical series, and seeing gameplay is something of note.

The trailer shows a fact previously confirmed: large-scale battles, featuring a thousands soldiers or more. Based on the trailer, the battle shown is either the Battle of Saratoga, a divisive victory for the Americans, or the Battle of Oriskany, one of the bloodiest encounters of the entire war. But the quote is spoken by George Washington, a figure Ubisoft has confirmed the protagonist, Connor, will meet through the course of the game.

The protagonist himself has British and Native Indian roots, with Kotaku learning his native name. It's unclear where Connor's loyalties are, but the developer has confirmed that prominent figures on both sides will be met. Interestingly, Mohawk Valley (where the trailer is set) is just a stone's throw from where the Central Vault or Grand Temple is, where the crew ends up at the end of Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

The British soldiers dying in the beginning shows off Connor's skill and preferred use of his trusty tomahawk, shaped like the Assassin symbol. Additionally, Connor swooping through those trees could be a sign that forested areas will play a predominant role and trees will be used as cover.

For a yearly franchise, Ubisoft certainly knows how to put together awesome trailers. Halloween 2012 is the projected release date, with the publisher saying a Wii U version is planned. So I guess that means the system is out this year. Can't wait. Jeff out.