Are you tired of your downloadable titles from Xbox Live Arcade maxing out at 200 achievement points? Well good news everyone, Microsoft recently confirmed via Major Nelson that games releasing on XBLA starting next month will have the option of increasing their maximum Gamerscore from 200 to 400. Starting in June of this year, it will be mandatory for all XBLA games to have 30 achievements and a maximum Gamerscore of 400.
A rumor that former Sony Europe Corporate Vice President Phil Harrison would be taking over Peter Molyneux’s vacated position as head of Microsoft Games in Europe has been confirmed. Microsoft made the official announcement this morning after several sources confirmed the rumor yesterday. Harrison will be responsible for overseeing Microsoft’s Lionhead, Soho, and Rare studios in the United Kingdom. He will also be joining the Interactive Entertainment Business team as a corporate vice president.
As I’m sure most of you are aware, GDC happened last week, which was surprisingly light on the news/announcements front. Not to worry though, as perhaps an even bigger thing happened last week, I am of course talking about Mass Effect 3 coming out. We hand it over to Vince for all the not-so-gory details as I’m sure we’ll be doing for several weeks to come because me and Donna will probably never play it, you’ll just have to get over that as best you can.
This October 16th, players will be able to explore the flying city of Columbia in Bioshock Infinite. But as with the previous Bioshock games this utopian city is full of deadly guardians. The developers at Irrational Games have started a series of video Developer Diaries that show off some of the more fearsome enemies that players will have to fight in the game.
Mass Effect 3 is here in full force and that means millions of people will be embarking on the final iteration of this magic space opera. The Mass Effect franchise is well known for it’s commitment to story telling; and playing as Commander Shepard can be stressful. The best way to unwind is to have sweet (Often sexual) encounters with your eclectic mix of squadmates. Whether it’s the blue and ageless Asari, or the even the avian Turians, Shepard can embark on a thought-provoking and emotional relationship with various species of the galaxy. One of the more complicated and rewarding liaisons is with the Quarian Tali’Zorah nar Rayya…..and that’s where the trouble started.
In a move that all gamers wish would happen more often but unfortunately doesn’t, THQ announced yesterday that all customers who pre-ordered a copy of their upcoming Darksiders II will receive a free upgrade to the limited edition version. Yes, you read that correctly, a FREE upgrade.
The next installment in the Forza Motorsport series will be called Forza Horizon, and will release in Fall 2012, according to a leaked trailer of the game. The trailer alternates between images of people partying and cars racing in the desert. The trailer shows Forza developer Turn 10, and also another developer, Playground Games.
The next DLC pack for Gears of War 3 is set for release 3 weeks from today, on March 27th. This new map pack, entitled “Forces of Nature,” will feature 3 brand new maps, as well as 2 remodeled classic maps.
A study at the University of Missouri examined the relationships between video games and religion. Doctoral student Greg Perreault looked at five modern games: Mass Effect 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Assassin’s Creed, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. He looked at the treatment of religion in these games and concluded that video games present religion in a “problematized” way.
Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his own brow? “No! ” says the man at Irrational Games, it belongs to the game store.
