Monday Round-up: Bio-Eire launched, Gordon Freeman rides again & J!NX have something that'll knock your socks off...

Greetings and welcome, once again, to the Monday round-up from Game for a Laugh.


BioWare announced today that they'll be opening a customer service center in sunny Galway, Ireland. The intention is that the 400 staff at the newly christened "BioWare Ireland" will help the launch of the new Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic, go as smoothly as possible in Europe.

Dr. Ray Muzyka, the BioWare CEO, was keen to see the new center employ a wide range of European nationalities to help diversify the help they could offer potential players. he stated that “MMO launches are complex, and we are determined to set a new standard for a high quality, stable, smooth launch for our fans. Our new BioWare facility and team in Galway is critical to ensuring we deliver on that goal. We’ve got a solid base of people here already in Galway . . . we’re looking for more. From Ireland . . . from the rest of Europe to support our German and French customers . . . from all over the world. We want you to join us here at BioWare Ireland.”

Dr. Greg Zeschuk added that "the BioWare team is responsible for 24/7 support of the game and every player subscribed to it.”

The site currently has a staff of 200 although that number is certain to swell leading up to the launch of the game on December 20th in America, and December 22nd in Europe.

On a personal note, i fully expect WrestleView International Desk Host Darragh O'Connor to be aplying for a job with Bioware as i type. Sup Darragh!



Most will agree that as much freedom as Deus Ex: Human Revolution gave you in general game play, it was woefully short of options when it came time to take on the bosses. Listeners to the Killer Keyboard podcast will know that Nick Rose took issue with this very point, and it would appear that Eidos Montreal agree.

The latest DLC to be released for Deus Ex, The Missing Link, was developed completely in-house by Eidos Montreal and marks a departure from the one dimensional boss battles that players of the game have experienced so far, reports Eurogamer.

Marc-Andre Dufort, the producer of The Missing Link DLC pack says, "You can actually not kill the boss. You can do a non-lethal takedown on him. And you can kill him from afar. You can even kill him without him seeing you. It's more of a bigger challenge than a standard boss fight like we have in many games."

Be nice if there was a patch that made all the Boss battles so variable, but there's most likely a good reason why that hasn't been fixed. This is, at least, a step in the right direction.



The above is allegedly a patent from Microsoft for a new modular "slider style" mobile phone. Those of you with sharp eyes may have noticed the QWERTY keyboard, controller pad, an extra battery pack and camera film modules (no idea what the camera film is supposed to be although the patent states that it's a second display screen). While this seems like quite a clunky solution to the dedicated controller problem that most SM-ONES have these days, it does at least show that someone out there thinks that real buttons are better than touch screen for some applications.

There's no guarantee that this will be the next Windows phone, but certainly many will see this as a potential rival to the Sony Xperia Play.

Leading on from the future of hand held gaming, there's been a new peripheral released for the 3DS, and no, this one doesn't give you a second circle pad...




Well, it gives you longer play time, and no-one would argue that the grip would make the console easier to hold, but who's honestly going to buy one of these? Plus I'm trying very hard not to cram a bunch of innuendo into this part so we'll finish that story there I think.

Who am I kidding, it can make you go twice as long and prevents your hand cramping up, i must have one! mmm, innuendo...

While I'm on the topic of Nintendo, they'll be releasing a black Wii Fit plus Bundle in the UK on October 7th for the rather reasonable price of £99. I'm not sure that a change of colour will convince anyone without a Wii to buy one now, but I'm sure a few people with the White version will trade it in for a Black version. If i might paraphrase an old saying: Once you go black, sales fall off rapidly.


You'd be forgiven if you'd never heard of this game, but Ubisoft's survival action game "I Am Alive" has finally been given a rating by the ESRB. It was initially announced 3 years ago, but since then it has made only a fleeting appearance during an unofficial trailer. Finally though we have a clue as to how the game is coming together.

The ESRB describes the game as this, "players traverse through city ruins and use a machete to kill human enemies in melee-style-combat."

I'd be surprised if the game sells all that well since the PR for the game seems to be working in reverse to every other game out there. They seem to be keeping it too quiet if anything. Even cult favourites get some publicity guys.

I Am Alive is slated for release in Fiscal 2011/12 (April 2011 – March 2012)


It might not be the game that Half-life fans wanted to see, but at least you get to satisfy that Freeman addiction when Sega's Renegade Ops is released on Steam on October 14th.

It's been announced that the Steam version of Renegade Ops, a top down action game that reminds me of Dead Nation crossed with Micro Machines and with a healthy dose of Twisted Metal for good measure, will feature Freeman, his Buggy and even Antlions as a special weapon!

Now maybe someone can go round to Valve studios with a crowbar and remind them about Episode 3?


Right now, take a look at this...



What did you see? If the answer is a cracking set of pins, you're correct but look again. That's right, M!NX have teamed up with Valve to create these immense looking Portal 2 Knee Socks, complete with aperture science logo. These really are a great example of Game inspired clothing and for $10 a pair they really are great value for money, much more so than the Minecraft socks mentioned on the Killer Keyboard podcast anyway...



Finally, as has now become customary, here are the Top 10 selling UK Games on all platforms for the week ending September 24th.

1 - Gears of War 3
2 - F1 2011
3 - Dead Island
4 - Zumba Fitness
5 - Deus Ex: Human Revolution
6 - Driver: San Francisco
7 - Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
8 - Resistance 3
9 - Lego Pirates of the Caribbean
10- Rugby World Cup 2011

Time for bed, not sure how well I'll sleep with those Portal Socks on my mind but I'll give it the old college try.

Later peeps.

Monday Round-up: Sony gets the F2P bug, COD Elite Beta launches...

Sony Online Entertainment announced today that DCU online would be joining the "Free-volution" by adopting a free to play model at the end of October.

For many gamers the monthly subscription was a sticking point that prevented them from getting on board with the SOE superhero MMO, but with the subscription model abandoned, and the announcement that the game itself will be free to download on the PSN, it's expected that many more gamers will be venturing into Gotham or Metropolis.

The new model will have three tiers of membership (Free, Premium and Legendary) depending on how much money you sink into the game through in game micro transactions, although SOE were at pains to state that micro transactions won't break the game. Items like the Superman Raid suit and extra EXP will not be available for purchase. That's heartening to hear, especially for a cheapskate like me who fully intends to play as a free member as far as i can.

Free membership is, as you can imagine, free. It allows for two character slots, access to current raids and online play in DC Universe Online, ability to join a league as well as many further benefits. Free level players can buy downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through the aforementioned micro transactions.

Any gamer who has spent $5 or more in-game through either in game items or previous subscriptions qualifies for Premium membership. Premium members will get extra character slots, a greater cash limit and more inventory slots . just like Free members, premium members can also buy extra character slots etc in-game.

Legendary Membership requires a monthly subscription of $14.99 but includes all the features and benefits that current subscribers enjoy, including free DLC and the ability to create leagues of unlimited size. Anyone who already paid for a lifetime subscription will be automatically given Legendary membership as the lifetime subscription still stands.

John Smedley, president of SOE refuted the idea that this move came after a downturn in players. "In terms of 'Is it a result in a drop in subs' – absolutely not, This is the right business model. If I can be honest, the game ended up costing a lot more than we thought it would, and this was our preferred business model from day one."

You do have to question though, if this was their preferred business model, then why not implement it from day one? It would be fair to assume that SOE needed to recoup their money quickly and that the original model was the best option to do so.

DCU Online will be available as a free download in late October. On the subject of PSN, the Call of Duty: Elite Beta finally went live on Sony's console today.

An Activision press release stated that "Beta testers can take their current Call of Duty multiplayer experience to the next level by jumping into the Beta version of the Call of Duty Elite service, as beta access will start to be activated in stages, with limited invitations rolling out effective today," The Beta is currently only for CoD: Black Ops, but once Modern Warfare 3 is released on November 8th the full functions of the Beta will be made available.

To try getting in on the Beta you can head over to www.callofduty.com/elite and register your interest. I for one won't be bothering though...




Next up, Street Fighter IV will be making it's début on android phones sometime in Q4, unfortunately it will only be available on LG handsets for the first 3 months before being available on any Android compatible system thereafter.

I can't decide what's a worse idea, that you'll more than likely be playing SF IV on a phone with no buttons or that you'll have to play it on a crappy LG handset to begin with...




According to Andrisang.com Hideo Kojima, the genius behind the Metal Gear games, has announced that Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be released for 3DS in 2012, not 2011 as was originally planned.

Regular readers will remember that i had a hands on with the game at the IGN UK 100th podcast party and i was very impressed with the use of 3D and general fidelity of the graphics. I'm interested if this delay has anything to do with the leaked news of a second control stick add-on for the 3DS system, maybe Kojima-san wants to build in some compatibility with the add-on to rectify some of the control issues i had with the game.

Andriasang also reports that Kojima confirmed an early to mid 2012 release date for the Z.O.E. HD collection. Yay!



Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has announced the formation of a new company which will go by the name Qwikster. It marks the seperation of their streaming and Postal divisions and will require unique accounts to use either service. Going forward Netflix will handle the streaming side of the business while Qwikster will be the company in charge of the DVD/Games by post business.

Hard to say what advantage this move gives Netflix but it's an interesting development which makes sense of the re-pricing exercise of the previous few weeks.



Finally as always, here's the UK's top ten best selling games (all formats) for the week ending September 17:

1 - Dead Island
2 - Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
3 - Resistance 3
4 - Driver: San Franciso
5 - Deus Ex: Human Revolution
6 - Zumba Fitness
7 - Lego Pirates of the Caribbean
8 - Rugby World Cup 2011
9 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
10-Cars 2

Really? Who hasn't got Zumba yet that could possibly want it?

Rugby World cup is still performing well thanks to its real world counterpart, while Resistance 3 débuts at number 3 just below Dead Island and Warhammer 40k, which maintain their position at the top of the tree.

Right, i'm spent.

Later days!

Payne approaches...

The first Trailer for Max Payne 3 was released a few days ago, confirming the release date as March of 2012.

The game has been in something approaching development hell since it was first announced for release at the end of 2009. Being the first game in the Max Payne series not to be written by Sam Lake or developed by Remedy Entertainment, there was always going to be some scepticism regarding the sequel, but this was made worse by the continued delays associated with the project. It was originally pushed back by a year to 2010 after Take-Two claimed it would "benefit from having more development time", and then in June of 2010 it was delayed by yet another year. It was pushed back one more time after that but finally on September 8th of this year Rockstar announced that they expected the game to ship in March of 2012.

The new release date was confirmed by the trailer, below, that was released a few days later. So come March next year it'll be Happy Birthday to Me!

TGS - Sony spring a surprise or two

The HD remake business is expanding rapidly on PS3, and Vita, with todays announcements of both Final Fantsay X and the Metal Gear HD collection.

In my opinion Final Fantasy suffered a sharp downturn after the tenth instalment of their hallmark RPG series, even today it's a great looking game, so it's nice to see that a new generation of gamers will be able to experience a good looking RPG with HD graphics that actually holds up during extended play.

Metal Gear HD Collection will contain the two Metal Gear Solid games to have appeared on PS2, Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater. Again, on a personal note, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was one of the best looking games on PS2 so to see it remastered in HD will be great, i'm interested to see how well MGS2 scrubs up too, since it was much earlier in the PS2's life cycle and so obviously didn't have the same level of polish that Snake Eater benefited from.

With the twin stick set up, and sheer power of the Vita it only makes sense that the HD versions of PS2 classics find their way onto the hardware, and it gives consumers one more reason to buy the console. I'm interested to see how, or even if they use the extra control options that the Vita has to offer, especially in the case of Final Fantasy, where the touch screen could let you interact with the in game menus in a whole new way.

While we're on the subject of Playstation classics heading to the Vita, you may have heard us mention Z.O.E. on a recent episode of the Killer Keyboard podcast. The HD version will be heading to PS3 and Vita in 2012 and will be transfer enabled (or "transfarring" as Kojima likes to say), meaning that if you have both consoles you can transfer your saves and play the same game on the move or at home. Just in case there are any ZOE enthusiasts out there, here's a little nugget from TGS.




Playstation Vita will be released in Japan on December 17th although no official date for America or Europe was forthcoming at today's Sony press conference.

Monday Round-up: Heavy Rain, Light Pockets.

I really enjoyed Heavy Rain, it had a lot to live up to after Quantic Dream's last effort, Farenheit, came from left field to become one of my favourite PS2 titles in the early 2000's. This is why it pains me to hear that they have estimated a loss of up to $13 Million due to second hand sales of the PS3 thriller.

According to Guillaume de Fondaumiere, the co-founder of the studio, two million units were sold first hand but more than three million unique players have been identified through the trophy system on Playstation Network. That represents a whopping One Million units in lost sales!

I won't pretend that i disagree with people buying used games, i do it myself and think it's a right of any individual to sell on their games/music/books etc once they're done with them. This is a capitalist economy after all, and nobody came here for a lecture on communism. de Fondaumiere was quoted saying that "I've always said that games are probably too expensive so there's probably a right level here to find, and we need to discuss this altogether and try to find a way to I would say reconcile consumer expectations, retail expectations, but also the expectations of the publisher and the developers to make this business a worthwhile business."

I sympathise with the guys at Quantic Dream though, because it must really hurt to put all that effort into a game only to find out that your sales have been dented by as much as 33% due to second hand sales in Game, Game Station, HMV and for any American readers out there, Gamestop.

Speaking of Gamestop, it turns out that they'll be releasing their own branded Android tablet next year. Plenty have wondered what will happen to Video games retailers as the market inexorably moves towards digital distribution as it's preferred method of delivery. It seems that Gamestop have decided that the old adage "if you can't beat them, join them" has some wisdom to it.

By all accounts this new tablet will support mobile apps, while the true goal is to create a piece of hardware that can support full retail releases. Gamestop President Tony Bartel has also claimed that Gamestop are working with developers to create titles especially for the Gamestop Tablet.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution has been slated for release on the Mac OS "this Winter 11/12, while details of system requirements and pricing are to follow later on this year we do know that Feral Interactive will be porting the game. The GM of Eidos Montreal, Stephane D'Astous, revealed "We are delighted to partner with Feral, a leading expert in development for the Mac platform, to bring the acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution to Mac players."

Given some of the reviews of the game, already on PC and Console, you do have to wonder why they're bothering.


Finally today, here's the brand new UK top ten on all formats -

1 - Dead Island
2 - Warhammer 40K: Space Marine
3 - Driver: San Franciso
4 - Resistance 3
5 - Deus Ex: Human Revolution
6 - Zumba Fitness
7 - Rugby World Cup 2011
8 - Lego Pirates of the Caribbean
9 - Star Fox 64 3D
10 - Gran Turismo 5

Congratulations to Dead Island for shuffling to the top of the pile. Unsurprisingly Rugby World Cup 2011 has made the cut after the tournament proper kicked off at the weekend, while Lego Pirates and Zumba are still in the top ten! Also nice to see the revamped, re-skinned Star Fox 64 squeezed onto the list, after having played it at the IGN UK 100th podcast i think it deserved a place at the top.

Right, that'll do for Monday. Until next time friends...

Hands On - Future 3DS Titles

IGN UK recently held a little shindig at the legendary 100 club on Oxford St, in association with Nintendo 3DS celebrating the 100th edition of their fine podcast. While there wasn't anywhere near enough Geoff Capes for my liking, there were several other distractions that more than made up for it.

Nintendo very kindly set up a number of booths showcasing several new titles that are due for release in the next year, and while some are some way out from completion, all were in a fit state to be played.

Mario Kart 3DS

Mario Kart has always been one of my favourite Nintendo titles, so when the 3DS version was announced i was interested to see how well they integrated the 3D aspect into the game. Not only does the screen give you a real sense of depth, something sadly lacking from Sony's attempt at 3D with Gran Turismo 5, but they've also gone out of their way to improve upon the game play rather than just port a high res version of the DS game over.

You can customise everything about your Kart at the start of the game, from bigger wheels to a different chassis, everything can be changed. Little things like this certainly help make a more personalised experience and i certainly felt a change in my Karts behaviour when i opted for chunky off road style tyres for my vehicle.

The other thing that shines through in this game is just how much more they were able to get out of the hardware this time round. Graphically this is a far superior version of the game than we have seen on a portable console before, it might just be the best looking Mario Kart game out there on any platform.

The only way for Mario Kart to get any better would be for this to happen:

Resident Evil: Revelations

I'll hold my hands up here and admit that i've never been a big fan of Resident Evil. Not my kind of game at all but i can appreciate the innovations that the series has introduced and the story that was being told. Whenever i play a game where gunplay forms a vital part of the game i expect the ability to move while i'm aiming. Unfortunately whoever trained the S.T.A.R.S. unit dealing with the T-Virus outbreak was a stickler for the basics, meaning that when you want to use your gun in Revelations you have to stand still and become a fish in the proverbial barrel. This is in part down to the lack of twin sticks meaning that you use the same control nub to aim as you do to walk around, leaving you vulnerable to zombie attack.

Capcom should, however, be applauded for producing a very high fidelity game. Waking up in a run down bedroom and walking around to find a way out i was struck with the level of detail in the environment, and also by the feeling of depth that i gained when turning the 3D slider on. Aiming at oncoming zombies felt natural enough although i would prefer it if i could back away while laying down fire. Lighting and shade effects are all very nicely used in game but unfortunately the animation for draining the bath tub (stupid place to leave a screwdriver) felt very DS like.

As expected from a Nintendo handheld game there was good use of the touchpad in game, in this case you unscrewed a fuse box by touching the screw heads and then shorted the circuit to open the locked door. It's a shame that GTA did this before, but it's nice that they varied the gameplay none the less.

This will no doubt be a good game for fans of the Genre, but if the console versions leave you nonplussed then i'd say avoid it.

Star Fox 64 3DS

As you'd imagine given the title, this is the N64 version of Star fox, but it's much more besides. For starters the entire game has had a graphical update to better take advantage of the 3DS' extra power. Secondly if you so wish you can control your flight path completely independently of the control stick/nub by using the systems' in-built gyroscope.

Not being one for new fangled control systems i opted for the old school control stick method and dived into the game head long. Once again the use of 3D in this title is implemented extremely well, and rather than taking away from game play i actually felt it gave me more of an idea where i was in the level and therefore an advantage over playing in two dimensions. Pilot Wings was proof of concept where flying games are concerned on a 3D system, Star fox takes it up a level or two.

Colours are vivid and vibrant as you'd expect from the Star Fox universe while game play is fast and fluid. If you enjoyed the first coming of Star Fox 64 you'll love this.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D

The most impressive thing about Snake Eater is that there is near enough no difference between the 3DS version and it's older PS2 sibling. With the 3D turned off it's a carbon copy, really showing off the power of Nintendo's little portable console.

Turn the 3D on however, and the ported version of Metal Gear Solid 3 really kicks it up a notch. One of the most laborious tasks in the game for me was crawling slowly through the long grass, trying to get close enough to a guard for a sneak attack from behind. Although the grass was wonderfully animated and you could always come across a creepy crawly or two, there was little to interest you while you crawled on your belly. With the extra dimension that the 3DS gives you the long grass takes on a life of its own. Equally, the canopy above your head comes to life when viewed in 3D, light tumbling through branches of varying size and distance gives the jungle some real atmosphere.

Unfortunately the control scheme is a little too cobbled together for my liking. The lack of dual analogue sticks means that you have to draw your gun and then aim using the shoulder button and the a,b,x & y buttons. Konami have made the best of a sparse control setup but i always felt that i was playing a port rather than a made for purpose game. A real shame, because the graphics and use of 3D really set this game apart.

Kid Icarus -Uprising

Back in 1986 Kid Icarus was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, a fairly by the numbers platformer with catchy music and a fun look to it. Since then it has developed quite a following. 1991 saw a sequel released for the Game Boy, largely using the same mechanics as the NES game it further cemented Pit, the games lead character as a firm favourite among Nintendo fans. Fast forward to 2011, a full twenty years later, and the long awaited three-quel is finally here, and what's more, it's in 3D.

Again it has to be said that the power of Nintendo's latest hand held is very effectively demonstrated from the outset. Pit is brilliantly realised on the 3DS as are the numerous villains and bosses you play against. The whole game world is stunning to behold. Gameplay is fast and furious throughout, whether on the ground or in the air during the flying sections of the game you feel in total control thanks to the innovative aiming system that makes use of the touch screen and left shoulder button. Unfortunately, as greatly innovative as this control system is, it has a major flaw that may cripple it's long term playability.

Imagine holding a 3DS in your left hand, with your thumb twiddling the control stick and your index finger pressing the left shoulder button, with your right hand completely devoted to aiming by way of the stylus and touch pad. After a couple of minutes playing you have to re adjust your left hand to continue to support the system. it really is the most awkward way to use a 3DS and can unfortunately lead to hand cramping, not just that but it also distracts you from the game itself and can lead to Pit taking damage while you take a second away from aiming to re adjust your hand hold on the system.

Another example of a great looking game let down by a so so control scheme I'm afraid

Super Mario 3D Land

I thought there would be no better game to end this report with than Super Mario 3D Land.

If Nintendo know anything it's how to make a good Mario game. Better than that, if Mario Galaxy is anything to go by then they know how to make a good 3D Mario game. This is the first truely 3D game to feature Mario (outside of the Kart track at least) and so many interested eyes are going to be cast over it to see how it fairs. I'm glad to say that it's doing very well so far.

Graphically the game is very similar to the aforementioned Galaxy Series, It plays very much like the 3D versions of Mario that can be found on the Wii. Although the build i laid my hands on didn't have a world map to look at, i would be surprised if it wasn't similar in appearance to that of New Super Mario Brothers or Super Mario Bros. 3.

The overall feel of the game is very Nintendo and very Mario, Any Mario fan that plays this game will feel right at home with it. Nintendo should be applauded for how they've incorporated 3D into this game, not only does it help you judge your jumps but it also allows the developer to play a few tricks on you with perspective. On one occasion I slid down a drainpipe to be greeted with a room viewed in 3/4 perspective, from the appearance of the room i should have been able to jump straight up and grab the giant coin, but once I tried I realised that it was all an optical illusion. Every giant coin to be collected appears to be protected by some form of optical illusion or perspective puzzle, something that the use of the systems 3D definitely helps in identifying.

So, overall it has to be said that the 3DS has some very impressive software on the horizon, and while there are certainly control issues with some of the titles on offer, it's good to see that games like Star fox, Mario 3D and Mario Kart keep it simple and let the game do all the talking. Sometimes the best games are the ones with the simplest controls...

Second Halo Trilogy Named

The Penny Arcade Expo has this year played host to the inaugural Halo Fest, an event that celebrates everything Halo.

Ten years after the original Halo hit the shelves, and on the back of the announcement of a re-tooled anniversary release of the game at this years E3 as well as the first sighting of Halo 4, new developer 343i have announced that the next original Halo release will indeed be part of a new trilogy and have duly christened it as "The Reclaimer Trilogy".

"Reclaimer" was the term often used by Guilty Spark in the original Halo: Combat Evolved when referring to Master Chief, and points to the fact that we'll be playing an awful lot more as the eponymous last Spartan.