Gamer Grrlz

Sony Dubs Motion Controller "Playstation Move"

2010-03-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

It's time for another entry in "shit I'm only writing about because I know I'm supposed to care." Yes, it's that magic time where I write a post solely in the name of looking legit. This time, it's the announcement of the official name of Playstation's motion control.

Sony finally debuted the name at the GDC yesterday, and it's called the Playstation Move. Creative, huh? The brilliance continues with the list of known video games that will utilize motion control:

Sports Champion
The Shoot
Slider
TV Superstars
Move Party
Motion Fighter

The motion controller will also come in a number of bundles and be treated as a full platform launch. Expect one bundle to include the PS3, the Playstation Move, and the Playstation Eye (the webcam! DURRRrrr!). Another will included the Move, the Eye, and an unspecified game for under $100.

To be fair, it's not that I don't give a damn about the Move. I mean, I don't, but that doesn't mean I won't. I just haven't heard of any supported titles that make me interested yet. Check out the Move in action below:

[Joystiq]

Why, American McGee. What Awesome Concept Art You Have!

2010-03-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Check out what American McGee is pitching at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. Today is day three of the conference...wonder if he's found a publisher yet. After American McGee's Alice, I'll buy whatever he's sellin'. Even if it were poo on a stick wrapped in packaging string. Yes.

[Joystiq]

NEW Fallout: New Vegas High Resolution Screen Shots

2010-03-08T20:26:00.001-08:00

These pictures are a sore reminder that no matter how big of a Fallout fan I think I am, I'm not as rabid as I could be. All of these shots were released at one time or another in various Fallout: New Vegas magazine articles. This is merely the first time they've been available in high res (instead of crappy scans). It's also the first time I've seen them. Bad Fallout fan, bad!

This post is picture-heavy, I'm putting these behind a post jump. Click on to read my thoughts and get a glimpse of what New Vegas will look like in action. Read More...

As the game name implies, New Vegas takes place in the deserts of Nevada, where the sun shines bright, the skies are clear, and a little old radiation can never keep a good city down.

But what's this? A solar power station? That would certainly explain how New Vegas is a well powered metropolis.

Exactly how easy is Easy Pete? I got an inch that no vibrator can scratch. Just kidding. I have no attraction to Elder Lyon's sunburnt Doppleganger.

If Obsidian made Red Red Redemption.

What do you think of the new landscape? I think the cacti is a nice change. But seriously, they need to ditch those mannequins. I am so sick of seeing those funky, disembodied pieces of garbage posed awkwardly around every corner. I swear there are more mannequins than actual post apocalyptic survivors.

Ok, I must be really messed up, 'cause I see neither light in the darkness, nor a bearded man, nor a mushroom cloud, with this Rorshach test. What I DO see is two No-Faces kissing and playing patty cake. I'm weird.

Hey it's the Power Gangers, a concept left over from the canceled Van Buren project. And what's this "Fore!" command I see here...?

Ah, a gray skinned Mutant. Notice in the top picture, the mutants are green like Washington D.C. ones, whereas in the shot above, the mutant is gray like the Mariposa base mutants. Interesting.

It's known that Vault 21 is the local vault featured in New Vegas. Also known is that you're a courier who is found by a robot, half buried in the sand. The robot drags you over to Vault 21 to get you fixed up by a local doctor named Mitchell. So, is the above person the main character after a stay at the vault? Or an NPC?

Also: geckos.

Oooh, a new option for controlling your NPCs a little more directly. I guess the devs have been listening to online forum bitching. Where's the "Dogmeat, when I walk forward, move the fuck out of my way" button?

Those textures look mighty familiar.

Hm, a golf club. Is this related to that "Fore!" command seen in screen shot #6?

I have nothing to add here but "Yay, dinosaurs!"

Another gray Super Mutant, this one with full feminine garb. Is this a lone occurance, a single, formerly female Super Mutant holding on to what little femininity she has left? Or will all of these Super Mutants carry some remnant of their former gender? That being said, bitchin' shades.

Looks like there's fixin' to be a cola war.

Nope, that's not Dogmeat. Post apocalyptic dogs are all twins. It's the radiation, the radiation did it. Meet Cheyenne, the beloved pet of one of New Vegas' NPCs (pictured?)

So what do you think of the screen shots?

Life Is Good, And So Is This Legend Of Zelda Cross Stitch

2010-03-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

Life IS good. 'Specially when you have enough rupees to keep buying more. Nice work, Bamiyan!

[PixelStitches]

Microsoft Reverses "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy On XBLA

2010-03-08T09:16:00.000-08:00

Victory! After several months of pressure from the LGBT community and decent human beings in general, Microsoft has finally put their proverbial "don't ask don't tell" policy at XBOX Live to rest. As you may know, users were finding themselves banned after identifying as L,G,B, or T (or just having a "gay" name, like true-story ban victim Richard Gaywood) while anti homosexual slurs were hurled around with wanton abandon.Well, now the slurs are officially hands-off and users are free to identify themselves as straight, gay, bi, transgender, or straight on their XBOX Live profiles:

"You may use the following terms to express your relationship orientation in your profile or Gamertag: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Straight. Other terms regarding relationship orientation are not allowed (Bad Fish note: so if you're a metrosexual polygamist with bicurious tendencies, you are SOL). In addition you may not use these terms or any other terms regarding relationship orientation to insult, harass, or any other pejorative use against other users."

You Gamer Grrlz are pretty top-notch in the tolerance and general doesn't-have-head-up-ass department, so I know you don't need an explanation as to why this is important and positive. Can you believe there are those that do? I was very disappointed at the response from some of the gamer community.

[Kotak u]

Fallout: New Vegas On The Cover Of Level

2010-03-07T11:34:00.000-08:00

I don't speak a word of Turkish, but I'm pretty sure this cover says "If you don't buy this come June 2010, you'll be awash with guilt and torturous regret that will follow you to your grave."

[BethesdaBlog]

Hello Wars Brings The Best Of Two Worlds Together

2010-03-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

So, George Lucas is a dick (he shut these down faster than you can say "greedy penis wrinkle") but these are still cute, right? Actually, by the time I found them, the makers had already been given a cease and desist order handed down to them from on high at the Skywalker Ranch. But the images are still up and around, and the official site hints at things to come. Could a reprint be coming soon, "pending licensing rights"?

I'd keep an eye on HelloWars, just in case.

[GeekSugar]

Castle Crashers For PSN Gets A Volleyball Minigame!

2010-03-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Sigh. I need an entire blog label for "How the hell did I miss this?!?". I have no idea when Castle Crashers was confirmed as coming to PSN. Not only is it due for sometime this year...it also has something the XBOX Live version doesn't. Something that makes it worth buying on another console.

Current fans no doubt remember the at-first-baffling game of volleyball played in the Sand Castle Roof level:

The PSN version of Castle Crashers will include the volleyball as a minigame with a buttload of ways to play. You can go co-op or vs., local or online. There will be new spiking and serving moves, leaderboards to track the best players, and up to 4 vs. 4 player matches. You can even use a magic attack on the ball to imbue it with a special magic status for added effect.

They better keep the resounding "FAIL!" at the end of every lost match. That's the best part.

[TheBehemoth DevBlog]

Open Discussion: Are You Feeling The DLC Fatigue?

2010-03-01T12:55:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I now write for a few other sites in addition to Gamer Grrlz, one of which focuses largely on gaming news as it's released through conventions, interviews, press releases, and other sources. Daily, I find myself rewriting soul sucking press releases over and over as I resist the urge to press the business end of a pair of crafting scissors into my cuticles just to feel alive. Some days, I swear I'm reporting more on downloadable content than I am actual game releases. As a result, I'm finally starting to understand some of the DLC backlash. How much is too much?

I'll be the first to admit that sometimes downloadable content is awesome and really adds to the game without milking the players for every last cent. (Borderlands, keep on doin' what you do!) But other times it can feel downright excessive.

Street Fighter IV, for instance, created a sore spot with loyal fans. The game actually contained ON DISC the costumes it later charged via download. Meaning, the content was there, they simply decided to hold out to charge money for it later. While this is well within their rights, it angers many players who still feel aligned with the original aim of downloadable content, which was to add bonus playing hours that weren't included in the original production of the game. This has now warped to the point where downloadable content is planned well in advance of a game's initial release, solely for the purpose of generating more revenue (as opposed to simply not having the time or resources to include it with the original release but still wanting the fans to be able to enjoy it at a later date).

Suddenly, a $60 game can ultimately cost you $100 or more, all with a little $5 or $10 spent "here or there". My Fallout 3 Game Of The Year Edition has content that cost me $50, but would have cost $100 (combined with the price of the game) had I bought it at the time it was released for download. This is just one example. The general sentiment among gamers seems to be "If it's ready to go, release it on the original disc. If its not, you can always release it later." while for developers, it's "Hold back what you can, so we can charge them for it later." The "real" cost of games is hitting $75 or higher.

Now granted, as the Internet and its dearth of wise commentors love to point out, no one is "making" you buy DLC, "no one's putting a gun to your head". But when DLC can determine player advantage, as in the case of better equipment and weaponry, it can still be a tricky issue. Gaming has always leveled the playing field in many ways that reality cannot. Now, your success is determined by how much money you're willing to spend. And many gamers feel the OCD-like pressure (I blame Pokemon) to make sure they have access to everything a game has to offer. While it's not the end of the world to miss a DLC bonus or two, why should a player have to miss out on content that is sometimes already available on their physical game copy, but merely being held hostage for another $4.99? While it's well within the developer's and publisher's rights to make their content available at the price and time they choose, it still smacks of sneakiness and ingratitude to take advantage of the fans' extreme devotion. It reminds me of a coke dealer who'll sell the first 8-ball at cost, then charge four times the street value thereafter.

So what say you? Are you feeling the DLC fatigue?

And So It Begins: iPad Maxi Pad Case

2010-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

Perfect! Available in "fresh" and "soiled" (sadly, the completely red ones are all sold out). Now all I need is a condom for my Wii, and I'm all set. LittleElk, get on that!

$30.

[Etsy]

Fallout: New Vegas Is Workin' It On The Cover Of PC Gamer

2010-02-25T13:35:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or is that pose fucking fabulous? Smile with your eyes, new guy, smile with your eyes!

Anyway, if you'd like some supplementary reading to go with your PC Gamer cover, check out the USA Today article about Fallout: New Vegas. It doesn't reveal much that anyone who has watched the trailer wouldn't know, but its a nice little read. It does mention that you start out as a courier, with something having been taken from you, which figures into the game as a storyline. Check it out here.

[Bethesda Blog]

A Roundup Of Nintendo Media Summit News

2010-02-25T13:07:00.000-08:00

I was basically glued to both The Tanooki and the Nintendo Media Summit Twitter feed yesterday, and I am pooped. To poop to poop. To pooped to even rewrite the articles for you all so you can read them here. But I will definitely post the links. Not so much 'cause I think you need to hear this news from me. I just want the Google hits. I'll be nice and post the Super Mario Galaxy 2 trailer though, 'cause its awesome.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 Release Date Revealed As May 23
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Trailer And Screen Shots

Metroid: Other M Debuts June 27
New Screen Shots From Metroid: Other M

Monster Hunter Tri Bundle Given Official Release Date, Demo Disc Coming Soon

DSi XL Hits North American Stores March 28 For $189.99

There was some other stuff, but basically I didn't care about any of it, so I stopped there. So there you go. All the important news from the Nintendo Media Summit.

I Heart This Ring

2010-02-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is possibly the best ring ever made to express your undying geek affection for the one you adore...or to leave a cool heart imprinted in someone's face. Your choice. Me, I prefer to give the punch of love.

$40, from ShanaLogic.

[GeekSugar]

New DLC for Bioshock 2

2010-02-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

Starting in March the first of several planned DLC's will roll out for Bioshock 2. This first one, called "Sinclair Solutions Test Pack", will expand on the multiplayer side. Along with a rank increase (which is similar to leveling), there's also new characters, trials (mini quests/achievements), and weapon upgrades. While single player is left alone, there are plans to throw in some new things soon (game's too damn short *grumble grumble*).

I did a few rounds on MP last night for the first time as Barbara the Housewife (I smell a new costume!), and while it was fun it was little more than Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, it was obvious that there wasn't much to it. 2K attempted to throw in a little story (it takes place before BS1), but it felt like it was a last minute thought. Like I need a reason to frag a noob. Don't get me wrong, it was fun buuuut it didn't call to me like the rest of the game. It would be nice if what you did in MP had a bonus on the Story side, like perhaps extra Adam or Gene Tonics. I will say that it moves quickly. The fact the entire game is built on the Unreal Engine makes a difference. It's like Unreal Tournament, only with Splicers and creepy Clown vending machines.

The DLC will be priced around $5, which is a steal. Just don't rob a Little Sister to get the Adam or else Big Daddy will be mad at you!!

[Destructoid.com - Bioshock Wikia]

Welcome To Awesome: SEGA Bundles Their Hardcore Wii Titles

2010-02-24T08:10:00.001-08:00

This needs to happen. I mean, it is happening, but so far only for Australia, so when I say "this needs to happen", I mean, "this needs to happen to ME". I've always wanted to pick up the Wii's most violent titles, but I never quite get around to it. If all three of these games (The Conduit, MadWorld, and The House Of The Dead: Overkill) were available to me in one handy pack, I would snatch that shit up like it was I was dying of inoperable rectal cancer and only Wii violence was the cure.

On the more official, critical thinking side of things, I'm not surprised that SEGA put their bloodiest foot forward and packed these together to try and generate more sales. The "Wii can't support third party titles" and "Wii can't sell hardcore games" self fulfilling prophecies pretty much doomed them from the start, but they've been verbally supportive of their Wii games, anyway. As someone who is utterly sick of the dividing lines in the console casual vs. hardcore console wars, I want to put my money where my mouth is. Bring this pack to the US, SEGA!

The Welcome To Violence pack retails in Australia for $109.95 AUD (about $60, USD), due out March 11.

[GoNintendo]

More Arkham? How Did I Miss This?!

2010-02-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

In case you've been living under a rock as I apparently have, Rocksteady has announced that Batman: Arkham Asylum will be getting a sequel.

All I can say is WOOT and that the special edition had better kick butt.

There's very little information to go with the announcement. In fact a title hasn't even been released. What we do know is that Joker will be making a return, but no news on what villains will be joining him. It's assumed from the trailer and website, ArkhamHasMoved.com, that our favorite nut house has been moved to the mainland. This could possibly open up all of Gotham City, and hopefully some more characters to play with (Batgirl pretty please!!).

Considering the first game finally let people know that all Batman games don't have to suck, the second will have a LOT of live up to. I personally feel that they can't go wrong with sticking to what the fans cheered over. When I heard that Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill were coming back I nearly fainted. Serious TAS fangirl over here. I also liked the Riddler quests, but since he's been thrown back into jail it's uncertain if he can repeat his games for the Dark Knight.

I can't wait for the game, and I know others are already sharpening their Bat-o-rangs in preparation.

[ArkhamHasMoved.com]

Vault Sweet Vault: Fallout 3 Vault Boy Cross Stitch

2010-02-19T08:19:00.000-08:00

This was made by a Gamer Grrlz reader! And I bet she has no idea that I browse her blog in secret, which is totally not creepy at all. Nice work, Stephanie! May I suggest a cross stitch of Revelations 21:6?

[CrossStitchTycoon]

Diablo III Female Barbarian Revealed

2010-02-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

My enthusiasm for the female Barbarian design from Diablo III is sprinkled with a little bit of amusement today. Kotaku was all over this design, praising it for its adequate coverage of the female form, the lack of which is often a complaint in gaming circles. In general, video game Barbarians don't wear much, but this female Barbarian is relatively well-armored. Yay, sexism is over!

What I find funny, though, is that for all their praise on how much her body is covered, Kotaku ignores the most relevant and oft-heard complain regarding armor, video games, and the female form: lack of breast protection. Now, I won't get into the inherent sexism behind "Male Barbarians are tough, they don't need armor. Females, however, need to be decked out like they're a one-woman army." But I will laugh heartily at Kotaku's assertion that this is progress. Who cares if your shoulder pads look like they could take on the legions of hell all by their pretty little selves. If an enemy can easily sink a butter knife through your chest, its over. No amount of forearm coverage is gonna save you.

Don't get me wrong, I think she looks bad ass. But with her most vital organ so easily exposed to legions of spear wielding monkey demons, she's gonna have to be.

[Kotaku]

More New Vegas Pimping

2010-02-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

Lady Badfish clued me in that Xbox Magazine UK posted a teaser for the upcoming issue. On the front is our favorite new obsession, Fallout New Vegas. Sadly the preview doesn't actually have an NV love inside, but it does have a few articles about Bioshock 2, Alien vs Predator vs Anything That Moves, and (of course) Halo. Not enough for you and your Nuclear Family? Take a gander at the the always ready to spoof Capital Wasteland Classifieds from Something Awful.com.

I wonder if I can sell my dented tin cans there?

[Xbox Magazine UK - Something Awful.com]

This Should Be Entitled "Nerd Squared"

2010-02-13T16:08:00.001-08:00

The anti-Valentine's Day hero herself, Liz Lemon, has been immortalized in Nerds (by artist Andrew Salomone, who also created the "Happy Valentine's Day" gif below). This is a grand day my friends. I love Liz Lemon. I know she'd understand my pain.

Must watch every V-Day episode of 30 Rock on my Netflix Instant Viewing immediately. And order a meatball sub. Yes.

[Craftzine via Technabob on Facebook]

Left 4 Dead Valentine's Day Cards

2010-02-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

Since I'm sitting here all alone on this near-Valentine's Day, I'm going to indulge in some virtual cutting and make myself feel even lonelier by posting all this V-Day shit. Sounds healthy, doesn't it? That's me! Mental health McGee!

Actually, its not even my fault I'm alone. The S.O. is at work, so the real perpetrator here is a certain QA guy who's so fucking good at his job that he keeps finding bugs for them to work on, dragging my Sweet Baboo back into Hades for a few more hours of testing and writing new code. Damn yoos!

So here's some more V-Day garbage I found. This time its free Valentine's Day cards from Valve. Yes, free! The Left 4 Dead and Team Fortress Christmas cards you had to pay for, but these come in a handy PDF file that you can print out before clipping your choice card. Choose from five patterns, file located here.

[Joystiq]

In The End There Will Only Be Frosting: Kratos Valentine's Day Cookies

2010-02-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

These Kratos cookies (Krookies?) were made for God Of War III's lead combat designer by his girlfriend for Valentine's Day. Aren't these cute? As cute as a shunned, murderous son of Zeus with the blood of the innocents on his hands can possibly be cute, that is?

[Kotaku]

"You Complete Me" Tetris Valentine's Day Cross Stitch Pattern

2010-02-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is the best cross stitch Tetris/Jerry MacGuire tribute you are ever going to find. Truth. Pattern by DWgrrl, from the Sprite Stitch forums.

[Sprite Stitch Forums]

Mega Man 10 Release Dates Revealed!

2010-02-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

At this very moment I am very glad that I didn't max out my allotted Wii Points just because they were there. Its very tempting you know. "Because its there" is the best reason to do anything. Climb a mountain. Eat an entire bag of donuts. Kick a tree.

I have 1,000 points left, which is exactly enough to purchase Mega Man 10 come March 1, the date of its WiiWare debut. You XBOX 360 or PS3 suckas will just have to wait til March 11 and March 31, respectively. That's what they call a staggered release date.

Oh, and the image you see above is the full version of the Mega Man 10 art that graced the cover of Nintendo Power. For the no-logo version, hit up Capcom-Unity. For character art of Mega Man and his special weapons, screen captures of the new Challenge mode, and the Robot Master sprite art, check out the Tanooki link below.

[TheTanooki]

Diablo III Female Monk Designs Revealed

2010-02-13T08:07:00.000-08:00

One thing I love about the upcoming Diablo III is the new system with the genders and classes. No more sex/class restrictions. Now there is a female and male version for each.

The Monk was previously announced as one of the new classes, but only the male design was released. This past week, they finally gave us a glimpse at the very Susan Powter/Ivy-esque female version. Above on the left is the in-game render, on the right is the character art. There have been a lot of complaints about her "mannish face", "lesbian hair", and her "too big for a warrior monk" boobs, but I for one like her look. Its like any second now, she's going to turn her head and start crooning "Sweet dreams are made of this...". Love it.

[Blizzard]