UK Videogames

Avatar… in 2D

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:27:57 -0800

Console owners hoping to enjoy stunning 3D while playing Avatar: The Game will need to wait until spring 2010. ...

Non-gaming on your games console

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:10:27 -0800

You might have noticed that Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have been falling over themselves to add non-gaming functionalities to their home consoles recently. But what do they do, and – big question – which is best?

The PlayStation 3 has been enjoying a resurgence thanks to the new (and cheaper) ‘Slim’ model. Sales are up and Sony is not about to be outdone by their chief rival, Microsoft. ...

Xbox LIVE price hikes ahoy?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:21:20 -0800

The price of an Xbox LIVE ‘Gold’ membership is already costly enough – it’s more or less the same as a full game, at £39.99 a year. However, if current industry predictions are correct, prices may actually increase and a third tier of ‘Platinum’ membership will be introduced.

Chief cranker of the rumour mill on this occasion is gaming’s own soothsayer, Michael Pachter, of investment analysts Wedbush Morgan. ...

The future of gaming in the palm of your hand?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:31:27 -0800

‘Cloud’ gaming services point to a near-future where videogames are hosted from powerful remote servers and we stream them live to our home computers or TV screens – without the need for fancy consoles or expensive equipment. It’s a compelling idea, and it now looks like the technology is coming to mobile phones too.

Steve Perlman is the man in charge at OnLive, one of the biggest noises in this fast-developing arena. ...

Don't mess with your online Xbox 360... or else

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:15:41 -0800

Microsoft is clamping down on Xbox 360 users who are logging on with modified consoles. Around one million gamers have been barred from accessing their Xbox LIVE accounts so far, and Microsoft hasn’t finished yet. That means no more online gaming, no more chatting to friends during gameplay and no more downloading any of the many goodies on Xbox LIVE for the transgressors. ...

Hotel cancels Christmas

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:38:48 -0800

One of Scotland’s oldest hotels has requested that all children visiting over Christmas ditch their consoles in favour of more traditional festive pursuits. Bah, and verily, <i>humbug!</i>

<i>"As a father-of-four, I'm well aware of the role that computer games play in youngsters' lives and they undoubtedly have a place,"</i> Stephen Leckie, managing director of the 141 year-old Crieff Hydro, tells the BBC. ...

The Consequences of your actions

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:58:51 -0800

Modern Warfare 2 includes a scene in which you are required to gun down civilians in a fictitious Russian airport. Is this a step too far for the Call of Duty franchise? Is this going too far for videogames, period?

When Private First Class Joseph Allen assumes the identity of Alexei Borodin for the third mission in the newest Call of Duty videogame, he is making history. ...

Real family games for Nintendo?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:09:24 -0800

Can we still class The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, even Mario Kart as family games? The latest As Seen on TV titles from Koch Media suggest otherwise.

Family Fortunes, Countdown, Ready Steady Cook, I'm a Celebrity, Beat the Intro and The Ultimate Red Ball Challenge. You'll have heard of most if not all of these, they're famous prime-time TV shows watched by all the family. Now they're Nintendo Wii and DS games, or soon will be. Nothing fancy, just functioning as you would hope. ...

Tried to make you go to rehab...

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:59:55 -0800

Britain’s first residential rehabilitation centre for games addicts has opened its doors, and patients already queuing up to get in.

Broadway Lodge, in Weston-super-Mare, treats around 400 clients a year who are usually dependent on more everyday temptations such as drink, drugs and gambling. ...

Always-on internet access for next DS?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:16:21 -0800

Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, has hinted that the next generation of DS handhelds may include 3G internet access as standard.

Alas this promising concept is little more than idle speculation at the moment, although Mr. Iwata is plainly very warm to the idea. He even thinks that unlimited high-speed access to the internet should be free for DS customers, as long as they’re willing to pay a little extra for the necessary hardware. ...