“We are not creating a character that just appeals to men. We want to have an effect that is deeper, that has highs and lows. You can see it’s not just about sex appeal. She can’t be huge chest and tight shorts. That was the vision of old Lara Croft. We needed to make substantial changes.”

He also mentioned that they were completely scrapping the back story from previous Tomb Raider games about Croft’s parents and her background. She no longer is wielding dual-pistols, no more of the signature look which we have all came to recognize. Stewart also said:

“We are very proud of the history that Tomb Raider has. But this will never tie into whatever she’s done before.”

Considering that Tomb Raider on the PS1 was the very first game I ever played, I have a bit of an interest in this series. However, over the years, my interest has faded, as the story has felt so repetitive to me. I felt as though Lara Croft was the same character, just rehashed each time. No growth as a character. If Tomb Raider’s reconstruction turns out for the best, this may just revive my interest in the series. We’ll have to wait and see. You can read the full interview at Kotaku

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Speaking of things that I’m interested in, the BioShock novel, titled BioShock: Rapture, has an excerpt that you’ll want to read here at Tor.com. I’m usually skeptical about video game books or movies. However, from the excerpt, this seems well worth reading the book. If you’re just as excited about this as I am, you can pre-order the book at Amazon.com. The book will be available on July 19th.

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I noticed recently in the searches for my blog, that someone requested a Modern Warfare 2 soundtrack release date. From my research, the Modern Warfare 2 soundtrack is not available for release on a physical CD, however a download from Amazon is available here. Or maybe you don’t want to buy it, but just listen to it. Luckily for you, a Youtube playlist has been made, which you can listen to here.  There’s about 130 videos, which all feature the MW2 soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. So have fun.

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Finally, it’s time for some free things on the web. Valve is now offering free-to-play games via Steam. The games available include: Champions Online: Free for All, Global Agenda: Free Agent, Spiral Knights, Forsaken Worlds, and Alliance of Valliant Arms. You can find these games and more by accessing the Steam Store via the “Store” tab in Steam, then click on “Genres” and then “Free to Play” in the drop down menu. Or you could just type the name of the game you want into the search bar to make things easier.

Tomb Raider E3 2011 Trailer:

Thanks for reading,
–Taylor Paige

Sources:
Kotaku
Tor.com & Amazon
MW2 Soundtrack via Amazon & Youtube
F2P Games via Steam News

Anyway, this week has been all about E3. From what I’ve saw and read, I’m pretty impressed with what’s coming out soon. So let’s get right into it.

First, let’s talk about game releases. The schedule for game releases looks INCREDIBLE. BioShock Infinite, Modern Warfare 3, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Saints Row: The Third, Far Cry 3, Ghost Recon Future Solider, Battlefield 3, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, Driver San Francisco, Tomb Raider, Gears of War 3, Mass Effect 3, Hitman: Absolution, and of course, Halo 4. Just to name some. Naturally, all of these games look and sound amazing. I have a feeling that I’ll be completely broke by the end of 2012. If you haven’t seen any of these games (or even knew that they’re being released), here are the links:
 BioShock Infinite E3 Trailer
Modern Warfare 3 E3 Gameplay
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Saints Row: The Third
Far Cry 3
Ghost Recon Future Solider
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
Halo 4
Hitman Absolution
Battlefield 3
For a full list of trailers and gameplay, check out this link.

Next, the two big device reveals were the Wii U and PS Vita.
Wii U Features:

The Console:
-45 nm processor

The Wii U Controller & Console

-Approx. 1.8″ tall, 6.8″ wide, & 10.5″ long
-Internal memory
-USB and SD memory card ports
-Slot-loading optical disk drive
-Sensor Bar port
-AV Multi Out port
-HDMI out port

The Controller:
-Built in accelerometer, gyroscope, speakers, front-facing camera, microphone, and a 6.2″ touchscreen
-2 circle pads, 1 digital pad
-Select, Start, Home, Power, A, B, X, and Y Buttons. L/R Bumpers and ZL/ZR Triggers.
The Wii U is reported to launch after April 2012.

Now for the PS Vita:

-5″ touchscreen

Say Hello to the PS Vita

-Rear touchpad
-Sixaxis motion sensing
-Three-axis electronic compass
-Standard Playstation buttons (circle, triangle, square, x, start, select), Home,  Volume, L, R, Power, 2 Analog Sticks, and 1 D-Pad
-Front and Rear facing camera
-Supports Bluetooth
-Will also feature Wi-Fi and 3G versions
The PS Vita is reported to launch during Holiday 2011. The PS Vita will cost $249.

Microsoft announced that a Youtube functionality and PC smash-hit Minecraft will be coming to Xbox Live. Xbox Live, Youtube, and Minecraft all together? That pretty much sums up my life. It couldn’t get any better than this.

In other news, you can download the Portal 2 soundtrack via the Official Portal 2 website for free. (Just click on “Official Portal 2 website”, which will then direct you there. Then click on ‘Download Volume I’). Additionally, you can download the individual tracks for your Android or iPhone by clicking the links underneath the tracks that say ‘Android’ or ‘iPhone’.
Also, Rockstar Games has released a free kindle version of L.A. Noire: The Collected Stories on Amazon here. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still view it on your computer by selecting [Your Name]‘s Kindle for PC.
Yeah, you’re welcome.

Speaking of L.A. Noire (which is an awesome game, if you haven’t checked it out), the Rockstar Pass for L.A. Noire only has a few days left to get current and future DLC. The cost is 800 MS Points/$9.99 and includes: The Badge Pursuit Challenge, Chicago Piano Gun, The Naked City Vice Case, A Slip of the Tongue Traffic Case, Three Suits, and two future DLC’s: Reefer Madness Vice Case (release: July 12) & Nicholson Electroplating(June 21) Arson Case. This offer is only available until June 14th. Then the price will go up to $12/960 MS Points.

Thanks for reading and keep on playing,
–Taylor Paige

Sources:
Videos via Machinima
Wii U News Via Wikipedia
PS Vita via Wikipedia
Minecraft on Xbox Live via IFC
Rockstar Pass Info via 1up

That’s all for now.

Thanks for reading,

–Taylor Paige

Of course, all of these topics will be covered in future posts, however, I’ve been really impressed by Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood lately. With that said, this entire post will be dedicated solely to Assassin’s Creed.

First and foremost, a new FREE DLC for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood will be released on December 14th for both Xbox Live and Playstation Network. It will be titled: “Animus Project Update 1.0″ and will include a new game mode (Advanced Alliance) and a new multiplayer map: Mont Saint-Michel. While that may not seem like a lot, who cares? It’s free!

Secondly, the Assassin’s Creed series may see another addition in 2011. Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft, said the following response to a question asking about an Assassin’s Creed release in 2011:

“There will be something around Assassin’s. That’s the only thing we can say.”

Ubisoft executives said that it is their goal to have Assassin’s Creed games released on a yearly basis.

Well, if Ubisoft plans on releasing a new game each year, then they can hopefully expect to see some serious bank considering that Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood did so well on it’s first week. In Europe, AC: Brotherhood sold over 1 million copies in less than one week. In all, the Assassin’s Creed series has sold over 20 million units.

For those of you wanting to find out more information on the AC series, please check out the awesome Assassin’s Creed Wiki page.

Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed II

Ezio's Back in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

Happy Holidays,
–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Sources:
AC 2011 via Kotaku
AC sales via MCVUK
AC DLC via IGN
Images Courtesy of Wikipedia
Video Courtesy of the Official AC Youtube Channel

If you haven’t played the Mafia II demo, I would suggest getting it here for the PC. Alternatively, you can download it through XBL or PSN to your console. And why not ‘like’ Mafia II on Facebook, and pick up Mafia I while your at it.
-Mafia II Demo Link

Just scroll down a little and look to the right to see a little gray box that says “Download the Demo.”

I was in for a shock when I saw the new teaser for BioShock: Infinite, the newest title in the BioShock series. Apparently, it is going to take place in the sky, in a city called ‘Columbia,’ according to CVG. It is expected to be released in late 2012. Of course, I’ll keep everyone who visits up to date on everything BioShock: Infinite.

A little background on the story:

“You, playing as ex-private detective Booker DeWitt, are hired to track down a woman who disappeared during the Colombia incident. The girl, Elizabeth, holds a secret; she’s hugely powerful and lies at the center of whatever is going on aboard the floating city.”

For more on the story, go here.

A preview of Columbia.

Check out more screens over at CVG.

Mafia 2 & Infinite Vids:

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Sources:
Infinite via CVG

Image via CVG

For the first time in 8 years, Xbox Live has made over $1 Billion Dollars. Half of the 25 million Xbox Live Members pay for the $49.99 annual cost for Xbox Live, which comes out to about $600 million, that combined with other content (avatar items, etc) comes out to $1.2 million. XBLA sales escalated from $800 million last year to $1.1 billion this year.

So far this week, my XBL friends have been raving about Blacklight: Tango Down. The arcade game features 7 game modes, 12 maps, online multiplayer, and four Black Ops-style missions. You can pick up Tango Down for 1200 MS Point or about $15 on XBL.

Apparently, Red Dead Redemption will be getting some DLC action in August. There will be a total of 4 DLC’s released for RDR which will include the Legends & Killers Pack, Liars & Cheats, Free Roam Pack, and the Undead Nightmare Pack. Legends & Killers features 9 new multiplayer maps, 8 new multiplayer characters, new achievements/trophies, and will cost $9.99/800 MS Points.
-Liars & Cheats will feature ‘Attack & Defend’ modes/challenges, new horse races complete with mounted combat, play as heroes and villains, 8 new multiplayer characters, multiplayer versions of Liars Dice & Poker, a new weapon: the explosive rifle with Challenges in both multi & single player, new achievements/trophies, and it will go for $9.99/800 MS Points.
-Free Roam Pack will include additional free roam challenges, new action areas/defensive placements, posse scoring/posse leaderboards, new ‘anti-griefing’ measures in Free Roam; the pricing may/will vary for the Free Roam Pack.
-Finally,the Undead Nightmare Pack will include a brand new single player adventure, challenges, and quests; 8 new multiplayer zombie characters, additional animals, new dynamic events, and it will cost $9.99/800 MS Points.

Blacklight: Tango Down Trailer

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

XBLA Revs via IGN
Blacklight: Tango Down via GameSpot
RDR DLC via Spawn Kill

An anticipated release for me, Mafia 2, will no longer feature multiple endings. The original concept featured four different endings, according to Senior Producer Denby Grace. He said,

“We had four multiple endings at one point in the game, and then we looked at it and we had one really outstanding great ending to end our story..”

He continued on to talk more about Mafia 2 which can be read at this nice little link. Basically, I’m happy with one ending. I mean, it’s a game and story about the Mafia, how many endings could you possibly have? Either you raise to power and become a Don or not. What I’m really excited about, and this may seem small and petty, is the changing environments that Mafia 2 will feature. If you saw the video below, they point out that the weather changes from snowy and winter-y to nice and spring like. Which is something that you really don’t see in a lot of open-world mafia/gang-based games such as The Godfather and Scarface: TWIY. Well, they are aiming towards realism, so way to go.
Mafia 2 will be released in August 2010 for the US.

Speaking of 2k and multiple endings, 2k Marin’s BioShock 2 will be getting a single player DLC next month on August 3rd for PC, X360, & Ps3 for 400 MS Points/$4.99. Basically the new DLC will be called “Protector Trials” and will feature 6 new maps, 3 unique difficulty levels, new unlockables, and 7 new achievements/trophies. The DLC will focus around you, the Big Daddy, fighting off splicers to protect the little sister while she gathers (hence the name “Protector Trials”). This seems a little disappointing considering I thought that the most tedious part of BioShock 2 was the gathering with the Little Brats..er..I mean, Sisters.

Hm.. two videos?

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Mafia 2 via Playstation Lifestyle
BioShock DLC via Buzzfocus

“When he started he could not identify our faces with his weak eye. Now he can read with it although he is still a way off where he ought to be.”

I think this is great. This is a perfect example of how video games are beneficial, sure they can lead to some things like childhood obesity, but hey, that’s what Weight Watcher’s is for right? Indeed. A representative from the Great Osmond Children’s Hospital says that video games can increase focus due to repetitive eye movement. While he’s improving his focus and eyesight, he’s also having fun at the same time. Instead of going to an eye doctor and letting him poke around at your corneas for two hours trying to get your eye back in shape, playing games is obviously the way to go.

Good for you Nintendo, I would suggest rolling with this great publicity and making some bucks off it. Because we all now you would anyway. Maybe they could help find the cure to cancer. How ’bout it?

So, in part, I leave you with this video of complete randomness:

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Super, Super Mario via The Escapist

Take-Two boss Brian Feder said that the familiarity of the environment was what made BioShock 2 seem less mystical and not as wonderful as the first game. Which, according to him, hurt game sales. Feder said that the BioShock series has so much more ‘life to it.’

“Sometimes they work for you and sometimes they work against you. Our goal is to have them work for us, more often than not.”

Well, duh. He also said that BioShock 2 was profitable for the company, 2k, but was overall not as successful as they would have liked it to be. Gee, I don’t know, selling 3 million copies sounds successful enough to me. Obviously, you’ve done something right. Sure, it wasn’t amazing and mysterious like the first game, but the gameplay was better right? Right?

So that means something interesting could happen for BioShock 3? Ok, question of the day: What do you think will happen in BioShock 3? Come up with your own short plot, story, etc.

Time for a totally random MW2 video. (I seriously couldn’t think of anything else)

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

BioShock 2 Story via The Escapist

Apparently, Dead Rising 2 has been pushed forward from it’s August release date for the US to September 28th.

Great. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on with these guys, whether they’re doing super improvements on the game or what, but all I know is that I have waited for this for a while and I would like to have a date set in stone for this game. I expect to be very impressed after waiting all this time. The thing is, it’s not a very compelling game, but it’s just fun. Well, at least Dead Rising 1 was. I mean, who doesn’t want to roam around in a mall for 72 hours with anything and everything as your weapon?

Let’s not disappoint, Capcom. The pressure is on.

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Dead Rising Delay via IGN