Tag Archive

The division will not have microtransactions says natchai stappers


Posted on March 1, 2016 by Fionna Schweit

The Division

Ubisofts upcoming open world RPG shooter The Division is as good a candidate for monetization as the studio has ever had. Gun skins, personalized gear, and titles are all common purchases in MMO’s and Ubisoft could probably have gotten away with putting them in The Division. So you can imagine my suprise when I woke up to this tweet from Ubisoft community manager Natchai Stappers.

https://twitter.com/natchai_/status/703229905409073152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The internet has commented that the fact that he said there is no pay to win as being odd since if there are no microtransactions, then how would you pay? My self I will wait for the release in just one week to judge. We do know that Ubisoft have said before there will be no paid content in the form of microtransactions. Ubisoft told Eurogamer in January that “there will be no microtransactions at all. Not even for vanity items. Vanity items will be sold as DLC, through the regular first-party stores.”

So now we wait. The Division releases to much fanfare after two beta tests on next Tuesday March 8th. Until then I am sure the internet will erupt in flames each time anything even close to details comes out about this game because they are so excited for its release.

Will you be getting the Division? Tell us on twitter @brokenjoysticks, and be sure to follow us for all your gaming news and reviews!


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Disgaea PC release on steam, but is plagues with issues


Posted on February 25, 2016 by Fionna Schweit

Beloved strategy RPG Disgaea is now on steam.  All the good parts of the beloved strategy title are here, and the developers have enhanced the experience with PC specific upgrades. Visual upgrades include an improved UI and textures, support for keyboard and mouse, Steam achievements, cloud saves, badges, and trading cards, and all the content from the PSP game Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness. That’s pretty neat! Take a look at the trailer for all the Disgaea goodness.

[youtube id=D07AgDm4Vmk]

Now that your in a good mood, let me go ahead and ruin it. This is a really garbage PC port. There is no support for changing resolution, it only plays in full screen or windowed. For someone who likes to stream games, or who wants to play and also do other things, this is a huge issue.  V-sync is an option in graphics, however enabling it will lock the game at 30 FPS, and with a game like this that is a problem.  Visually the game itself did not receive any updates so PS2 graphics textures abound. This is not really a bad thing, after all it was a PS2 game, but when a developer touts visual updates, usually they mean more than just the UI.

As usual the Steam forums for the game are all lit up with people on both sides. if you want to wade in to that hell here is the link. The only two usefull things I found there were that AMD cpu’s seem to have more issues and disabling SSAO might make your frame rate better. Lots of people seem to have forgotten that Steam has a refund policy so if they really hate the game, they can just go ahead and return it.  Disgaea PC is currently available for $20.

 

 


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Game Reviews Done Quick: Crypt of the Necrodancer


Posted on February 19, 2016 by Kyle Scarboro

Title

Crypt of the Necrodancer is *breathe* Hardcore, Turn-based, Rogue-like, Dungeon-crawling, Rhythm-based game. *exhaaaallleeee*

This game has you battling your way through a crypt full of smooth groovin, high flyin, street jivin, monsters ranging from skeletons, zombies, bats, dragons, and more.

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a game that clearly had a great idea for a game and then they tacked on a story. Usually that is not the way to go, but this game offers a lot in such a small package that it is hardly the focal point.Read More


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Street Fighter V | Review


Posted on February 16, 2016 by Rae Michelle Richards

Street Fighter V

Review by special guest editor: Robyn Robo

Almost exactly 7 years since Street Fighter IV came out for PS3, Xbox and Windows, Street Fighter V has released. With support for only two platforms at launch, PS4 and Windows, this is a more limited release. SteamOS support is coming “this spring” apparently. Sorry Xbox gamers, I don’t see anything planned yet for you. Unlike the version heck of the last release with Super, Ultra and Arcade Editions, this is going to be a unified online platform with players on any system able to match anyone. Considering the time between releases, and with that feature alone, this is an exciting event for fighting games. Street Fighter is the longest running fighter out there as far as I can figure, and created many of the ubiquitous tropes of the genre’s gameplay, including accidentally inventing combos in Street Fighter 2. In other words, if you’re into fighters at all, this game is big news. I played the game on Steam, where everything is already active and running. This release is well put together, as expected from Capcom.Read More


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Final Fantasy IX Launches on Mobile Devices


Posted on February 11, 2016 by Jason Nason

FINAL FANTASY IX, a fan-favorite in the franchise, has been released for compatible Apple and Android devices starting today. The game is now available on the App Store and Google Play.

First released in 2000, FINAL FANTASY IX tells the story of the bandit Zidane Tribal who plans to kidnap the princess of Alexandria, Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th, with the troupe of thieves known as Tantalus. An unlikely series of events set Zidane, Garnet, the shy yet powerful black mage Vivi Ornitier, the loyal knight Adelbert Steiner, and other memorable characters on an epic journey as they learn about themselves, the secrets of the Crystal, and a malevolent force that threatens to destroy their world.

New features to the game include High-definition movies and character models, a new cloud save feature allows players to back up save data to play across other compatible devices, and an auto-save function. There are also seven all-new optional booster features, including high speed mode and no encounter mode, which will allow players to automatically master equipped weapons and gear, as well as maximize character levels, magic stone counts and gil.

Read More


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The Political Machine 2016: The Invasion of the Bobbleheads


Posted on February 10, 2016 by Kyle Scarboro

Greetings Citizens,

It is 2016 and the political machine is being fired up and sent into overdrive. A firestorm of ads, interviews, fundraising, and debates are being thrown together one after another. Candidates from across the nation are kissing babies and shaking hands and doing everything in their power not to confuse the two! So with these things going on, the people at the Stardock Corporation has thrown together The Political Machine 2016, where the citizens of this great nation can enjoy all this fun and wacky times in video game form. While Stardock Corporation is not known for any big titles, this is the third game in the series. This game will show and hopefully teach you about the world of politics….I hope.

Going into this game, I felt like i knew enough about hot button issues and what to expect about how politics work, but what I did not know is how this game actually worked and if I could handle it. I started off the game on easy mode with 200% profits and the shortest amount of time. I basically wanted to see what being an overlord was like and having fame across the nation.

The game gives you an even amount of people to choose from, which is surprising, considering how the date this article was written, that it is still 2 Democrats & a small country’s worth of Republicans. The game brings in “what if” people like Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and Elizabeth Warren to name a few.

On my first play through, I tried to think of who would make the best overlord. He would have to be a face in the media that everyone would know, has no problem saying what thinks and thinks what he says, rich, and someone who has the knowledge and personality of a bobble head….and then, he descended, like a gold encrusted hero to the people!

President Trump

Trumpinator9000. (Seems like a name he would chose for himself if he was a beginning gamer.)Read More


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Overwatch Beta Returns To Active Duty On Feb 9th


Posted on February 3, 2016 by Rae Michelle Richards

Blizzard’s upcoming objective based team shooter Overwatch will return to closed beta on February 9th according to a post on the developer’s official blog. The Overwatch beta began late last October and continued until right before Christmas, the devs took the game offline for an extended period to put the finishing touches on new maps, make a number of balance changes and the highly anticipated new persistent progression system.

Here are some of the new features/fixes according to Blizzard:

  • An all-new progression system
  • Two new maps, including a new game mode
  • Several hero balance updates
  • And a variety of Private Game updates, including full A.I. matches

Players who already had access to the closed beta will gain access to this second phase of testing. It is not known if previous Stress Test Weekend members will get a shot at beta phase 2 but Blizzard did stress that they will be looking into adding more players as testing continues.

We don’t have any details on what this new game mode or two new maps will be, I guess we will all find out together in just six days time.


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Activision Bringing TMNT to PlayStation, Xbox this Summer


Posted on January 26, 2016 by Jason Nason

Activision announced today that they have teamed with Nickelodeon and PlatinumGames to create Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan, a third-person action game featuring New York City’s crime-fighting Heroes in a Half-Shell. Players will protect The Big Apple from aliens, mutants and the Foot Clan in a single-player campaign or partner with up to three friends in four-player online co-op. Bebop, Rocksteady, Shredder and other iconic bosses will also be yhe game and from what we hear they won’t be easy.

The game promises fast-paced, team-based brawling will challenge gamers for all skill levels. Each Turtle will have a distinctive combat play style and can be customized with a unique set of Ninjutsu moves, combat items and special bonuses.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan also features gorgeous, cel-shaded art design, with an original story from prolific author of IDW Publishing’s acclaimed ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Tom Waltz.

Read More


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Reminder: The Division Beta Pre-load Is Now Available


Posted on January 26, 2016 by Rae Michelle Richards

The Division

Just a gentle reminder that if you have guaranteed access to the Tom Clancy’s The Division beta that runs this weekend that your pre-load is probably available. Redemption varies between platforms and if you didn’t get guaranteed access through pre-ordering the game and you are on the “wait list” then these might not apply to you just yet. For those on the wait list, keep checking your email inbox.

On PC:  Log into U-Play, select “Games”, then select “The Division Beta”
On Xbox One: Check your download histories if your email for instructions on redeem instructions
On PlayStation 4: After redeeming your beta code on the official website it should show up in your download history / PS4 library after today’s PSN Update

We’re already pre-loading the beta on Windows PC so we can bring you coverage this weekend. On PC the beta clocks in at 26.3GB, so you should probably start your downloads soon!

Tom Clancy’s The Division beta will allow players to access early content set in Manhattan in this new persistent world always online RPG set after a massive virus sends the United State’s economy into ruin. As a member of “The Division” it is your job to help remain order and re-estblish democracy.


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Dragon of Legends Launches Kickstarter Campaign Today


Posted on January 19, 2016 by Jason Nason

Thrive Games, an independent game developer based out of Hamilton, Ontario, launched a Kickstarter campaign today to help fund their first project Dragon of Legends. The game is an action based MMORPG for PC, Mac, and Mobile platforms heavily influenced by the mythic cycle of Gaelic Ireland and Norse mythology, where the lights of faeries border the realms of darkness.

The developers at Thrive Games are looking for the necessary additional financial assistance to finalize an open beta that everyone can start playing. Since launching the campaign just a few short hours ago, the Kickstarter has already generated just over $1,600 of their $60,000 goal.

The team has been developing the project for the past year and a half and the game has even been a featured project on the Square Enix Collective last year.

So what’s the game about?Read More


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Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Second Story Trailer – “The Transmission”


Posted on January 17, 2016 by Rae Michelle Richards

Homeworld Deserts of Kharak

The latest Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak trailers contains some rather chilling words from a representative of the antagonistic Gaalsien fleet… “Diplomacy has failed!”

It seems as if the forces that chief science officer Rachel S’jet will face in the game’s campaign as she attempts to explore the mystery of an anomaly in the deserts of Kharak are more than ready for a fight.

Kath Gaalsien are a major religious sect and antagonists of this latest game, who have existed on the planet of Kharak ever since the Kushan settled on Kharak after being exiled from their former planet in the original Homeworld (1999). They believe that eventually their exile will expire and that they will be sent into heaven by Sajuuk, their believe that this sentence was imposed upon them for their ancestor’s arrogance.

Check out the brand new trailer in the embedded player below. Gearbox Software is publishing this Homeworld prequel on January 20th on Windows PC via Steam. Development was handled by former members of Relic Entertainment at the Vancouver based studio Blackbird Interactive.

[youtube id=”AbXYmmsARe8″]


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Team Fortress 2: Over the Years


Posted on January 13, 2016 by Erika

Team Fortress 2

Late 2009 would be one hell of a year for me with online gaming, starting with me playing a console online for the first time: a friend’s Xbox 360. Battlefield Bad Company was still going hot, and Modern Warfare 2 would be coming out shortly. Before then, all of my online gaming consisted of PC games Doom, Quake, and Unreal Tournament ’99, so I started exploring “modern” online gaming. I logged into steam for the first time in a long time to see what I could get, and I eventually bought Half-Life Deathmatch. Eventually, I saw a game called Team Fortress 2 that I wanted and told some of my friends on IRC that I wanted to eventually buy it. For people wondering about the the need to buy it, it wasn’t until June 23rd, 2011 Team Fortress 2 was free to play. Read More


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Cooler Master unveils new modular case


Posted on January 7, 2016 by Fionna Schweit

Cooler Master has always led the way in case design for avid PC gamers, but now it seems they are upping their game in to the enthusiast world with a fully modular case. As someone who themselves uses a CM trooper and loves it, this can not come as better news. Cooler Master has long been my favorite manufacturer of cases and now the MasterAir Maker 8 and 5 show that they are as dedicated to their craft as I am to gaming.

The new case called the MasterAir Maker 5 incudes four USB ports, one of which is USB 3.0 Type-C, a button to activate the fan LED lights, and a button to control the fan speeds. Three fans come included with the case, two x 140mm for the front and one 140mm for the back. Top and Front pannels are detachable with magnets rather than brackets, and can be upgraded with sound baffling to dampen fan noise.

CMcase

Also announced was the MasterAir Maker 8, which will be its first cooler to use its new 3D Vapor Chamber technology.The new tech combines a vapor chamber and heat pipe, instead of a typical fan radiator assembly. Cooler Master says that it will improve efficiency by up to 19%. Both of the cases are extremely pretty and no doubt will not be cheap but one of the best investments I ever made my was my CM Storm Trooper, and i would not hesitate to spend that kind of money again when building a new machine.

 


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Konami bringing New Yu-Gi-Oh! Game to 3DS this summer


Posted on January 6, 2016 by Jason Nason

Konami announced today that it will release new Yu-Gi-Oh! titles across a number of formats in 2016.

In readiness of the series’ 20th year, Konami will bring the Yu-Gi-Oh! series to mobile devices with a new mobile game called Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. The title will be followed up by a new game for the Nintendo 3DS platform in the summer.

Konami will also release a new online game for consoles and PCs in the winter while the popular console game Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist and mobile game Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Generation will both receive receive major updates.

Read More


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This year was great, but when can I play all of these games?


Posted on December 31, 2015 by Chelsea Richards

Let’s be real, 2015 was a fantastic year for gaming. Of course, there were some misses like the monetization for Battlefront and EVOLVE, and… whatever the hell happened to the PC release of Arkham Knight. But, stepping away from those, it’s after Christmas, so let’s look at our definite hits that we have, and enjoy 2015’s gifts to us.

We were rewarded with not-one-but-two solid MMO expansions, through Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, and Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns, both building significantly on the groundwork by their previous launches and content updates. Keeping in the multiplayer line, we were graced with StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, Rocket League, Heroes of the Storm, and Nintendo’s smash hit of Splatoon.Read More


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