Namco Bandai Games has released a new character creation trailer for its upcoming Soulcalibur V, which is due out on January 31st, 2012.
Author - Jerry Paxton
Namco Bandai Games has announced that their upcoming Ridge Racer Unbounded will be released on March 6, 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC platforms. The game promises players the ability to design custom tracks as well as sharing them online with friends.
“RIDGE RACER UNBOUNDED brings the high-octane racing that the series is known for and injects new layers of destruction and carnage to the already intense formula,” says Carlson Choi, vice president of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “With the new sophisticated City Creator, fans can easily create an unlimited number of tracks and share them with their friends for limitless replay value.”
Ronimo Games and dtp Entertainment have announced that the upcoming Awesomenauts will touchdown on the Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network in February of 2012. Additionally, they have released a new developer commentary trailer for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
Razer’s Anansi MMO gaming keyboard is, as the name suggests, geared towards the MMO gamer. The overall design of the Anansi seems rugged and solid with a heavy, black plastic body. In fact, the Anansi seems a bit too large when taking into account just how many keys are located on it. There is quite a bit of free space where Razer could have inserted some better-located function keys. Unlike the newer Black Widow Ultimate series, the Anansi uses domed, non-mechanical keys that, while not as rugged, still feel very nice and responsive.
Official Technical Specifications
- 7 thumb modifier keys
- Over 100 programmable Hyperesponse keys
- One-button profile switching
- Five additional gaming keys
- Optimized key matrix
- Gaming mode option
- Easy access media keys
- Approximate Size : 515mm/20.28” (Width) x 190mm/7.48” (Height) x 20mm/0.79” (Depth)
- Approximate Weight: 1020g /2.24lbs
Using Razer’s Anansi control panel software, gamers can customize the keyboard’s back lighting, which can display upwards of 16 million colors. While on the topic of back lighting, it is important to note that in order to take full advantage of the Anansi’s on-board lighting, gamers need to plug the keyboard into two separate USB ports! Unfortunately, the Anansi does not make up for this by offering a USB pass-through like some of Razer’s other gaming keyboards. Also in the software is the ability to record macros and assign key commands to the keyboard’s various keys. Macros can also be created on-the-fly so that gamers can spend more time gaming and less time programming controls.
The biggest issue facing the Anansi is in the placement of its seven modifier keys, which rest below the space bar. The suggested usage is to slide your thumb from the space bar, down onto the macro buttons. This movement is a bit unnatural and, for the small-handed, difficult to pull off. When properly setup, however, the amount of key combinations and macros the Anansi can pull-off is staggering. You can further increase this amount by pairing it with one of Razer’s Naga MMO gaming mice. When paired, the keyboard’s macro buttons can modify the mouse MMO buttons as well! Aside from the previously-mentioned issue with the macro buttons, the Anansi is a fine gaming keyboard in normal usage. We ran the Anansi through several gaming sessions, utilizing it in titles like Battlefield 3, World of Tanks, and World of Warcraft. Each time, we found that the general gaming keyboard aspects of the Anansi worked well. Also, its braided cable is a nice touch which helps to avoid snags and fraying.
Overall, the Razer Anansi is a reliable gaming keyboard with a ton of available key combinations for you to use in your macro-making – especially when paired with a Razer Naga MMO gaming mouse. Unfortunately, the placement of the keyboard’s macro keys takes a bit of getting used to. At $99.99, I would only recommend the Anansi if you really need the numerous macro keys AND have a Naga gaming mouse. If you lack a Naga gaming mouse and don’t need all those macros, I would suggest you turn your attention to Razer’s all-mechanical BlackWidow Ultimate or BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth gaming keyboards.
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So, a while ago we were contacted by the good people of Nickelodeon and Addicting Games regarding their recently-launched iOS app. Addicting Games, if you are not aware, is a website dedicated to free casual titles where people while away the time in merriment. So, we dusted off our iPhone and downloaded the free app. The Addicting Games UI is very straight-forward and easy-to-use. It can integrate directly into your Facebook account, which we turned off as we are paranoid maniacs and hate Facebook integration as a rule, so those of you who like that kind of thing have the option. You can share game scores, shout out reviews, and contact other AG app users. Despite our inherent paranoia, the system is fleshed-out and well-implemented! Additionally, there are a ton of Addicting Games achievements to unlock, each doling out a good sense of accomplishment.
…the app promises to have frequent updates in order to add new titles to the mix…
Addicting Games features a ton of free and casual games to play, from simple basketball shooting games to strategy and action titles. Additionally, the app promises to have frequent updates in order to add new titles to the mix. The games are all easily-enjoyable whether you only have a few minutes to kill while waiting for a friend or if you have hours of free time because you were stood up while waiting for a beautiful woman to meet you at a local Cheesecake Factory. I say, pull out the iPhone and load up Addicting Games. Show that cheesecake and bottle of wine which you are now drinking yourself who’s boss! It’s just you and Addicting Games on a glorious date of casual gaming and frivolity! At the end of the night, you know you can count on Addicting Games to never betray you. It will comfort you and pick you right up! You COULD date someone else – but, why, you have Addicting Games to keep you company!
Overall, we highly recommend the Addicting Games app on the iOS platform. You will get countless hours of free enjoyment from the various games and activities.
**UPDATE – While putting the finishing touches on this review, I learned that the app has now been downloaded over 2 million times!!!
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You may recall our recent, and very positive, review of Sinister Pointe’s haunted attraction. Looks like Jeff S. and crew are staying true to their wishes for a year-round facility with the announcement of a Christmas-themed haunted attraction. Personally, we can’t wait to check it out!
The “Christmas Fear” maze is a limited engagement, running from December 9th through 11th, 2011 at their Brea, CA facility. Checkout their official website for more information and ticket information!
After yesterday’s first trailer – today, Rockstar Games has made the official announcement for their upcoming Grand Theft Auto V. The game is set in the Los Angeles like world of Los Santos, and promises a “bold new direction in open-world freedom”.
Official Press Release
New York, NY- November 3, 2011 – Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is very proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto V is in full development.
Developed by series creator Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto V heads to the city of Los Santos and surrounding hills, countryside and beaches in the largest and most ambitious game Rockstar has yet created.
“Grand Theft Auto V is another radical reinvention of the Grand Theft Auto universe,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “We are incredibly excited to share our new vision with our fans.”
A bold new direction in open-world freedom, storytelling, mission-based gameplay and online multiplayer, Grand Theft Auto V focuses on the pursuit of the almighty dollar in a re-imagined, present-day Southern California. Rockstar Games pioneered the open world genre with the Grand Theft Auto series, one of the most successful entertainment properties of all time. With more than 114 million copies sold-in worldwide, Grand Theft Auto games have helped propel video games into the cultural mainstream. Grand Theft Auto V is the follow up to 2008’s record-breaking, critically-acclaimed Grand Theft Auto IV. Rockstar Games continued its tradition of award-winning open world games with the 2010 blockbuster Western, Red Dead Redemption, and the groundbreaking detective thriller L.A. Noire in 2011.
Spike TV has announced that legendary TV producer, Mark Burnett, has signed on as Executive Producer for their upcoming 2011 Video Game Awards. The show, which is scheduled to air on December 10th, 2011 promises several world premiers, including a new game from BioWare and “the truth behind Metal Gear Solid: Rising”. We plan to be on-site, covering the event, so stay-tuned for more as it breaks!
Fatshark AB has announced a new, top-down RPG called “Krater” (which is Swedish for “Crater”). The game is due out next year, but gamers interested in getting an early look at the game can sign up to test it at the official website. Check the official press release below for additional info!
Official Press Release
STOCKHOLM, Sweden. November 3, 2011. Today Fatshark announced Krater – a new action role-playing game due for 2012.
“We are proud to announce a game that has been on our minds for over 10 years. We have always been fans of the classic top down RPGs, and have wanted to make this game since we started out in the games business.” says Martin Wahlund, CEO and Executive Producer, Fatshark.
Krater is Swedish for Crater, and the name gives a hint of the setting of the game. Krater is a lush post-apocalyptic top down RPG and the base pillars are crafting, exploration and consequence. Consequence brings not only the ability for the characters to level up and improve themselves, but also permanent injuries and death.
“One of our main goals in the development of Krater is to involve gamers at a very early stage.” says Victor Magnuson, Game Designer Fatshark. “We’re really looking forward to seeing the fans response to what we are showing, and are ready to act on any feedback given to us throughout the lifespan of this project. We invite everyone to visit Kratergame.com and be part of the creation of Krater.”
Sign up on Kratergame.com to give feedback and to get early access to Krater – www.kratergame.com.
To get the latest info on all Fatshark activities, follow us on www.twitter.com/fatsharkgames (@fatsharkgames) and www.facebook.com/fatsharkgames (/fatsharkgames).
Haven’t experienced Bethesda Softworks Fallout: New Vegas? Well, you may consider holding off until February 7th when they release the upcoming Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition! The UE contains all of the game add-on content for Fallout: New Vegas – Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues, Lonesome Road, Courier’s Stash and Gun Runners’ Arsenal.