Every Single Article Written by N - All 1343
Kill Speed Review – Direct-to-DVD Dreck
I worked really hard to sift out the good parts of this film. For example: Tom Arnold dies in the first five minutes by fiery explosion. Kill Speed explores a new realm of dudebro-ism with, as the film calls them, “light, experimental aircraft!”, but in reality, they’re just the small prop planes that your fifty-year old uncle is totally yammering on about all the time. Our three “fer real, yo” playas (including a one Nick Carter, former Backstreet Boy) use these lightweight craft to smuggle Mexican drugs across the desert southwest while Robert Patrick acts as the President in three scenes for no reason whatsoever. And then the film keeps going.
From Argo To Xbox Music: The Birth, Life, And Death Of Zune
On the morning of May 11th, 2012, Robbie Bach stood before the Northwest Entrepreneur Network while a PowerPoint projection burned bright behind him. The 50-year old former Microsoft executive was graying at the corners while a “Hello, my name is…” sticker began to peel off his shirt. “If I had hindsight, 20-20, and could do Zune over again,” he started, “we would skip portable media players completely.” As the former head of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices division and 22-year vet, Bach had been invited to give a presentation on intrapreneurship – in which startups are formed inside an already-existing company – and how it was used to create Xbox and Zune under his watch. While one brand had taken off and become Microsoft’s key to the living room, the other’s attempt to ‘kill the iPod’ had failed miserably, despite gaining a cult following and introducing features that changed how many of us experience music. While Microsoft may be sunsetting the Zune brand now, there’s still a lot to learn about Microsoft’s musical foray. This is that story.
E3 2012 – Derek Smart Isn’t Afraid Of PlanetSide 2 With Line Of Defense
“Oh, shit!” was Derek Smart’s reaction upon hearing the announcement of Sony Online Entertainment’s PlanetSide 2. Smart and his team of thirty at 3000AD had been working on his newest, similarly-themed title Line of Defense for some time before Sony broke the news, but Smart is a PlanetSide fan and has no hard feelings toward the game or its team. “They’re not doing anything different. They’re not doing anything innovative. I see it’s more of a polished PlanetSide… which isn’t a bad thing. I say it on Twitter all the time, but I think people are going to be disappointed if they’re expecting anything different.” The bombast of SOE’s large and loud booth to play that game kept things in perspective as a few days earlier, I’d visited Derek Smart in a quiet hotel room for a one-on-one interview and preview of his new indie game, one he hopes will be his most approachable one yet.
E3 2012 – Avatar Motocross Madness Hands-On: A Light-Hearted Reboot
Hiding in plain sight, Microsoft had a single kiosk dedicated to Motocross Madness on the E3 show floor. The game hadn’t been announced in any capacity and it was a bit of a surprise, but Microsoft deemed it worthy enough to fly one of its twenty-five developers from Austria-based Bongfish to show it off. Destined for a post-Summer release, Motocross Madness is a reboot of the series for Xbox Live Arcade, something that Microsoft actually came to Bongfish with after their success with the snowboarding title Stoked.
E3 2012: What’s Wrong With E3? Other People.
Now that another E3 is done and over, it seems fitting that the media collectively bellows about how much they were let down and irritated by the whole thing. If you’ve been listening to our podcasts or reading our articles, you knew from afar that this show would be on cruise control as publishers are saving a lot of their talent and resources for next-gen consoles that won’t be announced until next year’s show. This was my fourth E3, but my first as media. So what was really the issue with this year’s show? The same as most any other year: the people who don’t need to be there.
Prometheus Review – A Lavish, Long-Awaited Return
If you were tasked with bringing new life to a franchise you created thirty-five years ago, what would you do? If you’re familiar with some small science-fiction properties like Star Trek or Star Wars, you know the best option is to ditch the established lore with a clean slate. Retcons – or retroactive continuities – are ways that writers can add to new universes without having to abide by many of the rules established prior. So it makes sense that in pursuing his first science-fiction film since Blade Runner, Ridley Scott would have the hots for telling a prequel to Alien that doesn’t hinge much on that film’s existence. While Scott’s been busy since then, science-fiction stories have changed a lot in that time, so how does he do?
E3 2012 – XCOM: Enemy Unknown Eyes-On – Can It Live Up To The X-COM Name? Yep.
I’m not sure how it happened, but this E3 was more than happy to pull at my heart strings with reboots of my favorite franchises. My most anticipated title going into the show was XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a reimagining of my favorite game of all time by Firaxis, known for their landmark Civilization games. After a presentation of the game and a (very) brief interview, I thankfully walked away with more answers than questions. I’m now confident that XCOM: Enemy Unknown, nearly twenty years removed from its forebear, can win a place in my heart.
E3 2012 – SimCity Eyes-On, EA And Maxis Have Stolen My Heart
I can understand why SimCity – or any in-depth strategy game – isn’t made playable at E3: there’s just too much to show in a standard half-hour block. Everyone knows I have a soft spot in my heart for the franchise, but previous iterations just haven’t raised the bar very far with fairly iterative sequels or just… weird games (SimCity Societies). With 2013’s SimCity – named simply ‘SimCity’ – EA and Maxis are about to finally reach the series’ potential. I got a look at the new city-building simulator today and I just can’t keep my lobes together because my mind was blown.
E3 2012: Company of Heroes 2 Eyes-On
THQ showed us a slice of their new WWII-based RTS Company of Heroes 2. Impressions inside!
E3 2012 – Dust 514 Hands-On
If you would’ve told me eight years ago that a complex game like EVE Online would spawn a first-person shooter tie-in, I would’ve called you crazy. I think EVE’s developer, CCP Games, would agree. Promising an experience that ties directly into that game, Dust 514 looks to take persistent science-fiction shooterin’ to a whole new level. I got some hands-on time with the PlayStation 3 shooter and I can assure you, it’s something worth ripping your gaze from Call of Duty or Medal of Honor for.
