Category Archives: Gaming

ECMSquared’s Friday Face Off: Top Five Things You’ll Hardly Ever Hear After Losing a Match in an Online Game

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Hi, I’m ECMSquared. You may remember me from such popular websites as Cadred, The Border House and Nerd Vice… or not (probably the latter).

Cheap Simpsons rip off aside, however (sorry, Mr McClure, but I’m terrible at introductions), I’m Ella, and all being well I should be providing you with weekly ramblings on the world of PC gaming. As far my credentials are concerned, I have been gaming for pretty much as long as I can remember, the Amiga having been my first ever home PC. These days I’m the owner of a somewhat middle-aged gaming PC (I call her Kitty) as well as a stability-challenged and oft-abused laptop (Lenny), and tend to be found lurking online (and/or gaming) in some shape or form at most hours of the day or night.

So what’s this week’s offering?

Ladies and gentlemen, I humbly present to you:

FIVE THINGS YOU’LL HARDLY EVER HEAR AFTER LOSING A MATCH IN AN ONLINE GAME

Online gaming often brings out the worst in people, and it’s a sad fact that few players are gracious in either victory or defeat. Below are a few choice phrases that, in my experience, are hardly ever exchanged following the conclusion of an unsuccessful online multiplayer game. Come on, guys; why can’t we all just get along?

  • “Sorry for losing my temper back there” – There’s always one member of your team who completely flips out over a (usually) insignificant thing before subsequently spending the rest of the game either sulking or hurling further abuse (in other words, not actually playing the game).
  • “Well played, guys” – This could come from either your own team or the opposition… but it so rarely does. Usually it’ll be something along the lines of “HAHAHAHA NOOBS” – often with a handful of colourful expletives thrown in – or a simple “gg” despite the game having been anything but good (I mean come on: half our team disconnected and you facerolled us; how is that an example of a good game?).
  • “It was my fault we lost” – Yeah. Now, honestly, how often are you going to hear this one? Usually it’s no one person in particular’s fault if a game starts going down the tube (unless it undoubtedly is, of course), but an awareness that maybe you might have contributed just a little bit is nice.
  • “Good game, but shame about your missing team members/s” – Now this one I have actually heard a few times, just not very often. It’s always unfortunate when a team loses somebody either due to Internet problems, computer death or a rather more preventable rage quit, and while a loss is not always inevitable it tends to not help your chances. While the euphoria of pulling off a win when the odds are stacked against you is hard to beat, the misery a loss is made even more painful when your opponents insist on rubbing it in.
  • “Thanks, you really saved my posterior back there” – Just common courtesy really. Again, such politeness isn’t totally absent in the gaming community, but it tends to be quite rare. People are generally far more eager to jump down your throat when something goes wrong rather than thank you for doing something right (such as preventing your teammate’s obviously suicidal tactics from getting them killed, for example).

E3 2011: Final Day Round Up

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You would think that after Microsoft’s, Sony’s and Nintendo’s respective conferences that there would be little else to reveal from this year’s E3 event but this does not stand true. Attendees were given even more previews outside of the trio of symposiums. The games showcased around the expo included:

  • SSX (including ‘Survive It’ mode; “boss levels” in which players must survive racing opponents in the harshest of conditions including unscripted, physics dependent avalanches)
  • Batman Arkham City (the demo footage used included many rear end shots of Catwoman…)
  • Hitman: Absolution
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (the footage appeared to confirm the inclusion of mounts for the game)
  • Aliens: Colonial Marines
  • Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City
  • Soul Calibur 5 (images heavily depicted Pyrrha and Patroklos Alexandra – son and daughter of previous Soul Calibur V character Sophitia.)
  • Asura’s Wrath and
  • Dark Souls

BioWare also discussed the regularly increasing delay for Mass Effect 3 (the official excuse is that game quality is of the upmost importance and the extra time will be “put to good use”) and assured E3 attendees that Kinect integration with the planned title would not ruin the experience for those wishing to play with their regular game pads. “I’d love it if they have a chance to [play the game with Kinect], but by no means are we assuming that they have it. This is a worldwide blockbuster and there are going to be millions of people playing it. We want to make an awesome experience for all of them”, said CEO Dr Ray Muzyka. Nintendo aficionados will be pleased to hear that Pikmin 3 has finally been announced and will be making its way to the new WiiU console due for release in 2012. The game had been promised (to no avail) back at 2008’s E3 expo by Nintendo CEO Miyamoto, to soften the blow of embarrassing Wii-tomfoolery on stage and underwhelming announcements from the corporation. It is suspected that Pikmin 3 will be a launch title for the WiiU, like its original incarnation was for the GameCube console.

After the initial reveal of Halo 4, Microsoft’s Vice President Phil Spencer revealed a little more regarding the game. He stated that he hopes that it will “get back to what Halo is about” by comprising that which made people fall in love with the original (Combat Evolved) but also be welcome “new customers in to the fiction.” Many players skipped the original Halo games, jumping on the bandwagon when the later incarnations became incredibly popular. Whilst this is not a problem for game play, the creators of the franchise feel that the narrative is what originally made people fall in love with the game. “Halo has this interesting mix of open world, more varied game play”, added Spencer. “Some other of those franchises that I love have very set pieces which really kind of draw certain dramatic elements out of it. Halo has the vehicles, the weapon types, the deep fiction – the fiction around Halo is incredibly deep.”

Halo 4 E3 Trailer:

E3 may be over but our offer of FREE NEXT WORKING DAY DELIVERY isn’t!  Be sure to enter our promotional code – FREEDEL11 – at the checkout.

E3 2011: Nintendo Conference Announcements Round Up

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Everyone knew Nintendo were going to announce their new console for 2012 during their E3 conference (the final of the big three from the event) but obviously they were going to make this the very last announcement from their stint up on the stage.

Instead, proceedings opened with a huge orchestra playing music from the Zelda games (including that from the yet to be released The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) in celebration of the titles 25th anniversary. Nintendo CEO Shigeru Miyamoto then described the ways in which the corporation would be celebrating the quarter century that the game has existed (with the help of a translator). Link’s Awakening will be made available for download in the newly launched Nintendo e-Shop imminently and a multiplayer Zelda game – Four Swords – will be made available as a free download from the shop later on in the year.

In addition to this, the orchestra will be playing Zelda anniversary symphony concerts all over the globe.

Attendees were then teased with the claim that Nintendo would be addressing both core and casual gamers with their new gaming device which works “deeper and wider” but before revealing any more information, the new games coming out for the 3DS hand held were announced.

A video presentation showed that winged karts and underwater levels are two things to look forward to in Mario Kart 3DS and that Star Fox and Luigi would be making a return (the later in Luigi’s Mansion 2). It was also revealed that a Super Mario game – the first to be specifically designed for the 3DS console – will be released before the year’s end.

E3 video: Nintendo 3DS games for 2011-2012

Other games which were promised as future 3DS releases included:

  • Kid Icarus: Uprising
  • Ace Combat 3D
  • Tekken 3D
  • Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater
  • Cave Story 3D
  • Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
  • Resident Evil: Revelations
  • Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

Surely the time had come for Nintendo to finally reveal the details regarding their new console? No…

More details regarding the Nintendo e-Shop were exposed – demos, previews and a classic portable games library are all to become accessible from the shop. Early downloads of the new handheld app store will also be rewarded with a free copy of the NES classic Excitebike also.

It was also announced that Pokémon aficionados can download the Pokédex 3D app for free from the e-Shop, which makes use of the 3DS’ augmented reality (AR) and its Street Pass technology.

Finally Nintendo’s new console was announced: The WiiU.

The console comprises a large controller which doubles up as a (somewhat) portable console and it comprises a gyroscope, accelerometer, microphone, speakers, and a large touch screen (as well as a D-pad and two circle pads). Its size and format sees players returning to two handed play, unlike many of games which used the previous consoles Wiimote.

The developers argue that the WiiU aims to create stronger bonds between technologies (TV + Games + Internet) and people (You (the player) + Friends + Family). These ideas amalgamate in the fact that should a home TV be required for non game playing use, players can continue to play their current game by using the controller.

Switching between a large TV monitor and the controller has uses within games also. The following video will demonstrate this more clearly:

E3 Video: The WiiU

The only confirmed launch title for the new console is Lego City Stories and a new Super Smash Bros game is also in development.

Some prototype video footage also showed how it could be possible to in inject Miis into a Super Mario game so that players can run and play alongside the red shirted plumber.

Other future titles for the WiiU were said to include:

  • Batman: Arkham City
  • Tekken
  • Assassin’s Creed:
  • Ghost Recon Online
  • Dirt
  • Aliens: Colonial Marines
  • Metro Last Light
  • Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge
  • Darksiders II

Check back to the Novatech blog soon for additional developments from E3 and be sure to check out our one day only deals in celebration of the event.

 

E3 2011: Sony Conference Announcements Round Up

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Sony’s conference was the second of the major trio for E3 and after CEO Jack Tretton apologised profusely for “any anxiety caused” by the recent PSN hacks, many titles were discussed which aimed to prove that there is still some life left in the PS3 console, which he argued offers its players a “unique gaming experience.”

Games discussed included the aesthetically wonderful Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (which comprised the seamless cuts between live play and cut scenes that the series has become known for, as well as some impressive “boat physics”) and the PSP Gods of War titles re-mastered for the PS3 (dubbed God of War Origins Collection) which is playable in full stereoscopic 3D.

 

Uncharted 3 E3 Video:

 

Resistance 3 was also showcased. The narrative of R3 is set in 1957, four years after the events of R2 (which disappointed many fans) and judging from the hectic, alien laden and action packed game play demonstrated, R3 is likely to put the once popular sci-fi shooter series back on track.

Other games which were showcased (many of which comprised the use of the motion sensitive Move controller) included:

  • Starhawk (successor to 2007’s Warhawk)
  • Medievil Moves - includes a novel inventory-less motion control weapon switching
  • Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
  • Dust 514 – a free to play exclusive for the PS3, set in the EVE online universe (“One Universe, One War”)
  • Bioshock Infinite
  • Star Trek
  • Battlefield 3
  • Need For Speed: The Run
  • NBA 2K12 – Lakers player Kobe Bryant was invited on stage to demonstrate just how simple this point and click simulator is to play.

Many of these games were demonstrated with the use of 3D videos. 3D technology seems to be becoming quite the focus for Sony who also announced the imminent arrival of a Sony branded 3D television set, as well as widely compatible, branded 3D glasses.

Sony’s biggest announcement by far however was that of the corporation’s latest portable device. Previously known as the NGP, the device has now received the (arguably better) name of PS Vita (“Vita” meaning “Life”).

PS Vita E3 Video:

 

Here are some notes regarding the features of the new handheld:

 

  • The console will be Wi-Fi and 3G compatible allowing one to undertake many online tasks using the device. Sony claims the Vita is particularly good for social networking and there was a brief mention of a new Sony service named ‘Near.’

 

  • Vita has two cameras (one to the front and one to the rear) allowing Augmented Reality game play (similar to that which the Nintendo 3DS has provided previously)

 

  • Vita also has a duo touch screen (again, one to the front and one to the rear) which could provide intuitive controls for future game play.

 

  • Touch screen controls and regular button controls are interchangeable so that players can “play the way [they] want.” This was demonstrated using content from the Vita exclusive Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Leading man Drake can punch enemies with a direct tap to the front touch screen and swinging across monkey bars is a breeze thanks to the ability to draw your path.

Other games announced for the PS Vita was action role playing game Ruin and a Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken.

It is thought also that Sony’s announcement of Playstation Suite – Sony’s gaming platform for Android – will act to tempt more gamers over to the PS Vita side.

Check back to the Novatech blog soon for a round up of the announcements made at the Nintendo E3 conference.


E3 2011: Microsoft Conference Announcements Round Up

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E3 started with Microsoft’s conference and – as expected – it was announced that new life is to be injected in to the motion sensitive Kinect System via a plethora of new title releases for the 360 peripheral in the next year. This focus on Kinect is part of the developers’ plan to ensure that the Xbox 360 appeals to a wider audience in the future, with the hope that the device can overtake the Nintendo Wii to become the most popular games console in the world.

EA Sports boss Peter Moore announced that there are four EA Kinect enabled sports titles planned including Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Fifa World Cup and Madden NFL (the fourth is to be announced at a later date). In addition, 360 players can soon wield a light sabre with the long awaited Kinect Star Wars also officially announced for release, a fully playable demo of which is available to play at the conference.

Other games announced to increase the currently low roster of Kinect titles (26 exist to date) include:

  • Dance Central 2
  • Disneyland Adventures
  • Kinect Sports: Season 2
  • Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
  • Ghost Recon Future Soldier – Notably, gun customisation is more in depth than ever before and can be implemented with simple gestures using Kinect. Ghost Recon Online was also announced as a free-to-play online PC shooter (kudos for the crossing of platforms!) It was also suggested that “all future titles in the Tom Clancy franchise will leverage Kinect.”
  • Minecraft – The announcement that the indie PC architectural sandbox title is making its way to the 360 and the Kinect system was quite surprising. Attendees were assured that motion gestures will “make more sense” for its game play when compared to the usual keyboard and mouse controls that players are used to.

Microsoft also announced a new app for Kinect by the name of ‘Fun Labs’ which is now available for download. It allows players to experiment with future implementations planned for the technology whilst they are concurrently in development.

Microsoft also showed off more titles traditionally more suited to their dedicated ‘serious’ gamer demographic. The conference was launched with an atmospheric glimpse at the latest game from one of the most successful game series in the world; Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. The audience was treated to in-game footage from the new (and aesthetically impressive!) Tomb Raider and Gears of War 3 titles.

Tomb Raider E3 Trailer:

Action RPG Mass Effect 3 meanwhile was given the release date of 6 March 201. It can be played without the addition of Kinect but the peripheral will allow players to use voice recognition for the purposes of giving orders to fellow combatants.

This same voice technology will also be incorporated into the planned, re-envisioned Xbox Live dashboard when it is released, to effortlessly navigate the various menu screens.

Microsoft’s conference could not have ended without a few announcements relating to the Halo franchise to delight current fans of the science fiction series. It was declared (as expected) that Halo 4 would see its release in 2012 and attendees were treated to trailer for the game. It seems that Halo 5 and Halo 6 are also in the pipeline as the game was stated to be part of “a [new] trilogy.”


Halo 4 E3 Trailer:

An anniversary reissue of Halo: Combat Evolved (complete with re-rendered graphics) was also announced. It marks the 10th anniversary of the game which secured the future of first person shooters on home video games consoles.

Check back to the Novatech blog soon for a round up of the announcements made at the Sony and Nintendo E3 conferences.

 

Early (and very improbable!) E3 Predictions

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Everyone is speculating what exactly will be revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles next week. Key announcements regarding new videogames hardware and software are expected (see our previous E3 blog post) but these are just a few of our own (admittedly ridiculous) predictions…

 

PlayStation 4: Lose the disks (and your data!)

Someone has got to take the lead in the suspected all-digital future of video games consoles and we predict that Sony will be at the forefront. With a secure, reliable online gaming network like PSN they’re already demonstrating that they could handle the data required to switch to a disk-less software model…oh wait…the hacking…

Maybe not.

StartendoBucks: Literal Nintendo Cafe

Many rumours have been circulating regarding Nintendo’s next console for 2012, which is currently only known as ‘Project Cafe’ but we’re convinced that E3 will reveal that the console will actually provide its players with coffee to keep them gaming for longer – well, their recent novelty based consoles did tire the serious gamer sect all too quickly! *WINK*

All that’s left to do is to decide whether the device would look better in your living room or kitchen!

Games are supplied on Tassimo T-Disks for both style and your convenience.

Kinect Klassics: Motion Madness

Microsoft is keen to keep tempting female casual gamers over to the manly 360 side and they feel that the motion sensitive Kinect peripheral is just the tool to do this! Title predictions included Superstore Sweep which provides housewives with the perfect opportunity to practise-run their weekly shop before heading to their local supermarket proper. Practise reaching for the goodies on the top shelves, be sure to tick off items from your shopping list as you go and for God’s sake, don’t let your trolley collide with that of another shopper! I unfortunately cannot promise that the orange-faced Dale Winton will not make an appearance during the game.

Gamers can choose between European Tesco and Americanised Wal-Mart editions.

Loose Women: Kinect meanwhile makes it feel as the British day time magazine show (which favours all topics that are of interest to middle aged women desperately attempting to cling to their youth) is being hosted in your very own living room! Lucky you! Tasks include flicking your hair every twenty two seconds, making a sexual innuendo out of every single comment uttered (using the 360 headset) and ensuring to incessantly stroke every male guest until you’ve convinced yourself that they just might climb into bed with you (the ‘Convinced’ bar makes this task easy).

It’s not just an oestrogen fest however with Toilet Seat Flip Down landing just for men. Practise the apparent daily struggle that is putting the toilet seat down after having a tinkle. Failing to do so will see you receive a rolling pin smack to the back of the head from your angry wife and spilling urine will see beastly germs pop out of the bowls and attack you! Work your way up from the singular bog in your home to levels containing an endless “stream” of cubicles, akin to those you would find in a city train station.

Power ups include “The Barry Scott” in which the Cillit Bang aficionado arrives to eradicate the current wave of enemies on your behalf.

Please note that these games are the result of a twisted imagination and they will never actually see the light of day.

Hopefully.

Even if TSFD does sound incredible…

 

Be sure to check back to the Novatech blog throughout next week for the real announcements from E3 as well as some special promotions from Novatech to celebrate the event.

 

E3 2011: The Novatech Introduction, Coverage and Special Promotions

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The Electronic Entertainment Expo – or E3 as it is more commonly known – falls next week at the Los Angeles Convention Center between Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th. E3 has long been recognised as the ultimate expo in the industry of video games and is the preferred event for developers to reveal upcoming titles and game related hardware.

After nearly 70,000 people turned up to the event in 2007, E3 was made invite only and now it is restricted to industry types and a few lucky individuals alone. Gaming enthusiasts need not worry however; we will be keeping non-attendees informed of the biggest announcements made during the expo via numerous blog posts over the next week.

We also invite you to take advantage of a number of special promotions we will be running in celebration of the event – check back to the blog regularly for more details!

Who is exhibiting at E3 2011?

The list of games developers showcasing at E3 this year is endless but includes Square Enix, THQ, Ubisoft, Atari, Activision, Capcom…and this really is just a handful! Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo also have their own conferences within the expo, in which the biggest news for the gaming industry is expected to be revealed.

So what announcements can we expect?

Microsoft have been very quite regarding the contents of their symposium but it is thought that plans to inject new life into the popular (but relatively title-lacking) motion sensitive Kinect system as well as some developments related to the heaving Xbox Live service will be announced.

Nintendo meanwhile is highly rumoured to be showcasing their new console for 2012 (currently known only as ‘Project Cafe’) which is meant to be “significantly more powerful” than the current Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles. Let’s hope touch screen and motion novelties have been ignored in favour of game play with longevity, to welcome back the ‘serious’ gamer sect into the Nintendo fold!

We are very interested to see what Sony has up their sleeve for the next year in light of criticisms regarding the recent hackings of the Playstation Network! Sony already showed their NGP – the next in the series of their portable consoles – to a number of journalists last fall but E3 should mark its official unveiling. Also a catchier name for the console too (hopefully).

What about the games?

We reckon the long awaited, no-longer-a-vapourware title Duke Nukem Forever will continue to be plugged during E3 for it is finally sees its release the day after the expo ends but there is a plethora of other titles – both currently in development and rumoured for future release – that we would like more details regarding…

  • Diablo III (PC)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PC, 360, PS3) 
  • Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Street Fighter X Tekken (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Metro: Last Light (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Thief 4 (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Rage (PC, 360, PS3, iOS)
  • Mass Effect 3 (PC, 360, PS3)
  • Disney Universe (PC, 360, PS3, iOS)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)
  • Halo HD (360)
  • The next title in the Half-Life series…though this looks unlikely since Valve are not attending this year’s expo.

Be sure to check back to the Novatech blog regularly over the next week to be kept informed of everything E3!

 

 

Your Fortnightly PC Game Releases: June Part One

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In a new series, we look at the PC titles being released in the next fortnight, so you have a better idea of what to build you gaming machine for.

Summer is usually a dull season for games releases on any platform: the theory is, we’re all supposed to be out enjoying the sun, as opposed to looking rather pasty white in front of the warming glow of our LCD screens. Nonetheless, June is actually looking reasonably healthy for PC releases. Here’s the first fortnight’s worth of major titles:

June 3rd – Hunted: The Demon’s Forge (Official Site)

Developed by inXile and published by Bethesda, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge is a third person action game with a fantasy setting, which sounds all rather standard. But the hook in is the co-op action, where you and a friend hack and slash your way through dungeons full of enemies as a scantily clad Valkyrie and a dude in a loincloth. Expect a kind of three-dimensional Golden Axe. Though hopefully not as bad as the actual three-dimensional Golden Axe.

No system specifications out there for this one, but don’t expect anything taxing for your rig.

June 10th – Duke Nukem Forever (Official Site)

No, you read that right. The true sequel to Duke Nukem 3D (Four, Forever… geddit?) is finally being released, after taking a record-busting 5156 days. For the uninitiated, Duke is a tongue-in-cheek ultra-macho First Person Shooter with lots of violence and gyrating Vegas girls. Though hopefully not at the same time.

Hardware upgrading fans may remember the original game being the killer app that got them to add a go-faster stripe to their original machine. Well, unless you’ve been born since the game was released, which is entirely fathomable. Duke Nukem Forever is rather less cutting edge, with even the recommended spec at a modest 2.4GHz Dual Core processor, 2GB of memory and a GeForce 8800 GTS / Radeon HD 3850.

June 10th – Red Faction: Armageddon (Official Site)

Keeping things suitably action-focused, Red Faction: Armageddon is another sequel to a trailblazer that seems to be chasing bandwagons rather than steering them. The early Red Faction titles were lauded for their revolutionary environmental destruction, whereas Armageddon (and direct predecessor Guerilla) has become a somewhat nondescript third person shooter.

Developer Volition, Inc are loyal to the PC and always put on a good show, so let’s hope that the switch from Guerilla’s open world game to something more linear means that we’ll see a tighter experience (as opposed to a lazy one). Minimum specs aren’t especially taxing: Dual Core processor @ 2.0 Ghz, 2Gb of Ram and a GeForce 8800 or 9800 series / Radeon HD 3000 series card.

Next time: Alice: Madness Returns, Dungeon Siege III and F.E.A.R. 3