I don't yet own an iPhone and with all the latest gaming related apps being released lately, I'm beginning to think I should probably invest in one. The latest iPhone demo app from Epic Games is available called Epic Citadel and seriously, it looks epic!

At first I didn't really believe the images were taken from an iPhone app. I mean look at that image, it's crystal clear and just amazing. But it's true so if you haven't had a look at Epic Citadel yet, head on over to the app store now and check it out. If I had an iPhone, I certainly would! The big news in terms of gaming is that the app makes use of the Unreal 3 Engine which really is alot to take in - that sort of technology being available for a game/app on your iPhone! Just awesome.

Epic Citadel is the demo app for the upcoming Project Sword which is slated for release later this year and who knows, maybe I'll get an iPhone for Christmas so I can play it ;) Read More

On the left we have the boxart for Metal Gear for the NES. Simple enough. But on the right we have an image taken from classic cult movie Terminator with actor Michael Biehn who played Kyle Reese in an action pose. Hmm. Is it just me or do they really look a whole lot like the same thing?

Via CannotUnsee

Is there such a thing as too much Call of Duty? Hell no! The latest Call of Duty: Black Ops clip shows off some of the features of the upcoming game and I have to say, I'm pretty excited about it. As far as shooters go, I'm kinda picky about what I'll play and Black Ops is looking very appealing.

The new 'Free Cam' mode is not unlike the similar mode in Gears of War 2 so nothing particularly new there but they're not kidding when they say it's a great way to get some beastly in-game screenshots. Adding virtual currency is also an interesting way to keep people leveling up. Wager matches sounds like insane fun for some unique challenges. Can't wait.

Via YouTube

The new developer diary for Front Mission Evolved attempts to flesh out some of the story behind this upcoming action game based on the popular turn-based strategy wargame series from Square Enix. Check it out, and turn the lights off when you leave.

If you still want to continue riding the Apple train I seem to be on, then you'll love this next story: the iPad will soon get a high definition version of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto China Town Wars. The special release, Chinatown Wars HD, will offer the same content as the iPhone version, along with HD graphics and modified controls.

Chinatown Wars HD will be available on September 9th for $9.99. I might finally have to buy an iPad.

Speaking of the Apple event this week, Epic Games jumped on stage to talk about its new ands exclusive competitive multiplayer sword-based combat game. Powered by Unreal Engine, the iPhone will come out later this year. Epic's Mike Capps and Donald Mustard took the stage to show off the first and third-person action the game promises and how it uses Apple's Game Center for matchmaking and more.

Project Sword is due to hit the iPhone this holiday season.

Hopefully we'll hear and see more of Project Sword.

- Kotaku

 

In April, legendary film critic Roger Ebert blogged about videogames, much to the chagrin of gamers - once they read it. Here's a reminder:

"Let me just say that no video gamer now living will survive long enough to experience the medium as an art form".

Fast forward to the present. The Beach author and 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland has some sharp comments for Ebert - namely that he's "insane." Here's a bit:

"It's an incredibly stupid thing to say, though I say that without knowing anything about what he said beyond what you've just told me," Garland tells Edge. "How could you anticipate where games would be in 30 years? How could you possibly do that?"

"There's so many reasons why he's wrong," Garland added. "What he's talking about is an artform at a very, very early point in its life... It's just bullshit. It's a stupid, ill-informed thing to say." Read More

Apple announced a number of new products and services this week at an event in San Francisco but what gamers will care the most about is a new Game Center offering features found in Xbox Live, the PlayStation Network and Steam.

Apple Game Center will be built into the tools that it gives to developers of iOS apps. Game Center will be one of several features rolled out in iOS 4.1, the newest version of the iPhone and iPod touch operating system. Apple unveiled several  other products at the live event including an updated iPod touch with the same screen and processor found in the iPhone 4.

Game Center will be free on all iOS devices - with iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod touch to launch sometime next week. The iPad version (iOS 4.2) won't arrive until November.

TellTale Games released details on a new game based on the popular Back to the Future films, to the delight of Michael J Fox fans everywhere. Naturally the game will feature the likenesses of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, playing their roles as Marty McFly and Doc Brown in the films. Loyd will also provide his voice for the games and Back to the Future trilogy screenwriter Bob Gale is helping developers on the plot for five episodic game releases.

Not a lot of concrete details were announced though the game will feature the town of Hill Valley and other characters, locations and more from the three films. Let's hope TellTale does this game and this treasured franchise justice.

If you're really hanging out for Fallout: New Vegas and you own an iPhone, you should probably check out the latest graphic novel preview app available from Bethesda and Dark Comics.

The app is a 12-page sneak peek of the graphic novel that comes bundled with the collector's edition of the game releasing later this year. It's definitely a good way to tempt people into purchasing the collector's edition when it releases: Read More

And I thought owning an iPhone or PSP was enough to ensure gaming on the go. How about SNES and NES gaming right from the comfort of your car seat? This DVD player from Chinavision ensures that any SNES or NES gamers out there will be totally covered. The player comes with a 7-inch LCD, A/V in and out connections, a USB port and an SD card slot. It also comes bundled with CDs that have a few hundred SNES and NES ROMs for your enjoyment. The device will set you back about $175.00USD. Official websit is here if you're interested in checking it out. Read More

If you missed out on the Closed Beta for Final Fantasy XIV, the Open Beta test is about to begin. If you're keen to enter, head on over to the official website here, read the instructions and sign up for a Square Enix acccount. The only conditions of entry are that you own a PC that can run the beta (the Open Beta is only being tested for PCs) and you must be registered with a Square Enix account.

The open beta has already experienced a few hiccups with the beta test being postponed yesterday until 2:00 GMT on the 2nd of September. You've still got time to sign up. Although the acquisition of codes is still a little lost on me (they mention sending codes to registrants but also mention acquiring a code when the beta goes live). I'm guessing if the codes are being allocated, it'll be first in first served. Good luck. Read More

Yet another reason to desire a career as a successful professional gamer—leverage that fame in order to design furniture!

News out of the Fatal1ty camp indicates that pro gamer Jonathan Wendel has entered into a deal with Dallas-based Southern Enterprises, Inc. in order to develop and distribute a line of gaming furniture, which will be “tailored specifically to the ergonomic requirements and performance enhancement features of gamers.”

The furniture that eventually emerges from the partnership will allow both “professional and amateur gamers to compete at their highest ability on both PC and console.”

Southern’s Dirk Brinkerhoff took a less stressful approach to the deal, saying that he hoped the furniture would allow users “to be a better gamer than they were without it.”
Read More

 Unfortunately, Vince's discovery is based on my actual wii.  Enjoy!

You probably know that Castle Crashers is landing on PlayStation Store this week - probably because I won't shut up about it - but I may have forgot to mention that another worthy title is coming to PlayStation Store this week - for PSP. The game is Valkyria Chronicles II, the sequel to the popular turn-based tactical action RPG for the PS3.

Valkyria Chronicles II is set two years after the events of Valkyria Chronicles, with a storyline that revolves around a civil war in the small fictional Europan nation of Gallia. Players take on the roles of military academy cadets forced into a service to combat the racist Gallian Revolutionary Army because the regular army has been exhausted in the long running conflict.

So expect lots of deployment, turn-based combat, character growth, tank battles, and a unique story that lets you fight fake Nazis using cute anime inspired soldiers. Fun for the whole family. Read More