On The Level Gaming

ZELDA by DONUTPLAINS Now on sale for 5 Days at TeeVolt for...

quanji — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:01:11 -0700

ZELDA by DONUTPLAINS

Now on sale for 5 Days at TeeVolt for €9/$12/£7.5

THE INCREDIBLE MARIO By Harebrained. Get the shirt!

quanji — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:02:09 -0700

THE INCREDIBLE MARIO

By Harebrained. Get the shirt!

GUT CHECK EPISODE 11 “THAT SAME OLD SONG” This week...

lostcrichton — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:02:59 -0700

GUT CHECK EPISODE 11 “THAT SAME OLD SONG”

This week Josh and I tackle reboots and sequels: The good ones, the bad ones and games that deserve a reboot or sequel. Join us for a candid talk about my days as a surveyor for the Wastelands of Fallout 3, the trials of Tony Hawk and we plead our case for bringing back Bully, Xenogears and Rogue Galaxy.

Want to download Gut Check or catch up on past episodes? All episodes are available for download and streaming via the Stitcher Radio App or by visiting Stitcher.com.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR XBOX ONE COVERAGE Yesterday...

quanji — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:41:42 -0700

A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR XBOX ONE COVERAGE

Yesterday after Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal, a swirl of information started to consume the internet from multiple sites in an effort to break the story first. What resulted was a mix of accurate and inaccurate information and a lot of confusion.

A site would report that the Xbox One played used games and then another site would say that it doesn’t, and then someone else (sometimes the same site) would say it does play used games but you have to pay a fee.

To top it all off, Microsoft then issued a statement saying ” today we have only confirmed that we designed Xbox One to enable our customers to trade in and resell games at retail … there have been reports of a specific time period … but we have not confirmed any details today, nor will we be.”

You may have noticed that while all this was going on, we didn’t report on it. It wasn’t that we thought our readers weren’t interested, it just went against our site’s mission.

We try to only report facts in these matters. We don’t like to mislead or confuse our readers and we strive to keep things “on the level,” and fair, just like we did with our Sony PS4 coverage. With so many changing stories we didn’t feel we could do that.

Rest assured, as more of the facts come to light, we will report on them and in a way that provides accurate information with minimal back pedaling.

We appreciate your readership and would love to hear your feedback about the event. What do you think about our approach in covering these events?

PIXELS IN REAL LIFE Created by acefecoo (via it8bit)

quanji — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:01:16 -0700

PIXELS IN REAL LIFE

Created by acefecoo

(via it8bit)

WIND WAKER CAKE This delicious confection perfectly captures a...

lostcrichton — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:39:34 -0700

WIND WAKER CAKE

This delicious confection perfectly captures a lot of elements from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. This birthday cake for Sonia Neiers’ niece has a lot more details than the Little Cherry Cake Company’s version of a Wind Waker cake like having Ganondorf as well as Link’s sister Aryll.

DIGITAL GAMES MAYHEM! [UPDATED WITH MORE TITLES] From now until...

quanji — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:16:00 -0700

DIGITAL GAMES MAYHEM! [UPDATED WITH MORE TITLES]

From now until May 31 Amazon is having a huge sale on digital games. And I do mean HUGE! There are over 800 deals to choose from (some free games too) and we’ve chosen a few of our favorites below.

To see all the deals visit Digital Games Mayhem!

PC DOWNLOAD DEALS

Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition ($7.49)
Dragon Age Pack (Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition and Dragon Age 2 ($9.99)
Firaxis Complete Pack (XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Civilization IV: Complete Edition, Civilization V: Gold Edition ($19.99)
Deep Silver Power Pack Volume 2 (Dead Island GOTY, Saints Row 2 and 3, STALKER) ($17.49)
Desert to Sea Bundle (Bioshock 1 and 2, Spec Ops The Line) ($9.99)
Sega Fun Pack (Hell Yeah 1,2,3; Jet Set Radio; Nights in Dreams; Renegade Ops; The Cave ($9.99)
Microsoft 5-Game Pack (Deadlight, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Iron Brigade, Mark of the Ninja, Toy Soldiers ($9.99)
Mass Effect 3 ($5.99)
Deus Ex: Human Revolution ($4.99)
Sam and Max Bundle ($9.99)
Batman Arkham City GOTY ($7.50)
Alice: Madness Returns The Complete Collection ($7.50)
Dead Space Dual Pack ($7.99)
Amnesia($2.99)

STEAM GAME CODES

The Walking Dead ($9.99)
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes ($7.49)
The Cave ($7.49)
Saints Row the Third: The Full Package ($12.49)

TECH SPEC COMPARISON FOR XBOX ONE VS. PS4 Now that the Xbox One...

lostcrichton — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:06:30 -0700

TECH SPEC COMPARISON FOR XBOX ONE VS. PS4

Now that the Xbox One has been unveiled, let’s take a look at the technical specifications for both it and Sony’s PlayStation 4 to see how they compare.

XBOX ONE SPECS:

- 8 Core Custom Built CPU
- 8 GB DDR3 RAM for memory
- 500 GB HDD for storage
- D3D 11.1 chip with embedded 32 MB memory (graphics processor)
- Blu-ray optical drive
- USB 3.0
- 802.11 N, wired ethernet, WiFi Direct
- HDMI Input and Output (supports 1080p and 4K), Optical Output

PLAYSTATION 4 SPECS:

- 8 Core Custom Built CPU
- 8 GB DDR5 RAM for memory
- No specified HDD size announced yet
- AMD Radeon Graphics Core (1.84 TFlops)
- Blu-ray optical drive
- USB 3.0
- 802.11 N, wired ethernet, Bluetooth
- HDMI Output (supports 1080p and 4K), Optical Output, Analog AV

YOUR XBOX ONE QUESTIONS, ANSWERED This morning’s Xbox...

quanji — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:36:31 -0700

YOUR XBOX ONE QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

This morning’s Xbox reveal left many questions unanswered, like is it always online, can I play used games on it, etc? Thankfully, Xbox’s Major Nelson put together this handy ‘Q’ and ‘A’:

Q: Does Xbox One require an “always on” Internet connection?
A: No, it does not have to be always connected, but Xbox One does require a connection to the Internet. We’re designing Xbox One to be your all-in-one entertainment system that is connected to the cloud and always ready. We are also designing it so you can play games and watch Blu-ray movies and live TV if you lose your connection.

Q: How do consumers benefit by being connected to the cloud?
A: The cloud makes every experience better and more accessible. Because Xbox One is powered by the cloud:

Your games have more power available to create new gameplay, persistent worlds, and deeper experiences.
Your system and games can update automatically, so you shouldn’t have to wait for downloads or updates.
Your games and entertainment are stored and saved in the cloud, so you can access them anytime, from any Xbox One.*
Start a game, movie, or TV show on one console and finish exactly where you left off on another.
You can play multiplayer games with your friends, stream movies or TV shows right away, and enjoy the community and social features of Xbox Live.
Xbox One can recognize you, log you in and tailor your home screen just for you.

You can discover what your friends are playing, watching and listening to if they choose to share.
These are just a few examples of how customers benefit from our platform being connected to the Internet. It brings the future of TV and games to our consumers—and it’s designed for today and the decade ahead.

* Subject to content geographical restrictions.

Q: When will Xbox One launch and in what markets?
A: Xbox One will launch in markets around the world later this year. We’ll have more to share later.

Q: Can I use my current gamertag on Xbox One and will my Gamerscore and Achievements transfer?
A: Yes. Your current Xbox Live Gamertag will stay with you on Xbox One if you choose to keep it, and your hard-earned Gamerscore and Achievements will indeed carry over from Xbox 360.

Q: Will Xbox One be backward compatible with my existing games?
A: Xbox One hardware is not compatible with Xbox 360 games. We designed Xbox One to play an entirely new generation of games—games that are architected to take full advantage of state-of-the-art processors and the infinite power of the cloud. We care very much about the investment you have made in Xbox 360 and will continue to support it with a pipeline of new games and new apps well into the future.

Q: Will Xbox One allow players to trade in, purchase and play pre-owned games?
A: We are designing Xbox One to enable customers to trade in and resell games. We’ll have more details to share later.

Q: Will my current Xbox Live Gold membership work with Xbox One or will I have to buy a new one?
A: You do not need to buy a new Xbox Live Gold membership. Your current membership will work on both Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Q: Why require Kinect with every Xbox One?
A: The all new Kinect is now an essential and integrated part of the platform. By having it as a consistent part of every Xbox One, game and entertainment creators can build experiences that assume the availability of voice, gesture and natural sensing, leading to unrivaled ease of use, premium experiences and interactivity for you.

Q: Do I need to have a specific cable or satellite TV provider to watch live TV on Xbox?
A: Our goal is to enable live TV through Xbox One in every way that it is delivered throughout the world, whether that’s television service providers, over the air or over the Internet, or HDMI-in via a set top box (as is the case with many providers in the US). The delivery of TV is complex and we are working through the many technologies and policies around the world to make live TV available where Xbox One is available.

Q: Xbox One is a more powerful product compared to Xbox 360, but does it also use more power?
A: No. By providing multiple power states in Xbox One, we’ve balanced energy efficiency with functionality. We’ve taken a completely different approach to how Xbox One consumes power. It only uses the power it needs at that particular moment for the task at hand.

ASSASSIN’S CREED 4, WATCH DOGS, AND MORE HEADED TO XBOX...

quanji — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:31:37 -0700

ASSASSIN’S CREED 4, WATCH DOGS, AND MORE HEADED TO XBOX ONE

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed 4, Watch Dogs, and at least four other next-gen titles will be headed to Xbox One within the first year of its release.

Along with these titles, Ubisoft plans to bring new content for existing franchises, new IPs, and digital titles to the new console.

Pre order Assassin’s Creed 4 and Watch Dogs for exclusive bonus offers.

ELECTRONIC ARTS REVEALS NEXT-GEN GAME ENGINE The Xbox One...

quanji — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:02:06 -0700

ELECTRONIC ARTS REVEALS NEXT-GEN GAME ENGINE

The Xbox One wasn’t the only next-gen news to hit the Internet today.

EA unveiled the “EA Sports Ignite” game engine during the Xbox One reveal event, which is designed for next-gen sports titles.

FIFA, Madden NFL, NBA Live and UFC will all use the engine, which EA says will exceed the animation limitations of current sports games by a “factor of ten.”

A new trailer highlighting the EA Sports Ignite engine and the games utilizing the technology can be viewed here.

(via sportsgamershow)

HALO: THE TELEVISION SERIES ANNOUNCED During their Xbox One...

quanji — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:24:18 -0700

HALO: THE TELEVISION SERIES ANNOUNCED

During their Xbox One reveal, Microsoft announced that Steven Spielberg is working with 343 Industries to develop a Halo television series which will air on the Xbox One.

While it’s not the movie many have wanted, or the inevitable Halo 5 announcement, it’s an exciting endeavor for the Halo franchise, especially after last years critically acclaimed Forward Unto Dawn series.

No premiere dates were revealed at this time. Look for more information to be revealed at E3.

QUANTUM BREAK TEASER TRAILER Remedy Games (Alan Wake, Max...

lostcrichton — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:54:08 -0700

QUANTUM BREAK TEASER TRAILER

Remedy Games (Alan Wake, Max Payne) announced an exclusive game today during Microsoft’s Xbox One Reveal presentation. Take a look at the teaser trailer for Quantum Break.

MEET XBOX ONE Microsoft has unveiled the future of their next...

lostcrichton — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:54:00 -0700

MEET XBOX ONE

Microsoft has unveiled the future of their next generation of in home entertainment. The Xbox One will deliver a new all-in-one entertainment experience for gamers.

You’ll be able to switch between live tv, games, movies, music and more without having to switch inputs with a remote. You can instantly switch back and forth through your options using a new “Snap” mode that’s uses both gestures and voice commands anchored by a new Kinect sensor.

You can multitask with multiple apps at the same time like playing a game or watching a movie and surf the internet or take a Skype call with friends. It’s impressive technology they are presenting here but I personally have to wait to try it out myself.

I really like how a lot of sensible implementations have been made like the live tv switching and powering on the system by voice commands. Stay tuned for more details on the specs for the Xbox One as we get more information. Xbox One is slated to release later this year!

MAD CATZ F.R.E.Q. 7 HEADSET REVIEW DO: Enjoy 7.1 surround sound...

quanji — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:10:18 -0700

MAD CATZ F.R.E.Q. 7 HEADSET REVIEW

DO: Enjoy 7.1 surround sound in a durable, yet stylish headset that will provide a competitive edge in games and superior audio playback from any audio device.

DO NOT: Look to the F.R.E.Q. 7 if you only need a stereo headset, while producing a wide range of sound, it would be overkill. Also, if you like a headset that doesn’t require a “breaking in” period this might not be for you.

TRY: If you’re in the market for a headset that can go anywhere you go (without breaking) and still provide a crystal clear audio experience.

The very first thing I did with my F.R.E.Q. 7 headset was listen to “And You and I” by Yes on the Ultimate Yes: 35^th Anniversary Collection. I then listened to it again. And then I followed that up with the remainder of the album—all in one sitting. For almost a full three hours I sat on my couch after everyone else had gone to bed and just listened to an album I’ve heard many times before but it was as if I was hearing for the first time. Why? Because the Mad Catz F.RE.Q. 7 sounded that good!

DESIGN
The design is futuristic. The chiseled edges, accompanied by the almost all-metal construction make the headset look stylish. Because of the slash on each ear cup though, the headset definitely looks like gaming headphones, even if you’re sporting one of the three other colors that the headset is available in.

I took them into my 9 to 5 job and got some odd looks. Most of my coworkers thought I was playing a game on the company computer. Those looks quickly turned from judging to understanding once I let them hear the clarity that what was coming through the speakers.

It’s clear that Mad Catz took into consideration the wear and tear that most gamers put on their headsets when designing the headset. The most vital pieces (headband and swivel for ear cups) are metal for sturdiness/durability and the rest of the headset is designed for comfort. The headset is surprisingly light for being an almost all-metal construction.

The ear cups themselves are plastic with leather-like padding material. The padding on the headband is a soft rubber and the cords are braided to eliminate tangling. Also, the ear cups pivot to fold flat for easier transport or those moments when someone needs to interrupt your gameplay and talk to you—they fold flat across your chest.

For convenience, the headset includes a stand for storing them on your desk and two quick detach cords that plug directly into the unit. One cord has a USB connection on the end and the other has a standard 3.5mm plug on the end.

The 3.5mm cord is shorter than the USB one but it is an ideal length. I used the headset while mowing my lawn (three times) and the cord never got in my way. Historically I’ve had to run cords under my shirt to keep them from getting hung on something, but because of the length and the braided non-tangling cord, the cord stayed out of the way and allowed me free movement.

Another advantage to the construction is that the headset organically offers some noise cancellation. When I was mowing the lawn, for example, I didn’t have to turn up my iPod as loud as I have had to do with other headsets. The headset also stood up to the sweat test and didn’t leave me with any pain around the ears after wearing the headset for long periods of time like some headphones have done in the past.

Though the nearly all-metal construction was highly durable, I also found that it was very rigid and didn’t offer a lot of give like the TRITTON PRO+ or TRITTON 720+, which are both made of hard plastic. This didn’t make for an uncomfortable experience but it did take some getting used to.

When I first put the headset on it felt tight around my head, even after adjustment. This sensation eventually went away and though it was never painful or uncomfortable to wear.

SOUND
Most media (games, movies, music) isn’t recorded in 7.1 surround sound, so the F.R.E.Q. 7 up-converts stereo or 5.1 surround sound to 7.1 surround sound. While there are times, like with music, where the benefits of the up conversion aren’t immediately noticeable, the benefits are still heard.

The 50mm neodymium drivers are so responsive that they deliver accurate sound capable of capturing a whisper. There are music tracks that I’ve listened to hundreds of times and I was hearing new pieces in the music that I never heard before. In many of the games I tested, I found this to be true as well.

One of the most impressive moments occurred while playing LucasArts’ The Dig. Even though the game is nearly 20 years old, Michael Land’s soundtrack is still as memorable and dramatic as ever and the atmospheric moments and orchestral soundtrack were bright and crystal clear.

In the game, the speakers picked up the subtlest of sounds. At one point I thought I heard something in my kitchen and put down the headset to check it out. It was after I came back to the game and heard the sound again I realized that the noise was coming through the speakers in the headset. The speakers were resonating a sound in the game that just happened to be behind me.

The directional sound was especially useful while playing Metro 2033. The game is full of atmospheric moments meant to unnerve the player and the headset made the experience even more hectic because of the range of sounds that I could hear. It wasn’t uncommon to feel a sense of urgency while exploring an area because of the sounds coming through the speakers. The headset helped identify locations of enemies prior to being overtaken by them. I could hear their movements and pinpoint their locations accordingly.

During my play sessions, I also made good use of Mad Catz’s equalizing software. The software has three presets, one for gaming, one for music, and one for voice. Each preset provides a more defined listening experience based on user preference.

The headset even has a button dedicated to turning surround sound on and off depending on your gaming experience. I typically left it on at all times because the surround sound provided a more dynamic listening experience.

Between using the headset with my computer and using it with my iPod one thing really stood out, the amount of bass coming through the headset. When using it with my iPod I felt the bass was a little too heavy for the kind of music I listened to but after adjusting the equalizer to bass reduction it was perfect. I didn’t encounter this when using it with my computer though.

And of course, since this is a gaming headset, it comes with a microphone. The microphone can be quickly attached or removed with no problem. I used the headset with microphone for numerous Skype calls and in every instance the sound was clear and no one had any problem hearing me, even when there were five people on the call.

Throughout all my testing, the headset performed quite well, though not as well as the TRITTON PRO+. Even though the sound was dynamic, the F.R.E.Q. 7 just couldn’t re-create the true sound experience and the absolute immersion I experienced with the PRO+. Of course, this is just personal preference and the F.R.E.Q. 7 still produced a wide range of sound that was quite impressive.

CONCLUSION
The F.R.E.Q. 7 headset is an excellent portable or gaming headset. The robust construction and super responsive speakers create a memorable listening experience. Though the headband can feel a little tight, the overall fit is still very comfortable. If you’re looking for a competitive edge while gaming or some durable, clear sounding headphones for your music player, the F.R.E.Q. 7 is an excellent choice.

This review is based on time spent using a Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 headset provided by Mad Catz. The Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 retails for $199.99 and is available now.

EARLY LOOK AT NECA’S UPCOMING TEAM FORTRESS 2...

lostcrichton — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:04:07 -0700

EARLY LOOK AT NECA’S UPCOMING TEAM FORTRESS 2 FIGURES

Figures.com has a great inside look at NECA’s Studio and a bunch of their upcoming action figures in early builds and prototypes. Some of those include The Spy and Engineer figures from Valve’s Team Fortress 2.

There’s also some pictures of the upcoming Gravity Gun replica from Half-Life which is high on my must own list for this year. Be sure to take a look at all the awesome figures and items NECA is working on.

GAMING MINIMALISM Ari Martínez transforms a few favorite...

quanji — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:23:08 -0700

GAMING MINIMALISM

Ari Martínez transforms a few favorite franchises into picturesque prints that are as iconic as the games they represent. He not only invoked memories of when Sonic was fun, but I really love the fact that he included the oldie but goodie Carmageddon in the set.

NES CONTROLLER (WIP) Preview from an upcoming piece I’m working...

quanji — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:50:43 -0700

NES CONTROLLER (WIP)

Preview from an upcoming piece I’m working on. Things may change.

(via nerdwire)

10 THINGS YOU CAN COUNT ON MICROSOFT NOT ANNOUNCING...

quanji — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:04:00 -0700

10 THINGS YOU CAN COUNT ON MICROSOFT NOT ANNOUNCING TOMORROW

Plenty of people have made predictions about what will be revealed at Microsoft’s event on May 21—always on connection, mandatory installs, super-hyper-Kinect, a new name—-and frankly we’re tired of hearing all the predictions.

So just for fun, we’ve put together a list of 10 ridiculous things you can count on Microsoft not revealing/announcing tomorrow:

Xbox Infinity + Comcast = Xfinity!
The name speaks for itself but you can be sure that Microsoft won’t announce an Xbox that is also a Comcast cable box with DVR abilities built in. No way. That sounds like an AWFULly good idea.
EA not working on any games for Next Xbox
With the recent announcement of EA giving up on the Wii U, wouldn’t it also make sense for them to decide not make games for the Next Xbox? It’s all part of their longterm strategy to stop pissing off gamers.
New Xbox will be using Sony’s PS3 Cell Processor
In an effort to “one-up” the competition, Microsoft will use the PlayStation 3’s cell processor to offer PS3 backwards compatibility. Of course, it means the rumors were true, and the next Xbox wouldn’t be backwards compatible with Xbox 360 games. Curses! The nerds were right!
Microsoft and Pizza Hut Announce Bigger Partnership
Similar to the all-in-one breakfast maker that has been blowing up Pinterest, Microsoft unveils a new console capable of baking pizza and playing games! Red ring of death? More like red ring of yum!
Next Xbox Goes Green
Tired of being known as an “energy vampire,” Microsoft’s new console is wired to run on positive feelings and emotions. Warning: console may abruptly shut off while playing any game starring Superman or involving Raccoon City.
Microsoft Partners With Steam
We’ve heard plenty of rumors about “steam boxes” in development and Microsoft clears it up by announcing that the Next Xbox is really a steam box that will ship with Windows 8 as the OS and have Steam built right in.
Exclusive Always Off Next Gen Technology
It was rumored for months about “Always On” but we got it wrong like a bad game of Telephone. The next Xbox will feature the most energy efficient power system ever by not even turning on.
Next Gen Games = Kinect 1.21 Gigawatts!
With the Kinect, players were turned into the controllers. Why stop there? This next gen we’ll make the games too! Xbox Games will be user generated titles fueled by the imagination of gamers like the Dreamatorium. By turning the mirror onto ourselves surely there’s no way we’ll complain about poor graphics, missed deadlines and bad storylines.
Microsoft Commits to Finding Whalers On The Moon
Where Sony used PS3s for cancer research, Microsoft has committed to using the Next Xbox to find the oft-rumored Whalers On The Moon.
Pretty much everything in this video.

XBL image courtesy of the fantastically talented Cory Schmitz.

8-BIT COASTERS FOR YOUR GAMING BEVERAGES IprintIcut has this...

lostcrichton — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:01:08 -0700

8-BIT COASTERS FOR YOUR GAMING BEVERAGES

IprintIcut has this set of 8 gaming themed 8-Bit coasters for sale at their shop on Etsy. $7.50 gets you the full set of coasters including a few background blocks, a question block, a Fire Flower and a Warp Pipe from the Super Mario Bros. video game.

They aren’t as detailed in material and design like the gaming coasters from Lime Green Coconuts but they are certainly more affordable for gamers on a budget looking to step up their living room/gaming room decor.