Classic Video Games: What's Hot Now: Haunted House - Odyssey

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Haunted House - Odyssey Oct 11th 2011, 10:05 Horror and video games have long been entwined brining all sorts of freaky frights into our homes and arcades. From the Zombies in Resident Evil, to the Ghost Monsters in Pac-Man, it's hard to imagine video games without Ghouls 'n Ghosts. For years there has been a debate over just what was the very first horror game, and I'm about to put the argument to rest. The very first horror video game was, without a doubt, Haunted House. Not the side-scrolling, multi-screened classic for the Atari 2600, but the screen overlay that came packaged with the Magnavox Odyssey, the world's first video game console. The Basics: Original Release Date: 1972 Publisher: Magnavox System: Magnavox Odyssey Format: Cartridge + Screen Overlay + Playing Cards Genre: Horror-Survival (the very first one) The First Horror Game Ever: How do I know this was the first horror video game? Because it was actually one of the first video games ever made. Haunted House came packaged with the Magnavox Odyssey, the first video game console in history. The only publicly available games that pre-date it are the world's first arcade games, Computer Space and Galaxy Game, and technology demonstrations like Spacewar! and Tennis for Two.Most folks have forgotten about the Odyssey version of Haunted House, mainly because it was a difficult game to play, requiring a screen overlay, special playing cards and a minimum of two-players. Although the Odyssey was historic and groundbreaking, having to use all of this paraphernalia to play a video game didn't catch on to mass appeal, and most folks stuck with the tennis game that didn't require and screen overlays or extras. Three years later Magnavox redesigned the Odyssey to make it more Pong-like as a self-contained system with no cartridges, no screen overlays, and no Haunted House game.Over the years those folks had an original model Odyssey often lost their cards, or ditched the overlays, so few complete sets of the game still exist today. Haunted House has become a ghost in the annals of gamedom. The Game The game requires Odyssey cartridge #4, Haunted House screen overlay, Clue Cards and Secret Message cards. Player 1 plays a Detective investigating a haunted house; player 2 is the Ghost haunting the house. When the Haunted House overlay is in place, we are ready to enter the muddled gameplay. To make it a bit less confusing the gameplay is listed below in bullet points. Player 1, the Detective, must close their eyes or leave the room. Once the Detective player is not looking, the Ghost, player 2, moves to a hiding place. After the Ghost has found his hiding place he takes the Detective's controller and moves its square icon over the Ghost's square icon. When they overlap the Ghost square disappears. The Ghost then returns the Detective's square outside of the house and the Detective can open his eyes, or come back into the room. Now they can begin their terrifying game of cat and mouse. The Ghost calls out clue items off of the Clue Cards, and the Detective is tasked to work his way through the maze of a house and fund that specific clue without accidentally touching any other clue on the way. If the detective successfully reaches the clue they can keep that Clue Card, but if they touch another clue on the way they lose all of their Clue Cards and have to start collecting them from scratch. The Detective also needs to be careful not to light up the window in the house by passing behind it. If he does he loses his last Clue Card. When the Detective reaches the clue closest to the Ghost, player 2 makes himself appear by pressing the reset button on the Odyssey console. If the Detective accidentally touches the Ghost, it will disappear again and the Detective has to fork over half of his Clue Cards. To try and recapture lost clues, the Detective can select a Secret Message card which calls out a clue item he can return to and reclaim. Once the Detective has reached the treasure in the haunted house, the Ghost and Detective count their Clue Cards. The player with the most Clue Cards wins. With its board game-like gameplay, confusing controls and gameplay involving one of the players to not look at the screen, it's no wonder that Haunted House for the Magnavox Odyssey was forgotten. Although it is a crowning technological achievement and a forefather to some of the greatest horror games ever made, the game design just wasn't strong enough. Regardless, you have to tip your hat to that early game designer who foresaw the importants of horror and video games.

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viedogame: Microsoft to hold Akihabara Xbox 360 festival

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Microsoft to hold Akihabara Xbox 360 festival Oct 11th 2011, 05:28 While Xbox 360 titles haven't ranked highly on Japan's Media Creates sales charts as of late, Microsoft is still keen on promoting the system in the land of the rising sun. It's next promotion is an event called the Xbox 360 Appreciation Festival in Akiba: Fall Festival. Japanese gamers can check out a remastered Master Chief adventure this weekend. According to the official webpage, the public event will be held at Akihabara on October 16 and will last from 12pm to 7pm Japan Standard Time. The games featured in this event include Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, Batman Arkham City, Kinect Star Wars, Dragon's Dogma, Rage, Dead Island, Onechanbara Z Kagura, Instant Brain, Dance Central 2, Forza Motorsport 4, Labyrinth Cross Blood Reloaded, Michael Jackson: The Experience, and Tropico 4. The company also said that it will be revealing two additional and secret titles in the mix. In addition, the event will also have stage presentations for Labyrinth Cross Blood Reloaded (1.20pm to 2pm JST), Forza Motorsport 4 (2.20pm to 3pm JST), and Instant Brain (4pm to 4.40pm JST).

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viedogame: Asia Shippin' Out Oct. 9-15: Forza 4, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

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Asia Shippin' Out Oct. 9-15: Forza 4, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Oct 11th 2011, 05:25 The onslaught of game titles continues as the month of October rolls on. First up is Forza Motorsport 4, the next racing title from Turn 10 Studios. The fourth game in the series features new multi-class races, more cars, and a restructured single player mode called World Tour mode. Critics have praised the game for its refinements, but brought up issues of the game being a little too similar to its predecessor Forza Motorsport 3. The game will be out on shelves today. Next in line is flight action game Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. Players take to the skies in 18 maps as Lieutenant Colonel William Bishop, who has to lead his Warwolf Squadron to stop an anti-government insurgency that is invading the African continent. Unlike past titles, this iteration focuses more on close-ranged dogfights via the Dog Fight Maneuver system. The game also features multiplayer modes like Capital Conquest, a two-part mode where players have to destroy ground targets and enemy headquarters to win the match. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon will be landing on Asian shelves this Saturday; stay tuned for GameSpot's review on the title this week. Gamers looking for a fantasy-themed strategy fix can look forward to Might & Magic: Heroes VI, the sixth game in the Heroes of Might & Magic turn-based strategy series. The game takes place 400 years before the events in Heroes of Might & Magic V where the angels plot to end their unfinished war against the Faceless faction. The turn-based strategy title features a streamlined leveling-up system, resources management, and five factions featuring different unit types and heroes to play with. Strategy fans in Asia can look forward to this sequel this Friday. Finally, Dead Rising 2: Off the Record will be out on shelves tomorrow for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. The game brings back Dead Rising's Frank West in a director's cut version of Dead Rising 2, which is still set in Fortune City mall. The game also features a reworked checkpoint system, new weapons, and a new sandbox mode where gamers can explore the mall without a time limit. October 11 Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360) Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) Aliens: Infestation (DS) Wipeout 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS) Hulk Hogan's Main Event (Xbox 360) Dragon Age II: Mark of the Assassin (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) October 12 Blackwell Deception (PC) Orcs Must Die! (PC) October 14 Might & Magic Heroes VI(PC) Renegade Ops (PC) October 15 Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (PS3, Xbox 360) Watch this video in High Def

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viedogame: Xbox 360 | Worms Ultimate Mayhem Review

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Xbox 360 | Worms Ultimate Mayhem Review Oct 11th 2011, 01:32 Despite the fact that plenty of new games in the Worms series have been released since its debut in 1995, it hasn't exactly been a hotbed for revolutionary gameplay changes. The biggest change for the non-spin-off titles came when the series jumped to the third dimension with Worms 3D. Worms: Ultimate Mayhem bundles together the content from Worms 3D and Worms 4: Mayhem and makes it a little prettier, but it doesn't attempt to fix any issues with the 3D Worms formula. The result is a sizable package that doesn't live up to the great heritage established by its predecessors. The jetpack can be effective at getting you around a map, but it is often trickier to control than it should be. Taking command of a team of worm soldiers, armed to their non-existent teeth with crazy weapons, your goal is simply to obliterate the opposing team. Battles are turn based, with each team getting a set amount of time per turn (typically about a minute or so) to move a worm around the battlefield, make an attack, and cause as much destruction as possible with one of the many absurd weapons at your disposal. It's an addictive formula with some surprising charm and a fair amount of tactical depth. Many weapons are affected by the wind, like the bazooka that serves as your bread and butter. This turns many matches into trick-shot contests, rewarding players who can make tough shots regardless of wind or landscape. This is especially true of the 2D games, where the mechanics and physics of the gameplay have been worked out to a science. In a 2D game like Worms Reloaded, you might see a skilled player use a ninja rope or jetpack to quickly cross the length of the map, make a great shot, and get back to a safe location away from enemies--all in well under a minute. But in the 3D environment of Worms: Ultimate Mayhem, tricky tools like the ninja rope seem even clunkier, because the camera gets in the way and the environment is never your friend. Simply moving around a worm with the analog stick is usually fine, and if you're skilled enough with your weapons, you shouldn't have any problems, but some of the finesse in movement just isn't there. If you have already played Worms 3D or Worms 4, then you know exactly what to expect in Ultimate Mayhem and won't have much incentive to get this new version. The graphics are a little nicer and there are some nice customization options for your worms, but this is essentially the same content you've seen elsewhere. The primary Story mode in Ultimate Mayhem is ripped straight out of Worms 4, and the Worms 3D Story mode is included for good measure. The same is true of the Challenge mode, which tests your ability with various weapon and item types by making you finish tasks like shooting targets as quickly as possible. The Story mode is a great place to start for people new to the Worms franchise because it does an acceptable job of introducing certain concepts and testing your abilities on movement and weapons. Missions are typically short and sweet; however, the enemy AI in these modes, when present, can be frustratingly inconsistent. Most of the time, the AI is incompetent, missing easy shots and even doing damage to itself. But on occasion, enemies will make shots that seem impossible, making your life harder than necessary. The weapon variety is great and over the top, as should be expected from a Worms game. Whether you're using explosive sheep (or the more awesome super sheep), tossing holy hand grenades, or dropping concrete donkeys, Worms: Ultimate Mayhem gives you plenty of options. They're not always as satisfying as their 2D counterparts, though, especially with the default damage settings. It can be disappointing to walk up to an enemy worm and prepare to send it flying far into the ocean with the baseball bat only to hit it a few feet. The same goes for the air strike, which was devastating in older Worms titles yet seems subdued and confined in 3D. These changes may only disappoint fans of previous games, but for a game with the title "Ultimate Mayhem," you expect more mayhem. Like Worms 4, you also have the option of creating your own weapon, which is far less exciting than it sounds. You are given a narrow set of aesthetic options and aren't given much control over how the weapon fires or animates. You can only adjust damage sliders and modifiers, but even that is restricted so you don't make a weapon too powerful for multiplayer sessions. You have plenty of options for customizing your team of worms. Like all Worms games, Ultimate Mayhem is best played with fellow humans. There are several multiplayer game types that can be played online or locally with up to four people, and most custom matches take place on procedurally generated (and fully destructible) maps that lead to a wide variety of gameplay options. If you get a good group of friends together, you can have a fun time, especially once you tweak weapon loadouts and damage settings to your liking. The game controls pretty well on the Xbox 360 gamepad with the exception of most of the menus, which were obviously designed with the PC in mind. Selecting the large arsenal of weapons during battle is more sluggish (especially considering you're on a timer), and even navigating menus outside of matches can be a pain. Load times can also be long, though you don't encounter them much outside of restarting challenges to go for better times. Ultimate Mayhem is the definitive 3D Worms experience and is a novel way to kill some invertebrates if you've never played a 3D games previously. It's an inexpensive downloadable game with content that gives you entertaining multiplayer and some appealing single-player components. Still, you would probably be better off with one of the 2D games in the series, especially if you're experienced with the franchise.

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viedogame: PC | FIFA 12 Review

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PC | FIFA 12 Review Oct 11th 2011, 02:35 Distilling the world's most popular sport into a video game isn't an easy task. Aside from capturing the atmosphere of the game--the satisfying thump of boot on football, the on-pitch dramas created between player and referee, and the ferocious roar of the crowd as the ball sails into the back of the net--there are other considerations too. Some players want to manage their teams. Others want to live out their dreams of football stardom. Still others want to put their skills to the test against the best in the world, all the while clamouring for as realistic an experience as possible. FIFA 12 lets you do all of these things and more. For the first time, the PC version uses the same engine as its high-def console counterparts. As a result, it not only looks the part, but also gives you access to the same excellent new features, such as the tactical defending system, player impact engine, and head-to-head seasons. It's the new EA Sports Football Club that's the real draw, though, bringing with it an addictive levelling system that pits you against the world's players, keeping track of your own progress and that of your favourite team too. Not only is FIFA 12 the best game in the series, it's also one of the most exciting, accurate, and complete sports games around. Playing for Valencia, Piatti scores against Atletico Madrid. Watch this video in High Def If you're a longtime FIFA player, then the changes to defending in this year's game might come as a bit of a shock. A new tactical defending system has been implemented that drastically changes the way you play. In previous versions of FIFA, a common tactic when defending was to hold down the two "pressing" buttons, which sent players in to close down attackers and win the ball, requiring little in the way of skill. That tactic no longer works. Instead of rushing in to take the ball, your player now just tracks the attacker and remains a few feet away, keeping him held back. This system of containing the opposition requires more thought than simply sticking a leg in and hoping for the best. You have to actively time when to tackle or decide if it's better to simply hold a player back, rather than rush in for the ball, miss the tackle, and have the opposition pass. If the opposition does get past, you now have the option of jostling them--that is, pulling on their shirt or using your player's arm to hold them back. This is a neat feature that brings the game closer to how the real-life sport is played, with new player animations making it look more realistic. Be warned, though; pull too many shirts, and the referee won't hesitate to throw a yellow, or even a red, card your way. Other improvements to the animation lie in the new player impact engine. This adds a physics system that simulates the impact between two players during tackles or other forms of contact. If you go in for a particularly aggressive tackle and slam into the player, the resulting animation is rarely the same twice, depending on the build and strength of the two players in question. Both or just one of you may end up in a heap on the pitch, while passing players leap over fallen bodies to get past. On the whole, the system works well, adding another layer of realism to the game. It's not infallible, though, and there are times when you see some comical rag-doll-physics-like animations as players flop over the pitch. Sending one to the back of the net is as satisfying as ever. More tweaks to the controls come in the form of precision dribbling, which enable you to control the ball more accurately in close quarters. For example, when you get near the touchline, your player automatically knows he's there and retains tighter control of the ball to keep it in play. The system also affords you the ability to use small, quick touches to control the ball, letting you perform sharp turns and making it easier to beat the opposition's defence. You can shield yourself from other players while dribbling too, rather than being rooted to the spot like in previous games, giving you another way to get past defenders. These enhancements make FIFA 12 the most realistic representation of the sport yet. Scoring goals is trickier, with teams working together to implement strong lines of defence, but the game is all the better for it. You have to work harder, with a greater amount of skill required than ever before. These changes make those moments when you manage to score all the more satisfying. You can break out your newfound dribbling and defending skills in a number of modes, many of which have carried over from last year. These include Career mode, which lets you compete as a single player working through a 15-year career; as a player manager, where you manage your team's lineup and compete on the pitch; or as a manager, where you take a backseat to the on-pitch action and instead focus on tactics and building up your squad. There's something for everyone, and if you tire of one mode, you can easily switch between them at any time to mix things up. There's also an array of tournaments to play through, from the F.A. Cup through to custom leagues and knockout tournaments.

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viedogame: Need for Speed The Run Getting adidas Branded Originals Line This Fall

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Need for Speed The Run Getting adidas Branded Originals Line This Fall Oct 11th 2011, 02:43 Get Exclusive Limited Edition Shoes and Apparel at adidas Originals Stores. REDWOOD CITY, Calif.â€"(BUSINESS WIRE)â€"Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and adidas Originals today announced a one-of-a-kind lifestyle and gaming partnership for Need for Speedâ„¢ The Run. Combining the cultural expertise of both brands, consumers will not only see the iconic adidas Superstar shoes in Need for Speed The Run, but they’ll also be treated with exclusive and limited edition Need for Speed The Run adidas branded apparel which will be available at all adidas Originals stores across the United States. The Need for Speed The Run and adidas promotion will be celebrated at three of the country’s and game’s most iconic locations: Chicago, San Francisco and New York where consumers will get exclusive access to the limited edition Need for Speed The Run shoe and video game. “Our goal with Need for Speed is to be more than just a videogame franchise, as we view ourselves as a leader in youth and automotive culture as well. adidas is one of the biggest lifestyle brands in the world and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with them on Need for Speed The Run,” said Kevin Maher, Senior Director of Marketing at EA. “When we heard about Need for Speed The Run, we felt like it was a great fit with our brand and our core consumer, as Need for Speed shares our same vision of striving to be the leading lifestyle brand in their respective industry,” says Simon Atkins, head of Sport Style Division at adidas North America. The Need for Speed The Run and adidas Originals promotional events kick-off on October 12 in Chicago. 50 pairs of the limited edition Need for Speed The Run Top X shoe will go on sale October 10 at the adidas Originals Chicago store. The first ten consumers to purchase a pair will get a ticket to the exclusive kick-off event at the store on October 12*. Headlined by DJ Neil Armstrong and Kids These Days, guests will also be able to get an early taste ofNeed for Speed The Run, playing as Jack Rourke in the race to be first to New York, equipped with the classic adidas Superstars. The next event will be in San Francisco on October 27 at the adidas San Francisco store. An additional 50 pairs of the limited edition shoe will go on sale October 22 at the store. The first 20 consumers to purchase a pair will get a ticket to the exclusive event at the store on October 27 headlined by Mick Boogie*. It all culminates in New York on November 15 to celebrate the game’s launch. Developed by Black Box, an EA Studio, Need for Speed The Run will be available November 15, 2011 in North America and November 17, 2011 in Europe for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PC, Wiiâ„¢ and Nintendo 3DSâ„¢. For more information on Need for Speed, visit http://www.needforspeed.com or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/needforspeed and follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/needforspeed. * While supplies last. Must be 21+. Transportation to and from event not included. Additional conditions and limitations may apply. See retail store for details. Leave a Reply You must be logged in to post a comment.

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viedogame: UFC Undisputed 3 Fans Name Anderson Silva as Cover Athlete

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UFC Undisputed 3 Fans Name Anderson Silva as Cover Athlete Oct 11th 2011, 02:40 World’s Best Pound-For-Pound Fighter to Appear on Front Cover of Forthcoming Release in Popular Mixed Martial Arts Videogame Franchise. AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Oct 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) â€" THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC today announced that reigning UFC(R) middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been named the cover athlete for UFCUndisputed(R)3, the forthcoming installment in the critically acclaimed mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame franchise from the Ultimate Fighting Championship(R). The Brazilian-sensation Silva, who most recently defeated top contender Yushin Okami at UFC(R) Rio in August to retain his middleweight championship, currently holds both the longest winning streak and longest title defense streak in UFC history. In a franchise-first opportunity, fans were invited to vote online for one of five current UFC champions - Silva, UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones or UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez - to be this year’s cover athlete. More than 110,000 votes were cast by fans from around the world, with Silva garnering the largest percentage among his fellow competitors. "Enabling fans worldwide to select the UFC Undisputed 3 cover athlete has been an incredibly rewarding experience," said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. "Anderson Silva possesses a tremendous work ethic and incredible prowess inside the Octagon, making him an excellent choice to serve as our cover athlete for the game." "The fans have voted and Anderson Silva will be on the cover of UFC Undisputed 3," UFC President Dana White said. "This game has a ton of new features, including the PRIDE mode, and we can’t wait for fans to get a chance to play it." About UFCUndisputed 3(R) UFC Undisputed 3 will take players inside the virtual Octagon(R) with focus on intense toe-to-toe combat, impressive visual presentation and significantly increased accessibility, including the debut of PRIDE(R) Mode, two new weight classes and an impressive playable roster of more than 150 UFC fighters. PRIDE Mode will enable players to fight for the first time in the renowned Japanese MMA organization and include official commentators Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros, authentic environments and notorious MMA rules, including the ability to execute soccer-style kicks, head stomps and ground knees to the head. Finishing an opponent will be more important than ever through devastating new moves, responsive striking controls, refined visual presentation and the introduction of a brand new, graphic-based submission system. In addition, players will now enter the Octagon with a choice between traditional and simplified gameplay control options, enabling them, regardless of skill level, to experience the intensity of UFC and nuances of MMA combat while executing simple standing strikes or more complex ground and transition mechanics. Players will also experience the excitement of a live UFC event through significant visual improvements, including the introduction of much-anticipated fighter entrances, new camera positions, improved facial animations and a gritty, high contrast appearance. They will enter into battle with an unparalleled choice of more than 150 playable UFC fighters, including talent from the newly added featherweight and bantamweight divisions. Rounding out the virtual UFC experience with a significantly revamped online experience, as well as a variety of new and returning gameplay modes, UFC Undisputed 3 lets players have their fights - their way - to deliver the most intense, competitive and engaging experience to date for the franchise. UFC Undisputed 3 is currently in development for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system, with a scheduled release of January 2012. For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, please visit http://www.ufcundisputed.com,facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed. Leave a Reply You must be logged in to post a comment.

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