Dante's Inferno Demo and Exclusive PS3 edition

For PS3 owners there is a lot to look forward to in the Dante's Inferno aspect, as the playable demo came out on the 10th which includes the entire first level of the game. Xbox Live subscribers won't get their taste of hell until December 24th, an interesting way to spend Christmas Eve. Many people have already alluded to the God of War-like fighting mechanics which seems more like a compliment than anything, and having played the demo myself I can say it's definitely as fun as God of War but certainly much more disturbing visually.

Visceral Games also announced on the 10th that for the PS3 only they have released a special "Divine Edition" of the game which includes lots of extras like commentary tracks, a digital art book, the complete soundtrack as well as a translation of Dante Alighieri’s "Divine Comedy" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a poet who was the first American to translate the epic poem in the mid-1800s.

If you still need more Dante's Inferno to hold you over until the game's release in February, the new comic mini-series has just been launched with issue one, written by Christo Gage and illustrated by Diego Latorre whose art style is very unique and poetic in its own way. A #0 issue was given away at the EA booth at PAX this year where you were able to play an early version of the demo and take photos of the large Dante statue.

If you've played the Dante's Inferno demo already, what did you think? Was it what you expected, and what did you like most about it?

New Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel teaser trailer

Hot off Spike TV's VGAS, an awesome trailer has been released. Watch below!

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

Lookit that mug. That's the face of someone who's seen more than his fair share of fucked up shit. And it's true, he has. Sand demons, unnecessary spikes everywhere, an evil king's assistant (called the Vizier) copying Jafar's moves from Disney's Aladdin and trying to acquire a source of power that he doesn't understand. You know, just another Tuesday, really.

The unnamed Prince in the game is arrogant, sarcastic, and mostly shirtless during the game but that doesn't stop you from liking the character. Indeed not, the charm is when he starts talking to himself randomly as you're playing, acting like any of us might when frustrated or angry at someone: he mocks them. Of course, he is not always so bratty and he even proves himself once he gains a little Sands of Time power, learning how to use it deftly and kicking the asses of evil sand minions.

The Jak & Daxter Precursor Legacy

Jak & Daxter. Jak & Dax. Jaxter. Whatever you may want to call it, it's a fun and addicting series. The subtitle of the first game, "The Precursor Legacy", alludes to the Precursors, god-like beings who create the world and the universe around it as well as Precursor orbs which are a kind of rare currency. Kind of.

The series is difficult to tackle because each game seems to exude a different attitude as both the main characters evolve and grow. The first is more innocent with darker undertones as Jak discovers a lot more about Lurkers and time travel than he ever thought he would. While Daxter has to learn how to cope with being turned into an ottsel after falling into a vat of Dark Eco. Eco being a natural gas Jak's village uses as a source of power, with different properties which can be harvested for different uses, like energy or fuel, or say, secret powers.

For the whole of the game Jak doesn't speak and we have to rely on Daxter's witty observations to get a sense of what Jak may be thinking or feeling. Being best friends they are apparently at the stage where they can practically read each other's minds.

Precursor Legacy is more about discovering and unlocking the hidden abilities that Jak has stowed away in his genes and learning more about what kind of world they come from, which comes in handy once you get to the ending and start up the second game (which picks up right where it left off, pretty much).

Dante's Inferno: Heresy, sixth circle of Hell

Electronic Arts and and Visceral Games' somewhat controversial game adaptation of Dante Alighieri's Dante's Inferno epic poem is out with a new video, this time focusing on the sixth circle of Hell: Heresy.

In this video the developers talk about designing the level and how important it was to incorporate the religious contexts from the poem into this particular level. They also talk about how your choices as Dante- to save a soul or condemn them- change the way you fight in the game and how, like real life, weighing the pros and cons of your choices can be a burden.

 This morality meter is not uncommon in games, having been integrated into both Fable games (Lionhead Studios) and partially in Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks), as well as Bioshock (2k Games) and Mass Effect (Bioware). It makes for a unique game experience every time you play and is certainly something that should be seen in more games.

Look for the demo on PSN and Xbox Live sometime next month. The game is set to be released February 9th, 2010.

Via Kotaku: Dante's Inferno Heresy level looks hot.

Portland gamers, looking for a job? Come to Ground Kontrol!

Via an informal invitation sent to the Portland Mercury on Monday, InstantAction.com has announced an event they will be holding at Grount Kontrol, a class arcade game venue in NW Portland.

This Wednesday, November 11th from 6-9pm, IA  will be hosting an RSVP-only event at Ground Kontrol for any and all interested gamers who are looking for work. It's not only a good opportunity for talented individuals to find a job in an industry they enjoy, but you'll also connect with your fellow gamers with the help of the free refreshments and open bar.

InstantAction.com is a game company that specializes in web-based games ranging from action to puzzler to FPS. Sign-up is completely free and you have the opportunity to play alongside other IA members or unregistered guests in real-time as well as engage in discussions in the forum.

Any inquiries should be sent to Ian at iant @ garagegames.com for RSVP information and details.

[Source]

Founder of San Diego Comic Con Passes Away - San Diego 6

Founder of San Diego Comic Con Passes Away - San Diego 6

Yes, sad but true, he is gone. Though I never met him, I can thank him for opening my eyes to the wonders of a convention and how it can bring you close to those that you admire and, in some case, worship, without seeming too creepy. Mostly because there is always someone else to out-creep you, and that makes me feel better about myself.

I've only attended SDCC once and it was a mind-blowing experience. One that I still haven't fully recorded in written format, but if you'd like to read the first and only production of my elusive SDCC review, you can find it at Re:Generator: SDCC in the eyes of a small girl.

Perhaps at the passing of it's founding father, I may revisit my adventures at San Diego Comic Con one last time and post a op-ed memoir, one that will confuse and baffle and maybe make little sense. We'll see.

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