Each and every year E3 brings about the biggest gaming announcements of the year and this year appears to be no exception. With the Wii U coming later this year, the 3DS and Vita picking up steam, and the next generation looming on the horizon, we're surely going to see some megatons dropped. But what will they be?
After over a decade of waiting it’s time again to pick up our banners and battle the horrors of Hell in Diablo 3. Many have been preparing for this battle for years; however, if you’ve yet to play a Diablo game before you may want to brush up on some quick tips and tricks before heading to face the vast armies of Demonic Hell Spawn. Fear not fellow travelers, with a few simple tricks and tips we’ll turn you from Noob to Nephalem. I dare say, not even Diablo himself will be safe from your wrath!
You ever feel like part of you was missing? Well that’s how we felt here at PixlTalk without our cohort Jesse ‘the Jammer’ Miller, but it’s all good now … because he’s back! Alright maybe we’re being a bit dramatic, but it’s good to have him back with the Hell Block Heroes. He couldn’t have picked a better time; its pre E3 week and you know what that means – strap in everyone – we’re heading to speculation station!
That's right, this week's PB & Jason talks about E3. The big event is coming up next week. How will you prepare for all the press conferences, demos, pictures, videos, and interviews? By listening to PB & Jason, of course! Long lines are covered, tiny bit of swag, a question of parties, too. The 90's shows are discussed, as are the later shows and micro-E3s of years gone. Hear the technicalities behind receiving a media badge and attending the show in this very exciting PB & Jason! Oh, right. There's a little bit of talk about the Zelda Symphony tour (Guess who's attending?), Mario Tennis Open, and Diablo III, too, so stay tuned for that near the end!
With the deluge of games being released all year long, none of us can complain about not having anything to play. But therein lies another problem: trying to keep up with all of the great games out there. The big releases with primetime TV ads are hard to miss, but it’s easy to overlook the little guys that can be just as, if not more fun than their bigger AAA cousins.
Here at PixlBit we try to report news and provide articles with as little bias as possible, but sometimes we just have to let loose and just let our true feelings be known on a particular subject. It is in this spirit that we introduce “Rage Quit,” a new series that will see one of the PixlBit staffers go off without having to worry about the little things like common decency.
Various technical difficulties, internet ghosts, and Rob operating at 40% capacity can’t stop the Tri-Force crew from making their appointed podcast rounds. This week, we are joined by a very special guest—John Gholson from movies.com! He joins the rest of the crew for a veritable smorgasbord of sumptuous geekery. We also answer your questions, talk about what we’ve been playing, get into some movie discussion, and throw some comic book love your way.
Join us in this PlayBit special as we show just how fun the demonic uprising can be. Get ready and grab some popcorn cause the action starts at 9 EST tonight!
Earlier this month Treyarch released the surprising official reveal trailer of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Fans and Critics alike commended Treyarch’s futuristic vision. No longer pitted in the cliché recesses of historic conflicts, Black Ops 2 looks to share its vision of the future, and it’s one loaded with lethal robots! However, while the change of scenery certainly is refreshing, I can’t help but wonder – Is it really that different?
Why so serious? That’s what the Joker would ask us if he’s listened to our last few podcasts. So this week we decided to take a step back, get off our pedestals and just talk about games. We take a look at some recent titles such as Diablo III, and some older ones as well. Esteban also talks about how he finally gave in and played League of Legends (and you should too!). In addition we take a quick look at what’s in store for gamers in the future discussing; the Elder Scrolls MMO announcement, God of War’s heresy with adding multiplayer, and the strange amalgamation of PlayStation characters known only as PS All Stars.
This issue of PB & Jason is about downloadable content. Specifically, Capcom fighting game DLC. If you're not familiar with Capcom and their recent fighting game issues, let me paint the picture: They've conditioned many of their fans to hold out on buying the first edition of a title, since an upgraded version with bug fixes, balance adjustments, and new characters is often on the horizon. More than that, they've locked content on discs behind pay-walls, then reacted with surprise when they learned gamers weren't happy buying a game and then being charged a second time for content already on the disc. In PB & Jason, I take a look at a serious alternative, suggesting a few benefits that could be had for all involved. Oh, and don't forget all the talk about Tales of Graces f and new, used, and backwards-compatible PlayStation 3s! Join me for the best PB & Jason for this week ever! Click through for the download links.
It's time for another Tri-Force edition of PixlTalk! This week, we read your questions, spend some time talking about The Avengers, Call of Duty Black Ops 2, and Diablo III. Then, we head into the tabernacle and discuss the Holy of Holies. Well, not exactly, but we do talk about religion, gaming, and personal beliefs and mantras that we go to when we play video games.
This week on PB & Jason: Tales of Graces f and Tales of Symphonia comparisons, the case of Miyamoto vs. the PlayStation Vita, disappointment with the PlayStation Suite program Sony is initiating, Capcom woes, Xbox subscriptions, and more! Join Jason in the best PB & Jason for this week ever! Click through for the download links.
I think it’s safe to say that most of us love music. Regardless of age, culture, or region music plays an integral part in our lives. It evokes such strong personal emotions yet appeals to such a wide audience. Why is it then – with music being such an important facet of our lives – that it often goes unnoticed when attached to other media forms?
The Sony fighter has been announced! Will it live up to its Nintendo counterpart? No one knows! That doesn't stop me from speculating. The important thing isn't whether or not it's a rip-off. What matters is that it's fun to play. Oh, right. I do talk about other things in this PB & Jason, I almost forgot. Remember Issue 84? In that issue, I talked a little bit about the fear of incentivizing game reviews on websites like Amazon.com with DLC. This week, I expand on the idea, presenting a few clearer reasons why such a thing could become harmful. I also discuss my take on the next-gen console rumors that they'll be made to prevent used games. You'll be surprised at the level of reason I can achieve when I can remain level-headed! You'll have to listen to learn the conclusion I draw, though. Click through for the download links!
The calendar says it's Friday and you know what that means. That’s right; it’s time for another fantastic installment of Missing in Action!
It's time for another installment of PixlTalk! Julian wrote a blog series about the future of video games, and that's the impetus for this discussion by the Tri-Force crew. Before that, we take some listener questions, talk some games we've been playing, what would be a good entry-level horror movie, and adventures in indie game store shopping.
Downloadable Content has been a mixed bag for the games industry. There are instances where it’s implemented beautifully into the game, helping to expand our favorite experiences, while at other times the games themselves have been compromised to make way for DLC. When is DLC a good thing? When is it dangerous to gaming? Find out this week on PixlTalk.
This week's PB & Jason covers a lot of ground. It starts with the shock of a popular two-month-old game that can be found at half its original retail price. It ends with a twisted DLC idea that could become the follow-up to retailer-exclusive DLC. In the middle? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Simpsons, PlayBits, New Super Mario Bros. Mii, Pikmin 3, and Nintendo's approach to DLC with the Wii U. To hear the podcast, you'll have to click through to find the podcast's download links.
Geek culture is changing, evolving. No longer banished to the recesses of poorly lit basements or the local comic book store, Geek culture is permeating into mainstream society. Social gaming has unlocked a whole new market of avid gamers, while ‘high profile geeks’ like Felicia Day and Will Wheaton are proving just how versatile we geeks can be.
Join Esteban, Angelo, Matt M., and Jason for a special Monday Night PlayBit. The four of us played a game we remember fondly from our collective childhoods, having grown up around ninjas, mutant turtles, arcades, and NESs. Our goal? Get as close to beating the XBLA version of the classic TMNT arcade game in one go with very limited lives. Spoiler Alert: On a trial run, the gang nearly made it to the end! Click through to find the replay from the live event!
What? We have to record another one of these already? Um, I guess that means you guys get to hear us talk about random geek crap, because we’re officially out of ideas.
Good thing, too, since you can find a lot of commentary on gaming news in this week's PB & Jason. Things like the real story of Peter Molyneux's departure from Lionhead Studios. Other things, like Sonic 4: Episode 2's Wii woes. Don't forget information on why Cliff Bleszinski thinks on-disc DLC is a necessary evil! Of course, there is more than all this in PB & Jason 83, but to hear the rest, you'll have to click through to find the podcast's download links.
Today Xenoblade Chronicles is available for purchase in the US thanks, in part, to Operation Rainfall. To mark the occasion, a few members of the PixlBit staff began a dialogue concerning the future of the movement and if it’s at all possible that Operation Rainfall could revive the west’s love for the Japanese RPG.