Gregarius » Items by Game|Life Blog

Vivaty Scenes Taps Facebook, AIM for 'Immersive Internet'

Posted: July 8th, 2008, 2:02pm CDT by Game|Life

A new service lets users build tiny virtual worlds that they can decorate with video and images imported from YouTube, Facebook and other websites.

'Force Unleashed': Destroying TIE Fighters With My Brain

Posted: July 7th, 2008, 10:00am CDT by Game|Life

The Star Wars galaxy comes alive in an upcoming battery of games. Each version is artfully tweaked so the gameplay makes the most of the platform.

Video: Pac-Man, Space Invaders Laser Body Mods

Posted: July 4th, 2008, 11:45pm CDT by Game/Life

Forget tattoos. These days all the cool kids are using high speed laser etching machines to burn gaming icons onto their appendages.

First DC Universe Online Art Unveiled

Posted: July 4th, 2008, 11:30pm CDT by Game/Life

The first batch of media from the upcoming DC Universe Online MMO emerge courtesy of the game's MySpace page.

Hideo Kojima's Top 5 Memorable Games

Posted: July 4th, 2008, 1:57pm CDT by Game|Life

The maestro of pixelated sneaking lists his top five memorable games and, weirdly, his own 'Metal Gear Solid' made the cut.

Led Zeppelin Won't Lend Music to Rhythm Games

Posted: July 4th, 2008, 12:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Despite the success of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, you won't see Led Zeppelin's iconic tunes pop up in either game any time soon. The band isn't comfortable giving gaming companies access to the group's master recordings -- a necessary step in adding the band to any game.

Elf-Serving and Troll-Surfing in 'Too Human' Co-Op

Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 12:53pm CDT by Game|Life

A seamless multiplayer mode turns the action RPG into a much meatier experience than playing alone.

'Metal Gear Solid 4': The Spoiler-Filled Review

Posted: July 3rd, 2008, 12:32pm CDT by Game|Life

Solid Snake stars in a cinematics-filled stunner that pushes the movie-videogame hybrid to new heights.

Preview: A Hilariously Gross Take on 'Grimm' Fairy Tales

Posted: July 2nd, 2008, 12:56pm CDT by Game|Life

American McGee's new episodic game dispatches a disgusting, disgruntled gnome to befoul the world and take classic stories back to their dark roots.

Review: 'Trauma Center 2' Is Routine Surgery

Posted: July 1st, 2008, 4:58pm CDT by Game|Life

The medical game returns to Nintendo DS with a true-to-the-franchise update. Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 is better than the original, to be sure, but its heart is in the same place.

Inside 'Neopets' Creators' Ambitious New MMO

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 5:25pm CDT by Game|Life

The as-yet-unnamed project from Meteor Games creatively blurs the line between massively multiplayer action and social networking.

Rating the Games-on-Demand Services

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 5:06pm CDT by Game|Life

Xbox Live Arcade vs. WiiWare vs. PlayStation Store -- it's a three-way smackdown for best digital delivery system.

Here's the Lowdown on PS3's Big Firmware Update

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 9:20am CDT by Game|Life

Gamers talk and Sony listens: PlayStation 3 will now include support for custom soundtracks, Trophies and, most importantly, the ability to open system menus while running a game.

Preview: 'Too Human' Is Over in 10 Short Hours

Posted: June 30th, 2008, 7:00am CDT by Game|Life

With this complex action RPG about Norse gods, the makers of Eternal Darkness drive you to the edge of a cliff, then leave you hanging.

Review: 'Operation Darkness' Succeeds Despite Flaws

Posted: June 27th, 2008, 3:41pm CDT by Game|Life

Nazis team up with zombies and vampires to crank up the freak factor in this World War II strategy role-playing game for Xbox 360.

Q&A: 90 Minutes With Miyamoto, Nintendo's Master of Amusement

Posted: June 27th, 2008, 1:35pm CDT by Game|Life

The man who blessed the world with Donkey Kong, Mario and the incredible Wii opens the door to his game-changing imagination. Wired.com interview by Chris Kohler and Clive Thompson.

Japan's Cult Retro-Gaming TV Show Debuts in English

Posted: June 26th, 2008, 12:20pm CDT by Game|Life

Two episodes of Game Center CX get translated for an American audience, and the hit show's even more humorous when you can understand what Shinya Arino is saying.

Hands-On: User-Gen Xbox Games Are Rough But Promising

Posted: June 25th, 2008, 4:40pm CDT by Game|Life

Microsoft's XNA Creators Club makes it simple for indie developers to craft and distribute Xbox 360 titles. Most of the videogames are only half-baked, but the service shows definite promise.

'Guitar Hero' for the Blind and for the Wii

Posted: June 24th, 2008, 10:56am CDT by Game|Life

Everybody wants to be a fake ax slinger, and researcher Eelke Folmer makes the videogame accessible for those who can't see the screen.

Save Money, Go Adventuring With Japanese RPG Piggy Bank

Posted: June 23rd, 2008, 3:51pm CDT by Game|Life

BankQuest, a castle-shaped repository for loose change, makes fun the coin of the realm.

Paris Hilton Parody Curbs 'WoW' Gold Inflation

Posted: June 19th, 2008, 12:25pm CDT by Game | Life

A mock character modeled on the hotel heiress is sells high-end bags and jewelry to free players of their excess cash.

Review: 'Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard' Brings Back That Old-School Masochism

Posted: June 18th, 2008, 4:30pm CDT by Game | Life

The Nintendo DS game's archaic gameplay and high level of difficulty will prove too frustrating for some players. But for others, it's a heady combo.

'Metal Gear Solid 4' and the Marriage of Movies and Games

Posted: June 17th, 2008, 12:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Solid Snake's twisty cinematic scenes sideline gameplay for minutes at a time -- and that's a good thing. MGS4 director Hideo Kojima pushes his hybrid storytelling franchise to the limit.

Review: 'Political Machine 2008' Makes Politics Fun

Posted: June 16th, 2008, 5:42pm CDT by Game|Life

Get ready to peddle some influence as you put your candidate through the paces in a PC game that puts a bobble-headed face on the political process.

'Guitar Hero' Storms the Stage at Isle of Wight Festival

Posted: June 11th, 2008, 11:10pm CDT by Game|Life

Gamers with the best skills will find themselves on the same stage -- and the same giant video screens -- as The Sex Pistols and other big acts at the three-day show.

Hands-On: The 'Spore' Creature Creator

Posted: June 11th, 2008, 2:40pm CDT by Game | Life

Five fun minutes with the first component of the evolution game, Spore, gives a glimpse of the addictive power Will Wright's got up his God-like sleeve.

Opinion: MMOs Need a Wii

Posted: June 7th, 2008, 2:00pm CDT by Game/Life

Game/Life's Earnest Cavalli wonders when we will see an MMO that completely changes the industry.

Age of Conan's Player-Vs.-Player Combat a Blessing, Curse

Posted: June 5th, 2008, 6:40pm CDT by Game | Life

Your wait is over. Age of Conan delivers with a new combat system enabling player vs. player gaming.

Sandra Day O'Connor: Game Designer

Posted: June 4th, 2008, 7:20pm CDT by Game|Life

The first female Supreme Court justice in the United States is lending her penchant for civic life to a new videogame project in which players "step into the shoes of a judge, a legislator, an executive."

Review: 'Ninja Gaiden II' Gets Combat Right, Everything Else Wrong

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 5:15pm CDT by Game|Life

Brutal, bloody and innovative, the new Xbox 360 title scores points for its gory gameplay. But the rest of the package is as disappointing as a dull shuriken.

Video: Sony Leans on User-Generated Content for E3

Posted: June 3rd, 2008, 1:00pm CDT by Game|Life

PixelJunk Eden, Buzz and LittleBigPlanet offer a peek at the game company's strategy.

Review: 'Enemy Territory: Quake Wars' Lacks Originality

Posted: June 2nd, 2008, 8:42pm CDT by Game | Life

Great graphics, killer AI can't elevate the game beyond the tried and true.

Japan's Hotshot Game Designers Bet on Indie Gore

Posted: May 30th, 2008, 5:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Upstart videogame developer Platinum Games goes against the grain, creating a gory Wii game, a complicated space adventure for Nintendo DS and other glorious wonders.

Review: Book Defends 'This Gaming Life'

Posted: May 30th, 2008, 1:45pm CDT by Game|Life

Author Jim Rossignol makes a case for videogames' amazing potential in a world filled with doubters.

'Spore' Creature Stage Pictured, Detailed

Posted: May 28th, 2008, 6:55pm CDT by Game|Life

Crawling out of the primordial goo and gathering DNA points -- that's evolution, Will Wright-style.

Video: Inside the Musee Mecanique

Posted: May 28th, 2008, 10:15am CDT by Game|Life

Vintage arcade attractions lured protogamers with hangings, nudie shots and other lurid subjects, a penny at a time. Take a tour of San Francisco's museum of classic amusements.

'Mass Effect' Gets a Makeover for PC

Posted: May 27th, 2008, 7:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Better visuals and increased customization options make the new release even better than the Xbox 360 version. BioWare bigwigs deliver the lowdown on the upgrade.

Review: 'Pokemon Mystery Dungeon' Is Charming but Dull

Posted: May 27th, 2008, 1:00pm CDT by Game|Life

This cute little Nintendo DS game flips the franchise on its head, letting you play a pocket monster.

Microsoft: Don't Cut Off That Long Tail

Posted: May 24th, 2008, 11:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Microsoft has said that it will begin to delete unpopular Xbox games from their digital download service. Haven't they ever heard of the Long Tail?

Review: 'LostWinds' WiiWare Game Is Sweet, but Very Short

Posted: May 23rd, 2008, 9:30am CDT by Game|Life

Engrossing gameplay, novel use of the Wiimote, flute-filled soundtrack -- riding the wind was never so much fun. Too bad the ride ends so quickly.

Music Game Wars Heat Up -- What's the Plan for 'Rock Band 2'?

Posted: May 22nd, 2008, 6:30pm CDT by Game | Life

From adding extra controllers to enabling in-game song creation, rock-oriented videogames are cranking up the competition.

Review: 'Penny Arcade Adventures' Works It Out

Posted: May 21st, 2008, 10:00am CDT by Game|Life

The webcomic's creators deliver a thoroughly amusing game that mixes Final Fantasy fun with hilarious jokes.

Video: Fitness Expert Offers 'Wii Fit' Tips

Posted: May 19th, 2008, 6:50pm CDT by Game | Life

Nintendo pops for a personal trainer to talk up the new exergame for Wii. Plus: Flea markets yield amazing retro-gaming finds.

Q&A: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto Talks 'Wii Fit'

Posted: May 19th, 2008, 2:30pm CDT by Game | Life

The game-design guru who talks about turning an exotic bathroom scale into a groundbreaking exergame.

'Gears of War 2' Will Be More 'Girlfriend-Friendly'

Posted: May 19th, 2008, 1:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Tweaking the Xbox 360 shooter for casual gamers means adding new weapons -- and downsizing female characters' breasts.

Review: 'Wii Fit' Works, but Could Shape Up

Posted: May 19th, 2008, 9:00am CDT by Game|Life

Nintendo's new exercise game injects a little fun into yoga and traditional exercises, and might help gamers shed a few pounds. But it's definitely going to help the game company bulk up its bank account.

Microsoft's Bid for Family-Friendly Xbox Games

Posted: May 13th, 2008, 10:50am CDT by Game|Life

With Halo and Gears of War, Microsoft's got the grown-up gamer covered. Now its British studio, Rare, is tasked with a more difficult challenge: Making games that kids and parents can both enjoy.

Wired.com's WiiWare Launch Guide

Posted: May 12th, 2008, 12:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Wondering what WiiWare to buy? Read Wired.com's full impressions of all the titles that launched with Nintendo's new games-on-demand service.

Nintendo Taps U.S. Indie Talent in Search of WiiWare Hits

Posted: May 10th, 2008, 5:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Japanese gaming visionary Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo says the most unique videogames come from America. Nintendo's games-on-demand download service launches Monday, and the company shifts its focus from Japanese studios to U.S. garage developers to find the next brilliant game.

Mom's Day Gifts for Gamer Mums

Posted: May 9th, 2008, 11:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Whether your mom likes adventure, nostalgia or "cute" we can recommend games for her. The only question is, how well do you know your mom?

Verbinski to Direct 'BioShock' Film

Posted: May 9th, 2008, 12:00pm CDT by Game|Life

The Pirates of the Caribbean director gets set to train his lens on a much creepier underwater world.

'Grand Theft Auto IV' by the Numbers

Posted: May 7th, 2008, 4:30pm CDT by Game|Life

With $500 million in sales, a $300,000 lawsuit and one restraining order, Rockstar Games' record-smashing sequel is giving the competition a fierce beating.

Nintendo Channel Stealth-Launches, Wants Your Info

Posted: May 7th, 2008, 3:00pm CDT by Game | Life

The U.S. version of the Wii online service quietly goes live. It gives players Nintendo news, game trailers and the opportunity to send the Japanese gamemaker plenty of personal information.

'Mass Effect' for PC Includes Serious Security Measures

Posted: May 6th, 2008, 2:00pm CDT by Game|Life

An aggravating online activation routine is just the beginning. A host of buzz-killing antipiracy tactics will be woven into the upcoming game.

Wired's 'Boom Blox' Blowout

Posted: May 6th, 2008, 10:00am CDT by Game|Life

Interviews, screenshots, gameplay video and a review of the hot new Wii game from Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts.

Review: Spielberg's 'Boom Blox' Rocks

Posted: May 5th, 2008, 11:45pm CDT by Game|Life

The new game hits the Wii's sweet spot, delivering explosive fun for casual players and addictive gameplay for hard-core videogame freaks.

Video: Why 'Boom Blox' Rocks and 'Mario Kart Wii' Doesn't

Posted: May 5th, 2008, 11:00pm CDT by Game|Life

Some gamemakers really work the Wii, teasing the most possible fun from Nintendo's white-hot console. Others don't, and sometimes a promising franchise gets driven into the ditch.

Review: 'Mario Kart Wii' Skids Way Off the Road

Posted: May 2nd, 2008, 11:00pm CDT by Game|Life

A great game franchise gets dumbed down for the world's most fun console, and is basically ruined in the process. It's a rare miss for Nintendo.