games
I had originally intended to write one development diary chronicling my experiences as a first-time game developer at TOJam, but one article simply couldn’t contain everything that happened throughout the weekend. What follows is consequently the first in a three-part series telling the story of Apocalypse Later, a new adventure game about an ineffectual child hellbent on global domination.
Starhawk Review
Starhawk, from LightBox Interactive and Sony Santa Monica, is an ambitious game that combines several genres in an attempt to create a unique experience for gamers. Unfortunately, Starhawk seems content with stuffing its well-crafted and genre-bending gameplay into a very standard — and safe— game with few surprises and little ingenuity in terms of game modes and game types.
Diablo III Midnight Launch in Toronto
On Monday, gaming fans lined up in front of electronics and gaming stores to await the midnight launch of Diablo III. Gamers had been waiting more than 12 years since the last installment devoured the lives of millions, so what was another 12 or so hours?
Gravity Rush Preview
Gravity Rush boasts gorgeous visuals, beautiful comic-book/anime style cutscenes, and an intuitive touchscreen world-map, and could be just the kind of game Sony needs to promote in order to entice gamers to pick up a Vita.
Game of Thrones: The Game Preview
In many ways, GoT:TG has more in common with George Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire books than the HBO drama. Still, the developers managed to work in the likenesses of some of the characters from the show offering a little continuity between the game and the HBO series.
Interview: Game of Thrones: The Game
Given the success of HBO's Game of Thrones series, it's probably no surprise that a videogame is also in the works. What might surprise you, however, is that Game of Thrones: The Game has been in development for more than seven years.
Papo & Yo Preview
During PlayStation's 2012 Spring Showcase we had a chance to talk with Charles-William Bibaud, Line Producer on Papo & Yo, about the development of the game, its unique narrative, and the challenges of trying to translate lived experiences into an interactive medium.
Sony PlayStation Spring Showcase Impressions
Sony showed off its best wares for the upcoming summer season, including its front-line exclusive games leading up to next month’s E3. First, we’re taking a look at three of Sony’s marquee titles for the next quarter of 2012: Starhawk, Sorcery and Resistance: Burning Skies.
TOJam 2012 Day One
TCAF may have been crazy, but it’s nothing compared to the encore. TOJam 2012 is currently underway and I’m getting a crash course in game design in one of the most intense creative environments imaginable.
Toronto Comic-Con Photos: Part 1
For the first part of our Comic-Con roundup, we're highlighting the fans who dressed especially for the occasion, in costumes based on our favourite comics, video games and television shows.
Interview: Game Jam: The Documentary
After participating in one such game jam as a sound designer, Troy Morrissey felt that he just had to do more to contribute to the Toronto development community. He’s now directing Game Jam: The Documentary, a film that attempts to chronicle the unique experience of the Game Jam both in Toronto and beyond.
Thought Bubble: PlayStation Vita
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with the PlayStation Vita at a Sony event in Toronto, but I’ve avoided the standard review/preview because I honestly don’t feel like I have anything noteworthy to contribute. I do, however, have a few thoughts about the Vita’s prospects and – to put it bluntly – I have my doubts about the handheld’s viability as a platform.
Interview: forallgamerssake Curator Jaime Woo
Jaime Woo is best known to Toronto gamers as one of the co-founders of Gamercamp, but he’s recently expanded his organizational portfolio with forallgamerssake, an art exhibit that seeks to explore the roles of gender and queerness in video games. We spoke with Jaime prior to the exhibit’s debut at the CSI Annex in Toronto, and what follows is a frequently hilarious and consistently uncompromising conversation about equality and representation in games, with detours for everything from Mass Effect 3 to condom warfare.
Gears of War 3: Fenix Rising DLC Impressions
This past week the newest Gears of War 3 DLC, entitled Fenix Rising, became available for download on Xbox Live. The DLC features several new character skins, five new maps, and a new leveling system for those who just cannot get enough of Gears 3. For 800 Microsoft points Fenix Rising offers some decent content but not everyone will use all the features available for download.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Review
Are 12 new characters, additional modes and updates enough to justify a $40 disc release 10 months after its predecessor? How will the changes to the previous characters affect the high-level tournament scene? And what the hell is a raccoon doing with a repeater cannon?