Seattle is known for two things: Rain, Coffee, and Microsoft. Well, that’s three things, but two of Seattle’s icons were out for the Gears of War 2 Release party in Bellevue, Washington. The Best Buy in Bellevue is just a stone’s throw from Microsoft’s Redmond campus, and was host to their previous Halo 3 launch [...]
Archive for Category: "Gaming Articles"
Mind-controlled gaming: Free your mind, and your character will follow!
If there were ever a gaming invention that would turn me into an addict, it would be the EPOC neuroheadset. A device that allows you to control games and even computer-operated devices with a simple thought from your conscious and even non-conscious brain. This little dandy can read electrical signals from the brain allowing you [...]
Champions Online Interview
Recently I had the chance to speak with Randy Mosiondz, lead designer for Champions Online about the pending Super Hero MMOPG that looks to be a true classic. OCMS: What is the background and setting of the game? RM: Champions Online is based on pen-and-power super-hero roleplaying game that’s been around since the early 80’s. [...]
The Lost Odyssey rant
Welcome to the Wrath of El Pato! No news this week, lets get right to today’s topic: THE WRATH IS ON LOST ODYSSEY AND BAD GAMING So I finished Lost Odyssey. Well, slaved away to the end would be more accurate. As much of an advocator of storytelling in video games that I am, this [...]
Guitar Hero World Tour vs. Rock Band 2
I am a self-confessed guitar-game junkie. So of course when Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour was announced, I was drooling with anticipation. Apparently so were many other people, because many stores opened at 12:01 on October 26th to sell the new Guitar Hero World Tour. Of course, Rock Band 2 came for the [...]
Ys? On DS? WHAAAAHOOOOO!!!
It’s about F**king time! I just read that Ys 1 and 2 are coming to america for the DS. I never played the remakes, but if the Turbo-Duo installments are any indication, I would be pre-ordering these awesome games right now. These are probably the only set of RPG’s that were on the calibur of [...]
Jack Thompson, Megaman, and Dragon Quest
Welcome one, welcome all, to the Wrath of El Pato. Yeah, it has been about three weeks since I wrote a column-my usual apologies. Work was such a nightmare that I was working 23 days straight with no day off. Anyways, I’ll just go off a few things happening lately and call it good. I…think…I’m [...]
Why PSP is better than iPhone
The Sony PSP and Apple’s iPhone are great little devices, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Apple is starting to tout the gaming capabilities of its portable device, and although there is no direct competition between the two, people are beginning to question the need for a dedicated portable gaming device. We all know that [...]
WoW Made Easy: Another Way to Find Your Way
It’s been a little while since I did a WoW article. Not that I stopped caring, I’ve just been preparing for an exam and dealing with assholes at work. Sometimes you just don’t have enough hours in the day to play around online. So I got the idea yesterday whilst running around looking for a [...]
Nerd Fitness: How to Eat Healthier When You’re Online
We all go through those days when getting away from the computer is just out of the question. There is always some game that has to be finished, a report that is due, or if you are like me you have to finish reviewing some product before the bossman unleashes fiery wrath. The problem is [...]
What the hell is wrong with girl gaming?
Girl Gaming is a joke. Many right now are thinking I’m performing career suicide by saying those words, but I’m merely exercising my first amendment. After watching the whole lackluster panel at PAX I think I am within my bounds to say it. Here, I’ll say it again: Girl Gaming is a joke. I’m not [...]
Warhammer Online Hands-On
Following the footsteps of World of Warcraft comes yet another MMORPG to grace the hard drive of your computer. For the casual gamer in all of us comes Warhammer Online. But is Warhammer simply a second-hand remake of Warcraft, or will it pack a mighty enough punch to make MMO history? Blending PVP and PVE, [...]
DemiGod Info From Mike Mari
While covering the PAX Expo in Seattle, I got a hands on look and interview with lead designer Mike Mari about the very impressive looking Demigod which is due this February. GVK: What is the background and setting for the game? MM: You are a half mortal half god offspring of the All Father. The [...]
Marty O’Donnell Interview – Audio Director, Bungie
Q. How did you get into gaming audio? What was your background originally? A. My fi rst career after getting my master’s in music composition from USC was as composer and audio producer for fi lm and television at a company I started with a long-time friend and writing partner, Mike Salvatori. I spent most [...]
Gears of War 2 Hands-On
If for no other reason, you should have been at PAX this year simply to play the game that is sure to be a monster success. Gears of War 2 was unleashed on us as a fully playable demo on the show floor. After a long, long wait I finally got my turn at the [...]
Pax 08 Keynote: Ken Levine
Ken Levine, creator of Bioshock, stood in front of hundreds tonight at PAX 2008 to give his keynote. After several minutes of applause, Ken took us down a journey from a geeky youth to a geeky adult who designs games for a living. Ken described being ashamed of his love for Dungeons and Dragons and [...]
Left 4 Dead at PAX 2008
Get ready for something…original. Left 4 Dead had a kiosk set up in PAX and we were fortunate enough to get our hands on it. The first thing you notice in the game is its constant attention to detail. The walls have phrases written on it that the developers said were there to help expand [...]
Wrath of the Lich King Info from Blizzard Booth
While at PAX I got the pleasure to visit the Blizzard booth and talk with them about the latest expansion for World of Warcraft, Wrath of the Lich King. Indeed this is going to be one that will leave devoted players clamoring for more, but aside from the new worlds, quests, instances and monsters, what [...]
Freezepop Interview
While at PAX 2008 I had the chance to meet with the synthpop band Freezepop. For those who don’t know, Freezepop’s music has been featured on every Guitar Hero game, and many other rhythm games, and have gathered quite a following. Their music is remarkably upbeat and the melodies catchy. Freezepop consists of three members: Liz Enthusiasm (Jussi [...]
News on Diablo 3 Straight from Blizzard Booth at PAX
During our coverage of the Penny Arcade (PAX) Expo in Seattle, I got the chance to stop by the Blizzard booth and talk to one of the talented people behind the pending Diablo 3. While our time was limited, I was able to get some information on the game. I want to thank Kacy for [...]
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