Posted on 19 August 2010
Filed under: Video Games, Columns
It may not be Halloween yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spend some time haunting and hunting amongst the monsters and the freaks. This week, we’ll find out why sandworms are the new zombies (and why zombies aren’t quite played out yet), we’ll try to survive on desert islands (without the aid of any soccer ball companions), we’ll turn slack-jawed yokels into canned food, and we’ll delve into gaming madness with the Panopea generosa (i.e., the King Clam, one of the strangest game protagonists we’ve ever encountered). All for free, and all at your desk. You’re welcome.
Continue reading Games on the Go: Zombies, Aliens and Monsters… Oh My!
Games on the Go: Zombies, Aliens and Monsters… Oh My! originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted on 14 August 2010
Filed under: Video Games, Google, Web
Here’s a cute little timewaster for Gmail fans: ‘Galactic Inbox.’ The premise is simple: You control a mighty winged Gmail envelope tasked with disposing an onslaught of baddies, including cans of what we presume are a major brand of luncheon meat. You blast your way until you meet the boss, a birdcage with spiked balls for arms holding other Gmail envelopes hostage. Your goal, obviously, is to destroy this message-hoarding meanie and free your little brother and sister envelopes. Impressively, the whole thing is coded in HTML5. For the best experience, it’s highly recommended that you use either Google Chrome or the Firefox 4 beta, otherwise playing might be more like watching a slide show. [From: Gmail Blog and Monocubed]
Gmail Saves the Universe in ‘Galactic Inbox’ originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted on 07 August 2010
Filed under: Video Games, Web
If you’re looking for a way to blow off work (or recover from that marathon session of ‘StarCraft II’), there’s now a sequel to everybody’s favorite meta-flash game, and, yes, it has even more possible achievements than the original.
‘Achievement Unlocked 2′ stars everybody’s favorite blue elephant as it runs, jumps, dies, stands still, avoids death by spikes, collects coins and
performs other mundane tasks in order to attain the 250 in-game achievements. The game basically lampoons the achievement-based design of countless other games, but, of course, its genius is that it makes you
want to accomplish every one of its achievements. We’re ashamed to admit it, but we’re hooked — once again. There’s nothing quite like a game that makes you feel good about doing nothing at all. [From:
Kotaku and
Armor Games, via:
Rock, Paper Shotgun]
Continue reading ‘Achievement Unlocked 2′ Revives the Blue Elephant for Time Wasting Fun
‘Achievement Unlocked 2′ Revives the Blue Elephant for Time Wasting Fun originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted on 02 July 2010
Filed under: Video Games, Playroom
Color is all around us, but it’s something we can easily take for granted. The games we play are, almost without exception, in color, and it’s something that rarely interferes with our gaming experience. Some games, however, choose to make color a focal point. When it comes to design, that can mean lush and vibrant worlds. When it comes to gameplay, it can mean a challenge as mind-warping as the
Stroop Effect. Today, we’ll take a look at games that focus on color in a variety of ways, but a word of warning to the color blind: You may want to sit this week’s picks out.
If you, anyone you know, or a game you love is a great candidate for our independent Flash games round-up, email the author at bend@switched.com.
Continue reading Games on the Go: All the Colors of the ‘Bow
Games on the Go: All the Colors of the ‘Bow originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted on 25 June 2010
Filed under: Video Games
The rules of physics define the world in which we live. Every movement we make, be it clumsy or balletic, is defined by these mathematical rules. However, since the inception of video games, developers have been synthesizing and transforming these rules, creating alternate physical realms. Game developers must constantly warp established laws of nature to suit their whims, from the languorous lilt of ‘Pong’ to Mario’s uncanny vertical leaps. While we may marvel at the physical reactions of virtual avatars in games like ‘Grand Theft Auto IV,’ some games’ raison d’être is alternate physical reality, itself. Today, we’ll round up games that make physics the star of the show.
Continue reading Games on the Go: Let’s Get Physical
Games on the Go: Let’s Get Physical originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Posted on 18 June 2010
Filed under: Video Games, Playroom
As a medium, video games have a plethora of ways to tell a compelling story, especially with the advances of technology and the acceptance of more experimental design choices. In the ’70s, gamers craving context had to create their own internal narrative for ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Asteroids’. By the time the home console market had exploded, game manuals and limited in-game cut scenes began to provide the barest of plot elements (e.g. ‘Bionic Commando’s’ infamous in-manual story setup). In recent years games like ‘Metal Gear Solid’ have shown us that games can emulate the cinematic flair of Hollywood, or, in the case of ‘Shadow of the Colossus’, use purely experiential methods to evoke emotion, mood and develop plot. Today, we’ll take a look at a variety of storytelling methods and their effect on game play.
Continue reading Games on the Go: The Art of Storytelling
Games on the Go: The Art of Storytelling originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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