Valve Offers PC. Mac Versions Of Portal Free (As An Educational Tool)

Posted on September 17, 2011 by geelw

Valve is always doing some rather fun stuff with their older games, and now they’re giving educators a chance to share one of the coolest puzzle games ever with their classes without paying a dime for it. Even better, it’s supposed to be for purely “educational” purposes, meaning it would be awesome if some clever teacher out there actually downloaded this for a class and used it in a lesson plan. All you need is a Steam account and a PC or MAC capable of running the game and boom, you’re in. This offer expires on September 20, 2011, so act fast. Hopefully Valve will extend this deal a bit longer. Click on over to Learn With Portals and prepare to be schooled in more ways than one.

Gamecom 2011: Counter Strike: Global Offensive Announced For 2012

Posted on August 12, 2011 by geelw

Boom! It looks live Valve has done it again, stealing the thunder from an important games trade show with a big announcement. “What big announcement?”, you say (ignoring the headline) Oh, a BIG announcement like the return of one of the seminal multiplayer online shooters (and greatest game mods) ever created. Awesome news, but I still have to add a “Hmmmmmm…” here. That's all fine and dandy… but I really, REALLY want to see Left 4 Dead hit the PS3. As in on a disc with BOTH games and all the additional DLC along for the ride plus some cool fill up a Blu-Ray disc bonuses. Maybe one day… I'll wait.

For now, I'll just practice my screaming like an upset toddler because I completely stink at Counter-Strike… “Waaaaaaaah!!!” press release below the jump, by the way.Read more »

Random Game of the Week: FOTONICA

Posted on July 27, 2011 by geelw

Indie game development is all the rage these days to the point that it’s changed the way games are made and marketed (some would say for the worse in the long run, but I don’t agree and that’s another article for another time). I often play way too many of these when I should be doing more important things, but it’s always great to discover buried treasures before they get uncovered by the usual suspects and dragged out into the sunlight for all to play as some sort of next big thing.

Anyway, Santa Ragione’s spectacular FOTONICA was recommended by a friend and I’m glad I took his advice. It’s a simple, one button game with a stylized look and fast-paced, but easy to grasp gameplay you’ll want to experience for yourself. PC and Mac compatible the game is also a free download (but there’s a suggested ‘pay what you want’ donation I’d suggest you use just to support the developer). Anyway, enough blabbing from me. I’ve a busy day ahead – go play a game today!

Portal 2 On The PS3: Valve Makes More Than Good On That Promise…

Posted on January 18, 2011 by geelw

Well, Portal 2 on the PS3 has moved on up from last year's intriguing “Is it EVEN possible?” E3 announcement to a “Holy Cats… they actually went and did it!” must-buy experience. PS3, PC and Mac cross-platform gameplay as well as Steam functionality over PSN and a REALLY (really) cool freebie for truly dedicated players? Looks as if Sony's console gets the best version after all.

Er, now about Left 4 Dead & L4D2 on the console… (just nod if they're coming – I won't tell a soul)…

Press release below the jump (and no, there's no cake at the end for reading the entire post… well, not for YOU at least).

Tiny & Big in: Up That Mountain – Black Pants’ Instant (Even As A Work In Progress) Classic

Posted on January 14, 2011 by geelw

I absolutely love independent games and this year's crop of IGF 2011 entrants and finalists just may be the most creative to date. From the super-popular and amazingly successful Minecraft or Super Meat Boy, innovative gems such as Desktop Dungeons, Amnesia: The Dark Descent and more, there's something for every taste (as well as plenty of games a non-gamer would try). A few of the nicer surprises have been the as yet unfinished projects that show off some amazing innovation in visuals as well as gameplay.

For me, the best example of this is the beta demo of Tiny and Big in: Up That Mountain, developer Black Pants Game Studio's wonderfully fresh and funny episodic 3D adventure/platformer (for PC, Mac and Linux) that features stunning comic-styled visuals and excellently implemented game mechanics that are simple to understand while allowing for a number of ways to tackle environment navigation. The current demo build is a bit raw and definitely needs more work, but what's here will make you crack a smile that lasts for as long as you're playing.

Review: Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Posted on January 5, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PC/Mac/Linux

Developer: Frictional Games

Publisher: Frictional Games

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A

If you think a good survival horror game involves big guns and running around shooting monsters ’til the cows come home, you really don’t know much about the genre at all. There’s a distinct difference between scooting around with a big grin ready to take on all comers and being too damn terrified to move, but being forced to because you have no choice but to do so or die. Based out of Helsingborg, Sweden, indie developer/publisher Frictional Games has been quietly crafting some truly terrifying horror experiences that go above and beyond the “expected” genre cliches. From 2006 to 2009, there were the three excellently frightening Penumbra games, first-person horror/adventures with great physics-based puzzles and death lurking where it was least expected. Their latest work, Amnesia: The Dark Descent should put them on the map and in the minds of more gamers who crave an innovative, purely fear-filled and brutally direct horror experience. If you want to play a game that will have you sleeping with under the bed with the lights on, a baseball bat, guard dog and security blanket, this one’s for you.

Continue reading →

Fate of the World Is In YOUR Hands (provided you pre-order, that is…)

Posted on November 29, 2010 by geelw

Red Redemption Games wants you to help save the world… or destroy it (I guess it's nice to have a choice sometimes, isn't it?). Fate of the World, The developer's follow-up to BBC Climate Challenge is an intriguing looking global strategy game, is now available for pre-order on PC or Mac (which also nets you an option to beta test the game). The full press release lies below the jump. You have to love (or at least want to check out) a game with a logo that looks just like a tattoo design, that's for sure…

Frictional Games Offers Amnesia & Penumbra at Scary Savings!

Posted on October 30, 2010 by geelw

Boooooooo… but a big fat Yay! if you LOVE scary games AND excellent bargains. Frictional Games is having a weekend sale on two (actually four) amazingly scary games. Boogieman on over the their online store and score their latest survival horror release, Amnesia: The Dark Descent or The Penumbra Collection (a three game series) for a measly TEN DOLLARS.
Read more »

SplitFish To Debut New FRAGFX Controller Series for PlayStation 3, MAC, PC On 11/1

Posted on September 8, 2010 by geelw

I've been a fan of SplitFish's unique game controllers since the PS2 days, so it's cool to see the company continuing to update their innovative technology and drop an even more improved product onto the scene. Here's info on the next generation of FRAGFX controllers set to hit retail this November.

Avernum VI Released, Grand Time-Suck Begins Worldwide…

Posted on March 4, 2010 by geelw

That Tardis-like sound you’re hearing on occasion as you stroll about isn’t your tinnitus going haywire. That’s the sound of pure time energy being vaporized as people download and play Spiderweb Software’s supremely addictive new RPG, Avernum 6. What, you don’t believe me? Hmmmmm. Go download the PC or Mac demo and see for yourself. Have a great time, but maybe remind friends and family of what you’re doing, as you won’t be coming up for air any time soon…