Dead Space thoughts

Dead Space is a cross format title - 360, PS3, PC - coming out in October and we got a sneak peek at how it's coming along and thought we'd share our thoughts with you. We were dubious about this title because it seemed whereas it could have been a creep fest, it appeared it was going to be just another monster shooter and to a degree that factor does remain true, however, Dead Space may well be more polished than we thought.

Dead Space has some really nice touches, not least of all is the lack of an onscreen HUD system. The HUD is integrated into the character in a clever way, so it's not a distracting feature on the screen whilst playing. Inventory too is a sort of holographic projection seen in real time by you and the protagonist (Isaac). Weapon upgrades in game are done by Isaac on a work bench and this is a neat touch, kind of like in BioShock when you're making things.

For the female gamer Isaac is obviously a guy (as usual don't all yawn at once), but there is Kendra (sadly not Shaw as that would have been awesome! - BSG fans know what we mean), she serves as your helper, though usually by voice only giving you updates etc.

Still not sure about that weird mining suit, but hey, this game overall is looking VERY nice indeed. We can't wait to get our hands on it for review.

Sexist gaming courtesy Ubisoft?

Are Ubisoft perpetuating gender issues within gaming and does this cause problems for the female gamer or actually help. It's a long convoluted question, but a very relevant one given the recent spate of Ubisoft developed and published titles that are specifically aimed at a gender specific market.

As female gamers it raises hackles to see another 'Raises a Baby' title, a bit like hearing a male gamer say 'get back in the kitchen bitch', because titles with such engendered negativity piss us off. That said it could also be argued - to play devils advocate a moment - that these titles actually aid the female gamer by introducing a new age group of female gamers that will be playing more mature titles in another 6 to 10 years.

Perhaps that's the thing, perhaps these lame ass titles Ubisoft are releasing of late will indeed hook in a new generation of female gamers, but to what end? When a gaming schedule release list has titles like: "Imagine: Baby club" and "Imagine: Dream Wedding" listed specifically under "Girl's Sim" and titles like: "Jake Power Fireman" and "Jake Power Policeman" listed specifically under "Boy's Sim" it's really not that difficult to see the problems this can perpetuate. The assumption would be that girls do not become fire fighters or policemen, they merely are only interested in marriage and popping out babies.

One wonders whether girl sim "Imagine: Wife" and boys sim "Imagine Bread Winner" are also in the pipeline. How ironic that these titles should be labeled the "Games For Everyone" series.

Some other examples sure to get the feminists blood boiling: For the girls.... Imagine Babies, Imagine Happy Cooking, Imagine Fashion Designer (though on the upside there is Imagine Pet Vet, so at least this is more academic in nature). Maybe this explains why Ubisoft appear to have no interest in supporting the female gamer demographic?

My Baby DS - Just like a REAL baby!!

Want to know what it's like to care for a REAL baby, no problem, you can have that very experience on your Nintendo DS. According to the press release for My Baby on Nitendo DS:

"My Baby is a game that simulates life for baby care with as much affection and tenderness as a real parent. Watch them grow, change form and develop from 0 to 14 months by using all the functionalities of your portable console (breath, voice, stylus, etc.)."

Wow just like a real parent!! Probably best you avoid this title given it will keep you awake all hours of the night, spew on you, dirty itself every time you feed it and cost you the rest of your life as you save to put it through college.

The only upside to the press release was it wasn't aimed specifically at female gamers, which is in itself a miracle!!

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise card image released

Looking forward to Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise? Well Rare has released images of the first official 'Viva Piñata Vision Card' for use in Viva Piñata: Trouble In Paradise.

You'll be able to use the cards via the vision camera on the Xbox 360 and they'll give you in game extras / effects. You'll be able to get the cards via download, so at least you're not shelling out loads of cash for them.

Oh dear I can see where this is heading, folders of silly cards that seemed a great idea when you got them, then utterly useless moment's later. I still have a crate of Animal Crossing E-Reader cards I wish I'd never bought.

Wonder how long it will be before someone makes an Viva Pinata iPhone Application that shows the cards.

New Lara Croft Model dons guns and short shorts

The new Lara Croft model has been named and she is - apparently - a former gymnastics representative for Great Britain. Not a bad choice for the flipping and leaping Lara Croft.

From the Presser:
Athletic and agile, 23 year old Alison Carroll from Croydon is set to be catapulted from her current job as a receptionist to a world of superstardom as she follows in the footsteps of Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie and model Nell McAndrew to become the new face of Lara Croft.

Unlike her predecessors Alison does not come from a modelling background, but with 12 years' experience as a professional display gymnast, she is completely at ease at the thought of appearing in front of thousands of screaming Lara Croft fans. She certainly had no trouble impressing the judges when she competed against hundreds of other hopefuls in the search to find the live model of the action heroine.

Alison is an elite gymnast who has flown the flag for Great Britain. She has performed across the UK and overseas as part of a team of twenty athletes, wowing Prince Charles when she appeared at a special event at Westminster Abbey. She is also a dedicated coach of younger gymnasts, and recently choreographed the routine for the junior team that won the British National Championships.

Alison already follows a rigorous training regime, visiting the gym six times per week, and will be well prepared as she embarks on the fast and gruelling training programme required to portray sexy heroine Lara Croft. Starting immediately she will undertake a series of courses which will include a SAS survival, combat and semi-automatic weapon firing courses in Eastern Europe, and a crash course in world archaeology, to become the world famous, archaeologist and action heroine.

Once completely trained in the ways of video gaming’s leading lady, Alison will be lining up a host of international modelling assignments, starring in TV commercials, appearing on chat shows and is set to travel the globe over the coming months.

Alison Carroll says; “This is a fantastic opportunity and I am really looking forward to embracing Lara’s world” said Alison Carroll “I still can’t believe they chose me to take on the role of Lara – and I can’t wait to get stuck in. This is my dream job – I have always wanted to be an action hero and hope to be able to use my gymnastic ability to perform all of Lara’s stunts. It is slightly daunting but I am really excited at the same time.”

Sarah Hoeksma, Eidos Group Marketing Director says; “With her tremendous athletic ability, dance training and striking look we feel Alison embodies all the assets required to be the live model of Lara Croft, and we are really looking forward to working with her.”

Alison follows in the footsteps of previous Lara Croft stars, Karima Adebibe, Lucy Clarkson, Rhona Mitra, Nell McAndrew, Lara Weller and of course Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider movies.

Tomb Raider: Underworld marks the first game in this popular, recognisable series that is designed specifically for next generation consoles. Lara Croft uncovers proof of the existence of the mythical hammer of the Norse God Thor, a weapon rumored to have the power to smash mountains into valleys and destroy the Gods themselves.

Setting an epic journey around the globe in motion, Lara visits the ruins of ancient civilizations, collecting clues that lead her to a forgotten power that could lay waste to civilization. Exploiting the power and capabilities of next generation consoles, Lara must hunt for clues across massive environments, solving multifaceted puzzles, facing foes both animal and supernatural, this time with the aid of enhanced weapons and abilities.

Female Gamers and double standards

Girl Gamers have to put up with a lot of crap in gaming because it's seen - by some morons - as not their hobby, like guys have some right to it. As soon as a female gamer speaks up in annoyance at something she's being picky, or bitchy, or arguing about something with no merit and should just shut her mouth and head back to the kitchen.

Sister site lesbian gamers, a site that's interesting because it gives us a differing angle on the plight of the female gamer, a minority of a minority if you like, recently got a lot of shit for an article they did a while ago called The Biggest Dicks in Gaming. The thing about this is the abuse that they suffered as a result of being linked to from N4G, a site that clearly has no moderators and must be run by backward 14 year old boys judging from the hatred within.

The thing that really gets me pissed here is that as the LG site also points out, it's okay for guys sites to ridicule and make fun of things in the female realm, but if a female gamer does the same, even in a joking manner - as was the case with the Biggest Dicks article - they're completely blasted for it. The recent 'Vagina Hero' game controller at Ripten shows this to be the case and it really burns me up! (no I wont give them a link, it was pathetic).

We all love gaming people, so how about we stick it to these brainless twerps with their uneducated views and all just get along FFS.