GamesOnSmash: Game Of The Year
Games On Smash game of the year 2008. See who won Game Of The Year from GamesOnSmash after the jump!
Midway Facing Bankruptcy In January 20, 2009
When Midway majority shareholder Sumner Redstone sold off his 87% stake in the company for a paltry $100K, the move did more than send stock prices plummeting. Due to the change in control, Midway’s creditors can demand immediate payment.
Midway currently faces $240 million in debt, it admitted in an SEC Filing, with $90 million owed to Redstone’s theater business National Amusements. Midway has 20 days to notify investors of the control change, and creditors have 30 days to demand payment.
Should all those creditors demand their money, the beleaguered publisher, recently responsible for Mortal Kombat vs. DC and Blitz: The League II, does not believe "it would have the ability to satisfy its obligations to repay these amounts."
In other words, Midway could be bankrupt come January 20, 2009. The company has not posted an annual profit since 1999. In the past year, CEO David Zucker and chairwoman Shari Redstone have both left the troubled publisher. Before her departure, Redstone pledged more active involvement in an attempt to better the company’s prospects.
To aide in these troubled times, the company has brought on analyst firm Lazard "to assist it in the evaluation of strategic and financial alternatives available."
Neocrisis – Latest Famitsu Reviews Including White Knight Story
Neocrisis: Famitsu scans, showing the different reviews for White Knight Story.
Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Monday 15th December 2008
Console Monster writes: "We mentioned earlier that new Gears of War 2 content was available but it doesn’t stop there as the Xbox Live Marketplace has been updated with even more content including two Xbox Originals. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace update for Monday 15th December 2008:
Xbox Original: Raze’s Hell
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Asia
Xbox Original: SEGA Soccer Slam
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Asia
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames: Blow It Up Again
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Description: Blow it up again with four new explosive missions…"
Gaming Verdict: Top 10 Zombie Apocalypse Games
Gaming Verdict presents a countdown that you won’t want to miss…are you prepared for the inevitable zombie apocalypse? You might stand a chance if you’ve played through the Top 10 Zombie Apocalypse Games!
"Being a big fan of zombie-cinema, I naturally tend to play almost everything related to the genre that I can get my hands on. So here it is, a top ten list comprised solely of games that depict the inevitable forthcoming zombie apocalypse. You all know it’s going to happen one day, so may as well get some virtual training in before it’s too late!"
Rare wishes everyone a fun-filled 2009
MundoRare writes: "No Holiday Season is complete without the traditional Rare Xmas Greeting, and this year isn’t an exception! ... The message from Rare coming along with this spiffy greeting card goes as follows: ‘We wish everyone a very merry Xmas, a happy New Year and look forward to a fun-filled 2009 
’ "
Top 5 Mishandled Game Franchises
It was pretty amusing hearing die-hard Fallout fans whine that Fallout 3 was too much like another award-winning RPG. You don’t know how good you’ve got it, guys. There’s been a lot of other well-regarded game franchises that have become been completely derailed by publishers/developers through neglect, incompetence, greed, or some combination of the three. As a result of these mistakes, a hit game never becomes a hit series and a hit series becomes a shadow of its former self. Here are five of the worst examples
Interview: Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion
Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada talks to us in detail about the latest addition to the series, first details on the console versions, Tekken versus other fighting games, leaving PlayStation exclusivity, and the future of Tekken.
Having recently brought you literally the only interview with Sega Japan on its latest Virtua Fighter title, VF5R, today Kikizo presents this sit down with Namco Bandai’s top man of all things Tekken, Katsuhiro Harada, for the first detailed interview on the latest in his own popular series: Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion.
Artistic Differences
GameSpot AU chats to industry figures like Jonathan Blow (Braid), Nick Haggard (de Blob), and Siobhan Reddy (Little Big Planet) about their thoughts on art, games and whether they can be considered an art form.
Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Wednesday 10th December 2008
Console Monster writes: "<Insert Theme Tune here> Yes, it’s the Xbox Live Marketplace update. Today sees two Xbox Live Arcade titles, as well as themes and game content. Here is the Marketplace update for Wednesday 10th December 2008:
Today’s content has all been linked to the online Marketplace, to add it to your download queue simply click onto the content’s name.
METEOS WARS
Price: 800 Microsoft Points (Trial available)
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Description: Take a ride through this intergalactic journey where you slide, stack and ignite your blocks to blast away the world-ending Meteos! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
PowerUp Forever
Price: 800 Microsoft Points (Trial available)
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions except Korea
Description: PowerUp Forever, the next-gen, next-level evolution of the top-down arcade shooter, offers limitless levels, enemies and options. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts…"
Blend Games: Top 10 Best Fighting Games Of All Time
Blend Games writes: "Street Fighter IV is coming out soon, and I think that’s call for a celebration. What better way to greet a new fighter into our library than to create a list that is sure to infuriate fighting fans when they read it? (Sorry Clayfighter fans, this list isn’t for you). So below, gnash your teeth at my list of the greatest fighting games of all time. If you have something to say, the comment box awaits you."
Christian Gamers, Offensive Lists, and ‘Homo-Erotic’ Games:- Another viewpoint
OXCGN Writes:
"Yes, we do exist.
Christian gamers that is. I don’t think most of us make a big deal of it and I think some people would be surprised to find that Christians are as diverse a group as any other group (like, say, gamers)."
Gaming Pet Peeves: 8 Piss-Offs That Must Go!
From OXCGN:
"While video games continue to push boundaries to dazzle and amaze us each year, I’m getting sick of some trends that simply won’t die. Many of these brilliant new games use the same features that might have seemed innovative back in their day, but are not anymore. While each person has their own gaming pet hates, these are my top 8. May these game faults lose their seeming immortality and die a horrible death, never to be resurrected again."
OXCGN’s Game Of The Year ‘08 Readers Poll: Vote Now!
From OXCGN:
"So, are you broke yet? With the huge number of quality 360 games out this year you should be! Just have a look at the nomination list and it can be a bit of a head scratcher as to which is the best.
What critieria do you use? What makes a game THE Game of the Year? Do you go for a certain genre of game like a shooter or racer? Do you appreciate games that try to innovate more? Do games with the most exotic gorgeous environments catch your eye? Is your choice based on how much fun the game provides? Do you appreciate games with the best game design, or are you a firm believer in a strong narrative? Is top multiplayer what puts you in gamer heaven?"
Hit the link to vote.
Defending the Plastic Guitar!
That Gaming Site Writes: "I play real Guitar and Guitar Hero.
Being a fan of both, I’ve been subject to numerous arguments over and over about how playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band is a waste of time and that ‘nerds’ should try picking up a real instrument and do something productive for a change. It was in this week’s edition of NME (a British Indie Music Publication) that brought me this comment, in an article that…….."