videogames posts

This tutorial video for ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead provides players with a first look at the gameplay and new equipment fans can look forward to in the stand alone expansion. Players will be able to jump into the game and put this knowledge to work for themselves when it releases next week on June 29th.

Download HD ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead 'Night Ops' Tutorial Video (54 MB)
Check out all ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead downloads

This developer diary for Blacklight: Tango Down spotlights practically every aspect of the game and its features, from the story to level design. The game, which will be available exclusively through digital distribution, is expected to release later this summer.

"Blacklight: Tango Down takes place 25 years into the future. The player takes control of an elite covert ops team that is sent after missing American Colonel Klein and his personal BlackLight team. The game will feature four single player/co-op levels that support up to four players at once, 12 multiplayer maps, seven game types and literally millions of weapons customization combinations. As the team advances through regions that consist of old world architecture over laden with ubiquitous modern holographic advertising, the trigger based dynamic AI offers an intense and varied experience every time the game is played."

Download HD Blacklight: Tango Down Developer Diary (178 MB)
Check out all Blacklight: Tango Down downloads

Fans of action fantasy role-playing games might be interested in checking out these video for ArcaniA: Gothic 4, which reveal first looks at some of the gameplay. The video above gives a glimpse of the some of the stunning environments players will experience and a video featuring the combat system is shown after the jump. The game is expected to release in the fall.

Download HD World of Arcania 'Ambiance' Trailer (68 MB)
Download HD World of Arcania 'Combat' Trailer (31 MB)
Check out all ArcaniA: Gothic 4 downloads

Comedy Central's Indecision 2008 blog guest writer is also the Lead Writer of our sister site, WoW Insider. Mike Schramm has posted a tongue-in-cheek editorial suggesting methods guaranteed to encourage gamers to vote this November.

"Videogames are a big deal nowadays," wrote Mike Schramm, "and their formerly young players are quickly becoming captains of industry and progress. People who once played hours of Dr. Mario and Tetris are getting jobs as pharmacists and bricklayers. Gamers come from all walks of life, trailing their Fritos wrappers and Bawls energy drink bottles behind them, and any candidate who wants in the White House will have to do a little pandering to the Pac Man vote."

One suggestion: join in the console wars, but be sure not to upset one of the three delicate sides. Mike Schramm feels the best response is to don a grave expression and growl, "It's a shame the Dreamcast never got the chance it deserved."

Another sure-fire method of winning a gamer's vote is to make prolific use of scantily-clad women wielding big guns in all campaign materials. "It's a strange attraction that is almost certainly specific to the gamer population," wrote Mike Schramm. "Oh, and if you arm them with large futuristic weapons and/or have them hug or otherwise interact with more barely-dressed women, people seem to enjoy that, too."

For more insight into Mike Schramm's expert opinion, visit indecision2008.com to view the article in its entirety.

According to data extracted from numerous reports, DFC Intelligence forecasts an estimated $57 billion dollar revenue for the games industry in 2009.

"Consumer spending on software is at record levels and the game business seems to actually benefit from a recession because games are a relatively cheap form of home entertainment," said DFC analyst David Cole.

Cole goes on to state that the reports summarize sales predictions for each platform, and that the Nintendo Wii "does not appear to be a fad and it has the chance to be one of the best selling systems of all-time." Software sales for Sony's PlayStation 3 are estimated to match those of the Wii by 2012, and the Xbox 360 "remains a leading player in some of the top markets, most notably the U.S. and U.K."

Not surprisingly, the PC was the top gaming platform in 2007, with $7 billion in sales not including retail. "Total PC game revenue is expected to reach $19 billion by 2013," according to the DFC.