Reflections on a Save Crystal Episode 5

In this episode we have more goofs per minute than is federally allowed, they are coated in so much trans fat and poo that we warn against ingesting them all at once. This weeks news was about Diablo III, Mr.Tit, Obsolete PSP games, Birds in space, and Journey.We also tried something new with the audio, let us know what you think.

This episodes reflection is: “We can all agree that music plays an important part in games, but just how important? Can a game be made or broken by its soundtrack? When has music been great, and when has music been terrible for you? During a multiplayer competitive game should there be music? What do you think about the move from actual music to ambient sound? Are there any soundtracks or songs from games that we carry with us from day to day? If so is it because it is good music or is it because it is tied to the memories of the game? Opinions on Custom soundtracks, games they should or should not be in and why?”

Send us emails, you might just get a free game.

First Song was Without Taking the Jewel by Cronamut

Second Song was Walking in Circles by O4ranges

Final Song was Megaman Dubstep Remake

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** Originally published on levelsave.com **

Warlock: Master of the Arcane coming to PC

The land is a place of magic and mystery. Mages are powerful and benevolent beings who are looked to, not only for direction and wisdom, but also to rule over the lands they survey. One by one, the Mages came to realise that there is only one solution to the world’s perpetual and perennial problems, one Warlock to rule them all. The bond was struck and the test of might began between all the most powerful wizards in the world, who would become the Warlock?

Nothing less than complete control over the entire world is your ultimate goal in Paradox Interactive’s new upcoming title, Warlock: Master of the Arcane. To be released in the second quarter of this year, this hex-based strategy game looks, on the surface, to be a Civ-like game in a fantasy setting. Judge for yourself with the new trailer unveiled during the recent Game Developers Conference.

** Originally published on levelsave.com **

War of the Roses – Death Before Dishonor Video Series Debut

War of the Roses, a multiplayer action game published by leading strategists Paradox Interactive, is currently under development and slated to be released in the third quarter of this year. On the surface the game seems to be somewhat similar to Mount & Blade, though with notable exceptions: Your control of a knight, rather than a commander, being the first and formost difference between the two games; the greater focus on multiplay being a close runner-up.  In fact, reports have it that the two games will be played very differently.

A series of videos will be released by Paradox in order to promote the game. The videos, entitled the Death and Dishonor series, have recently received its debut installment, episode 1. This video is somewhat gruesome and may not be for the easily startled, you have been warned.

Also, here are some screencaps.

** Originally published on levelsave.com **

New Wakfu Character Class Videos

Showing off the barbarian Sacrier’s Blood and the clockwork Xelor’s Sandglass character classes, these videos give us a peek at the powers and feel of each of these options. Beautifully rendered, multiplayer Tactical RPG Wakfu by Square-Enix offers up much in the way of choice and strategic action, and the character art is so cute.. Kawaai! ^._.^

Wakfu on the web: http://www.wakfu.com/na/mmorpg

** Originally published on levelsave.com **

Defenders of Ardania Coming to XBLA and Windows PC on March 14

The critically-acclaimed iPad sensation, Defenders of Ardania, has been out on the iPad for a while now and is garnering the attention of strategy gamers everywhere. It was instantly recognized as a quality Tower Defence game with a twist, you control only one faction on a field full of other towers. You send your troops across the perilous paths of traps laid by your enemies and set down damage-dealing towers of your own as one of several unique factions making up the denizens of the Majesty universe.

This recent hit now has a date connected to the release of its XBLA and Windows PC iterations, March 14! The wait is almost over and to celebrate, Paradox Interactive has graced us with a new gameplay video. Let’s take a look:

Defenders of Ardania on the web.

Read our review! 

** Originally published on levelsave.com **

Valve to Develop New Gaming Platform

Valve co-founder, Gabe Newell, recently told Penny Arcade that, ”Well, if we have to sell hardware we will.” This opens up some interesting debate about what a platform that fully integrates Steam, Valve’s digital distribution hub, would look like. Would there be integration into a current platform? How complete would such integration be? Would games even be playable on said platform?

Steam Mobile Games View

Valve answers these questions handily by stating that they will make their own platform and that it will simply run PC games. This “Steam Box” will basically be a console for the living room that runs just like a PC, and will have an upgradable central GPU unit. The unit upgrades forgo the need to buy an entirely new system every generation. So instead of shelling out $500-700 for a new box to play the current games, we may be seeing $150-200 upgrades to your current system. Seeing as the Steam Box is basically a PC, all of your old games would simply work natively on the new upgraded platform.

There will likely be proprietary controllers that come packaged with it, but they will be in standard USB format. This opens up so many possibilities as far as controllers go. You may just be able to use your wired 360 controllers on the Steam Box. You may also be able to use your USB arcade stick, or your Logitech wireless USB Dual Analog controller. You could use your trusty flight stick or your analog racing rig. Think of it as a miniature, dedicated gaming PC for the entire family.

There is no required devkit and there will be no development fees associated with making games for the Steam Box. This means that we will see the same amount of indie games being made for the Steam platform. Possibly we may even see more, seeing as the Steam Box will be as accessible as the current console giants but much easier to develop for.

I’m excited to see what kind of developments occur over the next few months on this subject. I’ve got nearly 200 Steam games poised to make the jump to my 52″ TV.

Visit Valve’s site here.

** Originally published on levelsave.com **

Command and Conquer: The Web App?

C&C HTML5 Screencap

The defining Real-Time Strategy game, Command & Conquer, is in the process of being rendered entirely in HTML5 for use on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Originally released in 1995, Westwood Studio’s epic game of strategic unit control and base-building ripped into the strategy gaming market with a vengeance. Since it’s inception, the C&C franchise has seen the release of nearly 20 sequels and spin-off games, fleshing out the universe’ lore as well as inspiring many other developers to follow an RTS format for their games.

Looking to bring this once-popular game to the masses again, the enlightened Aditya Ravi Shankar has begun the project, keeping all copyrights intact, with a promise to “Take this game as far as possible.” I have personally sunk some time into the game and, while the HTML version remains unfinished, its core is truly C&C.

From the website:

“This is a recreation of the original Command and Conquer, Real Time Strategy game entirely in HTML5 and Javascript… My goal is to take this game as far as possible – Add more units, optimize the code, add better AI and multiplayer games. You would be able to come to this page, find a random partner and start playing!!”

Find the game here: http://apps.nahklick.de/cnc/

Aditya’s personal webspace is found here: http://www.adityaravishankar.com/

Official C&C website: http://www.commandandconquer.com/

Thank you Shankar, we’re watching you!

** Originally posted on levelsave.com **