Tech Blog

If you're a fan of the cult favourite Persona series then you've probably been waiting very patiently for the much-anticipated Persona 4 fighter game, Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (I know I have).  A few days ago, Atlus released a very cryptic teaser email to its subscribers hinting at the game's stateside release and those rumours are now proving true. Today, Atlus announced plans to localize the game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, under the title Persona 4 Arena. 

The Darkness is back in this refreshing sequel to the unique 2007 shooter we loved. Its got a lot in common with the original game but even more changes to take note of here. Unlike a lot of game sequels, this isn’t just a boring rehash of the same proven game. Digital Extremes and 2K games actually took the opportunity to rethink things. 2007 had a very different gaming ecosystem than 2012 and what was novel then wouldn’t have the same effect today.

Excited gamers who pre-ordered the PS Vita First Edition Bundle at Future Shop have likely received their shipment and are busy exploring Sony next-generation portable system.  For the rest of us, we have to wait until the national release date on February 22.  With only three days to go, you may be asking yourself, what can the PS Vita do for me?  The short answer, is lots.

PlayStation Network's reality series The Tester has officially kicked off its Season 3, giving twelve lucky gamers the opportunity to become a Production Associate at the world-famous SCE Santa Monica Studio.  It's sink-or-swim as each contestant competes in a series of grueling physical and mental challenges to further their hopes for working at the studio known for creating the God of War series.

Resident Evil 6 is out on November 20th, which means that Capcom can't really have a slow drip-drip-drip of information but more needs a constant stream... and so it has began, and even their mum yelling at them they're wasting water isn't going to get them to turn the tap off. Um, not that they're streaming water, but information, which you can't really waste.

Unless you were one of the people who ordered a PS Vita "First Edition" Bundle, you actually don't have a PS Vita in your hands right now (and even if you did order it, you might not, literally, have a PS Vita in your hands while you read this, unless you're reading this on a PS Vita, which seems totally possible.) However, even with the handheld not being officially released until the 22nd of February (next Wednesday) you can buy pretty much the system's entire launch slate already. Ubisoft got in touch with us to let us know all about the games they've put on the system that you can buy right now, so we're going to spotlight those. Other video games from other publishers are available!

Nostalgic video games certainly have a way of pulling at heartstrings. A game doesn't necessarilly need to be considered retro in order for it to be nostalgic. As long as you share a sentimental bond, lingering memories of that time can re-emerge in some of the most amazing ways. Here's a 20-minute behind-the-scenes video remembering the original Jak and Daxter games and delving into the development behind the newly released Jak and Daxter Collection.

Here's probably all you need to know: Rhythm Heaven Fever for Nintendo Wii is out now, it costs $29.99, and you should buy it.

A new cinematic trailer for Far Cry 3 has now been officially released, the latest trailer to emerge since its debut at E3 last June. While the trailer doesn't include any new gameplay footage, it does feature more than our fair share of beautiful CGI graphics (it's amazing how realistic video games have now become) and dubstep music (not sure how I feel about this one). Check it out below: 

Skyrim! Or to give it its proper title, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Of the people I know, it's actually the game they're all still playing the most, with nothing else having quite managed to drag them away from it. And to be honest I'm starting to worry that nothing will pull them away from it, with Bethesda having recently launched the Skyrim Creation Kit.

The financial woes for the video game industry deepened this past week with THQ announcing a $56 million loss for their financial quarter ending December 31, 2011.  This loss comes days after reports that THQ recently underwent a wave of layoffs, which affected their administrative and publishing departments.  While the news is pretty grim, if there is a silver lining here at all it's that rumours of THQ's demise has been greatly exaggerated.

"We don't call you our customers, we call you our guests."  Those words spoken by 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling preceded the very first live demo of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning at PAX East, welcoming those in attendance into its epic world.  With just two days to go before the release of the game for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, the world of Amalur is about to visited by an influx of guests from across North America.

Last year marked the 25th Anniversary for The Legend of Zelda, a huge milestone for one of the most iconic franchises in the history of video games.  Yet despite year-long celebrations by Nintendo, it seems that even our green tunic-wearing hero couldn't match the selling power of a pudgy Italian plumber named Mario.

The PSVita is certainly shaping up to be the console for music fans. Launching on February 14th (a perfect Valentines gift, perhaps?) Lumines Electronic Symphony features 33 licensed tracks, including some amazing tracks like Aphex Twin's Windowlicker and Mark Ronson & The Business Intl.'s Bang Bang Bang.

There have been a lot of titles released for the iOS platforms that, you know, should make us feel like it's a "serious" games platform. Something that's absolutely on the level with the DS, the PSP... maybe even the 3DS and the upcoming Vita. Titles like Infinity Blade, let's say. But for some reason I can't ever quite buy the narrative, and you know, I play tons of games on my iPod touch! Maybe it's that lack of buttons thing. I just can't see it. But... you know... Capcom releasing Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, really not that long after it was released on Nintendo DS, well, there's something to be said for that.