Hotline Miami Review

After less than a year Hotline Miami has finally made it’s way to PlayStation consoles. Not only is it undeniably the best version of the game to date, it’s also one of the best games for the PlayStation Vita without a doubt. It makes legitimate improvements over the PC version, and truly feels like a brand new game. Read on to find out why.

Saints Row IV and State of Decay Denied Classification in Australia

Saints Row IV and State of Decay has been refused a classification from Australia's Classification Board, meaning neither game will be released in the country at this time.

Random Havok Podcast - Episode 8

This week our friend Ty Root from Edge of Reality joins us to talk about the game he's a part of called Loadout and his non-functioning OUYA!

This is our best episode yet, and you shouldn't miss it for ANYTHING!

Limbo Coming to iOS Next Week

In a recent press release, Playdead Studios announced that the critically acclaimed title LIMBO will be coming to iOS on July 3rd, costing $4.99.

"We have worked very hard to bring LIMBO to as many devices as possible; rethinking the controls and performing extensive optimizations to ensure an amazing touch-based experience across iPad 2 (and higher), iPad Mini, iPhone 4S (and higher) and the latest generation of iPod Touch."

Limbo was recently released on the PlayStation Vita, and features Cross-Buy with the PlayStation 3 version of the game. LIMBO is one of the most successful indie titles to ever be released, originating on the XBLA Marketplace.

"The release of LIMBO into its largest market to date, follows the news that LIMBO has already sold over 3 million copies across PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Steam, Mac App Store and PlayStation Vita."

Our LIMBO review is currently in progress, but it's safe to say that it translated to the PlayStation Vita flawlessly.

Hotline Miami Review Coming Soon

Hotline Miami is finally out on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Between recording our podcast and playing around with the OUYA today, there's a slight chance you'll have to wait a little longer for our review of the game.

Hotline Miami Coming To PS3 and PSVita June-25

It's finally happening, Hotline Miami is coming to PS3 and PSVita very soon. How soon is very soon? We're talking this coming Tuesday soon. One of the best games of 2012, Hotline Miami will have you answering one simple question: Do you like to hurt people?

Microsoft Changes Xbox One DRM and Used Policies

Say goodbye to your family sharing group of 10 and hello to offline gameplay and an open used games policy. Microsoft's Don Mattrick announced today on Xbox Wire that after reviewing consumer feedback, they decided to revoke the 24 hour online requirement and allow used games for the Xbox One.

Xbox One users will only be required to connect to the Internet the first time they set up their console for a patch that will allow for unlimited offline play. Mattrick also announced that the Xbox One will no longer be region locked.

"We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds," Mattrick said in a post on Xbox Wire.

The family share feature will no longer be available and all disc based games will require their disc to be in the tray in order to play.

The Xbox One is available for pre-order and will be released sometime in November. 

EA's 2013 E3 Conference Overview

On Monday, July 10 EA presented a slew of new games, engines and threw in a few iconic people on stage for their 2013 E3 conference. EA's new Frostbite 3 engine and the EA Sports Ignite engine were the backbone for many of their announced games.

"These are the games that will define the new consoles when they launch later this year." – Peter Moore, EA Chief Operating Officer

Random Havok Podcast - Episode 7

It's a slow news week for the Random Havok team, JUST KIDDING! We break down the biggest news from E3, and we get down-and-dirty with the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. Hot button topics include DRM and Vita's absence from Sony's press conference. We brought our friend George in to help us sift through all the killer news and stuff.

New Features on Xbox One Make Sharing Game Footage Simpler

Streaming will be easier than ever with Microsoft's new partnership with Twitch, which was announced during Microsoft's E3 conference. With Xbox's One multitasking system, streaming a game on the console is seamless and allows the player to not only stream, but also view the audience chat on one screen. The Kinect can also pick up the player's voice to add audio commentary to the stream.

"This is our chance to break into the console space in a big way. To date, PC games have been the biggest things on Twitch, mostly because it’s incredibly difficult to broadcast console games today," Twitch CEO Emmett Shear said in an interview with Larry Hryb on the Major Nelson blog. "The Xbox One integration means that Twitch users are going to be able to broadcast their console experiences even more easily than they can broadcast from PC."

In addition, the Xbox One will have a new feature called Upload Studio that lets the player edit recorded game footage from Xbox One's Game DVR. The clip can be trimmed, the player can add audio commentary through the Kinect, add a skin for "thematic wrapping" and instantly upload the video online once the player is done.

The PlayStation 4 is $399, Doesn't Require Internet Connection, Plays Used Games

The PlayStation 4 will cost $399 when it launches this holiday, a full $100 less than the Xbox One. Also, completely contrasting the Xbox One is the fact that the PlayStation 4 will not require and internet connection at all to be usable. As if things couldn't get any better, Sony will not restrict used games on their new console. Publishers will be free to implement an online pass or other measures of DRM if they so choose, but this is mainly for multiplayer purposes.

For readers who need more clarification, Sony has put together this informative video on the subject (below).

PlayStation 4 Is Region Free

The news that, like every Sony console, the PlayStation 4 is region free was broken earlier today by no other than the President of Sony Worldwide Studios himself, Shuhei Yoshida.

And yes, PS4 is region free :D
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) June 11, 2013

Gamers who enjoy importing their games can breathe a sigh of relief. Regrettably, the Xbox One will include region locked software.

PlayStation 4 Includes 500GB Removeable Hard Drive

It was revealed today that the PlayStation 4 will include a 500GB hard drive. Much like the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 4, it will also be removable and up-gradable.With the large push towards digital-only game releases in the upcoming generation, it's refreshing to hear that if gamers run out of space they'll simply be able to get a larger hard drive for the console, something that owners of the Xbox One won't be able to do. It has yet to be seen if it will be a standard notebook hard drive like the one featured in the PlayStation 3, however. 

Via: IGN

PlayStation E3 Press Conference - The Games

With two, and soon to be three, systems to support, it would have been surprising if Sony didn't have some new games to talk about. We also saw a lot of new things from games that have been announced, and also a lot of first time gameplay footage.

Microsoft 2013 E3 Conference Revealed Games

Microsoft promised us games at their E3 conference and they delivered through numerous trailers and a few demos.

Xbox One Slated for November Release with Pre-order Exclusives

Today at Microsoft's E3 conference, it was announced the Xbox One will be released in 21 countries this November. Those who pre-order can also receive special benefits.

The Xbox One - What I Think

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Microsoft is currently siting in some very hot water right now.  Hot off the heels of an abysmal press release that all but confirmed people's worst fears in regards to how their upcoming console, the Xbox One, they just can't seem to catch a break. Mandatory connections to the internet, the complete irradiation of game ownership, and a confusing anti-consumer / pro-corporation used games policy that I'm not even sure they themselves understand yet has many of their biggest supporters (the core gamer crowd) extremely upset.

The Swapper Review

Soul Survivor

I woke up early on a Sunday so that I could devote an entire day to fighting the good fight, namely playing video games all day and eating bountiful amounts of pizza. It was a special sort of day, because with a forty-hour internship taking up most of my time, I rarely get these entirely open days to myself. I was finally going to sit down and play a game I had so anxiously waited to beat from start to finish. That game was Assassin’s Creed III.

I sat down at my PC, I opened up Steam, and I noticed something sitting in my “Downloaded Games” list. I had received my press copy of The Swapper that preceding Friday, and I had honestly completely forgotten about it. This was a huge mistake. That Sunday was one of the best days with video games I've had in a long time, and I didn't even touch Assassin’s Creed III.

This Week's Podcast Delay

Regrettably, this week's podcast is being delayed due to Miranda moving, her summer class' final and Jimmy's new work schedule. On the plus side, the podcast is now on iTunes!

Follow this link to subscribe. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate it and let us know how we are doing and what we can improve on.

This week's episode will be posted either Sunday or Monday, stay tuned to our Twitter and Facebook for updates. All future episodes will be posted on Monday.

Lionhead Announces Fable Anniversary

Today Lionhead Studios' Ted Timmins announced plans for Fable Anniversary, the HD remake of the original Fable, on Major Nelson's blog. Nearly a decade after it first launched on the original Xbox, this retelling of Fable will feature an enhanced interface, new achievements, Xbox SmartGlass integration and more.

Website Feature: Loot Crate

For $13.37 every month, (plus $6 shipping and handling) you could have a neatly packed box of geekiness delivered straight to your door. Loot Crate, a geek and gamer subscription box service, is an up-and-coming business that has geeks like me anxiously awaiting each new crate.