As we move forward as an industry toward a future of online distribution and high-def streaming  via clients such as OnLive, we’re no doubt going to see plenty of these types of sites cropping up every corner of the web. Beamdog is another downloadable game service site that vies to focus exclusively on digital software distribution- with a company statement that details that the site “represents the start of an open, transparent and rapidly-expanding digital market”. Aimed at working closely with developers and publishers also, Beamdog is boasting superb user experience and enthuses on their site that they “believe the users are the most important part of the business and by delivering a great experience you will reward us in turn”.

Set up with an abundance of industry experience at the helm, Beamdog was founded by ex-Bioware founder, Trent Oster and game developer, Cameron Tofer. As Trent Oster explains “I … Read More.

I’m not sure if I’m the only one, and Team17 might be accused of beating the franchise to death (although who’d blame them- they’ve sold over 25 million copies during its lengthy lifespan), but I love a bit of Worms action. Whether it be the charm of the cutesy little slimers, the fun of some multiplayer action, or the simpleness of its design, Worms has always stood the test of time. Shooting through nearly every platform known to man, Team17 have today proudly announced that the oh-so-violent worms are ready to storm the PC once again, 10 years since the last 2D series release on the PC and back to where it all started.

Martyn Brown, Business Development Director at Team 17, highlights “Worms Reloaded has been a labour of love for the team. It has been almost 10 years since the last 2D game was released on PC. [The … Read More.

Well now after leaving Trailer-Gasm! is the very capable hands of Mr. Matthew Moore last week I am back with another new episode of everyone’s favourite Gaming-Trailer-based-compilation-video-series and the latest dose of Gasm-tastic gaming goodies. This month we have a variety of trailers ranging from gun toting, gymnastic thugs to arm swinging ball kicking moms, so lets start the ball rolling…

Now when I look for trailers they generally fit into 3 catagories, the 100% gameplay trailers, the cinematic story based trailer and then there are the trailers which are almost shortfilms and I think this first trailer falls into the latter catagory, although it offers little information into what the game will become, the trailer for Megaman Universe is just a balls out great little trailer!

Universes seem to be the latest craze, with Megaman having its own universe and DC doing the same, its time for Lego to jump … Read More.

And now for something that gets me extremely excited. LOVEFiLM – Britain’s leading subscription service – has just announced a signing with US-based company Widevine who focus on digital rights management (DRM) and video optimisation services that will allow LOVEFiLM to expand its service to further encompass online distribution of content as they move further away from their currently biggest providing of discs through the post.

It marks a charge for LOVEFiLM towards a similar style of business as Netflix in the US, where streamed online content plays a big part of the value for customers. LOVEFiLM currently offer thousands of films and TV shows to watch online via the LOVEFiLM player. And although not strictly gaming news, the agreement will allow for LOVEFiLM to distribute content on a wider range of devices and platforms, possibly leading to further agreements with the lead console holders, such as Sony and Microsoft, … Read More.

The Golden Joystick Awards – produced by Future – is one of the most highly regarded awards shows within the games industry. Known for its allowance for gamers to vote for the awards themselves, this year’s show- taking place on the 29th October in London- is being covered entirely by  ITN’s ‘Game On’ show and will be hoping to provide “extensive coverage” of the show that last year amounted over 1.2 million votes, with Guinness World Records also highlighting the awards ceremony as the ‘World’s Most Popular Video Game Awards’.

Mark Browning of ITN Productions highlights “as the UK’s leading entertainment show on video gaming online, we’re delighted to be working with the UK’s biggest games awards. We look to create Joysticks-related content for Game On [viewers] in the run up”.

I’d previously not heard of the Game On channel and I’m sure many of you will be the same, and … Read More.

The flood of titles that are set to feature at this year’s Eurogamer Expo in London continue to be announced, with Konami following on from Sony in detailing what games they have planned to demo at the show.

Sequel to last year’s horror film tie-in Saw: The Videogame that was received as ‘distinctly average’ by mainstream critics, Saw II: Flesh and Blood will be but one of the head-liners for Konami, although it’ll have to show something different from the initial game to justify a spot at the event. The game takes place between the second and third films, with the press release promising “all-new stomach-twisting traps” (not sure if that means literally or metaphorically) and “more visceral combat”. Konami are also planning to showcase their interactive hip-hop game Def Jam Rapstar which we reported on a few weeks back, featuring artists from LL Cool J, Chipmunk and Ludacris.

Not excited … Read More.

If you’ve managed to play any of the FIFA Street games, you might have an idea of what lay in store for the new mode that has just been announced by EA Sports for inclusion in the Wii version of FIFA 11. The new street football mode will transfer players from a traditional 11 versus 11 match on a full size pitch to 5 on 5 street-set matches, whilst still keeping all professional personalities in check.

It’s another bid for FIFA to appeal to another demographic for sure, but the street scene is highly unlikely to entice players toward the brand. It feels forced and out of place in what is otherwise a highly competent and mature game, although I may very well be misguided in my thoughts toward the addition- be sure to leave your thoughts below-  and you might well love the chance to deck out in street wear, … Read More.

Although the relative teams at Turn 10 and Polyphony Digital would take heed in inputting wire models of vehicles and modelling in-car dashes of every licence that they could get their hands on, the team at Eutechnyx (the team behind the Ferrari and Supercar Challenge games) are taking a more subdued approach in allowing fans to vote on their website as to which cars and tracks are to feature in their upcoming free to play racing MMO Auto Club Revolution, rewarding those who participate with beta access ahead of its public launch.

For those who vote, they’ll be over 550 cars to choose from, including those from the biggest leading manufacturers, such as Lamborghini and Aston Martin, whilst the tracks that can be voted on are equally prolific, from Silverstone to the famed Le Mans circuit in France. CEO of Eutechnyx- Brian Jobling, highlights “engaging with the community in this … Read More.

I’m not a big fan of fighters myself, but even I can appreciate the magnitude of the new reveal from Capcom from Comic Con about the convergence of the Street Fighter and Tekken series into the new title for the PS3 and Xbox 360, titled Street Fighter X Tekken.

In fact, the recent release of Super Street Fighter IV was so well received critically and by fans that many thought it would be the last iteration in the triumphant series, ending as near to perfection as possible. But no, a few months later and here we are once again, another title with the Street Fighter name printed squarely onto its sleeve, although now with added characters from the Tekken universe to bolster the already huge roster of fighters.

Powered by the same engine as used in the latest Street Fighter games, Street Fighter X Tekken will transition an as-yet unannounced amount … Read More.