Video Games

Two of the most fun, charming and creative games ever to come from the PS3 are uniting in a new game called “Little Big Planet Karting”. United Front Games, the Yaletown development studio that developed the hit racing game “ModNation Racers”, announced it’s partnership with MediaMolecule (Creators of LittleBigPlanet) and their exciting new Playstation 3 exclusive.

The Game Developer Conference is a review and preview of the game industry’s inner workings. It’s intent is to use forums, panel speakers and discussions that push the envelope of the state of the art of game development. This year, over 22,000 forward thinking, gamer professionals gathered in LA to geek out. Two of those people were Vancouverite game developers, Marcin Chady (of Radical Entertainment) and Josh Nilson (of Eastside Games).

In a small studio just outside of downtown Vancouver, many of the city’s and industry’s finest are working towards re-inventing the hit sequel, MAX PAYNE 3. You can be sure that right up to the release date, the Weekend Warriors of RSGVAN are putting the final touches on what I believe will set the bar for the action shooter genre.

The launch of the newest version of SSX is less than 1 week away and you can go onto XBox Live right now to download the free demo to try it! This sequel to the critically acclaimed snowboarding series is developed in Vancouver by Electronic Arts Canada. It boasts the slogan “Defy Reality. Own the Planet.” where real-world locations have been mapped by satellite (thanks NASA), then modified by inspired artists and gameplay designers.

A few more photos have popped up from the soon to be released video game Mass Effect 3. We first published the original screen caps of what Vancouver would like like in the year 2187 a week ago, you can see those photos here. In those photos Canada Place and the Burrard Inlet were clearly recognizable. These next two screen shots show the the broader region within the context of the game. As you can see in 2187 Vancouver  is littered with highrises and what looks like elevated roadways. Rising sea levels have also played havoc with the city’s land base. The mountains still look beautiful.

Max Payne 3, developed by Rockstar Vancouver,  is one of the most anticipated games of the year. Judging by the latest trailer it seems like the wait for the third installment will be well worth it. The second trailer reveals more of the game’s story, beginning with the kidnapping of Rodrigo Branco’s beautiful young wife, Fabiana, while under Max’s protection. Max has to uncover the truth and return her to safety amidst a treacherous web of lawless street gangs, ruthless paramilitary units and his own personal demons.

Ever imagine what Vancouver of the future would look like? According to the video game Mass Effect 3, If we fast forward 176  years modern day Vancouver stretches all the way to Seattle and also includes part of Vancouver island. It’s inhabited by large towers and plays a vital role in humankind’s survival as apocalypse nears. It also looks like the Canada Place sails stood the test of time. You can recognize a few buildings in the screen shots but most have been updated.

One of Vancouver’s largest burlesque troupes, The VanDolls present Video Game Burlesque on Friday, February 10th at The Royal Canadian Legion on Commercial Drive.

In all likelihood, if you are a gamer you already know that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is coming out November 8th. What some of you may not know is that the Future Shop on Robson St. is going to be having a special midnight opening in order for fans to get their hands on the title just a bit sooner than others. Like previous midnight openings, your friends at Future Shop have sweetened the deal a bit for you.