For all of the Americans on TGN, have a happy and safe 4th of July, America's Independence Day.

Please do not blow yourselves up.


Thanks for being a part of our gaming network!

Developer Obsidian has released a new dev diary today for their upcoming espionage RPG Alpha Protocol. They have also released the box art for the game which includes the tagline "The Espionage RPG." Alpha Protocol will be released for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 6th.

Double Fine front man Tim Schafer has narrated a 17 minute long video for Brutal Legend. The video includes plenty of new gameplay action so is definitely a must watch. Brutal Legend rocks out for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 13th.

Take an in-depth look into Gotham’s home for the criminally insane! With the new Inside The Asylum behind the scenes video, Eidos Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment go deep within the walls of Arkham Asylum to showcase Batman’s most notorious enemies as well as the creators of the Batman: Arkham Asylum videogame. The all new video features insightful interviews with Game Director Sefton Hill and Lead Narrative Designer Paul Crocker from Rocksteady Studios as well as famed Batman: The Animated Series and Batman: Arkham Asylum writer, Paul Dini.


Batman: Arkham Asylum will launch worldwide on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on August 25, 2009.

Codemasters has published eight new screenshots from their upcoming military shooter Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. The game will hit store shelves some time this Fall for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Codemasters has released ten new screenshots for their upcoming racing title DiRT 2. These new screens show off more of the great environments you'll be racing in. Scheduled for a release in September, DiRT 2 will be available on the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP.

Shacknews recently conducted an interview with Gearbox's Mikey Neumann to discuss the studio's stylized shooter-RPG Borderlands. Take a look:

Shack: One of the things that really grabbed me was the use of brighter colors in Borderlands. A while back, I was talking with someone about why Mirror's Edge was so refreshing and different. Part of it was the controls, obviously, but another thing was, with so many dark and gritty games, the look is so clean. That dark and gritty style can be kinda depressing--I'm not always drawn to it when I want to relax after work.

Mikey Neumann: I think Borderlands actually went through the same thing. Last time we were here, it was dark and gritty. Those games are fun to play, I have nothing against them, but I think as you play them, you start getting a little more depressed. You don't have the same kind of fun [as] when the game is laughing with you, if that makes any sense. Borderlands is definitely a game we want to laugh with you. We want you to enjoy the same things that we thought were funny and fun and different and new.

The art style, again, is the glue to everything. It allows us to embrace what our game actually is, and man, when we had that epiphany, when it all came together, we were like, "shit man, that's what this game is, this game is about having fun."

The sequel to the RPG game Two Worlds by developer Reality Pump is coming this winter to PC/MAC and next gen consoles.

“Two Worlds II” presents a totally new gamer experience, one in which 2 years of intensive development has enabled quantum leaps in all spheres: completely overhauled AI and balancing standards, experienced authors, the active combat system and the brand-new engine all combine to provide an unforgettable experience where excitement, sheer enjoyment and graphics rule. “Two Worlds II” simply sets new technical benchmarks in the RPG genre, thanks not least to its seemingly unlimited number of dynamic light sources, micro-detail Parallax Mapping, 24 Bit HDR Post Processing, Space Ambient Occlusion and Human Eye Accommodation.

The story of “Two Worlds II” is staged a couple of years after Part 1 - and it will lead you into hitherto unexplored parts of Eastern Antaloor where you'll find many brand-new locations packed full of atmosphere - from dusty deserts to awe-inspiring temples.

Alexandra Constandache, the Executive Producer of TWII commented, “We intentionally opted for a completely independent game with radical new technology. This was the only way to ensure that we harness the enormous potential and experience gained from the making of the first “Two Worlds” project - and make full use of the further technical development of internal Reality Pump tools that has been on-going since the first “Two Worlds” was developed. This new release window gives us enough time to systematically implement both our own requirements and the feedback of the “Two World” fans, enabling us to create a breathtaking RPG experience.”

Two Worlds got a generally favourable reception by media, the sequel is looking better already however. If you're interested and want to know more, you can sign up for the newsletter at the Official Website.

Kalypso Media UK have signed up with Avanquest Software Publishing to distribute their top selling games: Racing Team Manager and the successful Imperium Romanum, through their White Label Reload range into the UK and the Gamer For Ever range in France. Check it out:

Charlie Barrett, Business Development Director of Kalypso Media UK commented: “We are delighted to be working with Avanquest in the UK and France. We have chosen them for their ability to support the range of Kalypso Media Catalogue and we look forward to a successful & strategic relationship for further Kalypso Media products. Avanquest are considered the budget category leader – and so were an obvious choice for us.”

Simon Reynolds, European Games Director at Avanquest Software added: “Kalypso is an ambitious publisher with a very strong vision and catalogue of great games. We are delighted to have been chosen to help keep their name on the map. We are particularly pleased that Kalypso has recognised the experience we have with budget titles.”

If you are in Europe be sure to take a look into these titles from Kalypso.

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Yes it had to be said. Our latest review here on Total Gaming Network has staff writer ThQp battling ghouls and ghosts in the Nintendo Wii version of Atari's game Ghostbusters: The Video Game. Here's the intro to the article:

Many years ago, back in the NES era, Ghostbusters' films were wowing audiences across the globe. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the video games. Poor controls, graphics, story, gameplay, and anything else that could've been bad added up to some terrible memories. Fifteen years later, Atari has brought the old franchise back. Should you be whipping out the proton packs, or start screaming in fear? Read more...

The Ghostbusters' team assembles once again to do battle.

To read the rest of this new review be sure to visit this page. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on either the review or game itself. Stay tuned for our review on the PlayStation 3 version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, coming in the next few days.

Sonic has returned for another adventure! Our latest review here on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Dairuka Sutain wielding a sword in SEGA's Nintendo Wii game Sonic and the Black Knight. Here's the intro to the article:

It’s hard for those of us Sonic fans who once stood up for the Blue Hedgehog during the height of the Sega versus Nintendo wars to have to go through what can only be described as perpetual disappointment with a half dozen horrible 3D games hosted under the banner of one, Sonic the Hedgehog. It’s hard for Sonic fans to have to go through what can only be described as perpetual disappointment. To date, there have already been a quarter dozen horrible 3D games hosted under the banner of Sonic the Hedgehog, and it’s safe to say that the entire series has met nothing but failure ever since it attempted to go 3D. Sonic & The Black Knight does try to rejuvenate the series by introducing a medieval theme into an otherwise anthropomorphic fantasy world, however the main focus of this game is something that most of us would have considered blasphemy back in the pinnacle of Sonic’s fame: A weapon. Now armed with a sword and a slew of new special abilities, Sonic speeds, spins and sprockets his way through numerous linear levels lined up with dozens, if not hundreds of enemies. No, this is no ordinary Sonic game. This is Sonic & The Black Knight. Read more...

Sonic probably feels like a circus act after all this tightrope walking.

To read the rest of this new review be sure to visit this page. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on either the review or game itself.

Our newest preview here on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Bawdyjane checking out Splash Damage's highly anticipated shooter BRINK. Here's the intro to the article:

Perhaps you’ve seen the initial video BRINK, Splashdamage’s upcoming first person shooter published by Bethesda Softworks. Pretty vague right? Well at E3 they pulled back the curtains (ever so slightly) on the title and TGN got to take a look at the early footage of BRINK which left me wanting more. I’m looking forward to seeing more information on this Spring 2010 PC/Xbox360/PS3 title as it becomes available as it’s truly unique among upcoming FPS titles. Read more...

To read the rest of this new preview be sure to visit this page. BRINK comes out in Spring 2010, follow TGN for upcoming information on the title.

Our newest preview here on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Bawdyjane checking out the Nintendo DS/DSi game Scribblenauts. Here's the intro to the article:

On day two of E3, I headed over to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s booth to check out some of their upcoming titles. Originally dropping by to play Arkham Asylum, Che’von Slaughter, Public Relations Representative for Warner strongly recommended that TGN also check out Scribblenauts (Nintendo DS/DSi), and boy am I glad she did. Read more...

To read the rest of this new preview be sure to visit this page. Scribblenauts hits the DS/DSi in late 2009.

The latest iteration of the series From the Editors' Desks provides a glimpse into the perceived declining creative quality of modern video games. But, the problem lies not entirely with the developers; read on to who all shares blame for this lapse in good development:

I remember the days when hope ruled the video game world. The days when Resident Evil, SaGa Frontier, Tactics Ogre, Valkyrie Profile and Xenogears were all coming out within a few years span. Before that, it was F-Zero, Star Fox, Chrono Trigger, Shining Force… The 90’s were truly a golden age of video games where innovation ruled. It was also during this time when the weak and unoriginal turds disappeared into obscurity, serving as reminders that it took originality to succeed. Were I to look to the Personal Computer for similar support, I found genre defining games such as Warcraft, Diablo, Fallout, Half-life, Counter-Strike, Thief, Total Annihilation, and Daggerfall.

Then the new millennium came, and something changed… With only a select few exceptions that have become classics as a result of their wonderment, it seems the gaming industry has spiraled out of control in the wake its own exponential growth rates. It seems we’ve all lost sight of what truly made video gaming so wonderful: Discovery. Industry leaders following in the footsteps of Mario and Sonic all wanted to create their own flagship series without offering anything genuinely new about that series beyond the artwork and plot. This past decade of console offerings gave us nothing more than storybooks with very little amusement attached. If this wasn’t bad enough, it seems as if every major gaming company just had to have their own piece of a truly successful franchise, making knock-offs faster than faux-gucci salesmen in the streets of New York City.

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~~Busted Analog is an editorial series meant to ventilate some of the more frustrating aspects of gaming, or to just poke fun at games. Whether it's a problem with publishers, developers, gamers or the games themselves, you can be sure to read about it here in the weekly to monthly updates. Just remember that the opinions you read here are the author's alone, and they are not representative of the entire Total Gaming Network.

Let your Avatar play games also. Playbrains announces "Avatar Attack" Mode in Madballs in...Babo:Invasion.

Playbrains, an independent game development studio specializing in the digital download arena, announced today a new and very personal way to play with your friends over Xbox LIVE®. For the first time in any Xbox LIVE Arcade game, gamers will be able to take full control of their custom Avatar as a playable, in-game character through "Avatar Attack" mode in Madballs in...Babo:Invasion (MiBI) for Xbox LIVE Arcade on Xbox 360.

By selecting the "Avatar Attack" mode from the multiplayer Skirmish menu in MiBI gamers will be given the option to use their custom Avatar as a fully-controllable in-game character. Once selected, the "Decappuccino Machine," in a very sanitary manner, will painlessly separate the Avatar's head from its body where it will then be fitted and equipped with some heavy hitting and highly explosive artillery! And unlike the bright gooey mess that Madballs and other Babo spew when they take damage, each Avatar head is hand-filled by the loving and caring folks at Playbrains with only the finest confetti to ensure a pleasant and colorful display upon destruction.