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FEATURE The Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 still, it seems, have unexplored power left to tap. TIME OF THEIR LIVES MICROSOFT 2001 Xbox 2005 Xbox 360 satisfaction has been reached where everyone’s demands are being satisfactorily met. Incremental improvements in visuals have been gradual but consistent. Uncharted 2 lifted the bar for console graphics in late 2009 and, arguably, no other developer has reached that bar since. The Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 still, it seems, have unexplored power left to tap. Even the Wii is turning out some very pretty games, such as Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Donkey Kong Country Returns. Developers are still playing catch-up, finding ways to squeeze more out of each console, while new technologies such as Euphoria and Digital Molecular Matter are still being explored and hesitantly implemented – the Force Unleashed titles didn’t exactly send a shock wave through the industry, although GTA IV’s use of Euphoria was much more impressive. Each consecutive console generation offers a bigger, deeper sandpit for developers to dig through. We haven’t hit the bottom of this generation’s just yet. With graphics somewhat levelled out (particularly in terms of a small number of engines such as Unreal Engine 3 being used across many/ most titles) and the upgradeable nature of online connectivity, the current console generation is in a position to extend their lifetimes far beyond what was previously possible. A rather encouraging trend has emerged of gameplay becoming a renewed focus. The video game industry has an unfortunate tendency to pay more heed to the prettiest games, but increasingly we’ve seen art direction take precedence over graphical power. With most developers on a level playing field in terms of visuals (see our Unreal Engine boxout) gameplay is again becoming king. The likes of Minecraft and Super Meat Boy have proven to be popular not because they look good but because they offer excellent gameplay. NOT TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT The question of the successors to the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii has barely been raised, despite the fact that we have the 3DS coming 20 www.pixelhunt.com.au JANUARY 2011
For our money, this console generation has plenty of life in it yet. Cell Shaded Masterpiece BORDERLANDS and, apparently, the PSP2 in the works. In a way, we’ve already got our new generation. Microsoft has treated Kinect as almost a console unto itself, while Sony to a lesser extent has looked to expand with Move. If the Wii can get hold of a magical HD chip we’ll be just about level again. We are also still engaged solidly with our console(s) of choice, and this generation of machines bring with them some features that give new meaning to the term ‘brand loyalty’. Microsoft and Sony are each invested in their meta-score game tracking, with Achievements and Trophies solidifying the social gaming space. Moving across to a new console in the future will require the maintaining of current gaming badges, lest they risk the ire of players the world over. There’s no doubt that come E3 2011, pundits will speculate on the likelihood of a new major console release from one of the Almighty Three. For our money, this console generation has plenty of life in it yet. Back in 2006, Sony Computer TIME OF THEIR LIVES SEGA 1983 Sega SG-1000 1985 Sega Master System 1988 Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 1994 Sega Saturn 1998 Sega Dreamcast Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai predicted that the Playstation 3 would have a lifespan of ten years. So far he’s spot on, but we’re only halfway there. We can’t say for sure whether we’ll be playing Heavy Rain 3: Gentle Downpour on our not-yet-obsolete Playstation 3 in 2016, or whether we’ll be unwrapping a new Bluray drive Xbox, but whatever the case, we’ll continue to enjoy what has been a bountiful period for consoles and console gaming. DYLAN BURNS | MICHAEL PINCOTT Unreal Engine 3 Roll Call Cliffy B must be dry washing his hands constantly, grinning nefariously as those millions in royalties roll in from every game and his dog using the Unreal Engine 3. Here are some of the more surprising ones: DC Universe Online Hail To The Chimp (:S) Alpha Protocol Mirror’s Edge Enslaved: Odyssey To The West Zumba Fitness Borderlands Lost Odyssey Shadow Complex Batman: Arkham Asylum Mass Effect (all titles) Australia’s best gaming -zine www.PIXELHUNT.com.AU 21
Page 1 and 2: PS3 360 Wii PC MOBILE OPINIONS FEAT
Page 3 and 4: contents ISSUE 13 JANUARY 2011 Publ
Page 5 and 6: Garbage Tips Around the World Appea
Page 7 and 8: NIER Developer Cavia Publisher Squa
Page 9 and 10: YORDA If the player is to care abou
Page 11 and 12: like Cortana in Halo, the dependabl
Page 13 and 14: TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON STE
Page 15 and 16: STEAM Report Card Paradox Interacti
Page 17 and 18: Always call ‘shotgun’ in MAFIA
Page 19: Only Nintendo got it right, offerin
Page 23 and 24: ASSASSIN’S CREED BROTHERHOOD Deve
Page 25 and 26: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS PROFESSOR PIXEL
Page 27 and 28: ON THE HUNT PATRICK LANG Deadly Pre
Page 29 and 30: it was enough to make me fling a hi
Page 31 and 32: ASSASSIN’S CREED BROTHERHOOD MEDA
Page 33 and 34: When I say that games are getting l

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