Lets face it, this economy sucks. Further evidence has occurred this evening as Ziff-Davis has sold off their online gaming network 1UP to Hearst Corp, owners of the UGO network of sites. While nothing is officially confirmed yet, it appears 1UP.com is going away, as is all the podcasts. Several of the staff members use Twitter (as do we) and have made it know that they are laid off.
Not all of Left 4 Dead's visual effects are as apparent as the above comparison between an early-version screenshot and the subsequent final build screenshot of the same alley. Just the same, you'd be surprised at the amount of innovative detail that was put into Left 4 Dead's dynamic lighting alone.
I'll admit, the name was the first thing that caught my eye when this press release came across my desk. But it was the four player drop-in/drop-out co-op that really got me interested in this title from upstart developer Semnant Studios.
It's been ten years since Half-Life 1 was released, but that doesn't mean the modding scene has died down any. In fact, one of the best mods for the game has always been the Sven Co-Op Mod. Last week the team finally release the first beta of Version 4.0 of the mod. Along with the ability to play through the entire Half-Life storyline in co-op, players can now play through the Opposing Force add on as well as tons of custom maps.
There's a new co-op game on Xbox Live Arcade this week, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. Interpol: The Trail of Dr. Chaos is a "seek and find" adventure game, similar to the CSI Games on the PC, 360 and Wii. You star as an "elite interpol agent" - though your only skills appear to be finding replica Chinese artifacts in a castle. Sorry there's no gun play here, you are armed only with a magnifying glass.
We take EA's ambitious Red Alert sequel for a spin on both the Xbox 360 and PC. The RTS supports 2 player co-op throughout it's entire campaign. But is co-op, Hollywood actors and cleavage enough for the latest in the series?
Looking to join up with our latest Xbox Live Co-Op Night but don't have a copy of Gears of War 2? Perhaps your Gold Subscription ran out too? Today my friend, is your lucky day.
Fans of co-op are likely fans of Traveller's Tales LEGO series of games. The titles, based on famous series like Batman, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones, feature two player co-op. LEGO games are, unsurprisingly, quite kid and spouse friendly, but at the same time enjoyable by your more typical gamer.
While Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 gamers had gone back to the row a few months ago, PC owners were left waiting thanks to a few delays. But the day has finally come where you can don your very own Hot Dog suit...and your buddy can be the Mustard - as you take down evil gangs throughout the city in Saint's Row 2.
Got any spending money left after Christmas? If you're a gamer or you have kids, then probably not. Which is why several retailers have provided some relief this week in the form of low game prices on select titles.
The Xbox Live stats for 2008 have been calculated and released by Live's Community Manager "Major Nelson"...and if 2008 is a foreshadowing of things to come, then 2009 is going to be a sweet year indeed for co-op gamers.
