The Top Relevent Dreamcast Games For Today's Gamers By LostToys @ 04:43 PM :: Dreamcast :: Comment Now

In rather odd coincidence, as our own resident Tre-ful Dead has been hitting the Dreamcast sauce as of late, Retro Gaming has released a new entry titled "The Best Dreamcast Games For Today: The Top Titles That Still Matter". It's pretty easy to find a list of "The Top 10 Dreamcast Games" or some similar ranking, but most of them were written back when the console was still on the retail scene and almost all of them only compare the games against other Dreamcast games. This is all fine if the Dreamcast is the only console you own and ever plan to own. However, I know for a fact that most Dreamcast owners now are hardcore retro fans that happen to own a few different consoles -- both old and new. There may also be a few gamers out there wondering if they should bother adding a Dreamcast to their collection. Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea to develop a list of games that are still relevant in today's gaming market because of their unique gameplay that has not been improved upon on other consoles.

Battlefield 2142 Contains Spyware According to Slip of Paper By LostToys @ 04:27 PM :: PC: Action :: Comment Now

The girls of Shacknews apparently have a lot of time on their hands, as they apparently bothered to listen to CGW's latest podcast. Well, their wasted time is our gain, as it appears that everyone's favorite publisher, Electronic Arts, is installing Spyware for every copy of Battlefiend 2142 installed. When you open the box, a big slip of paper falls out first, preceeding any discs or manuals. The slip of paper says, essentially, that 2142 includes monitoring software which runs while your computer is online, and records "anonymous" information like your IP address, surfing habits (probably via cookie scans), and other "computing habits" in order to report this information back to ad companies and ad servers, which generates in-game ads. So it is no longer crappy games that are keeping people away from EA titles, it is now the threat of Spyware. It seems like EA has been taking marketing lessons from Sony-BGM. Thanks to Blindside for the following information: "The Software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide Inc. ("IGA") (the "Advertising Technology"). The purpose of the Advertising Technology is to deliver in-game advertisements to you when you use the Software while connected to the Internet. When you use the Software while connected ot the Internet, the Advertising Technlogy may record your IP address and other anonymouse information ("Advertising Data"). The Advertising Data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game advertisements and other in-game objects which are uploaded temporarily to your personal computer or game console and changed during online game play. The Advertising Technology does not collect any personally identifiable information about you, and EA will ont provide IGA with any of your personally identifiable information. The servers used by the Advertising Technology may, from time to time, be located outside your country of residence. If you are located within the European Union, the servers may be located outside the EU. By installing and using the Software, you agree to: (i) the transfer of the Advertising Data to servers located outside your country of residence and, if applicable, outside the European Union; (ii)the collection and use of the Advertising Data as described in this Section; and (iii) the delivery of advertising and marketing content by the Advertising Technology. IF YOU DO NOT WANT IGA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, OR TRANSMIT THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, DO NOT INSTALL OR PLAY THE SOFTWARE ON ANY PLATFORM THAT IS USED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET." And the proof is in the pudding, or at least, photographic evidence.

Grand Theft Auto IV: We Remain Exclusive to No One By LostToys @ 04:19 PM :: General Gaming :: Comment Now

A source close to Rockstar North has divulged information to Eurogamer, claiming that the PS3 will also receive exclusive content, much to the chagrin of Microsoft. We're told to expect much the same deal on PS3, except unique to the platform. Interestingly, the downloadable content, our source maintains, will take the form of brand new areas which will link into the main GTAIV game world. "Think of the world as a large island - the new downloadable areas will be like smaller islands linking into it," the source explained. (Which is a structural analogy, rather than a suggestion that the game is set on an island, we hasten to add.) How many additional areas or episodes Rockstar is planning is anyone's guess at this juncture, but it seems the game is at least being structured to accommodate a number of expansive new content releases in the weeks and months after release, while also satisfying platform holder - and console owner - demand for exclusive material.

Never Winter Nights 2 Gold: All Are Hoping for Good SP By LostToys @ 04:15 PM :: PC: Role-Playing :: Comment Now

Bioware cum Obsidian title Never Winter Nights 2 has gone gold Seveloped by Obsidian Entertainment, Neverwinter Nights 2 features a new, extensive single-player game with deep character development and a powerful new toolset that provides players with unprecedented ability to create their own universes, quests and storylines "Neverwinter Nights 2 has been an incredible game to produce, as we have aimed from the beginning to develop an immersive gaming experience that will satisfy both the RPG and modding communities," said Feargus Urquhart, Obsidian Entertainment's CEO. "Now that Neverwinter Nights 2 has gone gold, we are proud to say we are delivering a game that should exceed fans' expectations." I am hoping this time around that the Single Player campaign is great out of box. I for one do not want to wait a year or two for the user community to make me a good single player campaign.

	Bully Banned By UK Retailer: Atomic Wedgies Threatened By LostToys @ 04:11 PM :: PS2: Action :: Comment Now
According to Evil Avatar, the UK electrical retail store Currys has decided not to sell the game Canis Canem Edit (Bully for the rest of us). "We’re a family-friendly retailer," a company spokesman told The Sun. "We don’t think this game is appropriate for our stores and have decided not to stock it."

Yellow Dog Heading to PS3: Linux Geeks Wet Pants By LostToys @ 04:08 PM :: Sony Playstation :: Comment Now

Engadget is reporting that Tera Soft, the makers of Yellow Dog Linux, will be bringing their baby over the PS3. While intricate details about the the OS's compatibility with the sure-to-be-scarce console are still few and far between, we're expecting it to drop "in mid-November" to presumably coincide with the November PS3 launch dates Here is hoping that this Linux edition is actually supported this time around *cough*.

	Morning Brief - I Will Bully You All By LostToys @ 12:00 AM :: In-House: Morning Brief :: Comment Now
So I picked up Bully but have not touched it. Why? Well, I recently dug up my old copies of Blade Runner and Grim Fandango and have been playing them non-stop. It is games like these that make me pine for the early 90s, when adventure gaming was still alive and thriving. What old games have you recently played, or are currently playing right now?