My name is Bret Allen and I’m the bearded wordsmith: I’m a writer and this is my site. Please take a look around: at my blog posts below which discuss everything from games journalism to what’s for tea tonight, or at my project pages where I post details of what I actually do as a writer. For an extended introduction, click on the About button; for an overview of my projects, click on Current Projects. Please note that I accept no responsibility for altered worldviews or memetic infection.
Welcome to my head space
Observations
Comments Off
Jun 282010
May 112012
Bat-tastic new screens from the eagerly awaited Harley Quinn’s Revenge have bat-landed in my bat-box. Erm, inbox.
Well, I expect I’m not the only one who was looking forward to some story based DLC for Arkham City; getting to ‘be’ Robin, or Nightwing, or Catwoman or whatever wasn’t all that much fun in little arenas that penalised you for doing things your own way.
Finally we have something with some story and meat to it. You still get to ‘be’ the Boy Wonder, if you like that sort of thing and you’re a big jessie. Harley Quinn is a bit miffed about the ending of B:AC (like some fans) and she wants to give B a K in the T. Behold releasygubbins:
“Payback’s a bitch, especially when dealing with The Joker’s most psychotic sidekick, Harley Quinn. Harley is the new boss of Arkham City and is determined to make Batman pay for what he’s done to The Joker.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment bring to you today a new trailer and screenshots from Harley Quinn’s Revenge Pack, the final chapter of Batman: Arkham City saga that adds more than two hours of fresh single-player gameplay to the critically-acclaimed title from Rocksteady Studios. The Harley Quinn’s Revenge mission sends players back into Arkham City to face their final challenge as they interchange between playing as both Batman and Robin. Fans who already own the original edition of Batman: Arkham City will be able to download Harley Quinn’s Revenge Pack beginning May 30th on PlayStation®Network £7.99 and the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360 (800 Microsoft Points). Newcomers to last year’s Dark Knight adventure will be able to pick up Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition on September 7th in the UK, which includes all previous downloadable content (Catwoman Pack, Nightwing Bundle Pack, Robin Bundle Pack, Challenge Map Pack and Arkham City Skins Pack) plus Harley Quinn’s Revenge Pack.”
So, yeah, just in time for the obligatory GOTY edition. People who enjoy beating up women who are dressed as clown strippers, unite! Click for biggerness:
Er, spoiler alert.
We're Death Crochet and we're here to rock Hartlepoooool!
"Get over here!" Answers on a postcard...
Robin using the portable version of the violate-tron scanner used in airports.
Robin's redeeming quality: he hits people with a metal bar.
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
LinkedIn
StumbleUpon
del.icio.us
Google Bookmarks
RSSInnit:
May 10th, 2012 (London, UK) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Dishonored™, the supernatural assassin action game under development at Arkane® Studios, will be available in North America on October 9, in Australia on October 11 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012. Developed under the direction of co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith, Dishonored is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.
Dishonored is set in Dunwall, an industrial whaling city where steampunk- inspired technology and otherworldly forces coexist in the shadows. You are Corvo, the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress who has been murdered. Framed for the crime, you become an infamous assassin, known by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is besieged by plague and ruled by a corrupt government armed with frightening technologies, dark forces bestow supernatural abilities upon you – but at what cost? The truth behind your betrayal is as murky as the waters surrounding the city, and the life you once had is gone forever.
Creatively eliminate your enemies with Dishonored’s flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.
“We are pleased that Dishonored has captured people’s attention,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “We are looking forward to sharing lots more information about the game leading up to its launch in October, and having a hands-on build of Dishonored in our booth at E3!”
For more information on Dishonored visit www.Dishonored.com.
Hi!
Well, they gorn and done it.
Bethesizzle has announced that we will get a Scrolls MMORPG.
Personally, I have little time for this genre. I want to enjoy a story and setting, not to be harangued by children, jumping on the spot or replacing letters with numbers.
The Public ruin almost all forms of media- the cinema has taught us this.
Still, I love the setting, so… well, it will come down to the cost.
Beholder:
ZeniMax Online Studios Takes Award-Winning Elder Scrolls Franchise Online In Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game
May 3, 2012 (London, UK) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced The Elder Scrolls® Online, an MMO in development at ZeniMax Online Studios. The Elder Scrolls Online will be the first Elder Scrolls game to allow gamers to explore the legendary Elder Scrolls world with others.
The Elder Scrolls Online is being developed for PC and Mac under the leadership of industry veteran Matt Firor, who has spent the last two decades working in online game development. Details about the game are revealed in an exclusive cover story in Game Informer®’s June issue, which ships to subscribers and newsstands this month.
“We have been working hard to create an online world in which players will be able to experience the epic Elder Scrolls universe with their friends, something fans have long said they wanted,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “It will be extremely rewarding finally to unveil what we have been developing the last several years. The entire team is committed to creating the best MMO ever made – and one that is worthy of The Elder Scrolls franchise.”
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim® is the most recent title set in the award-winning Elder Scrolls universe. Skyrim, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, was released in November 2011 and enjoyed worldwide critical and commercial success. Skyrim earned hundreds of ‘Game of the Year’ awards, including top honors at the 2012 Game Developers Choice Awards, the 15th Annual 2012 Interactive Achievement Awards held at the 2012 D.I.C.E. Summit, and at the 2011 Video Game Awards. Internationally, Skyrim shipped over 10 million units within the first month of its release, was the second highest grossing title in the industry last year, and is the fastest selling title in Steam’s history.
The Elder Scrolls Online will be featured on magazine covers across Europe and in online stories in the coming months which will provide gamers with more information about this exciting title.
Upon release, The Elder Scrolls Online will be available in English, German and French languages
Hi mortals!
After the dreaded birthday month, weigh-in time came with much apprehension.
The target for my weight loss was, roughly, 2 stones for 4 months. I started out fast, but slowed considerably through late March and April, as my resolve plummeted like a North Korean missile.
The result… today I weighed in at 14 stones, having lost 2 stones over 4 months. Bingo and/or Disco!
Well, I was as surprised as you, but heavily chuffed. I’m on target, pretty much, though it is becoming increasingly clear that I will have to step up the exercise elements in order to keep up this rate of loss. I currently only do one, maybe two workouts a week- hoping that the arrival of Kinect into my life will remedy that.
As for my diet, well… it’s not great. Having said that, I have done pretty much what I set out to do: I have lowered my portions massively without changing my habits too much. Bear in mind that I wanted to achieve the idle man’s weight loss program… how do you like that, gym androids?
I still eat the same rubbish, just within limits; cheese, crisps, occasional takeaways and all the rest. I haven’t adopted much in the way of healthy eating, except for a bit more veg and much less Coke. While this leaves room for improvement, it has still been effective and satisfactory.
Basically, not much ‘healthening’ going on, but I have lost weight and feel better, without busting too many of my balls. I can start doing more revolutionary things at a later date.
Until then, om nom nom.
Weigh-in:
Weight at end of month four: 14 stone (196 pounds)
Very much on track!
Loading ...