New 3DS ..HMMMM

Nintendo announced today that they will be unveiling a new 3ds. Not sure what to say about this.  It'll release first in Japan of course,  around October 11th. It has buttons. Buttons that look hijacked from an Xbox controller and tossed in a color/letter spinner.

The screen and camera are improved.  In the internal side things have also received an upgrade for a faster system and better graphics. There have been 'bumpers' added and anot her analog stick, presumably for camera control.

There are supposedly games that will be exclusive to this 3DS/3DXL set. Which it better. At 160/180, people would need a real reason to abandon the current system. I can't say for sure  Nintendo has given them that reason. I can't say I'll be running out for one. I will wait to see the exclusives. Xenoblade Chronicles is a good start.

Bioware just saved gaming. .well the switching consoles part

So I have had my first look at the keep. Some of you may already have, but for those of  you who didn't, I think it's fantastic.  Many of us may have started DA on a system that we aren't on any longer and this was the perfect way to get all that information into DAI. It's fast..on my tablet at least and beautiful.  The rest you will need to see for yourself.  I think its the future of gaming.  When we switch consoles and a game comes out that is part of a series, it's problematic.  I think the issue has been solved. In a past article I had the link. I highly suggest you sign up and check it out.  Me... I'm already imagining what the Mass Effect version will be called and look like.

Multiplayer Dragon Age Inquisition. .yes please

So in the spirit of Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age Inquisition will have multiplayer.  It won't be in a fixed area though.  Supposedly to begin with there will be 3 large levels, each sectioned into 5 smaller areas that you and 3 other players battle through. Hopefully something like the wave system from ME3. There should be plenty of lootables. It's confirmed you can unlock skins and heroes like in ME3. They have something called Platinum that can save you the work time,  but they have made it clear you get nothing but saved time  by spending money.. in other words.. its all free. I love Dragon Age but Dragon Age with friends..even better.

Games with Gold..Dishonored

I LOVE this game.  I've already done a full review on it, so check it out if you can.

I opted for the kill everything, then stealth. Both are rewarding. Game play and visuals are awesome...and hey,  its free. Check out my review, if you need help,  leave a comment or email me @ gamerchickdish@gmail.com

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Introducing Shadow Realms

I guess Bioware wants to make sure we have plenty top play. This is a 4 vs 1 online co-op mission story driven game. The world is ever evolving so nothing should be the same. All fights should be different so you can't just assume you know how a battle will go. Players can choose whether they want to be the Shadow lord or one of the 4 modern heroes.

The press release states: In Shadow Realms, Modern Heroes on Earth are being awakened and recruited, because of magical powers they never knew they had, to fight in a new and dangerous war against the Shadow legions of Embra. The Shadow Legions, who have been battling on Embra for years against the members if the Radiant Empires, have gained new strength with the coming of a powerful, unknown force that we call the Shadowlords. And they have just figured out how to leave Embra and invade Earth.

The gameplay should almost be episodic...so everyone should be able to get a grasp on the story.

Click here if you'd like to sign up for the alpha.

Dragon Age Inquisition Official Trailer

I think it looks great! Epic! Can't wait to play. The one dragon attacking the other makes me wonder if we will have control over dragons. Either way I'm excited and can't wait to build my mage...or maybe Qunari?  What are you playing as?

Mass Effect Creator Leaves Bioware..Thank you Casey

Well first off,  thank you Casey Hudson, for your part in bringing one of my two favorite trilogies to life. The hours I have spent playing Mass Effect are absolutely ridiculous.  As is the amount of time I spent co strutting my female Shep. .all total badasses.

16 years at Bioware and he's outta there.  Optimistically,  but he's still gone.  He thinks that future ME installments will still be game changers, but I don't know..i loved that consistent,  connecting feeling i got when playing the ME trilogy. Will it still be there? I know no one person makes a game,  but generally one or two create one. It's crazy to think of an ME without him.

In a letter to his  coworkers, he said that it was the most difficult decision. ...ya think? !?!?! The dude has given nothing but greatness..... come on..Star Wars Knights Old Republic....classic.

I was glad to see Bioware handle it with class....some companies don't do that.
I wish him well in his future endeavors..whatever he decides to do with himself after his well deserved break.

I will definitely feel a little sadder next time I'm zip up my N7 Hoodia or go kill geth.

Nintendo and the repair process. ...

So i gave my youngling  a special/limited edition 3ds for Christmas.

One day, it just wouldn't turn on.  Now he's pretty responsible and I plug it in and stuff so I knew it wasn't user error. I called Nintendo and explained to them the situation. .....their immediate response was water damage we don't cover. I didn't ask you that, nor did I say it was near water. I'm calling about a power issue. Guy starts a rant and rave about how their warranty is the best. Great..show me. Well we printed the label and shipped it out on the 22nd or so. They received it on the 24th. Mind you they are in the same state. Takes a week for them to even update it to received, but I had already checked the tracking by then. It sat until the 31st with no change in status. The 1st it shows that it's in repair.  Then they email me saying there's an urgent issue. This was what I was not looking forward to.  From  what I had read, Nintendo is infamous for cop outs on the warranty.  Well their issue wasn't that, it was what color system did he want because they couldn't repair his.  Of course he was devastated because he loved that blue. In fact they only actually had 2 colors to pick from which I found kind of sad. People spend the extra money on limited editions/ special editions and are kind of screwed if nintendo can't fix it. If it's your fault that the system messed up,  fine,  but if not,  you lose. They are at least sending a factory certified instead of refurbished so at least the parts are new and the warranty is reset. One guy who lost his special edition legend of Zelda 3ds due to a motherboard issue said that was the last time he purchased one.  When he brought it up to them they said he only paid for the game, basically said the case didn't matter. I'm not sure I totally agree with that. People have preferences for a reason. I'm not sure what they could do to fix that, but may be something they want to look into.  Overall I think they have one of the  better warranties,  but the execution leaves much to be desired. 

Abilities. ..we've got TONS

1. Mike Laidlaw says that your character and party will have over 200 abilities to choose from.  Top me that is awesome. Seeing  how party driven this game seems to be, it will be interesting to see what abilities compliment what. There will be the standard rouge, mage and warrior classes and  more specializations.  Laidlaw says they have focused more on specializations for this game and have  more of an effect on your chracter. I'm wondering how noticeable it will all be. I personally build spirit healers, will my focus be on that or can I throw in some extra and make her a bad ass arcane warrior who can also bring you back if you fall out somewhere? I can't wait to see. I also like playing as a rogue.  I'd be cool if  my rouge could do like the assassin in Dark Souls and flip over an enemy's back and slit their throat.  I'm also wondering how the Qunari will play in.  Their mages were......different.  will that be reflected?