Welcome to Dialog Tree, where we still discuss the finer topics concerning video games, technology and other issues you’re less geeky friends care not to talk about — we just decided upon a better fitting title. So, let’s have a dialog, shall we? Have questions or something you’d like to see discussed? Let us know in the comments!

Aggregame, a social platform for video games, released the results of a year-long study of gamer’s tweets in the form of a neat looking infograph. Clearly inspired by tag clouds that visualize the popularity of tags used in blog posts (the larger the word, the more frequent the tag), Aggregame’s infographic states some of the obvious while revealing some provocative information about what motivates us to play video games aside from the fact that they’re just plain fun. (more…)

I am a die-hard Halo fan, and being such I am also by default a die-hard Red vs. Blue fan. I still remember stumbling upon the first season DVD at my local Electronics Boutique (remember those?) while picking up my official Halo 2 Logitech Headset; I have had a special place in my heart for Blood Gulch ever since.

New Video was kind enough to send me a copy of Red vs. Blue Season 6: Reconstruction, to review for the site; it had been a while since I had seen the series and I was curious as to what had happened since the ending of season 5. Popping the disc in my player the video quality definitely looked on par with the newly re-mastered discs that were recently released.

Red vs. Blue Season 6: Reconstruction is presented more or less as a 120 minute movie, and while that sounds great content wise, I found it honestly works better broken up in to 3 or more sittings. Where in other seasons there was no real over-arching plot where you really had to seriously pay attention, this season tries and barely passes with setting up several storylines that shambles through it’s more than ample running time.

While I wont say I didn’t enjoy the story, Red vs. Blue really isn’t about story… its about 2 teams trying to wipe each other out while making wise ass remarks throughout. While some of that is here as well, I found myself looking at my watch at several points waiting to get back to Sarge threatening to kill Church or Caboose to show up again.

More after the jump!

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Welcome to Dialog Tree (formerly known as Coffee Talk), where we still discuss the finer topics concerning video games, technology and other issues you’re less geeky friends care not to talk about — we just decided upon a better fitting title. So, let’s have a dialog, shall we? Have questions or something you’d like to see discussed? Let us know in the comments!

Nintendo’s Eiji Aonuma admitted to the existence of an official timeline for the Legend of Zelda series, but it’s a secret. Only Aonuma, Shigeru Miyamoto (we would hope he was involved) and the director of the title, Hidemaro Fujibayashi have seen the classified document. Surely this confirmation has sent  Zelda fans raving, not to mention that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will take place before Ocarina of Time. Considering the critically acclaimed title has been the chronological anchor to which every other Zelda release has been attached to, this is hug– wait, since when is all of this nonsense relevant? (more…)

Now, what's Saturn doing in the StarCraft universe?

When an e-mail from an address known as “SC2betaUS” appeared on my iPhone this Friday, informing me that I’ve been granted access to one of the hottest beta tests of the year, I swore to myself that it was some type of phishing scheme. After some frantic research (and opening it on something that supports the images within e-mails) I discovered — coupled with a “squee!” that had escaped my mouth — it was true. After an excruciatingly long year and two months of waiting since we all opted in for testing, I could play what could very well be the RTS of the year.

However (there’s always one of those), since my weekends normally consist of me being in front of my laptop for about 45 minutes to an hour total, I could only squeeze about 30 minutes of play in this weekend before the beta ended Monday night. But since I did promise via tweet that you would see a hands-on from yours truly, I must deliver. Everything said behind the cut is strictly from less than an hour with the final beta build of the StarCraft II. (more…)

I’ve never read the best-selling book, but having played through this game I most definitely want to.

The developers over at Freeverse took on the task of telling this tale by way of an iPhone game, and it seems like they did a pretty good job. Between bouts of dialogue which unfold the story in a concise fashion fit for the platform, you fight your way through each chapter the way you would an old side scroller… button smashing furiously. Think Final Fight or Double Dragon.

You play the role of Elizabeth, one of five sisters whose parents are split between wanting them married off and training them to be deadly ninjas. This means your character is dressed properly, in an evening grown, but also wields a Katana. Nice.

Gameplay itself is very simple. A tap swipes your blade. There are also some cool power moves which you can throw down by swiping in different directions, and it spices up the experience a bit. I tended to resort to my trusty tapping frenzy when hard times fell upon me. There were a few times where employment of power moves, which you upgrade throughout the game, were my only route to victory, but I never found myself using them. I felt that this mechanic was a bit forced, and I didn’t really dive all the way in.

I upgraded my moves in an almost obligatory fashion just to get to the next screen. I kind of did the same thing with the dialogue bits as well, though I did find myself laughing out loud at a few particular passages that, if you play this game, I hope you catch as well.

Overall the game is a quick play through, but by no means a cake walk. You will die, and often. A crazy story, a few laughs, chopping zombies with a katana wielded by a dress-clad lady… all for the price of a Lager. Not bad.

I’d say check it out, though ready your hands. I believe I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the process of beating this game.

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies [ Apple Store Link ]

Welcome to Geekadelphia’s weekly discussion column, Coffee Talk, where we talk about the finer topics concerning video games, technology and all the other things you can’t talk about with your slightly-less-geeky friends. Have questions or suggestions? Send an email to [email protected] or tweet with us. Follow me on Twitter if you’d like to keep this week’s discussion alive.

The most promising future of video games isn’t on consoles anymore, says Bioware co-founder Dr. Greg Zeschuk to Eurogamer. This is somewhat odd considering the developer has created some of the greatest console and PC RPGs to date.

What Zeschuk seems to mean by this statement isn’t that consoles are doomed to irrelevance, but that new services like Facebook’s gaming platform and mobile gaming are where the expansion will take place. And I kind of agree. (more…)

… And we’re back (sorry folks, was busy with graduating)! Welcome to Geekadelphia’s weekly discussion column, Coffee Talk, where we talk about the finer topics concerning video games, technology and all the other things you can’t talk about with your slightly-less-geeky friends. Have questions or suggestions? Send an email to [email protected] or tweet with us. Follow me on Twitter if you’d like to keep this week’s discussion alive.

A recent study by UK media research firm Ipsos MORI claims that gamers still like their shinies. The study, which surveyed 1000 folks, shows that 64 percent of them prefer physical media over digital download when it comes to how they purchase games.

According to IGN, senior director of Ipsos MORI Ian Bramley attributes the majority vote to the used games industry. While I couldn’t agree more, aren’t we ignoring one major contributing factor? Join us behind the cut. (more…)

Wow, that didn’t take long. Amid some very loud and public outcry, Blizzard has already changed its stance on the use of Real ID on their official forums. Just a few days ago I posted about the controversy here on Geekadelphia.

Everyone was talking about it, including high profile gamers like Tycho of Penny Arcade and Felicia Day. It seems all that talking and backlash has made a difference… sorta. Here’s a quote from the post by Blizzard’s CEO, Mike Morhaime:

I’d like to take some time to speak with all of you regarding our desire to make the Blizzard forums a better place for players to discuss our games. We’ve been constantly monitoring the feedback you’ve given us, as well as internally discussing your concerns about the use of real names on our forums. As a result of those discussions, we’ve decided at this time that real names will not be required for posting on official Blizzard forums.

But don’t expect Blizzard not to push forward with other aspects of Real ID and Battle.net integration. Morhaime’s comments in the third paragraph of his post make it pretty clear that they aren’t going to stop anytime soon. You can read the full statement here on the World of Warcraft forums.

7th Dimension Games is hosting a special pre-release tournament for Magic 2011, the latest core set for the Magic the Gathering collectible card game. Cards are not available for direct sale until July 15th, but players can get a sneak peak at the store’s special pre-release party on Sunday, July 11th.

At noon players can get their 7 booster packs, the promo card Sun Titan, and as many lands as they want. Players then open the packs and create a 40 card deck (the recommended size for a booster draft is 6 packs, but 7th Dimension Games will be using the 7th pack for thematic reasons). The store will be running a “Swiss tournament”, with probably 4 rounds (this will be based on head count). The entry fee for the tournament is $25. For each player that registers for the tournament, there will be 2 booster packs added to the prize pool. The top half of the tournie players will get at least one booster pack (exact counts determined by the head count).

And did I mention there’s free pizza involved?

7th Dimension Games is located at 1128 Easton Road, Rosyln, PA 19001. It is one block away from the Roslyn Train Station (take the R2 Warminster from Philadelphia, then walk north along Easton Road). The event begins at noon this Sunday, July 11th.

Magic the Gathering not your thing? 7th Dimension Games hosts weekly games of D&D Encounters, Legends of the 5 Rings, Blood Bowl, Flames of War, Call of Cthulhu, and more, along with several open gaming sessions. Visit 7thdimensiongames.com for a complete schedule.

Did you hear that? The sound of thousands of angry gamers crying out in unison? Blizzard Entertainment better batten down the hatches, because they have a virtual mob armed with pixel pitchforks headed their way.

Why? It’s all because of a “blue” (i.e., developer) post over on the official Blizzard forums about a key change about to take place. Blizzard is pushing through a significant upgrade to their account system called “Real ID” that will allow their customers to connect to each other across game factions, realms, etc. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Except that your Real ID will soon be your username on the Blizzard forums. And thus the angry mob was formed.

More after the jump!

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Ah, the Golden Age of PC adventure gaming. How I long for those simple, point and click days. I spent many hours of my youth playing LucasArts and Sierra adventure RPGs. From Quest for Glory to Police Quest, Day of the Tentacle to Loom… sigh. They just don’t make games like those anymore.

When Quest for Glory II: Trial By Fire was re-released and revamped by ADG Interactive, I was absolutely thrilled. When Phoenix Online Studios’ The Silver Lining was shuttered by Activision, I was heartbroken. This fan-made, labor of love almost didn’t see the light of day. Read more about why on Joystiq.

Well, good news! Phoenix Online and Activision have made an agreement to release the project as a free, downloadable series. The debut episode, What is Decreed Must Be, will be released this Saturday, July 10th, with several more installments coming throughout 2010.

It’s a brand new King’s Quest game, starring King Graham. Get psyched, kids. This is awesome. Check out the trailer below.

Heads up Xbox gamers, Mega Man 10 is currently only 400 MS Points this week, part of Xbox Live’s “Spring ’10 Leftovers” promotion.

Just thought I’d give you the heads up, on this incredibly fun, nostalgia packed, and practically-impossible game.

Other games include After Burner Climax (400MSP) and Scrap Metal (800MSP), but really, all we care about here on Geek is Mega Man 10. Go get it.

Mega Man 10 [ www.xbox.com ]