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Gamemonger, the home of news about gaming and all things related to gaming. Endeavouring to bring you almost-objective news in a near-timely fashion. Will predominately be about PC-related games, but if anyone has a suggestion for a good console article, just let me know!
My previous post regarding GTA made me think far too much regarding what the world considers to be THE best video game of all time. So I'm going to throw the doors open to the Orble community and ask that very same question to you, thy faithful readership, to find out once and for all...


WHAT IS THE BEST VIDEO GAME EVER MADE?

To begin with, we shall create a top 50 (or thereabouts) from all your nominations. A maximum of three games per reader can be nominated, and if someone has already mentioned one of your titles, you're welcome to mention it again, but just remember that the game in question need only be nominated once to be included in the ballot.


Once all nominations are taken, the vote begins (within a new post, of course) and a winner discovered. You can only vote for one game, but you're more than welcome to explain why you wish to vote for it. Makes for good readin', that, eh?

Nominations will take place over the next three days, until this saturday evening (Australian EST), so get thinking, be thoughtful, and let your voice be heard. Keep in mind, this isn't just a little post i'm throwing together to increase readership (honest), I'm greatly interested to hear the views of the Orble community on the industry I love so dearly, so don't be afraid to just jump in, post once, and never read my column again. It won't hurt me, really. Besides ... I'm Iron Man! ... in my head, at least.
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The Year Ahead

January 13th 2008 08:01
Is it me, or is the year ahead not going to be as good as the year gone by? Smash Brothers Brawl will lead the charge, but a majority of the big name titles of 2008 so far doesn't seem to hold as big an interest as those of 07.

Having said that, there's plenty to still talk about. Besides Brawl, the other most anticipated title that (cross the fingers) won't be too much long to wait for is Spore, Will Wrights next big thing. Ever since watching Robin Williams play Spore nearly two years ago, this has been on my must play list.

There's GTAIV, of course, but unless the game pulls us into the next generation in a big way, I'm not expecting big things from Rockstar this time.


What else is there? Oh, Halo Wars. This one will be very interesting to watch. Will the fans be interested in a game that doesn't involve the Master, nevermind not being an FPS game?

Ah, now here's something hopeful. The PS3 has some good titles on the way, some that could finally be the big console sellers Sony needs, none more so than Killzone 2. Like Gears of War, it's the kind of macho heavy title that could be a strong contender amongst the competition. And then there's Metal Gear Solid 4, which could very well do the same thing. And Little Big Planet will no doubt go down as one of the most innovative titles of the year. It all goes towards a hopefully better year for Sony ... and all without mentioning Gran Turismo 5 ...

One game I'm unsure of so far, but could very well be a must have, is Mario Kart Wii. The last time Mario Kart saw the limelight was a very successful venture on the DS, and from what I've read, it will take a similar style into this iteration including online. MK's an old favourite of mine, but I'm a little hesitant until I get some game play time under the belt.

There's also a number of games that I'll be keeping a close eye on. Blizzard's next World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Litch King; Guitar Hero IV (yet to be announced, but a sure bet); Final Fantasy Tactics A2; and yes, I'll mention it ... Duke Nukem Forever ... but only to get a laugh or two.
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The Gamemonger '07 Review

December 31st 2007 12:02
There's just hours to go in the year ... wait a second, while am I still here! That aside, here's a quick wrap on the year that was in video games.

* Ownership means everything - Merging, takeovers, whatever you want to call it, there were plenty movers and shakers this year within the industry. Some will forever change the landscape, especially the more recent Activision/Vivendi merger. That move, in particular, shouldn't make much of a difference in terms of what's created, but it will change the shape of the industry itself.

It's no wonder, then, that Electronic Arts bought into a number of big name companies itself to ensure its share, outside of the sporting arena, is a solid one for the next few years. Picking up Bioware and Pandemic will certainly push the company into a broader area of development. Hopefully, though, that business purchase won't destroy an already healthy production cycle.

There's been a number of rumours this year, among the movement. Sega continues to ask the question of future acquisitions, but a merger hasn't been left out of the question either. Of course, fanboys have quickly jumped on the 'join Nintendo' bandwagon, but that's an unlikely event.

* Hate to say I told you so - For someone deeply interested in the industry, following the hardware sales over the course of the year was one of the more interesting stories of '07. Who would have thought a simple change in style would have shot Nintendo back to the top of the charts, and then some. The Nintendo Wii has been a powerhouse, slipping past Microsoft's 360 to sit atop the pile as the year comes to a close. It's unfortunate, though, that shortages continue to frustrate fans still waiting to grab a Wii remote, but if the demand continues to grow at its current rate well into 2008 ... well, let's just say the Wii isn't a one hit wonder.

* Quality, Quality, Quality - '07 will go down as one of the better years for gamers, if not the best in modern times. Three major consoles and two handhelds shared the limelight, and each and every one of them had a number of major releases that caught everyone's attention. I can't remember the last time there's been this many top quality titles, with such a broad sense of appeal to boot. Spoilt for choice certainly comes to mind, but I have to admit, it's nice to see so much healthy competition. The more the merrier.

* And the award goes to...

I can't go on without at least handing out a few congratulations, so here goes:

To Nintendo, for finally finding a market share and proving that they haven't lost any of the magic that made them so popular when I was a young one. Welcome back to the big time, kiddo. Super Mario Galaxy will go down as the pinnacle of a long and, at times, highly challenging career.

To Microsoft, for supporting the fans and listening to the complaints. There's been plenty to like about the 360 software wise this year, but it's the sense of community the team has been able to build up that has been most pleasing for me. Xbox Live is a God send among gamers, and although Halo 3 didn't blow the socks off as much as everyone hoped it would, there's no doubting its multiplayer pedigree.

To Sony. Ah yes, poor little Sony. You may have fallen far from the heights you once reached, but here you still are, pushing on despite the sudden drop in sales. The PS3 is a solid entertainment unit, no doubts there. Here's hoping, though, that the software that will prove it beyond any doubt will finally start to trickle in ... oh, and how about a price drop or two, yeah?

Thanks also go to SquareEnix, for releasing more Final Fantasy than even a fan can handle in one year. To Bioware, for ensuring that no merger or takeover will ever change an outlook on development ... oh, and yeah, for Mass Effect. To Valve and its Orange Box marvel, and that little puzzle game everyone keeps talking about; Portal. To Major Nelson for reminding all his fans that he is, indeed, only human. To Duke Nukem who, despite all the odds, has caught everyone by the 'who's your father' after all these years and proven us wrong ... well, almost. To Shigeru Miyamoto, not that he needed to prove he still had the magic. To Will Wright ... actually, no, I take that back until next year, but only if Spore is a hit.

And finally, and most importantly, to the gamers. Yes, even you, dear reader. For without gamers, without those devoted souls like I who pump millions into the industry each and every year, we wouldn't be sitting here hours before time ticks over (or, in some states, already has ticked over) reflecting on all those amazing hours spent spooked by Bioshock, stunned by Call of Duty 4 and Crysis or overcome with glee with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

So here's to 2007, I raise my glass to ye. And here's hoping, as another year sets sail, that the level of quality seen this season passes onto the next.
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Calling all Gamers

December 13th 2007 10:34
Gamemonger is on the look out for some new team members, specifically those who want their thoughts on the gaming industry to be heard. You need a little writing experience, obviously, and a passion for all forms of gaming ... hell even monopoly, if you're so inclined.

Now remember, this little site isn't about gaming reviews, but it IS all about opinions. There's plenty of ideas that I'd like to explore, but I can't do it all by my lonesome, hence I'm calling out for a little help


[ Click here to read more ]
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Christmas Gaming Ideas - Buyers Guide

December 4th 2007 11:08
It's Part III, and this time I'm taking a look at the games that should be on your must by list. Most you'll know, but some you may be surprised to see...

Bioshock - I haven't chosen a game of the year as yet (I'll make that choice later), but this one's right up there. There's no multiplayer options, but unlike some experiences, you don't need that option here. It's imaginative, beautiful to watch and perfectly balanced. It's on PC and 360, and being a few months old, you might be able to pick this one up even cheaper than it's original RRP


[ Click here to read more ]
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Christmas Gaming Ideas - Part II

November 28th 2007 11:30
Time for some more Christmas gaming ideas, what with December only a few days away. Can't leave it too late, can we...

Trade & Save - It may seem like an unusual idea, but it could save you a few hard earned dollars. Have a close look at your old games or, dare I say it, your kids old games, and ask the important questions. Do you still need them? Do you still play them? If the answer is no to both, then what better way to improve your chances of playing Call of Duty 4 or Need for Speed Pro Street this holiday season than trading in your old titles towards them


[ Click here to read more ]
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Answering the call: Ghostbusters Return

November 16th 2007 08:07
Well it's about time, that's all I can say. The Ghostbusters, an 80's classic that defined my very existence as a child, are returning ... to the game screen, no less.

The real sequel has been on again and off again so many times over the years, it's actually a little surprising that this has finally come about. Vivendi and Sony will publish the game across just about every major platform, with two teams working on two versions. Terminal Reality will work on the 360, PS3 and PC editions, while Red Fly Studio have been handed the task of bringing a more family oriented version to Wii, DS and PS2


[ Click here to read more ]
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Game of the Week: November 5 - 9

November 8th 2007 11:30
I know what you're thinking. How could Gamemonger possibly find one game out of the stack of big releases this week?

Or 'How can Guitar Hero III not win


[ Click here to read more ]
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November has just begun and, taking a look at this weeks release, you'd be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come early this year ... come to think of it, Christmas came last month. I mean, who buys decorations in October?

So anyway, we've got Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, The Simpsons game on just about every format imaginable, Guitar Hero III (which I'll be taking a closer look at later this week), Big Brain Academy on Nintendo Wii, The Lego Star Wars is complete (another game I'll be looking into for sure), and Pro Evo returns for 2008. Hell, even Dirty Dancing is getting a release this week


[ Click here to read more ]
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Gamemonger Returns

October 25th 2007 10:10
That's right folks. Gamemonger has returned. Don't fret, there's no giant shift in focus here, this is all about the biggest news the industry can throw at its audience, among a few other bits and pieces added for good measure. So sit back, relax, and enjoy reading Gamemonger. And a shout out to the sites former owner, wherever you are buddy ...
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