In a survey taken by game journalists in 2007, it’s discoveries about Japanese gamers inspired me to write about it. Ever notice that most games made in Japan have subtitles? (and not because they’re in Japanese, wiseguy) Well that’s because the Japanese would rather read than listen. Is that the developer’s choice to not include audio? some video game analysts say “no”. “It’s hard to emphasize certain points of the game.” Sure, you can show a character angry, but you can read ‘What’s he doing here?’ two ways”. Without a voice I would read the sentence as it’s written. But without a voice it would be difficult to know that he meant ‘What’s HE doing here?’, adding emphasis on the word he. My capitalization may or not make sense, thus my need in audio.

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written by Juan Perez \\ tags: America, audio, caption, developer, Features, game, Gamers, industry, Japan, Japanese, market, notice, Read, Survey, United States, US, video, voice, wiseguy, word, year

Fatal Frame IV has finally been given an official release date.  On July 31, the game will hit shelves in Japan.  Fatal Frame IV is perhaps one of the few unreleased Wii games that I am really excited about currently.  Unfortunately, there’s no word on the North American release for the game.  Rumors have stated that the game will be called “Zero” when and if it gets released here in the states.  If you haven’t checked out the information on this title, I suggest you do so.  Survival horror will probably never be better on the Wii.

Via G4 - The Feed

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: date, Fatal, Frame, game, haven, horror, information, Japan, July, Nintendo Wii, North American, release, Survival, title, Via, word, Zero

Atari has sent us word that a contest is currently underway on their official Alone in the Dark site, www.centraldark.com. Now, while the prizes seem to be cool enough — 4 tickets for Paris or New York and some games — it really is just a clever marketing ploy to promote the game.

Regardless, to participate all you need to do is start a group where you pass a “torch” to all your friends and, in turn, they “keep the fire burning” onto others. Seems like fun, but also might take some work as the “torch” needs to be passed every 24 hours.

If your up for it, hit up the official site and get that fire burning. Alone in the Dark is developed by Eden Games and is due June 24 for Xbox 360, PC, Wii and PS2 with a PS3 version dropping by the end of the year.

Via Press Release

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Alone, Atari, Burning, centraldark, com, contest, Eden, Fire, June, New York, Official, Paris, site, Today, torch, underway, word, www

Many a night I search the Internets looking for that next “hidden treasure”.  Well you guys tell me, but I think I found a doozie here myself.  Upon searching for RockStar links, (since all the craze is GTA IV), I stumbled upon this timer for GTA2.  The date above the link is the day I visited, but what is the date below? Now, there’s been no official word as to what the timer is clocking down to, but the rumors are flying here among our staff.

Check out the official site here, and tell me what YOU think it leads to…

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: craze, Dated, GTA, GTA 2 timer, Internets, June, night, PSN, Rockstar, site, staff, timer, treasure, word, XBLA