So you readers out there are probably starting to notice I have a new whipping boy in the video game world… and it’s the redesigned 360 interface and the (ugh) Avatars. I’ll be ranting and raving about it like a lunatic for the next few months, so Wii fanboy’s will probably be getting a break for the time being. I’m like the huge glowing Eye of Sauron, I can only seem to focus on one thing at a time.

What I can’t figure out is why they found it a good idea to waste so much screen space. Everything just seems to float in the middle of the screen with tons of grey nothing in the background (ad space perhaps?) Have they looked at this on a SD tv? I have a feeling those on smaller sets will have an honest to good problem seeing it. Oh and white text against a grey background? Brilliant. The Avatars are something separate and it pisses me off to think about them so I best just leave it alone. But I’ll say this: they fucking suck. God help those of you with tons of friends, having to look at a bunch of puppets bouncing about trying to get a “party” together.

It’s really weird that they always seem to refer to any group on this thing as a “party.” Reminds me of when I watch Cathouse on HBO and the hooker refers to what they do as a “party” when all they really mean is someone’s about to pay for sex.

Now this video below shows it all in motion. I didn’t like it when they first showed it at the Microsoft press conference, and seeing this just re-affirmed it. Maybe it changes your mind, maybe you like it even more. I know some people out there are going to agree with me and some aren’t.

I really and truly want to hear some opinions on the matter, so even though you don’t usually comment do me a favor and chime in.

Fallout 3 has got to be one of the most hotly anticipated titles ever for me. This trailer furthers my belief that the series is in good hands with Bethesda. The trailer starts in typical Fallout fashion with some sort of ad (this one features Mr. Handy), zooming out to show a devasted landscape. After that, it goes on to show a bloody mess of a montage of gameplay footage with a cameo by Dogmeat. I just wish we could see some more of the RPG aspect of it.

The battle scenes, though gorgeous, leave me wondering how, exactly, it will function. I seem to recall hearing that the battle system would be flexible between a sort of turn based-type system which allows you to target body parts (like the originals) and the run-and-gun style gameplay that dominates this trailer. Anyways, I’ll have to go do my homework on this while you watch the trailer. Hope you enjoy it!

UPDATE: There’s some gameplay footage after the jump that shows exactly how the combat system works, as well as some other footage that should satisfy your curiosity for now. Those classic sound effects have got me so excited. Can’t wait!

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Prince of Persia: Sands of Time = AWESOME
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within = Cool in spite of emo-”ness”
Prince of Persia: Two Thrones = um… next please?

So it’s with great relief and excitement that Ubisoft has decided to go back and re-tool the franchise from the ground up. And this new direction in art seems to have everyone (including me) amped up. I personally love the style of the Prince now and as long as the acrobatic flipping and flying is still in-tact I’m all over this one. Anticipation…. rising.

As a kid growing up in the 80’s, Ghostbusters sat at or near the top of the cool meter. As of late we’ve had our fair share of 80’s icons dragged through the mud (Transformers the movie I’m looking directly at you) and while I’m anxiously optimistic for GI Joe the movie it seems that Ghostbusters the game isn’t going to let us down. With the original ‘Busters themselves on board, let’s hope it’s not a train wreck. I just can’t take more of my childhood heroes being destroyed (cough, Indiana Jones, cough).

I had so many “running” puns I couldn’t decide which one to go with, and I eventually just gave up and figured a literal title to the post was the best way to go. Rest assured I had ones to play on Logan’s Run, Running Man, Run Lola Run, and more. But, I failed you all and was left dejected and unable to think of anything good enough to grace this post headline.

Oh, by the way… Mirror’s Edge looks fucking sick and is now one of my more anticipated titles. But what system to get it for? I hate the 360 Avatar system so much I’m now seriously open to other consoles. I actually don’t care that this game doesn’t integrate them, the whole thing just bugs me. Yea, I hate it that much and you’ll hear me ranting about for quite some time. I hate it more than motion controls. The whole idea makes me want to run, to run so far away…. (ZING!)

You’re probably asking yourself why you’d bother reading a site that isn’t going to E3 for E3 news, and I’d probably have to ask you the same question. Of course, I could also give you a multi-reasoned answer.

1. All the big sites are going to be overloaded with news you don’t really care about. Call it the rush to publish every press release under the sun, but since we’re beholden to no one we’ll do what we normally do… cover the stuff we find interesting.

2. We’ve got Canadians.

3. We’re fucking hilarious.

I’m personally a little bitter about what E3 has become. Their media invite system seems set-up to make sure you get only the people you want to cover their stuff, and since PR firms and companies choose what journalists they want to attend you’re kinda/sorta buying positive coverage. I’m not saying we turned down invitations to go, but I certainly didn’t beat down doors trying to track one down either. So maybe a little distance from the event will do us good.

There ya go, we’ll see you all next week while we cover what could potentially be (if my prediction comes true) the last event known as E3.