As is expected from ArenaNet, the trailer is beautiful. Starting with concept art, we actually get to see game footage in a rather long montage of landscapes. And jumping! There is a bunch of that going on, watch for characters running around, exploring this new dimension to their modes of movement.

There is also an FAQ for the game available.

Update: Something is wonky with the server, and it isn't server the video. You can download it directly (gw2-trailer.ogv), or you can check out the video trailer page.

The idea is to research and build, and explore new planets to colonize, while fighting over players. At the rate in which I am building it seems like it will be weeks before I even get a shipyard built. There isn't much to the game, so some of you might not be caught, but I like something I can check every few hours, click a few buttons, and leave to do its thing.

I am in the Barym Universe (each 'verse has its own logins), so if you join add me as a buddy. If we get enough people maybe we can form an alliance, or something. ^_^

LOTRO: Twitter Exclusive Reveal! VOLUME II, BOOK 8: SCOURGE OF KHAZAD-DÛM coming in June! You heard it here first!

Yay! New content for Heren Vanista to blow through! ^_^

The game is very much a classic arcade game, think the original arcade TMNT. It feels very much like a console port, the camera is jumpy, the controls don't quite "feel" right and the action/combat is very repetitive.

What grabbed me though was the character progression. Powers to learn, points to earn (and then spend) costumes to unlock, characters to unlock, special abilities to gain. The more you play a specific character, the further you can develop them. And thus they call it an rpg. There's nothing they do here that's remarkable, but it was more of a moment of self realization; I like it when I can develop a character. There's something deeply satisfying and fun in it for me.

So what is an RPG? The basic idea is that you take on the persona of a given character and act it out. That's not really what an rpg is for me, I'll do that with most games. In Grand Theft Auto I used to ignore the missions and imagine my own. There was enough freedom in the game that I was able to to act out what I believed my character would do.

Perhaps the question is pointless. I sit here and try to define what an rpg is to me, but I feel that the term is now just a marketing word with no one definition.

So instead I'll try and get back to the vague point of this blog post. That is, my sudden interest in the game when character development was added. Why did I have such a strong reaction? Is it because from such an early age I've played games with character development? Or perhaps by customizing the character, I'm able to get into their head more and imagine more involved scenarios.

-justin

From the Neotokyo music page:

13 songs will be released as mp3's free with the mod, but if you want to support Ed Harrison, and all the hard work he has put into this 27 TRACK-DOUBLE CD, then we can't think of a better way to spend $11 dollars.

Beyond the pure excitement that we will soon be able to play this mod, this is a great example of independent developers coming together and creating something without the need of a game publisher backing them. Of course, that doesn't mean that the game won't be showing up on Steam sometime after it is released.

Because I am a chump for soundtrack music, and that I don't play mp3's, I ordered the CD today (it was out of stock quickly, so hurry and get yours!). Soon I will be chillaxing to an even larger ambient cyberpunk playlist! ^_^

The world’s first console-based Alternate Reality Game starts today in PlayStation Home.

Called Xi , the adventure takes place in a series of secret areas in Home – and beyond – changing day by day, week by week, in real time. Anyone with a PLAYSTATION 3 can join in the fun for free.

To discover the mystery of Xi, simply log on to PlayStation Home and look for the graffiti on the wall in the main square. Find that, and all will be revealed….

I wanted to test it out before I blogged about it, and it is live, with a new zone that pays homage to a past project (or something). You can hear all about the speculation in the Xi forum.

Now, if you excuse me, I need to find the other scraps of paper...

Congratulations to the Wesnoth team! This is a great update to an already great game. I will definitely be on later tonight! ^_^

We’re finally able to announce that our latest free downloadable Burnout pack bikes will be out 18th September!!!

It’s tough to give specific dates on downloadable content, because we don’t know for certain until the last minute. But hey, we’re really excited about bringing bikes to Burnout, so we’re going to take a chance and tell you that we’re aiming for September 18 – that’s this coming Thursday!

There is more details on that post, but nothing new. The question is, get it now, or wait until the game is released on the PSN as a downloadable game?