Trolling rife in online videos games, research reveals.

Some female gamers were ‘gender swapping’ online because they had received sexist comments from trolls.

Almost two-thirds of gamers have admitted to ‘trolling’ other users in online video games, new research has revealed. Cyberpsychologists at Nottingham Trent University have carried out the first ever study of trolling in online games to understand the frequency, types and reasons for trolling – a phenomenon which involves intentionally provoking or antagonising users in an online environment.

Types of trolling spanned racism, sexism, deliberately ‘griefing’ other users via in-game behaviours – such as persistently killing or blocking own team members – and creating false or misleading scenarios just to elicit a response. Trolling in video games was often textual, auditory, or in the form of physical in-game actions, the researchers found.

The study also found that those who were regular victims of trolling had a lower self-esteem, whereas those who witnessed regular trolling of others had higher self-esteem.

Professor Mark Griffiths, the director of Nottingham Trent University’s International Gaming Research Unit, said: “Although this was an exploratory study, we were surprised at the relatively high level of trolling that had occurred amongst the players we surveyed. As far as we are aware, this is the first ever published study of trolling within online gaming environments so we hope it will kick-start other research teams to replicate or challenge our findings”.

Most gamers played between 16 and 20 hours a week and the most popular video game genre was roleplaying games (32.8%) followed by first person shooter games (26.4%) and action games (16.8%).

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All Format Charts Week Ending 2 March 2013

Crysis 3 takes the top spot

The weekly figures are in, and it looks like another strong week for EA who see not one, but four titles in the top 20 this week, all of which are in the top 10!

It comes as little surprise that Crysis 3 is sitting pretty at the top of the table, with Fifa 13 still doing strong in 2nd place. It is however a shame to see Revengeance drop down to 2nd place, can it really be loosing steam already, or do you think it will battle it out near the top of the charts for a while?

There is little else of excitement going on this week, mostly just the big hitters from the last 12 months changing places but the only real fresh blood this week is the return of Red Dead redemption thanks to the popularity of the GOTY edition.

There are some great games about to launch and this generation is set to go out with a bang, so who knows what the next few weeks will bring, hopefully weekly results more exciting than this.

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Assassin's Creed IV Details Unleashed

The New Assassin’s Creed Arrives in UK Stores on 1st November

Today, Ubisoft announced Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, the next installment in the company’s best-selling franchise. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag introduces an all new hero and setting, and will feature the most diverse and seamless Assassin’s Creed world ever created.

In development for nearly two years, the game is being spearheaded by one of the veteran Assassin’s Creed teams in Ubisoft Montreal with support from Ubisoft studios in Annecy, Bucharest, Kiev, Quebec, Singapore and Sofia. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag will be released on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation4 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Nintendo’s Wii U system, Windows PC and other next generation consoles. The game will be available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, and Nintendo’s Wii U system on 1st November, 2013 in the UK.

“With the new hero and new setting we are creating the boldest and most unique Assassin’s Creed game yet, while still respecting the pillars of the franchise that have made it such a fan favorite,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag is based on a true, harsh and exciting part of a legendary era and will thrill longtime fans and newcomers alike.”

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag tells the story of Edward Kenway, a young British man with a thirst for danger and adventure, who falls from privateering for the Royal Navy into piracy as the war between the major Empires comes to an end. Edward is a fierce pirate and seasoned fighter who soon finds himself embroiled in the ancient war between Assassins and Templars. Set at the dawn of the 18th Century, the game features some of the most infamous pirates in history, such as Blackbeard and Charles Vane, and takes players on a journey throughout the West Indies during a turbulent and violent period of time later to become known as the Golden Age of Pirates.

Gameplay in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag is based upon the franchise’s proven tenets. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag features a vast open world with more than 50 navigable locations. Combat combines the weaponry of the Assassin’s Order with armaments of the era, and rewards both daring and stealth. And the series’ acclaimed multiplayer experience is more varied and ruthless than ever in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag.

Customers who purchase Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 can download 60 minutes of additional gameplay via the PlayStation Network after the game’s launch.

Collector’s Editions of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag will be available in the EMEA region. More details will be unveiled by the end of March.

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Lara Croft Tomb Raider Cosplay - The Good, The Bad, The Weird

A collection of the weird and wonderful to get you through the rest of the week.

The latest Tomb Raider game is almost upon us and its times like this when the poster girl of the mid 90's becomes all the more popular again, heck even Conan O'Brian has been mixed up in the act of digital perverting when it comes to Lara and its not hard to see why.

Lara is looking better than ever in her latest game and quite literally "dirtier" oh my!

Gone are the normal good the bad and the weird sections of these galleries (I just like the title good, bad, weird), I like to let you good people decided which are the best of the bunch, surely that's more fun, so I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and of course if you have some cosplay pictures to share with the community, hit us up with the links in the comments section.

After some user feedback I'm happy to say that were bringing back the weird ones, sure you all love some great pictures (not just of ladies either) but there is a darker, funnier side to Cosplay that apparently, you do all still want to see, enjoy the extra pictures toward the bottom of the article and thank you for the lovely feedback.

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Armored Core: Verdict Day coming to EMEA and Australasia this autumn

Streamlined Multiplayer and Advanced Customization Options Lead the Charge in All-Out Mech Battle Action Title

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe today announced that it will be bringing ARMORED CORE: VERDICT DAY to PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft to EMEA and Australasia this autumn. The world has been thrown into chaos. Important natural resources needed for the survival of competing factions are scavenged and fought across the world with deadly Armored Core mechs. A strong trigger finger, innovative customization and strategic teamwork will be all that stand between survival and complete annihilation.



Renowned Japanese game developer FromSoftware returns to its hardcore mech action franchise with ARMORED CORE: VERDICT DAY. Command a squadron of advanced Armored Core mechs in a dystopian future ravaged by war. Players will form squads of up to 20 members and enlist into one of the various in-game factions to wrestle control of territories away from other players in the game’s persistent multiplayer mode. New gameplay features will be implemented into ARMORED CORE: VERDICT DAY to ensure that players who choose to play alone will be able to create and recruit a squad of A.I. controlled mechs and enjoy the robust feature sets of co-op and multiplayer modes while new matchmaking system ensures that players will always find battles at a moment’s notice.

The Operator Mode returns from ARMORED CORE V, allowing players to tactically command a squad of Armored Cores through missions by relaying real-time information to other pilots by marketing targets and setting rally points. ARMORED CORE VERDICT DAY expands the role of Operator to fully command a squad of computer-controlled Armored Core mechs, creating a brand new real-time strategic mode for the ARMORED CORE series.

ARMORED CORE: VERDICT DAY will allow fans of ARMORED CORE V to carry over their save data to experience brand new content with their customized Armored Core from the previous title. Players will be able to further customize their Armored Core mechs with new parts ranging from guns, armor pieces, shields and boosters. The new robust customization options will help players synchronize their mech loadouts with teammates to deliver maximum destruction on the battlefield.

www.armoredcoregame.com

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YouTube Gaming Channel Review: The Omnishambles

Today I'm taking a look at the sublime efforts of Alex, Tobie, Rich, Sam & Briony, collectively known as "The Omnishambles" and more importantly their gaming focused YouTube channel of the same name.

The team have been going for a few months now and while they are still putting in the hours on their final design, logos, ideas, they have already provided us with some truely fantastic content and more than one would normally expect from a new to the scene gaming channel.

There is no doubt that YouTube is bursting at the seams with gaming content these days, every man and his dog and his dogs dogs dog has a gaming related video on YouTube, its for these reasons that it is becoming harder and harder to find the diamonds in the rough. There is a lot of well made, orginal, funny, creative, useful and generally entertaining content hidding amongst the millions of videos and The Omnishambles are one such channel.



Alex started the project and shortly after took on board Rich to assist with video editing and capturing footage. Tobie Sam and Briony have all leant their tallents to the ideas, commentary and massive amount of gameplay that have been required to build up the teams content, let alone the million other intricacies of building any content to a high standard.

"We set up this channel because we have a great time playing games together and we love making silly videos, so this was a natural point for those things to meet. We're aiming for a place where people can spend a few minutes watching the stuff we do and hopefully have a good enough time to follow us on more of our adventures. Sometimes these will be special features, where we run with an idea we think is silly enough to make other people laugh, or sometimes it'll just be playing a game because we think it's fun or we can help other people out." - Alex

I've been getting stuck into their channel for a while now, most notably since their video Thrash Metal Farming Simulator picked my interest and it even got the attention of CVG. Sure there are even a few of these videos about but they did a fantastic job of the editing and also played to my personal musical tastes, so all is good.

"We're not going for cheap laughs; not that we're above all that, we just want to make stuff everyone can enjoy (think "Adam and Joe" over Jimmy Carr). What we're aiming for is well made (despite the name) content that everyone can get a giggle out of and, mostly, we want it to feel like the channel has a bit of our personalities in it - silly, friendly and fun!" - Alex

The team have already put out a solid collection of hands on gameplay videos, first impressions, previews, funny ideas and more and if they can keep this momentum going I expect them to go on to great things. One of their best (IMHO) is their Sony PlayStation 4 Superbowl Non Announcement video, superbly edited, well thoughtout idea that really does highly a serious issue with the marketing of todays games, movies and other media, yet still manages to get a few laughts from it too.

Its rare that I decided to sit down to play through videos, most often its due to unclear audio, people that talk rubbish, have an annoying voice or poorly edited video, any of the reasons that can make a typical You Tube video unbearable. The Omnishambles seem to have found their groove pretty quickly, they in a clear easy to understand fashion, can be funny without getting on your wits and all the time manage to maintain structure on the content they are playing that makes for an entertaining watch throughout. Most importantly, they know when to shut up and let you enjoy the gameplay.

Another stand out feature of their videos are their guides, especially the Guild Wars 2 videos that feature an interactive clickable map, making for quick an easy navigation to the area where you need help the most.

I'll be keeping a close eye on what The Omnishambles will come up with in the future, for a new channel they already have a lot to offer and I expect great things to come from this channel in the future.



Homepage - the-omnishambles.tumblr.com
Twitter - twitter.com/skunkmonk
YouTube Channel -  www.youtube.com/user/ScottishHobson

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Hawken PhysX Trailer

I hope you love partical simulation, I know I do!

Yesterday the lovely Hawken developers published a fanastic PhysX video trailer, which you can check out below.

If you don't already know Hawken, its one of the biggest things happening in free-top-play gaming right now, an action-packed, fast-paced, mech-based, multiplayer first-person shooter, set in a visually-rich future setting destroyed by corporate greed! Who doesn't want a piece of a game like that?

Developed using Unreal Engine 3, Hawken looks fantastic, putting players in the cockpits of lethal mechs, each with their own weapons, loadouts, and perks. Through kills and match victories, players will rank up and unlock new items for their mechs, opening up new tactical opportunities and new play styles. Being a free-to-play title, players also have the option of speeding progress along through the use of real money transactions, though these do not grant additional power or a competitive edge over players who progress through exclusively through the use of experience.

On the tech side of things, Hawken is a tour de force, sporting the aforementioned, advanced Unreal Engine 3 graphics, but also GPU-accelerated NVIDIA only PhysX effects that add destruction particles, extra, and realistic weapon effects. This video also demonstrates a soon-to-come PhysX feature in Hawken: APEX Turbulence. APEX Turbulence is a PhysX feature which uses velocity fields to simulate particle motion. You will see this in action inside of Hawken with energy collectors, mech death embers, deployed shields, and mech health orb embers.

http://www.playhawken.com/

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Nintendo in 2013

Every video game offers a different experience. But only on Nintendo systems do these experiences transform into moments of shared joy and fun. It's the parent who pulls a game off the TV to play on the Wii U GamePad controller so the kids can watch cartoons. It's the group of friends passing the GamePad around the room and then sharing their experiences on Miiverse. It's the "you gotta see this" moment when people first experience glasses-free 3D and augmented reality on a Nintendo 3DS system.

The holiday season added many new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS owners who have already begun to discover these joyful moments together. Nintendo now builds on their enthusiasm with a fun lineup of games for early 2013.

"During the holidays we saw new players respond positively to new game-play experiences using the Wii U GamePad controller and the true 3D of Nintendo 3DS," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "With such a diverse lineup of games on the horizon, people will experience a variety of ways to play, whether they're using the GamePad to scan for criminals or seeing ghosts in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS screen."

New on Wii U

The Wii U home console launched to great acclaim on Nov. 18 with the largest lineup of games in Nintendo history. The fun continues into 2013 with the upcoming release of LEGO City: Undercover on March 18. In this original LEGO game, exclusive to Wii U, players assume the role of Chase McCain, a tough-as-nails police officer who is a master of disguise. The massive, open world of LEGO City lets players explore the city using numerous vehicles from the real-life play sets to pursue criminal mastermind Rex Fury. On March 19, the fan-favorite Monster Hunter series descends on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The action RPG's expansive, gorgeous world features more to do than ever before. Players can hunt monsters, upgrade equipment and improve skills while they take part in more than 200 challenging quests.

Game & Wario, The Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit U will arrive in the first half of the year. Additional information about launch timing for these games will be announced at a later date.

To ensure that Wii U users get the most out of their GamePad controller, Nintendo will be offering a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set to help owners protect their screens. The set will be available at stores on Feb. 4 for a suggested retail price of $12.99 and includes a Wii U GamePad screen protector that fits over the screen to protect it from scratches and dirt, an extra-large stylus for comfortable touch-screen game play and a cleaning cloth.

New on Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS hand-held system continues its momentum going into 2013. Launching on Feb. 4 is Fire Emblem Awakening, a fantasy turn-based strategy game for Nintendo 3DS. On the same day, Nintendo will release a special bundle of the Nintendo 3DS system that has Fire Emblem Awakening pre-installed on the hardware. The blue hardware features Fire Emblem artwork and a 4GB SD memory card, and will be available at a suggested retail price of $199.99. A demo of Fire Emblem Awakening will be available today in the Nintendo eShop.

Brain Age: Concentration Training for Nintendo 3DS arrives on Feb. 10 to build on the mainstream appeal of the celebrated Brain Age series with new challenges to help players concentrate as they block out distractions. A demo will also be available in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 24. On March 24, fans of the original Luigi's Mansion have reason to celebrate with the release of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. In this game, a timid Luigi travels through more mansions and captures more ghosts using his upgraded Poltergust 5000. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity also hits the Nintendo 3DS system on March 24. In addition to playing as a Pokémon, players explore ever-changing Mystery Dungeons as they build Pokémon Paradise and recruit more Pokémon to their team. There is also a deep and compelling story full of unexpected twists. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity makes the most of the features of the Nintendo 3DS system, such as the ability to use the system's camera to open Magnagates – portals to new Mystery Dungeons in the real world. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate comes to Nintendo 3DS on March 5. This sequel takes place 25 years after Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and follows the famous Belmont clan as they set out to find and destroy the ruthless Dracula. The action-filled game features multiple playable characters and combines both 2D classic side-scrolling game play with full 3D areas. On April 21, another entry in the LEGO City: Undercover series arrives on Nintendo 3DS. LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins is a prequel to the Wii U game, and follows the exploits of Chase McCain as a rookie cop.

Below is a partial list of upcoming launch dates in the United States and Canada. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.

Wii U

Activision
The Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Edition - March
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct - March 26

Capcom
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - March 19

D3Publisher
The Croods: Prehistoric Party! - March 19

Electronic Arts
Need For Speed Most Wanted - March 19

Nintendo
LEGO City: Undercover - March 18

SEGA
Aliens: Colonial Marines - Q1

Ubisoft
Rayman Legends - Feb. 26

Nintendo eShop for Wii U

Gaijin Games
BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien - Q1

Neko
Puddle - Q1

SEGA
The Cave - Jan. 22

TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp.
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 - Feb. 7

Two Tribes
Toki Tori 2 - Q1

Zen Studios
Zen Pinball 2 - Q1

Wii

D3Publisher
The Croods: Prehistoric Party! - March 19

Talking Stick Games
Kids Learn Pets and Vets Bundle - March 12

XSEED Games
Pandora's Tower - Spring

Nintendo 3DS

ATLUS (Index Digital Media, Inc.)
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan - Feb. 26
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers - April 16

Capcom
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate - March 19

D3Publisher
The Croods: Prehistoric Party! - March 19

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate - March 5
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D - Feb. 12

Little Orbit
Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze - March 13

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NARUTO® Powerful Shippuden - March 5

Nintendo
Brain Age: Concentration Training - Feb. 10
Fire Emblem Awakening - Feb. 4
LEGO  City Undercover: The Chase Begins - April 21
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon - March 24
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity - March 24

SEGA
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Feb. 12

Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS

Agetec, Inc.
Bloody Vampire - Jan. 31
Witch's Cat - Jan. 31

Big John Games
Coaster Creator 3D - Q1

Capcom
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D - Q1

Disney Interactive
Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue - Jan. 17

Maximum Games
Deer Drive Legends - Jan. 17

Nicalis
Ikachan - Q1
Guxt - Q1

Nintendo
Tokyo Crash Mobs - Jan. 17
Fire Emblem Awakening DEMO - Jan. 17
Brain Age: Concentration Training DEMO - Jan. 24

Renegade Kid
ATV Wild Ride 3D - Q1

Rising Star Games
Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 - March 19

Shin'en
Nano Assault EX - Q1

Ubisoft
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars - Jan. 24
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D - Q1

Nintendo DS

D3Publisher
The Croods: Prehistoric Party! - March 19

Talking Stick Games
Kids Learn Animals Bundle - Feb. 26
Kids Learn Math and Spelling Bundle - Feb. 26
Kids Learn Pets and Horse Bundle - March 26

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