Welcome to The Black List, your one stop shop for the stories published on the site this week.

MONDAY PODCAST Episode 37 > In this instalment of the Black Panel Podcast, the team talk Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Borderlands 2, Xenoblade Chronicles, Sine Mora, Child of Eden, House of the Dead banned, THQ studio closures and much more! READ MORE

TUESDAY REVIEW Age of Empires Online > An amalgam of the RTS and MMO genres, Age of Empires Online attempts to satisfy fans of both. This twin focus has unfortunately meant that the game has fallen short in both categories, leaving players with a solid experience at best and a snore inducing drudge at worst. It’s also one of the more expensive “free-to-play” games players are ever likely to encounter. Only truly dedicated Age of the Empires fans need apply. READ MORE

WEDNESDAY NEW TRAILER Scrolls > Mojang has issued a teaser trailer for Scrolls. The project has been shrouded in mystery, but after watching this 49 second clip, you’ll almost certainly agree that it is, indeed, still shrouded in mystery. From the modicum of information released about the game to date, it looks to have a few things in common with the likes of Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering. READ MORE

THURSDAY NEWS nanoBITES 55 > Sonic fans rejoice! One of the most celebrated events in hedgehog history is about to be revisited. Originally released for SEGA’s ill-fated Mega CD system, Sonic CD will be making its way to XBLA, PSN and PC, as well as iOS and Android devices, in late 2011. This is just one of the stories in this week’s edition of nanoBITES, our ongoing feature devoted to small but important news items. READ MORE

FRIDAY NEWS Team Bondi Closes > The Australian studio responsible for one of 2011’s most ambitious releases has closed its doors. As reported by Smart Company, L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi has entered into voluntary administration. The studio’s Rockstar published open world detective drama, which utilised elaborate motion-capture technology, spent an agonising seven years in development. Though it eventually became a bestseller, it is now clear that Team Bondi had dug itself into a hole from which there could be no escape.  READ MORE

Recent instalments of The Black List: 27.08.11 l 20.08.11 l 13.08.11 l 06.08.11 l 30.07.11

Did mismanagement kill Team Bondi?

The Australian studio responsible for one of 2011’s most ambitious releases has closed its doors. As reported by Smart Company, L.A. Noire developer Team Bondi has entered into voluntary administration.

The studio’s Rockstar published open world detective drama, which utilised elaborate motion-capture technology, spent an agonising seven years in development. Though it eventually became a bestseller, it is now clear that Team Bondi had dug itself into a hole from which there could be no escape.

There will likely be mixed feelings about the studio’s closure, which was notorious for its poor working conditions. When questioned in May about the punishing hours inflicted on his L.A. Noire developers, Team Bondi founder Brendan McNamara was dismissive, telling IGN that “If you wanted to do a nine-to-five job, you’d be in another business.”

The company was also criticised for its handling of L.A. Noire’s professional credits. According to a website set up by an anonymous Team Bondi employee, more than 100 former workers were excluded or incorrectly credited.

While McNamara’s management style is unlikely to be missed, the closure of Team Bondi constitutes another blow to a local industry reeling from the loss of Krome Studios, Transmission Games and Blue Tongue Entertainment.

If you were involved with Team Bondi and wish to express a view on these developments, please contact us.

NanoBITES captures those small but important morsels of gaming information that otherwise might slip between the cracks.

ITEM! Sonic fans rejoice! One of the most celebrated events in hedgehog history is about to be revisited. Originally released for SEGA’s ill-fated Mega CD system, Sonic CD will be making its way to XBLA, PSN and PC, as well as iOS and Android devices, in late 2011.

ITEM! Uber Entertainment is retooling Monday Night Combat for the free-to-play generation. Dubbed Super Monday Night Combat, the new game will add elements of the burgeoning MOBA genre to the original’s heady mix of tower defence and third person gunplay. Look for it on Steam this summer.

ITEM! Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure is the latest 3DS game to be announced by SEGA. This early 2012 release will see you step into the shoes of Parisian art thief Raphael.  Only by mastering the beat will you be able to find your missing father (makes sense).

ITEM! Portal co-creator Kim Swift has commenced work on a new project, this time with Airtight Games and Square Enix. A quirky puzzle game in which you must rescue your uncle from his own wacky inventions, Quantum Conundrum is due on XBLA, PSN and PC in early 2012.

ITEM! The creators of moody puzzle platformer Limbo are once again in complete control of their creative destiny. As reported by Gamasutra, Playdead’s founders used the profits from their acclaimed debut to buy out their investors.

Recent instalments of nanoBITES: 25.08.11 l 18.08.11 l 11.08.11 l 04.08.11 l 27.07.11