It’s that time of year again, folks. Activision has unveiled its latest Call of Duty offering. The announcement of Call of Duty: Black Ops II was accompanied by a surprisingly revelatory trailer. The apocalyptic scenes presented in the two minute clip take place in 2025, more than five decades after the events depicted in the first Black Ops title and eight years beyond those seen in last year’s Modern Warfare III.

The plot of the new game is mildly intriguing. Right here in the real world, the United States has come under close scrutiny for its morally questionable use of (and increasing reliance on) unmanned drones. Black Ops II depicts a conflict in which a tech savvy adversary has found a way to turn America’s vast automated arsenal against it. In its hour of need, the nation must turn to its long neglected flesh and blood soldiers to fish it out of the fire.

According to developer Treyarch, Call of Duty: Black Ops II will feature a range of new multiplayer options and an expanded zombie experience. Look for it on 360, PS3 and PC on Tuesday 13 November.

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

MONDAY PODCAST Black Panel Podcast Episode 45 > In this instalment of Australia’s grooviest gaming podcast, the gang discuss PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royal, God of War: Ascension, Crysis 3, Lost Planet 3, Journey, the ethics of on disc DLC, Jack Tramiel’s passing and much more! READ MORE

TUESDAY INTERVIEW Developer Playlist 8: Hitbox Team’s Terence Lee > In the latest edition of our series devoted to developers and the games that inspire them, the man responsible for the Dustforce soundtrack talks Chrono Trigger and Counter-Strike: Source. READ MORE

WEDNESDAY REVIEW I Am Alive > I Am Alive is remarkable for the fact that it has made it to market and despite numerous delays and a change of studio, is actually good. A year after the apocalyptic ‘Event’, Adam must climb through destroyed buildings, fend off marauders and scrounge what food he can to survive. The oppressive atmosphere and engaging gameplay more than make up for the average graphics and narrow scope. This one won’t be easily forgotten. READ MORE

THURSDAY REVIEW Yakuza: Dead Souls > This Yakuza series divergence feels like it beats away newcomers as easily as its stars beat back the zombie hordes. What looks from the outside like a perfect entry point is actually more fan-service than fan gatherer, leaving those looking to become a part of the Yakuza conversation no other option than to start from square one. Thankfully, if nothing else, Dead Souls manages to provide an incentive to do so. READ MORE

FRIDAY REVIEW Mass Effect 3 > The final installment in BioWare’s much loved sci-fi trilogy has arrived. Does it live up to the hype? Set in a future in which humanity struggles to find its position in the universe, Mass Effect 3 sees a bold hero fight to save Earth and its interstellar neighbors. With a plot that would not feel out of place in a blockbuster film, this epic release delivers an immersive experience as unforgettable as it is action packed. READ MORE

SATURDAY JUST ANNOUNCED The Elder Scrolls Online > With Skyrim recently confirming the broad appeal of its Elder Scrolls saga, publisher Bethesda Softworks has decided to roll the dice on an MMORPG set in the world of Tamriel. As reported by Game Informer, The Elder Scrolls Online will take place 1000 years prior to the most recent instalment and it appears that the setting’s principal antagonist will be a demonic fiend Molag Bal. READ MORE

With Skyrim recently confirming the broad appeal of its Elder Scrolls saga, publisher Bethesda Softworks has decided to roll the dice on an MMORPG set in the world of Tamriel.

As reported by Game Informer, The Elder Scrolls Online will take place 1000 years prior to the most recent instalment and it appears that the setting’s principal antagonist will be a demonic fiend Molag Bal. Players will join one of three factions and participate in single player quests as well as cooperative and adversarial multiplayer sessions. Development duties have been assigned to Zenimax Online Studios.

At this stage, the game has been announced for PC and Mac only. The series has developed a dedicated following on 360 and PS3 so this decision is likely to vex some. Perhaps it will make its way to next generation of consoles instead? The Elder Scrolls Online is scheduled for release in 2013. No MMO has ever missed its launch window before, has it? No, I didn’t think so. I’ll just go ahead and carve that date in stone, then.

As a form of entertainment, games have certainly evolved beyond their simple roots. What began as a means of passing time has evolved into a medium worthy of recognition as a meaningful pursuit. Some games exist to entertain. Others serve as competitive sports. Then there are games like those in the Mass Effect series. Read the rest of this entry »