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Path of Exile Preview

Posted by Stephen Foote On Monday 7 May 20121 COMMENT

Over the past few weeks, I have slowly been getting acquainted with the semi-closed beta for Path of Exile, the debut action RPG from New Zealand based developer Grinding Gear Games. I say semi-closed, because Grinding Gear has taken a rather strange approach for what is a free to play game by selling beta keys to the general public. In the interests of full disclosure, it should be noted that I purchased a key myself in order to preview the title. The minimum spend was $10US, granting me one beta key and 100 coins to spend in Path of Exile’s online store. The store allowed the purchase of extra character slots and in-game storage space. The developers have been insistent that the shop will stock many different items in the future, but have stressed that they will only ever be cosmetic in nature and will not affect gameplay in any way. There were a range of tiered payment options offering different incentives. This was a move reminiscent of that made by the developers of similar title Grim Dawn through crowd funding website Kickstarter. Read the rest of this entry »

The Black List 120

Posted by Black Panel Staff On Saturday 24 December 2011ADD COMMENTS


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

MONDAY JUST ANNOUNCED Alan Wake’s American Nightmare > Remedy Entertainment is working on a follow up to Alan Wake, its well received survival horror game from 2010. Alan Wake’s American Nightmare will see the eponymous horror writer come face to face with his evil doppelganger, Mr. Scratch. The plot recalls Stephen King’s 1989 novel The Dark Half. As Karen noted in her review of the original game, Remedy has a habit of drawing inspiration from King’s back catalogue. READ MORE

TUESDAY JUST ANNOUNCED Nexuiz > A new version of indie first person shooter Nexuiz is a step closer to reality. THQ has announced plans to publish the downloadable project, which has received a comprehensive overhaul courtesy of developer IllFonic. The game will utilise Crytek’s much ballyhooed CryEngine 3, the system underpinning alien invasion sequel Crysis 2.  According to the developer, Nexuiz will also boast a “slick ranking system” and other “new features”. READ MORE

WEDNESDAY FEATURE Developer Playlist 7: Andrew Goulding > In the latest instalment of our series on developers and the games that inspire them, Brawsome founder Andrew Goulding talks Quest for Glory, Space Quest and Monkey Island. READ MORE

THURSDAY REVIEW Dead Island > Dead Island caught the gaming world’s attention with the best trailer ever.  I knew I wanted to play a game that took zombies seriously and looked to have character and genuine emotional impact front and centre. So imagine my surprise when the opening cut scene was an unfortunate rap song asking “Who do you Voodoo?  BITCH!” and then the first ten minutes of the game were comprised of looking through people’s luggage. But then came the zombies… READ MORE

FRIDAY PODCAST Episode 41 > In this (very special) Christmas episode of Australia’s grooviest gaming podcast, the team tackle Sadistic Santa, The Year in Review, Reader Recollections and much more! READ MORE

Looking for more of The Black List? View previous instalments here.

Australian Gaming Community Supports Movember

Posted by Matthew Hewson On Monday 17 October 2011ADD COMMENTS

Just one of your many mo options.

The Australian gaming community is known to support a cause; wether is be the R18+ debate or a wonderful charity such as “Childs Play”. Now a new cause has struck a chord with a group of the Aussie gaming community. That cause is Movember.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Australia and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.

Australian Gaming Community Team Captain Matt Hewson explains why he decided to get gamers together to support this important cause. “Movember is a charity I have supported for four years now. I have always felt that men’s health issues got swept under the carpet due to the old male attitude of “I don’t need help”. This year however was different for me. My Godfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer. With the issue hitting very close to home I felt I had to do something a little bit extra. What better way to do it than get a group of my fellow writers, developers, journo’s and gamers together and make a real effort towards fundraising for this important cause?”

This little idea has snowballed and gamers from all over Australia have joined the cause. Below is a little sample of the feeling held by the Australian gaming community in regards to Movember.

Firstly games writer/personality from Australian Gamer, Cav shares his thoughts. “Depression can strike any of us, anytime, and sometimes not even gaming will give us the escape we all know and love.  Movember gives me a chance to do my bit for Men’s Health, alongside my gaming ‘Mo-Bros and Sistas”

Next is a gamer that has fought depression and come out the other side, Ash, I am taking part in the Australian Gaming Community Movember team this year for myself. Still dealing with some depression I know firsthand how important it is us guys start talking about our health. There is a pre-conceived notion among most men that talking about problems, whether it be physical or mental, can be a sign of weakness. I’m really hoping to be part of changing that this year, by showing facing your problems and getting the help you need makes you a stronger, better man.”

It is not only the guys taking part; Female games writer Jenn Christodoulou is also joining the cause. “We all know gamers are more than adept at growing amazing neckbeards, but there has never been an achievement/trophy for disgusting facial hair. Well until now that is. Joining the Australian Gaming Community Movember team means supporting a great cause, and after all there is no greater achievement than curing cancer”

And to prove that while Movember has a serious message, it doesn’t mean that we cannot have fun supporting the cause, Australian Gamer writer Barry McBruce had this to say “Movember gives me an excuse to walk around looking like Burt Reynolds, and what can be better than that?”

The Australian Gaming Community Movember team hopes to have at least 40 members by the beginning of Movember in an attempt to raise $2000 dollars towards the cause. You can join the team by clicking here, join the Facebook group here or follow the conversation on twitter with the hashtag #AGCMovember. So step up to the challenge, grow a mo, raise some money and help change the face of men’s health forever.

New Media 48

Posted by Black Panel Staff On Sunday 9 October 2011ADD COMMENTS


Presented in glorious alphabetical order, New Media: Retail Roundup is your indispensible checklist of the home console and handheld titles arriving in stores this week. What will you be playing?

MICROSOFT Xbox 360 Ace Combat: Assault Horizon * Dead Rising 2: Off the Record * Forza 4 * Just Dance 3 * Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 * Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition * Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster * Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure

NINTENDO Wii Just Dance 3 * Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure 3DS Nothing DS Nothing

SONY PS3 Ace Combat: Assault Horizon * Dead Rising 2: Off the Record * Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 * Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition * Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure PSP Nothing

VARIOUS PC Might & Magic Heroes VI * Wallabies Rugby Challenge


New Media: Downloadable Digest is your handy reminder of the new downloadable titles released during the past week.

MICROSOFT XBLA NBA Jam: On Fire Edition * Orcs Must Die! * SEGA Bass Fishing * Space Channel 5 Part 2

NINTENDO WiiWare Nothing eShop Nothing DSiWare Extreme Hangman 2

SONY PSN Eufloria * NBA Jam: On Fire Edition * SEGA Bass Fishing Move Edition * Space Channel 5 Part 2 Minis The Marbians * Street Smart

VALVE Steam Glowfish * Iron Grip: Marauders * NBA 2K12 * Patrician IV Gold * Rage

Recent instalments of New Media: 02.10.11 l 25.09.11 l 18.09.11 l 11.09.11 l 04.09.11