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Home , Casey Hudson, Dragon Age, Dragon Age 4, Jeremy Soule, Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2

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------www.levelup.comAUTO 3-DIGIT 024 Joseph Smith PO Box 33298 465 Summer Street Boston, MA 02445 Got a Penny? Main Menu Hit the arcade

This Issues Character we go This Issues Old Versus over some of the biggest names hat’s right the Expo is open for reg- New we go over the in development. istration and pannel submissions. PAX is one of series is Tthe biggest video game expo’s in the United States it as good as we all and we are bringing it to you first. hope? The people PAX is a great way to see many of the gaming commu- nities biggest people.in the game industry. Shigeru Miya- moto has made multiple appearances. One of the biggest THE RANT: this issue Bombom attractions of PAX is seeing the presenting of new games, riffs on : origins talking with project directors and getting to see what’s in the works. In fact one of the important internet phenom- enons is Mounty Oum. A man who became famous from building and animating many famous video game charac- ters and creating amazing cinematic battle sequences.

The Games PAX is without a doubt one of the best places to meet video game enthusiasts , and Indi Video Game Developers. That BGM has hunted down the is not to say that all PAX focuses on is video games. It also Today we go over gammer one ups to get the story and brings you into the realm of pen and paper if you allow it, girls and that dreadful maybe an extra life? that is right Table Top games. Table top games have been phrase Guy in reallife. around for much longer than video games have been, in fact many video games are based on some table top games such as Dungeons and Dragons. Other great games include Call of Cthulhu, Exalted, and the White Wolf Series. Card Games such as Magic: The Gathering, Munchkin, Poke- mon, Yu-gi-oh, and L5R are also predominant

More This issue The 360 gives For more information on PAX East go to us a look at video games www.paxsite.com and story, and why they dont always mix

Director of Photography: Chang Wu Publisher: Awesome Publishing Editor: Matthew Revezzo Web:Kyle Reed, Marcus O’Connor, Anne Howard, Jessica Winly Contributing Editors: Jonathan Correia Column: Dan Howdel Art Director: Lolita Grum Game testers/Reviewers 2 up Magazine, January First edition Art Team: Douglas Adams, Jeremie Winthrope, Alexia Kruchov, Tim Mazzola, Zidane Goalstien www.levelup.com Li Fong, Gerald Hisenburge 3 Fuga. Lorruptat la doluptaquam fugit ut lantis earis eum volupta tibustium andanto quae nos namet volorit atempore cusdam im de- nit quam invenem il ipsandit essi dolupta tiatem erum aut rernatec- tate expersp elescidi ut quas eos niminul liquia sequam atemo que dessunda illa cus ium repudant repere, con periatur as et estio- recab ium nectiist, qui tem et aut aut quis pa doloribus quunt, od eumquae riberes ut alit, sequi ut eum harchit voluptateces et aut audae volupid quo cuptatu sci- umquamet dolupti iscium ipsum alibustintur simi, nos dolore volecte labo. Beribus assunde pro idusamus, quas re ma comnienis et et entur Guy In Real Life? remporrovid quia sitis aut aut delesecus dolum volut aut et, optiusa aut adis samus verferum verum dellitatet quos aut quias sinus millor aut verovid ebiscipit doluptatus eatempor aut verum id que maior se- ver the years of video gaming the male crowd has been the dominant player. They are the adrenaline quos apercit quas ideruntin reicium quiditis sed ut expel mos aut ulpa junkies, the trash talking first person shooters, and the RPG completionist . But somewhere along the lines of video game history girls have graced the controllers and memory cards of the male ipsusda ntectium veliqui aectem eost verio vellaut alicidendunt enitat O domain. But is it really the domain of men? Or are there girls that do play but hide it for some voluptusam, sum qui si re, sant ad quid qui temque cori offic te id reason or another? I personally have seen plenty of girls play video games but not the games that i am sure your thinking of. I elendaes sitassedit dolut ut ipsus is ea sae. Omnimol umquid et quae have never seen a girl play Prince of Persia: The sands of time. Nor have I seen girls play doom for that matter. mo quasiti anduciistiis ad quia consequis apietus et odictatem inctur? But I have seen girls rip some pretty nice rifts on Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I have seen girls join the fray in Super Smash Brothers of all varieties. And i have seen my fair share of ladies beat mario three fast than myself. Cillacc uptaepe ruptas es essi odis aciam fuga. Fere verferunt. So i suppose the questions really come down to; is it just possible girls play video games, but they just need a

Evereiciis sum hit am venim aliquam qui quidio. It quis dolupta qua- different target than a head shot? Well I went and interviewed Jes Waldrip to find out. Here is what happened.

tendam, te nullesciet modigenderum eum ilist quidell enditat iusandis domain. But is it really the domain of men? Or are there girls among us that do play but hide it for some reason or another? eatquo tem explam voluptatis ut apereri beaqui nonsequ idellorionse I personally have seen plenty of girls play video games but not This is all for people who think to “ much lacesequid qui delique min rehendicab ium volorere deris eveni venda the games that i am sure your thinking of. I have never seen a girl play Prince of Persia: The sands of time. Nor have I seen girls about it though. Who cares what’s be- natibus resciati cum re omnis ipsamusa noneste nitis doluptatur re play doom for that matter. But I have seen girls rip some pretty con resciis aturis excernam volupta voluptatem coreriatur? Rum der- nice rifts on Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I have seen girls join the “tween your legs, just grab a controller and fray in Super Smash Brothers of all varieties. And i have seen my spe sent alit acim et qui a ex evendiam quod quisi aut quia vendae vent lets have a good time already! fair share of ladies beat mario three fast than myself. So i suppose Jes Waldrip lam consequi con commos comnimi nihicae cum id ut plibus eaqui as the questions really come down to; is it just possible girls play video games, but they just need a different target sit, ex experum, occae pre dero idiandit, aut mo quidem ipsae velenda than a head shot? Well I went and interviewed Jes Waldrip to find out. Here is what happened. domain. But is it really the domain of men? Or are there girls among us that do play but hide it for some reason or another? ndeste que nis ut represt fuga. Nam laniendae prore volorunto eatibus I personally have seen plenty of girls play video games but not the games that i am sure your thinking of. I cus, is apedi quis quiant, sitaessi core, alitat. have never seen a girl play Prince of Persia: The sands of time. Nor have I seen girls play doom for that matter. But I have seen girls rip some pretty nice rifts on Guitar Hero and Rock Band. I have seen girls join the fray in Super Smash Brothers of all varieties. And i have seen my fair share of ladies beat mario three fast than myself. Opening So i suppose the questions really come down to; is it just possible girls play video games, but they just need a different target than a head shot? Well I went and interviewed Jes Waldrip to find out. Here is what happened. 4 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 5 Guy In real Life. Continued from page 5

of gamer culture. It’s chic now, so you or at least I run into women all the time who have an old school mario tshirt yet they never held a NES controller. On the other end of the spectrum, you have the women who lament that their men spend more time with say Call of Duty than them. I guess the later is still more common. A lot of guys are used to expecting taking crap from the ignored girlfriend. It’s hard to find a lass who, instead of whining that you never buy her dinner, will pick up the second controller AND pro- ceed to put up a good fight if not destroy you. Matt: Lets get down to it, girls and video games, do they play? Why is it seen as such a rarity, and when a gamer chick is found Matt: So is it safe to say a guy would Skyrim why is it really such be more inclined to go for a girl that played games if he himself played games? Skyrim is a rugged, ravaged place, the site of many past battles. The Nor- His clan expanded their territory, and it continued to expand and Jes: Seems more like a lot of girls these days pre- ds believe that they were created here, on the mountain known as High contract by winning and losing territories in Morrowind and High Rock. tend to play videoganes, because of the whole rise Hrothgar. Settlers from Atmora made landfall here many times before After quarrels from the rivalries of the Ysgramor clan however, Skyrim Jes: Thats silly, of course! Like interests. A guy claiming the region as their own. These spaced-out migrations often re- weakened and separated into multiple states during the War of Succession. who loves to play paintball is going to love spending sulted in clashes with the Aldmer. “Out of this time also rose one of the Thenceforth it would only be united for brief periods. Skyrim engaged in time with a girl who plays paintball. If he surfs, he’ll most legendary of all Tamrielic figures, Ysgramor, from whom all Nordic multiple clashes with High Rock over its western Reach, a civil war involv- love a woman who can surf. If he can enjoy himself kings are descended.” ing The Wolf Queen of Solitude, an invasion of Cuhlecain’s Cyrodiil, and around her and do things they both enjoy together, wars with Hammerfell and High Rock during the Imperial Simulacrum. Girls Top then they;re going to enjoy doing those things to- Game Genres gether Matt: As a gamer Girl what do you think of the Acronym Guy In Real Life or G.I.R.L

Jes: I have to laugh. Simply because of the whole Silent Hill Genre: Survival Horror MMO deal where there’s a damn good chance that female elf you’ve been flirting with for the past two hours is in fact a guy. A lot of women will play male characters just so they don’t get bothered

Matt:would you say more girls play Rock Band series mmos then they do say call of duty four? Genre: Rhythm Game Jes: Tough call to make, both are pretty accessible. I lean towards MMOs, simply for the factor and for the over-cutesy korean micro-transaction games Word of War Craft (WoW) Genre: MMO Matt: Do you think there is a steryotype be it negative orpositive that follows that of gamer girls? The Old Republic The story takes place in the fictional universe shortly initially been founded, to seek guidance from . The Sith Well, the ones who are clearly doing it just Jes: after the establishment of a tenuous peace between the re-emer- control Korriban, where they have re-established a Sith Acad- to be a part of a growing subculture will catch a lot Spore gent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic,300 years after the emy.The game begins as new conflicts arise. Genre: God Game events of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games and A collaborative effort between BioWare, LucasArts and Dark Life simulation more than 3,500 years before the events in the Star Wars films. Horse Comics has resulted in webcomics entitled “Star Wars: Real time Strategy The Jedi are held responsible for the success of the Sith during The Old Republic: Threat of Peace” and “Star Wars: The Old the devastating 28 Year long Great Galactic War (which led to Republic: Blood of the Empire”, the purpose of which is to set 6 Level up Magazine, January First edition the Treaty of Coruscant prior to the Cold War) and thus choose up the story as the game opens. www.levelup.com 7 to relocate from Coruscant to Tython, where the Jedi order had Previews Guy In real Life. Continued from page 6

of negative attention. Not to mention regardless of thing epic! The pessimist in me expects the focus to where we are a society, a man is always going to feel stay on the hardware and not so much on the games emasculated when his lady gets that perfect headshot produced to show it off. We’ll see on him every time. At the same time, when a guy can pick up his controller and the girl doesnt have to keep Matt: do you have any examples you Cataclysmic asking what X is for, they’re going to have a much would like to talk about? gets it’s latest better time. This is all for people who think to much about it though. Who cares what’s between your legs, Reveampupgrade and we are here to tell just grab the controller and let’s have a good time al- Jes: Motion control is the big gimick right now, and ready! the market is pretty flooded with games that feel more you the pros and cons like hardware demos than actual games. The recent ki- what is your faveorite game of all nect hack gives me hope though, people are still look- Matt: ing for actually innovative ways to use what we have. time and why once the “Hey look what I can do!” phase dies out, I really hope we can finally get to the good stuff Well the World of Warcraft has done it again, Jes: FF9, a great story (though the end situ- ation sucked but anyways...) that for once wasn’t all releasing it’s brand new expansion Cataclysm it has Matt: do you feel that the game mirrors brooding a moody. There was a genuine sense of ad- added on new lore, and new surprises for everyone. edge; a game about a female “courier”, venture and excitement. The characters had a lot more The land of Azeroth is under siege by Death-Wing, to them than most of the others in the FF series, old was geared tawords girls as an indepedant one of the ancient dragons. AND new. woman that can get the hard jobs done. In regards to upgrades characters now have or tawords guys as a sex symbol of some the ability to reach level 85. Fly through Azeroth, kind? as a gamer what is your opinion on and the abilities have received a complete overhaul. Matt: the direction that games are taking today? Some of which have been removed all together. for instance the becoming even more Jes: We play videogames to fantasize. Weather it’s Some complain that the game has been made too family orientated and the ps3 market so about being attractive, strong, talented, and an overall easy for new comers and that includes leveling. horribly small with ofcourse microsofts 360 badass, or about a girl like that, it’s just fantasy. Who doesn’t want to be all of those things, or have some- out in second palce? one with all of those things? Anyone who says they don’t is lying. We all want to be great in one way or Jes: The optimist in me hopes that once we get used another, and at the very least we all daydream a little to a lot of the gimicky new additions, we can really bit about it. take advantage of new technology and produce some- Upgrades BattlesSupreme Games Court The escapest has recently published an mean in the . extra credit article speaking on this sub- If this bill passes many video games ject. They speak not only on how video would be taken from the shelves of re- games have been treated over the years tailers everywhere. in terms of first amendment rights of The escapest has recently published an video games but what this bill could extra credit article speaking on this sub- mean in the video game industry. ject. They speak not only on how video If this bill passes many video games games have been treated over the years would be taken from the shelves of re- in terms of first amendment rights of tailers everywhere. video games but what this bill could The escapest has recently published an mean in the video game industry. extra credit article speaking on this sub- If this bill passes many video games ject. They speak not only on how video would be taken from the shelves of re- games have been treated over the years tailers everywhere. in terms of first amendment rights of video games but what this bill could

8 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 9 Dragon Age: OriginsBy tim (Bobom) Mazzola Tim Mazzola takes one of the most talked about games this year and completely rips it appart.

astic and generic manner, giving the characters a Setting raise the bar a little higher. The soundtrack con- Game Play Whats innovative? sists of the same humdrum audio you’ve heard surpsing lack of personality. I could also care less about the game’s setting. But this is a game, right? Let’s talk about the don’t really take much issue with games that in every other Bioware game, and serves little The game has these ridiculous pretentions about game play aspects. The game play is very similar bring absolutely nothing new or innovative to purpose other than providing atmosphere, and being “Big” and “epic”, but the game is so closed to Bioware’s old Star Wars lisence, Knights of the table. The issue occurs when a game is Characters could never stand on its own legs. “Epic” fantasy I and area-specific besides a few repetitive random the Old Republic, except it’s much more based not honest with itself about its stunning lack of While we’re on the subject of characters, should have “epic” music, should it not? I am encounter environments that the world just seems on organizing the strategy of your squad mates. creativity, or when the game copies a formula that another issue I took with this game was the way disappointed. does not work. It is in both of these categories gathering party members was handled. There’s empty and hollow. As I “mentioned” before, the The style of the game is basically standard RPG where my issues with Dragon Age: Origins begin. one character in particular named who A rather stunning turn of events, considering basically just shows up out of nowhere and says story of the Grey Warden who is responsible for repelling the invading army Bioware’s history of great games. “God told me to join you so here I am.” When from the kingdom of Middle Ear-, eh, Ferelden Dragon Age: Origins tells the story of the did this become acceptable? You’re fighting a darkspawn army, you’re on the run from a very Grey Warden who is responsible for repelling the At the end of the day, I could barely finish powerful man, and saving the world, and any setting of this game is basically Middle . nonsense. Go on a , grab a bunch of loot, invading Darkspawn army from the kingdom of Dragon Age: Origins. I play games to be en- old Jane Doe is just running up to you asking to It’s your standard fantasy environment. You’ve kill some monsters, sell loot, repeat. It’s linear, Middle Ear-, eh, Ferelden. At the beginning you tertained, but this was about as entertaining as join your extremely dangerous cause? This was got mountains, towers, forests, medieval looking mind-numbingly repetitive, and, like everything choose to be a human, an elf, or a and, is watching sap fall from a tree while a bee named somehow more jarring than her horrible voice cities, nothing we haven’t seen before. In fact, else in this game, nothing you haven’t done if it weren’t cliche enough, a warrior, a mage or a is stinging you in the temple. The story rogue. Then after a short “” mission, you’re actor. I’m shocked this game even had something before. Regarding the loot, it doesn’t help that the that could be called an “art department.” Like is extremely boring, monotonous and trite. The inventory system feels extremely clunky, but that’s “discovered” by a Grey Warden named Duncan, Another character I took issue with is your ste- I said, I don’t take too much issue with a lack is clunky, it looks like crap, it sounds also basically standard for RPGs. Still, I found inducted into the Grey Wardens by drinking some reotypical black mage, Morrigan. This may seem of innovation, but please, if you hired an entire like crap, and the only reason I kept playing was myself picking up about twice as much useless darkspawn blood, and then you’re on your way to unimportant, but she may very well be the stupid- department of people to work on how the game because I figured maybe it would get better, but weapons that were vastly inferior to anything my fighting a bunch of demons. est character I’ve ever seen in a game. She’s what looks, you’d think one of them might come up even once I got to the end, I was left with an party was currently equipped with than standard The game features many Bioware staples, such I like to refer to as “stupid evil”, always making with one or two original ideas. Dragon Age goes unsatisfied frown. Even if you somehow enjoy healing items, which were virtually impossible to as a safe hub area where you can talk to your party (or suggesting) mean and selfish decisions with for the “realistic” (or rather “brown”) look, and this game, there’s really no reason to play it again find. members, and a very dialogue-option driven story no proper motivation or personality. Sure, she has for anything other than the first 10 minutes, be- everything at least looks like something you’ve Also, one small combat gripe, enemy mages line. As usual for a Bioware game you usually much better story reasons for being in your party cause after the “origin” part, the game is exactly seen before. So, in short, there is nothing visually are broken. If you’re facing an enemy group with get a good guy choice, a neutral choice, and an than Leliana (in fact, the true reasons behind her the same. I played through as a Dwarf and later evocative about this game. a mage, you’re basically done for. They’ll either asshole choice when choosing dialogue options, presence in your party are some of the only things watched my brother play through as human and And my ears stand just as unimpressed as my stun you and allow the army of heavy thugs they though it has much less of an effect on anything in this game that are remotely interesting), but nothing is notably different! All in all, this game eyes. Very few voices are actively cacophonus, but have with them to tear you apart or simply make than in any other Bioware game I’ve played. The she’s just such an intolerable, annoying character is an appallingly poor release from a normally ex- absolutely none of them are particularly memo- you explode as you enter the room. I love a chal- quality of the writing is also less than most Bio- that you’ll never use in battle and you could care emplary game company, and if you want the rich, rable. It’s not really an issue for a video game lenge, but there’s a difference between challenging ware games. Most lines are just bland snippets of less about her reasons for sticking around. deep, epic experience this game claims to offer, under normal circumstances, but for a game that and retarded. useless information delivered in a very unenthusi- you should simply play the vastly superior Mass sells itself on being dialogue-centric, you’ve got to Effect games. The Rant [Dragon Age: Origins has many characters that are [Dragon Age: Origins has many characters that are erroneous or just plain stupid. For instance Leliana1 finds erroneous or just plain stupid. For instance Leliana1 finds your character and claims that God told her to help you 1 2 your character and claims that God told her to help you on your journey. The other character with which there on your journey. The other character with which there is a problem is Morrigan2. Her character is over the top, is a problem is Morrigan2. Her character is over the top, unnecessarily cruel and boring. When we say unnecessarily unnecessarily cruel and boring. When we say unnecessarily cruel we mean just that, absolutely no reason behind it.] cruel we mean just that, absolutely no reason behind it.]

10 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 11 Story Line Game Play The Mass Effect series without a doubt has a story line The game play of Mass Effect revolves around com- worthy of the audience’s attention. Riveting, gripping, Mass Effect bat, exploration and conversation. The combat system and suspenseful. It focuses on the frailty that of sen- in the Mass Effect series is without a doubt something tient existence. Not just humans, but the new races in- to be admired. It is simple, interactive, and admittedly troduced in this series; , Turians, Salarains, Hanar, a little counter intuitive, at least the first one is. , and Drell to name a few. The system involves a pop up display where you can The side quests in The Mass Effect series inter- issue commands to your fellow teammates and target twine with the main story line quite nicely. In the first enemies while in that screen. The rest of combat in- game the most prevelant side quests are the gathering volves automatically taking cover and jumping small of Minerals for the alliance military, Prothean Arti- barrels, while taking aim with your targeting reticule. facts, Salaraian league of one medalians, Asari matri- The targeting reticule represents your accuracy with arch writings, and tribe insignias. These items your current weapon. The tighter the reticule the provide the player with information on the races back- more accurate your weapon is. grounds to get a better understanding of them. The Accuracy was a big deal in the first game. as you sides quests in the sister game, Mass Effect two are leveled up yoru weapons and class you got more accu- more related to the story and the universe as a whole. racy. Many people found this to be a down side since This helps to show you that there is more going on if the target was on an enemy you could still miss. in the universe than what’s on your plate. The other However in the second installment of the game this side quests that are littered about the are not was removed. out of the way by two much. Granted the wayward traversing of the galaxy can be annoying from time to The combat system of is without time, but it is highly recommended. The side quests a doubt an improvement on the first Mass Effect in unlike many other games, do not water down the ex- many, many ways. The first change that comes to view perience either, they provide you a chance to develop 1 2 is the use of environment. While in the first Mass Ef- your Commander. fect you could walk up to a crate and immediately take cover, while now you have to press the action button That said the two games have drastically different in order to do that. story lines. Mass Effect one is all about taking down a rouge Spectre names Saren. Specters are highly trained Another change to the combat system is the agents that work for the council, and they are given no ammo system. Ammo in the first Mass Effect was boundaries. They do the dirty work, and Saren uses interchangeable for various effects in the field. This his influence and status to get what he wants. Not to is without a doubt very beneficial, however in Mass late in the game you find that Saren is working with Effect 2 the ammo is now class related, meaning you the Geth. A highly advanced A.I race that is currently have to strategize entirely on what is needed and who known to be violent, you will understand why I say is capable of giving you what you need. Not based on this later. As Comander Sheaperd it is your job to go Biotic, Tech, and Soldier. and stop Saren and his evil plot to subdue the Galaxy. Now Mass Effect is not only about combat, but The story of Mass Effect two takes off only two exploration as well. The first game offers you The years after Mass Effect one and it wastes no time chance to explore planets with the MAKKO, an all bringing you in, not only to the action but the story. VS terrain vehicle. This vehicle is used to climb sheer This game dumps you head first into the story and rock faces, and glide over canyons. Perfect for finding does not let up very often. During Mass Effect two anything and everything. the new council, or old if you saved them at the end of Now for the down sides. the MAKKO is severly Mass Effect one, refuses to see the Reaper threat that clunky and you never get used to the controls. travel- is about to knock the sentient home door down. The Commander Sheapered takes on the universes ling over any kind of terrain is difficult unless it is Primary staple of this game is Commander Shepherd two most devistating threats, a rouge group of practically level, and combat especially with threash- starts to work for an organization he never thought he WARNING: and a race that harvests the ers, is very difficult. would be working with in a thousand years. living for it’s own good. Watch as The commander Spoilers present fights on for humanites sake, no mattter what. Head to

12 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 13 Old vs New. Continued from page 13

Not

Characters: Industry Like every game the characters are important and can make or break a game. They need to have dimension, personality and of course the ability to change, develop and evolve with the events in the game. Mass effect delivers this most necessary of needs with all of its main characters. The experiences your teammates have Standard on your ship change them and you will only know how much by interacting with them. Most notably Garus the Turian battles his views and beliefs on due justice The who’s who in video and true justice. Battling demons of his past and the ones being brought to [This calm and deadly Drell would say hello just as quickly as he would eliminate you. However this mysterious man proves to be his face challenge him greatly and only one of the most insightful and beautiful characters in the game. ] Casey started his career in game development as a Technical commander shepherd can truly bring Artist, creating 3D art and technical solutions for MDK2 (2000) him ease of mind and soul and (2002). Casey was the Project Director on The characters in Mass Effect two Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003), winner of over 40 are varied and unique. Without a doubt Game of the Year awards - and one of the highest-rated video- some of the best characters to grace games of all-time. As the Project Director on ’ the genre. Your group consist of a 2007 “Game of the Year” Mass Effect, Casey led a team in the bunch of people you recruit through development of an ambitious game set in an all-new mutual interest, or favors. Many of universe, which pushed the boundaries of interactive cinematic sto- them are dedicated to the cause not [The Turian from C-Sec, Garrus, is one hell of a partner and you will rytelling and advanced digital actors. His most recent title, Mass Ef- because they want to save humanity love him for sure. His past is a little sorted and he could care less for conventional justice. He believes in getting the bad guy no matter the cost.] fect 2 (2010), has received over 70 perfect “10/10” review scores, but all life in the universe. Garrus re- Casey Hudson has been a videogame developer for over 10 years, and is the highest-rated game in the 28-year history of Electronic turns to us in this second installment, contributing to some of the industry’s most critically and commer- Arts. but he has issues, just as he did in the [ Miranda Lawson proves to be one of the most boring characters in cially successful titles. Since his start in the business he has worked Casey is currently leading the development of the third title in first Mass Effect. You meet Ashley this second installment of the Mass Effect series however, when some- at BioWare in Edmonton, Canada. the Mass Effect trilogy, and manages the Mass Effect franchise as Williams again as well as the rest of the thing happens she turns into a person with quite a bit of depth behind her, paitence will make this characer a loved one.] its Executive Producer. old crew. However many of them have moved on and are doing what they be- lieve is best for them in their life right now. The new team members however are astonishingly deep and complex. In Mass Effect 2 you receive loyalty mis- of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year in sions from you team mates completing both 2007and 2008, in which he topped the list with a total vote of these missions gets you their special [ Ashley Williams is the first character you get to join your team. She is 1,766,424.At the Game Developers Choice Awards, on March 7, a firey and well prepared woman. Her character is interesting enough to abilities and a new outfit. cause you to probe her with questions, especially if you want to have a 2007, Miyamoto received the Lifetime Achievement Award “for a The characters themselves are very relationship with the powerful little lady.] career that spans the creation of Donkey Kong, Bros. realistic and believable. Sometimes the and to the company’s recent revolutionary player is prone to forget that this is a systems, DS and Wii.” Both Game Trailers and IGN fake universe. You really do change the placed Miyamoto first on their lists for the “Top Ten Game Cre- [ Jacob is a hard ass on the rules and even harder on the enemies, course of many character lives just by making him a great early addition to the team, but he fades out as ators” and the “Top 100 Game Creators of All Time” respectively. interacting with them. When they are useful very quickly. When it comes time to prove his loyalty to you he In a survey of game developers by industry publication De- mad you believe it and when they are asks a favor of you that could chnage his life forever in a good way or a bad way, and that decision is yours to make. ] Throughout the years Miyamoto has been a name revered and velop, 30% of the developers chose Miyamoto as their “Ultimate happy you equally feel it. adored in the videogame design world. He has Provided us with Development Hero”.[93] Miyamoto has been interviewed by com- Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda. He worked on Kid panies and organizations such as CNN’s Talk Asia and NextLevel. Icurus and Ice climbers com.He was made a Fellow of BAFTA at the British Academy Miyamoto was featured in TIME Asia’s “60 Years of Asian Video Games Awards on March 19, 2010. Miyamoto is also the Heroes,” alongside Hayao Miyazaki, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Te- first interactive creator nominated for the highest recognition in the resa, Bruce Lee and the Dalai Lama.He was later chosen as one Spanish-speaking world, the Prince of Asturias Award [ Saren, is the obvious bad guy even before he is revealed as such. He

Character is cold ruthless and wont stop for anything other than his goals. The universe is his domain or so he likes to believe and Shepard swears to Level up Magazine, January First edition 14 bring him in, no matter what ] www.levelup.com 15 Character. Continued from page 14 Old vs New. Continued from page 15

Christopher Metzen The graphics in Mass Effect 2 are breath taking. The environments look ex- Christopher Vincent Metzen (born 1974) is an Amer- Metzen is currently the vice president of creative Paragon and Renegade actly what you would expect for what they are. The Krogan world of Tahkuncha ican game designer, artist, voice actor and author development at Blizzard Entertainment and has as- Character interaction revolves around choosing to be compassionate, savage or is the desolate ruin you expect after hearing all the stories about civil war and a known for his work creating the fictional universes sisted the company’s projects by providing voice tal- neutral. Choosing a side is much more beneficial then remaining neutral. Being self made nuclear winter. The textures the colors all represent what you would and scripts for Blizzard Entertainment’s three major ent for a number of characters, as well as contribut- paragon allows you to have stronger charm tactics, while being renegade allows expect from these environments. award-winning media franchises: Warcraft, Diablo ing to artistic character design. Outside of Blizzard more persuasive intimidation methods. Which allows for a very intriguing choice; and StarCraft. On occasion, Metzen has published Entertainment, Metzen authored a graphic novel will you follow the path of the paragon and save humanity and all sentient spe- his art under the alias “Thundergod”. Metzen was series based on a futuristic second American civil war. cies in the galaxy? Or will you chose to be selfish and let your power hungry Music hired by Blizzard Entertainment as an animator and intentions lead your decisions? Lastly every game has music, and music is without a doubt one of the most an artist; his first work for the company was with the Character interaction still involves paragon and renegade, or neutral deci- important parts of a game, it is in the background during soft scenes, and in video game Justice League Task Force. sions. However instead of having the persuade and intimidate skills your choices our veins pumping the blood during suspense scenes. The scores in Mass Effect in conversations are severely important. The more paragon actions you chose are absolutely amazing from breathtaking intro’s into new planets to the tense the more your paragon increase and this opens more persuasion options. This encounters with the villain saren. is the same for intimidate and renegade. This makes it so that you really do have Dark than the first. And the happy scenes can only be so happy. Regardless to choose either paragon or renegade. If you stay neutral you will miss out on though, the score brings a life to Mass Effect 2 that is rarely seen in games of much persuasion or intimidate options if your skill is too low. Many options in this particular genre. this updated universe are not as clear cut as they used to be. Many situations are also dependant on what you currently have for you paragon and renegade status.

Graphics Level Up? Ken Rolston Ken Rolston is an American computer game and So after all this is Mass Effect 2 a superior game to the first? A lot of things were Every aspect of a game must be looked at critically, this includes the graphics. board game designer best known for his work with touched apon and a lot of others were not. But all in all Mass Effect 2 has Su- Does the environment of the game match the tone, and does the environment West End Games and the hit computer game series perior game play, the return of a great cast and introduction of another amazing make us feel like we are there? When looking at Mass Effect it is only so. Every . In February 2007, instead of re- one, and the game feels a much bigger feeling of impending doom than the first, environment has an element of believability to it, a sense of depth and even tiring after 25 years in the game design industry, he all in all Mass Effect 2 get the Level up seal of approval history. That said there is a problem; the game has about five or six different en- elected to join the staff of computer games company vironments that it cycles through when you are on side quests. Most thugs layers Big Huge Games to create a new role-playing game. look exactly alike, science centers, mines, all alike. Which really is a black mark Ken has a Masters Degree from NYU, and is a mem- against the game seeing as how it is so expansive and offers so many worlds to ber of the Science Fiction Writers Association. He explore and yet it provides you with select environments. has been a professional games designer since 1982. VideoTop Ten Game Composers , Blue dragon Lost odyssey Patrice Desilets Patrice Desilets is credited as the creative direc- Yasunori Mitsuda Koji Kondo Kow Otani Kenji Yamamoto Legend of Zelda Shadow of the Series tor for Prince of Persia: Sands of Tiem, both As- Mario Colossus sassin’s Creed titles and a handful of other ubisoft Star Fox titles, many of which were widely acclaimed for their amazing story, and game play. Desilets Came from a background in film, which he used to shape his games into masterpieces. Desilets is currently “on a break from the industry” leaving ubisoft in june of 2010. He is rumored to return in the summer of 2011 working for THQ.

Michael Hoenig Jeremy Soule Matt Uelmen Michael Land Harry Gregson-Williams Baulders Gate Series Elder Scrolls Series Starcraft Monkey Island Solid Series Warcraft 16 Level up Magazine, January First edition Diablo series www.levelup.com 17 Why Good Story and Video games Dan Howdle examines some of Can’t Mix the difficulties facing the writers of stories in video games…

go through phases. Movies, games, books. That’s the usual cycle. Apart from my own ongoing childlike efforts at writing a novel, I’m currently in that third phase. And I usually engage in that particular activity to the exclusion I of everything else. Reading, reading, reading… So I’m not really playing anything right now, not engaging with games and as such have no gaming-related thoughts to discuss. Instead, I thought I’d share with you a collection of ideas I’ve had over the last year or so while writing my own book. Reasons, if you like, why I think that those writing stories for games have such a difficult time. Pacing Whether we’re watching a film, play, or reading a Fiction needs to make more sense than Scene and Sequel actually quite difficult to separate the two. For me book, pacing is something we personally don’t real life equally. Pick up a book and mentally mark out the passages in which the have to worry about. Fast-paced narratives are This may seem like an odd thing to say, but it is nevertheless true. protagonist is doing something; engaged in conversation, conflict, often those that are most economical with Let’s say you heard that a friend of a friend was run down by a bus. some kind of action involving forward motion. This is a scene. A Character development their sequels, they are those that are often For that to happen, no real-life special requirements needed to take sequel – in literature terms – is that which comes after (not a whole Anyone writing a book will tell you the same referred to as ‘tightly plotted’. Conversely, place beforehand. That person merely had to be in the wrong place new book/film). The troughs, if you like, to the scene’s peaks. In thing; the more background and gravitas those that many tend to describe as ‘drag- at the wrong time. it, characters have completed an action which has resulted in some you can lend to a character without grind- ging’ tend to have longer thoughtful sequel Now take fiction. In your game, book, film, your main character kind of plot-forwarding disaster. ing your pacing to a halt, the better. Readers sections with only intermittent snippets of is slaughtered on the spot by the number 28 from Ealing. No expla- scene. It is review, analysis, planning, decision, then action (the next are pretty good at suspending disbelief, but nation, like real life, it just happened. We feel cheated. There was no scene). A posh, sequential way of saying that the narrative slows in they do so only if there is that intimate feel- Point is, it’s something which the au- warning. We need dedicated prose beforehand dictating to us why order to convey to the reader the emotional rainbow the protagonist ing with the reading material, that if you tore thor/director dictates for us and tends to be this was likely to happen – essentially, it has to make sense. There is experiences before taking the next course and furthering the plot. at the surface, the façade wouldn’t simply peel one of the most critical factors in how we per- no such thing as deus ex machina in fiction. ceive a narrative, or indeed whether we see it all It’s a structure that we’re so innately used to. Many of us, away revealing a lean-to of bits of rusty old scaf- Games do it all the time, though, often destroying our involve- the way through to the end. Videogames do not when conceiving our own stories, would use it automatically. It is fold. That there would be substance underneath. ment in the story. We died? How on earth did we die? We’re the have this luxury. the structure we understand and most easily follow. Videogames, Still an illusion, but a solid one nonetheless. main character and the main character can’t die. Ping! Here comes however, cannot do this. Interesting scenes can be conveyed as cut- Games rarely if ever have time to indulge us of such What happens when we get stuck on a section for lon- our disbelief. scenes, but sequels? Thought, emotion, development, decision? The intimacy with their characters. They can’t, because players want ger than the story pacing wanted us to, or get through it too These are some of the problems facing videogame story writers, problem is that we’d really like to shoot at something right now, so to play. They want to dictate pace themselves – something we’ll quickly? Often subconsciously, our perception of the story itself so quite apart from them having one of the best jobs on the planet, if all those things could just piss off, we’ll be a lot happier. Thanks. move onto next – which goes all the way to explaining why a ‘good will have changed at a fundamental level. A story we liked or hated I think we should all feel just a little bit sorry for them. can be turned around dependent on our own skills with the game. This is always to the detriment of story. I’ve noticed a lot of character’ in a videogame is not the well-rounded human analogue Okay, maybe not. There is simply no narrative fix for our own unpredictable behav- excuses being made by gamers as to the ‘greatness’ of an in-game we’re all used to reading about, but often the one who ‘has a beard’. iour. story, simply because the gameplay was really good and I think it’s

[The problem is that we’d really like to shoot at something right now, [...a “good character” in a videogame is not the well-rounded human ana- [Point is, it’s something which the author/director dictates for us and

Philosophy [Essentially it has to make sense] so if all those things could just piss off, we’ll be a lot happier. Thanks] logue we’re all used to reading about, but often the one who “has a baerd” ] tends to be one of the most critical factors in how we perceive a narrative, or indeed whether we see it all the way through to the end. Videogames do not have this luxury. ] 18 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 19 Move your Body and Kinect Entertainment Motion technology consumes the videogame industry, Kinect Move is it just copying or innovation?

Fulll Body Gamming Use Your Voice Move into Action Move is more precise, and has a much larger area of motion. The Kinect brings games and entertainment to life in extraordinary new Kinect uses advanced entertainment technology to respond to the Move also has more realistic movements for the players to preform. PlayStation®Move redefines motion gaming with the most immer- ways without using a controller. Imagine controlling movies and music sound of your voice. Just say “Xbox” to reveal a series of voice com- For example if you want to punch an enemy you have to throw a sive and realistic gaming experience only possible on the PlaySta- with the wave of a hand or the sound of your voice. With Kinect, tech- mands. So you’ll be able to control HD movies with the sound of your real punch. tion®3 system. The simple, easy-to-use controller captures a full nology evaporates, letting the natural magic in all of us shine. voice—no remote required. The Move is also more streamlined than the Wii mote. it has range of motion giving you ultimate control over how you play the Controller-free gaming means full body play. Kinect responds to Endless Entertainment less buttons; The Move has its own home button and underbelly how you move. So if you have to kick, then kick. If you have to jump, game. With a diverse selection of games and new ones launching all trigger, but just five other points of button input. That makes the then jump. You already know how to play. All you have to do now is Enjoy HD movies, music and sports through Xbox LIVE without the time, you can enjoy hours of fun with friends and family. controller actually feel a little naked and therefore likely even less to get off the couch. any extra accessories. Just use a wave of your hand or the sound of daunting to a new player — unless they need their controllers to your voice to enjoy 3,500 games on ESPN, HD movies through Zune, Another level of gaming look like TV remotes. It’s All about you streaming music from Last.fm Move into the action with all kinds of different games. Wheth- What is up with that Ball? Once you wave your hand to activate the sensor, your Kinect will be er you’re experienced, casual, or somewhere in between, able to recognize you and access your Avatar. Then you’ll be able to Something for Everyone Many people seem curious about that ball on the end of The Move. PlayStation®Move has a wide variety of games including sports, jump in and out of different games, and show off and share Whether you’re a gamer or not, anyone can play and have a blast. And The move picks a color that is not in your background and makes action, party, family and shooters. your moves. with advanced parental controls and movies for the family, Kinect the ball that color. This helps the Move track the ball more easily promises a gaming experience that’s safe, secure and fun for everyone. Too Much Too Late? since the ball is what the eye tracks in order to translate the move- Given the popularity of the Move, one hsa to question is this an ments to the PS3 answer to the Nintendo Wii, or an evolution to it? The Playstation The WorkShop

20 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 21 The One Ups Tournament Zidane Goalstien Interviews Mustin of the One Ups about getting started in the industry, their musical feel, and the group as a whole Blow out

Tournament-tastic That is right it is tournament time at Level up oday Big Game Musicians look at the Marvelous band “The One Ups”. This is a band that magazine, and we are opening the doors to ev- loves music just as much as it does video games and Level UP Magazine has the opportunity eryone. That is right you will be playing the very to take a look at their past and the members themselves to see what makes them tick and what people who provide you this magazine. The event T was suggested by Timothy Wayett last issue and brings then into exactly. we tossed the idea around the magazine. Everyone loved the idea immediately. Give up a month to play video games with our audience why wouldn’t When: January 1-3 2011 : Age:18+ : Entry Fee: 20$ : what brought you together and any trials tacted by Penny Arcade about a performance and their Expo, PAX. we love it? So for the month of January we will be PRIZES:2 1st:1000$ and a replica of either or Soul Calibur. Since then we’ve been bigger than ever and have been performing holding events such as speed play throughs, paci- 2nd:500$ 3rd:250$ and a 50$ gift card to a store of the winners choosing you had to face be it with each other or with and recording like champs. fism runs and so much more. the industry it’s self? The three biggest events with the best rewards The only original member is myself. William Reyes (rhythm/lead are Soul Calibur 4 Starting on January first through guitar) was supposed to be there for the session but had to work. I What are your musical influences and the third. There will be three categories. The first had put together a group of musicians in 2000 to do a live record- how do they influence your music? will be the obvious tournament winner, but the ing of “Costa Del Sol” from Final Fantasy VII. This was for the Everyone comes from a different background focus - Latin, Pop/ other two will be. The top ranked individuals in Project Majestic Mix - A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu album released Rock, Prog Rock, Jazz... It makes for some difficulty agreeing on Survival and Timed trial. by KFSS Studios in 2002. After hearing the finished recording and arrangements. Ultimately, we use our shared love for Jamiroquai, The next game is Modern Warfare 2, this will seeing that the only other video game bands (the five or so there Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire to make it all work. The be starting on January fourth and run until the were back then) were rock bands, I thought it would be good to get new direction for the band’s sound is more synthetic - an 80’s funk/ sixth. Awards will also be given out to juggurnaut these guys back together and have an actual live performance band pop that really serves us well. The new Album/EP with this sound leads, Capture the flag leads, and survivalist. to represent the other genres not covered by rock bands. (our first project with just the four of us) is recorded and is cur- When: January 4-6 2011 : Age:18+ : Entry Fee: 20$ : The last game is Halo Reach, Halo 3 and Halo PRIZES: 1st:1000$ and a replica Assault Rifle or Shotgun. William was in official and this line up stayed pretty much the rently being mixed with the intention to be released January 2011. Wars, this tournament will be held from Janu- 2nd:500$ 3rd:250$ and a 50$ gift card to a store of the winners choosing same until 2005 when we changed drummers (Jared Dunn) and What is your approach to your music? is ary seventh to the fourteenth The three biggest 3 added another guitarist (Tim Yarbrough). We also had our then events with the best rewards are Soul Calibur 4 new sax player (Anthony Lofton) and Violinist (Greg Kennedy). it more laid back and friendly with one an- Starting on January first through the third. There Greg left in 2008 and Anthony in 2010. The band is just myself other or is it more along the lines of go to will be three categories. The first will be the obvi- (Synth/Bass), Jared (Drums/Keys), Tim (Lead/Rhythm Guitar) the studio and get work done? ous tournament winner, but the other two will be. and William (Rhythm/Lead/Synth Guitar). The top ranked individuals in Survival and Timed We butt heads on the direction in which a piece of music should trial. flow. Ultimately, through a lot of experimentation and compromise When and why did you guys decide to try we make it happen. We all bring suggestions to the table, both The next game is Modern Warfare 2, this will be starting on January fourth and run until the and get big? arrangement-wise and by suggestions of pieces to cover (though I pick most of what we learn/perform as I have the biggest library of sixth. Awards will also be given out to juggurnaut I’m not sure we made a decision to “try and get big.” Though the video game music in my head). It can be stressful, but we’re happy leads, Capture the flag leads, and survivalist. When: January 7-14 2011 : Age:18+ : Entry Fee: 20$ : irony is that we had planned to quit performing and only do studio we’re doing it in the end. The last game is Halo Reach, Halo 3 and Halo PRIZES: 1st:1000$ and a replica Spartan Laser or Energy Sword. albums in 2006. It was a few months after that when we were con- Wars, this tournament will be held from January 2nd:500$ 3rd:250$ and a 50$ gift card to a store of the winners choosing Party Members BGM seventh to the fourteenth 22 Level up Magazine, January First edition www.levelup.com 23 24 Level up Magazine, January First edition