We now live in an age of dubstep-dubbed video game commercials and so when a commercial for a game comes out that does something different, it’s worth mentioning. Double fold, when a game commercial is released that hearkens back to the glory days of video game ads (the 90s, duh) then it’s time to shout it from a mountain. Enjoy this Metal Gear Rising: Reveangance commercial, dudes, it’s a good one.

Sometimes the Internet bestows upon us wonderful, wonderful things and lucky for all of us, today is one of those times. Take a gander at a time (ie the 90s) when men were mulleted, phone lines had lines, laser discs were big DVDs and when Nintendo was approachable. Get in the time machine, Timmy and away we go!

During Time Warner’s call to investors last week, John K. Martin casually mentioned that the next installment in Batman’s Arkham series will be released in 2013. This comes as a shock as the last bit of information revealed was that the next installment would take place in the Silver Age of comics during 2014. Nonetheless, this is welcome news to all Batfans!

John K. Martin, Time Warner’s CFO, had this to say:

And we also have a strong games release this year, which will include the next release in the Batman Arkham franchise. So all in all, we expect Warners to post another very strong year in 2013. And with a little luck, the year should be as good or maybe even a little bit better than 2012.

No other information is known at this time other than the fact that Warner registered a slew of domain names last week hinting at a “universe” theme. Whether this means Batman will be saving the universe or characters from DC Universe will be making an appearance is unknown. As always, keep an eye right here to find out all the latest information.

Crysis has always been a series that has caused a lot of debate, namely whether or not your computer could handle it and whether the game was worth a behemoth-sized comp. However, the advertising for the Crysis games has always strayed from the pack of other FPS games and stayed true to its gritty, explosive gameplay. However, it appears that Crysis is taking a note from the Call of Duty franchise and has upped its “bro” factor significantly. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why the team at Crytek would want to follow in the footsteps of COD [money] but it seems that they have tarnished their reputation a bit with this over the top, cheesy trailer.

What do I know though, maybe this is what people want. What do you think? Does this trailer pique your interest or clutter it along with all of the other video game commercials out there? When it comes down to it, I can’t really play it seeing as though the game just isn’t the same on a console and I don’t have a $20,000 computer to play it on.

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Welcome back Ken Levine, the Bioshock universe sorely missed you.

This trailer showcases Levine’s trademark vision that wasn’t present in the second installment and seems to permeate its way throughout this latest iteration of the timeless saga. The character design is back on par, the graphics are engaging and the action is over the top; everything we loved about the first Bioshock.

Now, would you kindly take a look at the traile already?!

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If you don’t want to watch this half an hour video of Gabe Newell, let me just fill you in on one important detail. JJ ABRAMS IS SET TO DIRECT PORTAL AND HALF LIFE MOVIE ADAPTATIONS! /nerdboner

Here’s the liveblog of their talk straight from Kotaku:

DICE Liveblog

Wednesday February 6, 2013

StephenTotilo: Hello, people!

StephenTotilo: Catching us up…

StephenTotilo: Gabe Newell and JJ Abrams are on the stage.

J.J. starts talking and Gabe interrupts and says that movies are criticized for taking agency away from players.

And now they’re playing a clip from Cloverfield.

Newell: “I’m looking at that as a gamer and saying put the camera down and let me fucking run. And you won’t let me do that.”

Abrams: “Sure, but sometimes in games, players are driving in the wrong direction.” He then cues up a Half-Life 2 clip. The Dr. and Alyx are talking, but the player isn’t paying attention.

Abrams: “Hey, at least the characters in movies can talk.” Cues up a Half-Life clip.

And now we’re watching Jaws.

The schtick basically is that Abrams is advocating for how movies tell stories; Newell is doing so for games.

Both are playfully pointing out some of the limits in the others’ medium.

We’re watching the scene from Jaws in which the main three characters are arguing on the boat.

Abrams says it’s a scene that shows how Chief Brody doesn’t fit in.

And that it’s set-up for the end, in which Brody fares pretty well against that shark.

Abrams is saying that the character moment is set-up, that what you think is one thing really means something else.

Abrams is advocating for foreshadowing.

And now Newell is showing some Portal 2. The potato science fair scene.

Newell is saying that you think that seeing the potato battery is just a throwaway gag, but it’s actually setting up the potato’s importance.

Players have the option to self-pace the storytelling in games, he says.

He considers this an advantage of games, giving people the opportunity to have multiple playthroughs.

Abrams says that movies are looking into this.

Abrams points out the R2D2 cameo in Star Trek. “That’s the kind of stuff that makes us happy.” He likes hiding things.

Gabe: “So now I have to go back into your movies and look at the debris and see which of your movies you’re going to direct next? ‘Look, it’s Winnie the Pooh!’”

Abrams is cueing up a clip from Die Hard, to emphasize the value of loving the characters. The audience needs to feel for the characters.

And now Newell has a clip from Half-Life 2, where you’re getting to know and care about Alyx and Dog.

Abrams praises Portal for beginning mysteriously and making you explore GlaDOS. “The more you play, the more you felt.”

Newell loved the scene in Cloverfiled and the scene of the woman blowing up behind the screen. Games need more moments like that, he says.

“Your taste is sick,” Abrams said.

Gabe and J.J. are recapitulating the discussions they’ve had.

J.J.: There’s an idea we have for a game that we’d like to work with Valve on.

Newell: ” We’re going to find out if there’s a way we can work with you on a Portal and Half-Life movie.”

And they walk off!