I’ve been thinking about my Christmas list of games: Assassin’s Creed II, Borderlands, Little Big Planet Game of the Year Edition, Call of Duty: World at War.
If I were to buy all of these games, the cost would equal $230.96 [not including shipping or tax]. That’s a hunk of change.
I can get two iPhones for that.
Or, I could get eleven casual games [if they were $20 a piece].
I bring up the casual games idea after reading a piece by Eric von Coelln about Facebook eating the PC Download game model.
What I took away from the piece is that there is …read more

Since I’m still waiting on some kickass games to come out, I figured why not go play a “casual game” and forget all of my worries for a few minutes.
After thirty minutes, I finally remembered why it’s not a good idea for me to play casual games – I have an addictive personality and I don’t like to lose. Both traits lead me to play WAY TOO MUCH of these damn games and when I finally look up, I’ve wasted half a day popping stupid balloons.
OK. So maybe I didn’t waste half a day playing Poppit, but Diner Dash can …read more

One of the problems with writing about gaming for a living is that gaming then becomes a job.
Hello? Mr. Obvious, it’s Amy. How are you?
Maybe it’s just me but for as long as I can remember, if I did something without being asked {whether that be cleaning my room or playing a video game} then I always got more enjoyment out of it than if I was asked/told to do the same task. I’m not sure if it’s just me being a contrary type person or what but this seems to translate into my work life as well.
Even if I …read more

I got an email today from Lee about this game that’s supposed to help hype The Ruins on DVD and Blu-Ray.  The idea is to find the ringing cellphone before your match dies.  If you find the phone then there’s apparently an exclusive outtake of the film that becomes available.

In honor of the 140th racing of the Belmont Stakes, I figured that I would give you a short list [in no particular order] of horse racing games. You know, cause if you can’t actually race a horse you might as well play a sim of racing a horse.
#1 Gallop Racer 2006 – Available for the PS2 and it got a rating of B- from 1up.
#2 Horse Racing Tycoon – For PC and it’s definitely a “bargain” at 7 bucks.
#3 Final Stretch-Horse Racing Sim – This bastard is $59.86…hope it’s worth the dough.
#4 Quarter Pole Thoroughbred Racing – I …read more

Since I haven’t really been able to find any games here recently that I’m interested in playing, I’ve taken to trolling the PlayStation Network in a vane attempt to find something worth buying.
Be careful what you wish for.
PixelJunk Monsters is your classic tower defense game where you have to destroy wave after wave of bad guys in an attempt to save your flock.
I downloaded the demo with the expressed purpose of wasting maybe thirty minutes and then carrying on with my normal day-to-day activities.
Yeah. That didn’t happen.
After playing the demo for two hours, I finally gave in and paid …read more

The stereotypical image that most people have of gamers is either a plump and pasty teenage boy surrounded by empty Mountain Dew cans or the image of a plump and pasty middle aged guy who lives with his mom. [I'm not talking about you of course]
Slowly, but surely, this stereotype is being turned on its head.
Not only are chicks now playing games at an increased rate, some of those chicks are Moms. [gasp!]
Heck, I’m one of them.
With the advent of the Wii and the industry’s increased focus on casual gaming, even the most “normal” mom can delve into the world …read more

…I’ll play this one for free.
Yeah.  That’s right, folks.
I’m going to be playing an online downloadable game for as long as it takes for me to find a game that inspires me.  Actually, I’ll only be able to play it for free for three hours; I’ll explain in a minute.
Jane’s Hotel: Family Hero is one game in a LONG line of “time management” games that are offered by companies like Big Fish Games.
The way that things generally work is you download the game to your computer and that entitles you to one hour of addictive clicking.  After said hour, you’re …read more

Mytopia provides a platform to allow anyone on popular widgets and social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Hi5 to play against one another.

Mytopia aims to offer MMO-style social features such as a virtual economy, teams and matches and connectivity features to players of casual games.
Linky
Image: Mytopia

Promo video by =NCH85 on deviantART
Dreaming of managing your very own Hogwarts? Now you can with this Sauce of Magic simulation Flash-based game which you get to build and manage your own magical school with students and creatures. You can even customise your own classes, courses and uniforms (even Harry Potter can’t do these).
Sauce of Magic is just one of the Singapore-developed indie games. Hit Linky to know about other great games.
Linky