How good is this game looking?  Deus Ex is probably my all time favourite game on any platform and it appears to be getting getting the sequel/Prequel it truly deserves:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=73GqUqRetxY

There was always a certain complexity with Deus Ex which has been lacking in recent years,  No! I am not going to mention Invisible War or the farce that was Dragon Age 2 but with gaming mechanics in general,  Developers seem to think the mainstream audience wants every game to be a pick up and play mind numbing borefest and will go out of their way making sure every subsequent game gets increasingly more streamlined.

If I want games like these I'll just watch a Blu-Ray!  I want the satisfaction of an in depth game, I want to be frustrated and then be rewarded for being awesome, I don't want the entire arsenal of the US army in my backpack at my every whim, I would much prefer stabbing some guy in the back with his dinner fork in order to hack his security system than be presented with a massive RPG in order to blast my way through a map.

Maybe its just me...

When I learned Phillip of PlanetPhillip fame was closing down Valve Community I just couldn't resist the opportunity of keeping the site alive.   If you are a fan of Valve and Steam in general, ValveCommunity was always an excellent source of websites and communities dedicated to the creators of Half Life, Portal and Left 4 Dead.

After a chat on PlanetPhillip in this post, I finally bring you the:

Valve Community Relaunch

Valve Community 2010

As an Owner of a Gaming Specced PC, A RROD 360 I fixed off Ebay, A PS3 Slim, A Wii and a DS Lite the thing that sticks out the most noticeably for me in the gaming realm is Steam and Valve's philosophy in general, and not just because of the Digital Delivery concept. A few points to make:

Steam is becoming platform indifferent.

We currently have Mac and PC clients and there is talk about an upcoming Linux client – there is your PC console in a small box. I have my lower specced Windows based HTPC running Steam and it works nicely as a TV gaming machine.

Valve has created games where piracy of said game is pointless – TF2 anyone?

Constant updates, community derived input and additions have created possibly the most successful single evolving game. TF2 as it stands is nothing like it was on release and pirating it is pointless.

Steam embraces the indie and modding community.

Probably the biggest reason why PC gaming will and never should die. Highlighting gaming brilliance and bridging the gap between the gamer and developer. Counterstrike Source was a mod after all and in the console realm this would never be possible.

Steam games are also cheaper than any console. (Bar Activision localisation)

Time to get our submissions in for a potential R18+ ratings system on a media format now more popular than Movies.  Submissions to the Aussie Government are invited by close of business 28 February 2010. Submissions received after the due date may not be considered.

In Order to make a submission, you need to answer this question:

Should the Australian National Classification Scheme include an R 18+ classification category for computer games?

Submit and download all the relevant documents here.

The submission template contains multiple choice questions as well as a 250 word comment section, not really enough words allowed to thoroughly discuss the issue yet it is better than nothing.

The Commonwealth Government has released a discussion paper which briefly summarises the key arguments for and against an R 18+ classification for computer games.  Censorship Ministers have considered the issue of an adult classification for computer games on several occasions.  However, they have not undertaken public consultation on this issue.

Submissions are being sought on whether the Australian National Classification Scheme should include an R 18+ classification category for computer games.  Submissions can be made by downloading and completing the submission template.  Submissions may also be mailed or faxed.  The discussion paper and submission template contain the contact details for making a submission.

In Gaming terms, Kingpin has redefined the process of completely "pwning" a game, initiating almost perfect execution.

Nobody comes close to Kingpin's incredible times and Valve should surely crown him

Portal Champion of the world.

Links: Kingpins Portal Vids OzSource thread.

Here is a selection of some of the Vids:

Portal Chamber 15 in 20 seconds

Portal speed run 17:50 Part1 of 2