S'long 2011! Wuz up 2012!

2011 Highlights 

Okay it'll be different for everyone but here are my highlights:

Dead Space 2 - in particular, the Severed DLC
Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Beta
Portal 2 - funniest game of the year.
The Playstation Network Blackout (not that it was a good thing, just that it was a big deal)
RAAM's Shadow Gears 3 DLC
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Game Hedz poll had Gears of War III as 2011's Most Anticipated Game with 68% of the votes
GAME OF THE YEAR - Portal 2 - I love my Gears Brothers, but this was too good in too many ways.

Predictions of 2012 

Mass Effect 3 will be the most anticipated game (March, PC/PS3/Xbox 360)
Metal Gear Solid Rising will rock (TBA, PS3/Xbox 360)
Grand Theft Auto V (TBA)
Bioshock: Infinite (TBA, PC/PS3/Xbox 360
Darksiders II (June,Xbox360,PS3)
Halo 4 (Q4, Xbox 360)
Diablo III (TBA, PC)
GAME OF THE YEAR - Mass Effect 3 - the series has been consistent, and it simply kicks butt.

Now if you agree, disagree or have other suggestions, let us know. We have polls you can take or feel free to just make comments! We should mention that iOS games also shone in 2011. Infinity Blade II outdid its predecessor, but has a ways to go before it's mind blowing. Shadowgun also did great for the platform, and suggests that it's only getting better. Let's keep our eyes pealed for what comes in 2012. Otherwise, all the best for 2012 and game on!

Arabs in the Media: The Perennial Enemy?

Recently, Electronic Arts Medal of Honor faced the wrath of war time USA, when it was essentially forced to change the option for gamers to play as the 'Taliban' after protests from military personnel and family of servicemen, among others. 

Member of the 'Opposing Force' in Medal of Honor

While the 'Taliban' title was changed to 'Opposing Force' the furore does raise the issue of what is acceptable and to whom, in the gaming world. For years, Arab's and Russians have been easy enemies in US military games, and in the Sony's SOCOM series, for example, you dispatch Arabs and Russians by the dozen. And even the very recent release, Homefront, has a downtrodden America invaded and occupied by a 'Greater Korean Republic' (complete with nuclear arsenal). But these are 'traditional' enemies of the US (North Korea being part of Cheney's 'Axis of Evil'), so killing them is 'no problem' (COD Black Ops set circa 1960's Cold War includes Cuba, Vietnam and Laos along with Russia). But how would an Arab or Russian feel about that?

Those who protested the inclusion of the term 'Taliban' make a point. It hits close to home for those who have lost loved ones to the war in Afghanistan or who live with the knowledge that it's always a possibility. But that's only from the American point of view. Let's face it, political issues determine much of the content of military games. Certainly in Medal of Honor's case. 

Arabs (and all non-whites) have the tendency to be typecast in American media - they are usually the terrorist. That this is nothing new only compounds the problem because it doesn't seem to be going away. The bulk of console games (and developers) are produced in the West, so they are designed with Western sensibilities, perspective and markets in mind. Fair enough. But the gaming world is well....the world. Do the heroes have to be portrayed by Western, and usually white, characters?

Take Dead Space 2 - no doubt one of my favourites and I wouldn't change a thing about the characters. But for arguments sake; it's set in space in a fictional place and time. Race, nationality or ethnic origin can't be that much of a factor can it? Would it matter if Isaac Clarke was Ahmad Abdullah or Rajiv Singh? Now that I've said it out loud...maybe it would.

It may be a self-perpetuating cycle. The constant affirmation of stereotypes make it difficult for us to accept anything outside of them, and perhaps an Indian superhero or Arab 'good guy' is just too unbelievable. As it is, minority groups must justify their presence in Western media through their minority status. A black guy must be, well black and 'ghetto', an Arab must be a terrorist and a Chinese guy a Karate expert. 

An interesting article in the LATimes looked at the issue of Arab stereotyping in the US which increased post 9/11, and cited the frustration some Arab Americans feel regarding the narrow range their ethnicity attracts. But in the gaming world the voice is what matters - race may not have to be an issue regarding finding work. But the issue here isn't so much work as it is perception. 

The big question: How does the Arab world feel about all this? Your turn.

2011: The Greatest Year for Gaming! (so far)

The return of the sequel!
This year may very well be the most awesomest year for gaming ever in the history of awesome years for gaming! And why you ask? The Sequel, that's why.

There have been a series of really good games coming out over the past few years; Gears of War 1 & 2 (2006 & 2008 respectively), Dead Space (a quiet release in 2008), Mass Effect 1 & 2 (2007 & 2010 respectively) and Dragon Age (2009), to name a few. But the first or second instalments of each, as the case may be, managed to have its own time in the spotlight, or in the case of Dead Space, no spotlight, as it gained popularity at a slow boil. As you can see by the years of release, there was very little convergence of titles.

But this year sequels for all of the above, and then some, will be or have been released. Unlike the doomed sequel in the film world (you know yourselves...Martix Revolutions and company), game developers seem to improve on their subsequent titles. Gears 2, ME 2 and DS 2 have all proven that. Maybe game developers should get into the movie-making business (I'm looking at you Wachowski Brothers! If that is your real name). 

One year, many parts

This year alone will see the release of Gears 3, Mass Effect 3, Crysis 2, Batman: Arkham City, Dragon Age 2 (maybe even Modern Warfare 3), and we've already enjoyed the return of the mild-mannered, kick buttin' nerd cum Necromorph dismembererer, Isaac Clarke. Damned marker. Oh, all these trailers are in one convenient place right here.

Gamers all around the world are giddy with excitement and have been treated, nay, spoiled, by all the material, free and otherwise, that is and will come along with the build up to game releases. DS 2 has set the pace being the first out of the gate. The build up was incredible as fans were deluged with animated comics, screen savers and wall paper, the hysterical 'Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2' video, the iPhone/iPad episode of the game as well as the Severed add-on and of course, Questions with Steve. Shoot, I even had the privilege of chatting with Sonita Henry (voice of DS2's Ellie Langford) on her Facebook page! Awesome. 

Now, we are on the verge of experiencing the Gears of War 3 multiplayer Beta between April 25 and May 15 - buy the Bulletstorm Epic Edition and get it a week early. Epic owes GOW fans for the 5 month delay, so the Beta release is a little bribe - but if they are smart, they will make like a love-struck suitor and entreat us with many and copious gifts as a way of apology and to win our forgiveness. If the other franchises are smart they won't let DS 2 or GOW3 outdo them (hint, hint).

The only loser is boredom & maybe your boss

Make no mistake, because of the convergence of all these hotly anticipated titles (of which GOW 3 is officially 'the most') both developers and gamers win (although your boss might wonder why you keep falling asleep at your desk and peer suspiciously at the AC vents - only DS fans will get that). They get lots of sales, we get lots of excellent content and game play. Oh, and Microsoft and Sony will be laughing all the way to the bank. You should probably buy shares right about now.

This is the first - but not the last of this here gaming blog. Watch this space for more as the gaming world in the Middle East takes off!