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By 17 September 2010 | Categories: news

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The White House embraces gaming

The president of the United States, Barrack Obama, this week announced the new National STEM Video Game Challenge, a campaign to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by developing original new video games. The challenge will reward game developers in two categories namely a Youth Prize for middle school students and a Developer Prize, aimed at emerging developers to design games for pre-school and elementary school students. The challenge will run from the 12th of October to the 5th of January and aims to employ gaming as a possible educational tool for the future.
 

Image credit: holycrapthatsfunny.com

Mafia II sets swearing record

The Guinness Book of World Records yesterday announced that it is provisionally certifying Mafia II as the all-time F-word champion of the video game world. Thanks to the achievement hunters over at Roosterteeth.com who uncovered the record, Guinness' gaming records editor said that the sanctioning authority will include Mafia II with a citation for “most swearing in a video game,” in the next edition of the Guinness Book of World Records Gamer's Edition. Guinness has asked developers 2K games for a copy of the script so they can confirm the record and the surprising thing is that the achievement hunters stopped at 200 mentions, the new record, although they still had four more chapters of the game to work through, signalling the record may rise to as much as 300.

Gran Turismo 5 stuns with dynamic weather

Gran Turismo 5, the 'ultimate racing simulator' for the PlayStation 3 has been in development for longer than anyone cares to remember. We finally got a release date of the 3rd of November, announced at Gamescon earlier this year, and although the game may be quickly approaching the chequered flag there are still a few surprises left for gamers.

Yesterday at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show attendees got an extended look at the game's new amazing Dynamic Weather System. We already know night time races will be possible, but now it's been revealed that virtual racers will be able to test their mettle in rain and snowfall as well. It's not just the amount of road you can see that's going to change though, cars in GT5 will react differently when used in rain or snow, with players even having to contend with such aspects as tracks left in the snow after previous laps.

GT5 is looking more exciting by the day, check out this video from TGS 2010 showcasing the unbelievably beautiful dynamic weather system.

 

Bad Company 2 Vietnam heading to Tokyo

We once again head to the 2010 Tokyo Game Show, at least in spirit, as DICE, developers of the Battlefield series announced that they would be unveiling their newest title, Battlefield Bad Company 2: Vietnam, at the show.

The downloadable expansion pack to the popular Bad Company 2 was announced earlier this year at E3 where gamers were treated to a tiny teaser trailer but nothing more. This trek back into the jungles of Vietnam is set to be filled with the same explosive action that the Battlefield series is known for, coupled with a great 60's rock and roll soundtrack. To us that sounds like a winning recipe. The game is expected to launch towards the end of the year, but until then, check out this amazing new trailer straight from TGS 2010.

Assassin's Creed, in space?

With the upcoming November release of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, the gaming community is once again caught up in Assassination fever. In a recent interview with PSM3 magazine about the future of the series, AC: Brotherhood's producer, Vincent Pontbriand, hinted at a futuristic setting for an Assassin's Creed game.

“To develop our brand we like to keep our number for new settings, new characters. So eventually, when it's on the moon, you'll have your '3', no problem.” He chuckled afterwards, but the seed was planted. During Ubisoft's recent Assassin's Creed artbook project, a few space themed entries made it into the mix, delighting gamers with the promise of an ultimate futuristic assassin game.

Image credit: LeviHoffmeier

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