"Age of Booty" Ready to Plunder Mobile Platforms

Age of Booty, a critically appreciated Xbox Live Arcade game that failed to generate significant sales back in the fall of 2008 is making the move to iOS and Android. Original developer Certain Affinity announced that they are working along with Chaotic Moon to create a version of the game for tablets and mobile phones. This release will be a "freemium" version of the seafaring pirate strategy game, featuring a full single player campaign, as well as cross-platform multiplayer play. I was a fan of the original, because it was an RTS that didn't stray far from its board game roots. It offered action that isn't achievable on a tabletop, while also preserving the satisfaction of decision making in classic European board games. The game map is also layed out using our favorite shape, the hexagon! No release date has been given, but I can't wait to return to the high seas on my iPhone.

(via Certain Affinity)

'Ticket to Ride Pocket' Review

While browsing games in the iPhone App Store, I came across a title that caught my attention - Ticket to Ride. I knew that an iPad version of the popular gateway board game had existed for quite some time, but news of the iPhone release eluded me last November. I hesitated before pressing buy, as I had already purchased Ticket to Ride twice; I own both the physical and Xbox Live Arcade versions. I decided getting on board with the iPhone version couldn't hurt, as it's priced at only $1.99. Was it worth my time and money? Find out after the break.

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Kinect Coming to Windows on February 1

Microsoft's surprisingly successful motion sensing peripheral, Kinect, is making the official jump to the Windows OS next month. Microsoft announced at their CES keynote that starting Februrary 1st, you'll be able to pick up a Kinect for Windows sensor for $249.99 US. "Why the price discrepancy from the Xbox version?" - you may ask. Since the Windows Kinect SDK was released last June, the Xbox version of the product has worked fine for industrious early adopters of Kinect programming. This new Windows version comes with a change in licensing that permits it to be used for commercial applications. This will be the Kinect to pick up for potential developers and businesses. Microsoft claims that the Xbox version of Kinect is $100 cheaper because it is subsidized by the extra income generated on selling Kinect enabled games. Regardless of how much it costs, I'm happy that Microsoft is pushing towards Kinect/PC integration in a big way. Kinect is a very versatile and innovative product, and gaming only scratches the surface of what it can accomplish. Microsoft also announced that 66 million Xbox 360s have been sold to date, as well as 18 million Kinects.

(via Major Nelson)

Bring Dark Souls to PC!

A thread recently popped up on the Namco Bandai forums asking if there was a possibility that games like Dark Souls and Demon Souls could be ported to PC with a bit of a mixed response from the company's employees. It was initally said that there will not be a PC port, but later posts suggest that if they see that there is enough demand, it MIGHT be considered. TotalBiscuit, creator of the popular youtube series 'WTF Is..', presents a clear, well thought out argument as to why this serious would flourish on PC, bringing up important points such as the power of modern PCs in comparison to the current generation consoles and the type of longevity of many older games that can't be found on any other system. I would absolutely love to see these games come to my gaming platform of choice and I know a massive number of other gamers would as well.

Dark Souls for PC petition

Original thread on the Namco Bandai forums

(via TotalHalibut)

Microsoft Flight Gets Release Window, Coming to Windows for Free

Since it was announced back in August of 2010, we hadn't heard much from Microsoft about their upcoming successor to the storied Flight Simulator franchise. Today Xbox Live's Major Nelson revealed that Microsoft Flight will be dropping this spring, and will be a free download for Windows. It will even contain unlockable achievements. The game itself is packed with tons of features that have me salivating and feeling nostalgic about classic flight sims of yore.

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Halo Reach Mod: Aperture Science Portal Gun

YouTube user Snip3MEDIA posted a mind blowing Halo Reach video on his YouTube channel. It showcases a mod that adds the Portal Gun from Valve's Portal series to Halo Reach. The modified concussion rifle looks just like the gun from Portal, sounds like the gun from portal, and even transports you around the map. This video also shows off the technology of the Forge World map really well. Teleportations happen instantly and without and texture loading, regardless of where the gun has been fired. The mod requires a dev Xbox 360 and some technical know-how, but everyone should be able to enjoy this YouTube video.