GameSpasm

As it adapts to changes on Facebook’s platform, Offerpal Media has named Mihir Shah as its new chief executive and president.

Shah replaces George Garrick, who served as CEO since last fall. Garrick will become executive chairman. Garrick himself replaced Offerpal’s founding chief executive, Anu Shukla, in October, 2009. During his tenure, Garrick was trying to reposition Offerpal in the wake of a scandal over the legitimacy of the offer business.

Offerpal creates special promotions known as offers, which users can accept as an alternative form of payment in a social game. Instead of paying for virtual goods in a game with a credit card, the users can sign up for an offer, such as buying flowers online or accepting a Netflix subscription. The business grew fast as social games took off on Facebook, but the whole offer industry was hurt last fall by a scandal. At the time, Offerpal was at the center of a storm over offers that appeared to be scams, duping consumers with misleading or objectionable offers.

Fremont, Calif.-based Offerpal moved to clean up its offers, setting new standards to lock out the scammers. It also hired Shah (pictured, right), the former vice president of ad networks at RockYou, as its chief revenue officer in December. He began streamlining the company and broadened its appeal to advertisers by moving beyond offers. Offerpal also bought mobile ad network firm Tapjoy in March.

In July, Offerpal laid off an unspecified number of people because it lost out to a rival in the race to provide alternative payments for Facebook’s new virtual currency system, Facebook Credits. Rival TrialPay won that competition, leaving Offerpal in a bad spot because it was previously very dependent on Facebook revenue.

“I am honored to lead Offerpal during this exciting time,” said Shah. “The social and mobile gaming spaces are in a transitional and converging period right now, and we have some exciting ideas for using our extensive footprint and expertise to help game developers, social platforms and online advertisers navigate the changing environment. I look forward to working with the entire Offerpal and Tapjoy teams as we continue to find innovative ways to meet our customers’ evolving needs.”

Shah has also worked at QuinStreet as general manager of direct selling services.

Tags: offers

Companies: Facebook, Offerpal, RockYou

People: George Garrick, Mihir Shah

Tags: gamesbeat, Offers, SocialBeat, VentureBeat

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Used videogame sales is big business these days. It’s one of the main reasons why Gamestop is posting millions after millions of dollars each quarter, and lately we’ve seen seeing a lot of other companies — who we never thought we would — enter the world of pre-owned games. Today, Target has launched its trade-in program in Northern California, while promising more stores to be offering the same scheme to other stores by the end of the month. By year’s end, the company fully expects 850 locations to offer the same program.

Target’s main big box retail stores competitors, Wal-Mart and Best Buy, also offer a game trade-in; however, they have the customer use a kiosks to complete the transaction — while Target’s approach is similar Gamestop. The customer heads to the store’s ‘Target Mobile’ counter, from there a employee evaluates the condition of the disc, and once it’s approved, the customer receives store credit, which can be used throughout any Target location. In addition to games, shopper’s can also sell other devices for store credit, such as iPhone, MP3 players and cell phones.

Over the last month or so, Target has been focusing on upgrading its videogame department. Recently the company add 30 percent more floor-space, along with removing the games out of a locked up glass case, and putting them on a shelve. So at the very least, the company is trying to please the gamer.

Source: gamasutra

Tags: target

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For a series that's always been about a furry hero and his robot pal, it's kinda surprising "Ratchet & Clank" didn't jump on the co-op bandwagon sooner. Seems that Insomniac Games is making up for lost time, though, as they've just announced a co-op-centric installment to the long-running franchise: "Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One." The game, scheduled for 2011, will allow for 4-player online co-op, as well as same-system drop-in, drop-out.

But Insomniac didn't stop there. They also confirmed that "Resistance 3" is in the works and will also be released in 2011. Talk about a full plate! No story details on "Resistance 3" just yet, but if this billboard is any indication, the game will be set in New York and will likely feature the Chimera doing nasty things to taxi drivers.

Tags: Insomniac Games, ratchet-and-clank, ratchet-and-clank-all-4-one, resistance, resistance-3

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If you played a lot of "Halo 2" multiplayer, you've probably spent more time in Midship (pictured) and Ivory Tower than you'd care to admit. Well, prepare to spend a little more! Bungie announced today that the two maps will be getting the "Halo: Reach" treatment when the game launches in September. That means new graphics, new item placements and slightly altered layouts, though the soul of both maps will remain the same.

Midship (now called Zealot) features a familiar lower-tier layout, but at the top level there's actually a permeable barrier which allows you to battle out in space. Once you pass through the barrier, the game shifts to low-grav, so tracking targets will become a very different experience. As a cool touch, when out in space, audio is muted, giving you the true feeling of being out in the void.

Ivory Tower (now called Reflection) has almost exactly the same layout, but the art has been updated to give it shinier, more reflection-y textures.

Bungie also revealed a brand new map, Spire, which is set in and around a massive Covenant tower. The map is designed for a specific mode of Invasion, which has Spartans trying to capture specific checkpoints throughout the tower, as Elites try to stop them. The new, flyable helicopter is accessible to the Spartans as they make their way higher up the tower, thus making the job for the Elites quite the handful.

You can watch all of these maps in action in IGN's latest video feature on "Reach."

More Halo: Reach Videos

Tags: bungie, Halo, halo-reach, microsoft game studios

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If you dragged your feet getting around to finding a code for the "StarCraft 2" beta test, you have officially waited too long as of today. The test has concluded, and that means that from now until July 27, you'll just have to snuggle up at night with your pre-order receipt or "StarCraft 2" client.

"In preparation for the launch of the game on Tuesday, July 27, the beta servers will be brought offline by Monday, July 19," a Blizzard representative wrote on Battle.net. "At that time, all beta accounts and character information will be reset and the ability to create forum posts and comments on the 'StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty' website will be unavailable until launch. In the meantime, we still encourage everyone to stay tuned to the website for exciting news and updates regarding the upcoming release."

July 27 isn't that far off, anyway, so as long as your computer's up to snuff meeting the proper system requirements, you should be in good shape while you mentally prepare for the full launch. And besides, depending on how hard you've been clicking, your mouse may need a rest.

Did you get in to the "StarCraft 2" beta test? What do you want to see altered for the final release? Share your assessments in the comment section below.

Tags: Battle.net, blizzard, StarCraft, starcraft 2

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One of the great things about "Little Big Planet" is its ability to create a sense of community around the user-generated content. During a demo yesterday at E3, Media Molecule revealed a new social feature that will launch with "Little Big Planet 2".

Named LBP.me, players will be able to access a social network dedicated to "Little Big Planet 2". The site can be accessed in game or on the web. No PSN account is required to participate in the portal's features.

Once there, users can look at user-created levels, items, and sackboys. If they find a level they're interested in playing, for example, the site has an included function to add the level to a queue. Helping friends find your latest creation or even advertising your content will be easy, as each player's profile will be available at LBP.me/[PSN Username].

Media Molecule's Alex Evans noted another interesting feature, QR codes. QR codes are 2D barcodes that can be readily scanned by cameras. Essentially, players would be able to generate QR codes that link to their content. Hold up the code in front of the PlayStation Eye, and you're instantly taken to the appropriate level.

"A player could have business cards made with QR codes on them, for instance, advertising their levels," said Evans at yesterday's demo.

Tags: E3, little big planet 2, little-big-planet, media-molecule, NEWS, PS3, Sony

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Today Microsoft announced a new slim version of the Xbox 360. This new console will come with a 250 GB Hard Drive and built in 802.11N Wi-Fi and will still cost $299. The new console that is described by Don Mattrick as “Sleeker, smaller, [and] whisper quiet” ships now and will be in stores later this week.

Via: Engadget

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By now you've probably heard that "Zeno Clash" is weird. It's almost impossible to relate just how true this is: ACE Team's inspiration for the game was, seemingly, drawn from an imprisoned mad scientist's LSD-laced fancies.

Xbox 360 owners weren't able to get their hands on ACE Team's inspired FPS brawler until yesterday morning when "Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition" was finally released over Xbox LIVE Arcade. A couple of new modes say "hello" in this version, and yeah, it's still a very, very weird game.

The Basics

"Zeno Clash" is a first-person brawler set in a bizarre, stylized world where a beaked hermaphroditic horror called "Father-Mother" is an accepted and guarded paternal fixture. You'll play as Ghat, a flat cyber-punk caricature of a tough guy with a tribal twist, who is trapped in a circular narrative that begins with the murder of Father-Mother and follows him as he relives his past and forges ahead.

It's a rollercoaster of a game that delivers a piecemeal collection of geographic and set-piece oddities and allows for more than just bare-knuckle action: you'll be able to shoot ancient-yet-stylized weapons and explore a narrative that will undoubtedly dazzle you with its peculiar pulls and visual delights. In this particular version, you'll also be able to engage in a co-op "Horde"-style mode called "Tower Challenge," and a time-based fight mode dubbed "Zeno Rush."

The Highs

How Weird Can it Get?
The bold visual art and setting in "Zeno Clash" is nightmarish and exotic, rich with surreal and twisted depictions of the familiar. The denizens are broken, wretched beings surviving and existing in constructs or environments built by fevered men (or Beksinski). In all, the universe is an interesting, refreshing place that sparks curiosity at each turn. Just don't expect to dwell long in a given area -- the pacing quickly forces you beyond each level's oddities.

Punching Pigs Can Be Fun
"Zeno Clash" takes a no-nonsense approach to its first-person fisticuffs. Aside from pummeling creatures with a mixture of short or powerful blows, you'll be able to block and parry with timed button taps. This pure point of design ensures that the visceral feedback of simply smashing foes remains the focal point.

Likewise, the guns and melee-objects (spears and clubs) are powerful, short-range weapons designed to be impactful. They're scattered nature provide many opportunities to change the pace of combat. Tired of punching? Shoot him in the face with a bow.

A Good Boss is Like A Good Best Friend
There are several boss encounters in the game, most of which are hulking brutes that require a club to kill. Others are more inspired, needing just the slightest bit of strategy and forethought. You'll find these battles at least slightly more interesting and involving, and even somewhat complex.

But if that doesn't do it, perhaps the gauntlet-style co-op modes will: the game's kill-until-you-drop (or complete) "Tower Challenge" and "Pit" modes make you reconsider approaches and tactics. The added perk of having a pal adds a layer of basic strategy. But don't expect too much -- the tiers are quick and easy to blow through. (Note: the netcode might be a less than stellar offering.)

The Lows

Spatial Awareness And You
At the end of the day, "Zeno Clash" is a one-on-one brawler. All of Ghat's moves, including the stun moves that allow for very basic grapples, aren't good for being stuck in the middle of a crowd. But this happens too often as the five-hour game ramps up its difficulty.

The targeting system helps to maintain singular focus in a crowd, but it's of no use when someone is behind or to the side. For that matter, the game does a bad job of alerting you to your enemies’ presence until it's too late. To be clear: Big fights are always manageable, but some allow for unsatisfactory experiences.

I'm Confused. Also, I've Seen You Before
The narrative's twisting and turning makes for some interesting viewing, but it also can be confusing, particularly when it comes to the game's auxiliary characters. Similarly, the circular nature of it makes you fight the same foes over and over again.

2 Fast, 2 Furious
The pacing of the game is breezy, leaving you little time to soak in (or explain) strange surroundings and creatures. While it's grand that it takes you to different places and puts you in numerous palette-cleansing situations, it's a bummer to not be able to take in the atmosphere of the game.

The Verdict

"Zeno Clash" is an interesting romp that doesn't let its peculiar art direction impede its core brawling mechanics. It's fun, interesting, and above all, a magnificently unique downloadable.

Tags: ACE-Team, atlus, Reviews, Xbox 360, Zeno clash

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Jun Takeuchi stepped into some big shoes when he agreed to oversee "Resident Evil 5." He took over for the series founder Shinji Mikami and didn't fail to grab attention by steering the franchise in a controversial direction. After wrapping production on "Lost Planet 2," however, he doesn't see himself sticking around for "Resident Evil 6."

"Personally, I don't think I'm gonna deal with 'Resident Evil 6' at all — as far as the series is concerned I'm not planning to return until at least two more Olympics have passed!" Takeuchi told Xbox World 360 magazine, according to CVG.

Since he didn't specify whether or not he meant the Summer and/or Winter Olympics, we can only assume that means Takeuchi will be waiting 4-8 years before considering a return to RE. By that point, we could be looking at "RE7" or even "RE10," depending on how ambitious Capcom is. The producer didn't sound like he had any regrets about the big choices he made with 5, though.

"Yes, it's true we did feel extreme pressure — and Mikami-san's shadow — after 'Resi 4,'" he explained. "However, because we were creating the sequel to this huge franchise we wanted to make our fresh direction clear."

Perhaps that means he'll stay on for "Lost Planet 3," or maybe he'll move on to a new property entirely. Capcom will have a weighty decision on their hands figuring that one out.

What would you like to see Takeuchi do next? Do you think "RE6" will be better or worse without him? Share your opinions in the comment section below.

Tags: Capcom, Resident evil 6, resident-evil, resident-evil-5

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The next expansion pack for "World of WarCraft," "Cataclysm," is supposed to launch this year. But you probably already knew that. You've probably already spec'ed out your Worgen rogue and planned to catch mono on the week of release (whenever that may be). But what if you could start playing long before anyone else? Ah yes, the magic of the Beta. It seems that Blizzard is kicking off the beta for "World of WarCraft: Cataclysm" in the near future, if a recent mailing to members of the press is any indication.

The mailing calls for the Battle.net accounts of interested parties in the press to be submitted by April 15th. The email goes on to say that there's no current date for the start of the beta, but the call for accounts certainly implies that we're getting close to something.

I haven't played "World of WarCraft" since 2005, when my level 60 dwarven hunter accepted the long sleep of a canceled account. I've fought the urge over the last five years, like a junkie always remembering his last fix, but may just crumble for the "Cataclysm" beta. My rationale is that it'll be hard to get addicted to something when you know your character is doomed once the beta ends. Famous last words, I'm sure.

Tags: blizzard, World of warcraft: cataclysm, world-of-warcraft

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