Who is Crash Bandicoot?

I've had game after game from the Crash Bandicoot franchise, but... I never paid attention to who he was as a character. I just knew that I was running through a trail dodging obstacles and collecting masks. So I wanted to find out who and what the heck he was.

When it comes to Crash Bandicoot in his earlier days... I saw him as Playstation's Mario or Sonic (after all, the franchise was a PlayStation exclusive). I know there were characters like Spyro, but... that's just how I viewed Crash at the time. Believe it or not, he was bounced around from developer to developer after his early days at Naughty Dog (which doesn't count the 5-year hiatus). By the time of this post, Crash has spun his way through 4 publishers + 9 developers. I think this exposes the risks of the IP while at the same time it reveals that Crash isn't going down without a fight.

This dude has been on Playstation, Playstation 2, Playstation 4, Playstation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii, PC, iOS, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Android, and even a platform called... Zeebo.

Anyway, to get a bit more specific about this wacky protagonist, he's actually a type of marsupial.

Crash, is a genetically enhanced bandicoot from a fictional place south of Australia... called the Wumpa Islands. That would make him a native of the land under the land down under. Right? In the fictitious Wumpa Islands, humans and mutant animals co-exist.

Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy

I had no idea what a bandicoot was, and so I did some digging and... found out that they're a small animal resembling a rat mixed with a rabbit mixed with a kangaroo. All don't look this way as there are various species of bandicoot, but I would probably be on a table if I saw one running through the office. The bandicoot is actually more related to a rabbit than a rat... just in case you were wondering.

Crash's story initially revolved around him trying to save the world by foiling the plans of the protagonists' Brio & Cortex + save his girlfriend. Not to take the focus off of Crash, but his girlfriend (Tawna) is also a female bandicoot genetically enhanced by Brio & Cortex. The dastardly duo wanted to destroy Crash because he was deemed a failed experiment.

Crash was able to fight back against Brio & Cortex with the assistance of Aku Aku, which is actually a human spirit reincarnated as a mask. Crash freed Aku Aku after escaping Cortex, and in exchange, he was able to use its magical abilities. Although Aku Aku isn't really brought up as often when the conversation of Crash emerges... I think it plays a crucial role in the Crash Bandicoot franchise.

I know that the wacky protagonist may be seen as a risky investment as far as new installments go, but... I can see Crash coming back via a reboot of the franchise. I know some of you are like "Here he goes against with these freaking reboots" but... (but but but) there is enough story to build upon and improve on. It doesn't have to feel exactly the same, but Aku Aku and the world can be remade into a truly open-world adventure... just like Super Mario. He has game after game with multiple themes on deck, and it would be sweet to see some beautiful reboot of Crash.

That said, I hope you enjoyed this installment of Who's that Protagonist, show some love at the links below, and... game on!

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Tsum Tsum Saturdays: Frozen

DISNEY TSUM TSUM FESTIVAL

The ever-popular Disney's Tsum Tsum is now available on the Nintendo Switch™!

The cute little characters from Disney's Tsum Tsum step foot into a toy store, where they can have a blast playing ten different party games, including curling, hockey, and more! Enjoy many modes of play such as cooperative and versus play. Choose your favorite Tsum and have a good time with friends and family!

What's more, you can go online to play with players from around the world!

Including the classic puzzle game, Tsum Tsum offers worldwide online multiplayer support for the first time ever!

游戏开始！

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Shop Disney!

Top Audiences Last Week!

Who's fighting their way to the top? Let's find out!

United States

United Arab Emirates

Germany

Philippines

Singapore

Russia

Hong Kong

Israel

Indonesia

Canada

Brazil, Ukraine, and... United Kingdom came close!

          

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Q&A w/ Vectorlord Dev Team, Nervequake Software!

How did your team come together?
Isaac: Longtime friends who ended up working together. After-hour drinks turned into a serious discussion about starting a game company, and 2 years later, here we are!


Secondly, where did the name "Nervequake" Software come from? That's awesome!
Devon: The name "NerveQuake" or "NQ" for short, came from a very early prototype game I had made. The idea was to be so sonically and visually stimulating that the player's nerves would quake. Years later, it made sense to adopt it as our studio title.


What are the five core values that best represent your studio?
Devon + Isaac:

1. Custom Tech - Engine built in house, because that's part of the craft we love.
2. Unique - No clones of existing game ideas. Putting a spin on things even if it's risky.
3. We make games we want to play ourselves - rather than solving for the market.
4. Determined! We're not going anywhere.
5. A thread that connects all games - to be revealed over time.


What is the motivation behind, Vectorlord?
Devon: Prove to the world that we can build a game. Put ourselves out there with something that represents my shareware gaming roots.


What are two elements about your game that will keep players coming back for more?
Devon + Isaac:

1. Mastery - learning how to prepare for the perfect 100% run and executing it on the highest difficulty level.
2. Beating your high-score - can you win without taking a hit? See if you can "break" the high score table.


Can we expect new content updates moving forward?
Devon + Isaac: Depends on the level of community interest! We hope to revisit the world of VECTORLORD and already have some plans to update with bits of lore that will tie into our future games.


By the way, would you say that developers should have some sort of experience with gaming prior to joining the industry? If so, why?
Isaac: It's useful to have experience with gaming to some degree prior to entering the industry as there's a lot of ground to tread and a lot of easy mistakes to make. With experience in gaming you'll have a better chance of avoiding the easy pitfalls that others have already discovered.


Silly question, but If you were on an island for a year and could only have 3 meals, what would they be? You can only choose 3 between the team.
Devon + Isaac: NerveQuake only eats the following meals -

1. Steak
2. Sushi
3. Baked Beans


Any words of wisdom for aspiring developers?
Devon - It's going to be really hard to make a game, and you might not succeed at first. If you love it, keep at it - do it for the games.
    
Isaac - The hardest part of making the game is not the first 90%, it's the last 10%.


Any closing words?

Devon + Isaac: Thanks for the interview! Stay tuned as NerveQuake Software plans to announce some cool stuff this year.

It was a pleasure to interview the indie team behind VectorLord, and I will definitely keep an eye open for the pending cool stuff they're rolling out. You're welcome to do the same! Check out this twin-stick shooter with DOS-era aesthetics on Steam today, and party like it's 199X!

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Dead by Daylight celebrates 4th anniversary with a new chapter featuring an iconic horror license

Dead by Daylight celebrates 4th anniversary with a new chapter featuring an iconic horror license

I could say more, but grab your popcorn and enjoy the reveal!

“We are quite excited to celebrate another amazing year in the history of Dead by Daylight” states Mathieu Côté, Game Director on Dead by Daylight and Product Evangelist for Behaviour Interactive. “The game is always changing, always improving. We've brought you a lot of really cool stuff this year and next year will be even more intense. This last chapter is a very emotional milestone for us and we cannot wait to share it with you..."

Press play and let's celebrate year 4 of Dead by Daylight!

Dead by Daylight boasts more than 20 million players globally across all platforms. The mobile version of the game has reached more than 2 million downloads only a week after launch. Since its release in 2016, the multiplayer game has become a place where all horrors live, having welcomed legends from TV, movies, and video games. The team regularly releases new content in the form of chapters, Archives tomes, and frequent quality of life updates.

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Embr... Uber Firefighters

Embr

I accidentally knocked a civilian unconscious when I hit him with my water hose.
Game Informer

So, once again, I yanked him off the toilet and ran.
Kotaku

Embr is a savage third-degree burn on the gig economy.
Rock Paper Shotgun

Join Embr, THE Emergency Services Revolution, and become an Embr Respondr™ today! Fight fires and save lives while climbing the ladder of success, all within the comfort of flexible working hours. Embr's mission is simple; bring über firefighting to everyone, everywhere.

It's time to redefine the firefighting service paradigm and give the power to you - the people - and we'll take care of the pesky paperwork. Everyone should have the opportunity to be a hero, and that's why with just one simple payment, you can become a Respondr™ today!

As an Embr Respondr™️ you'll answer clients' calls for help, and bring firefighting directly to their door! Break down doors, clear gas leaks and put out fires - no job is too much for an Embr Respondr™️.

Come join us in what leading tech experts are calling the startup of the century, and become the hero you deserve to be.

Join the brand new Embr Early Access program and help shape the future of Embr as a valued Embr Respondr™ and Community Member!


Tackle jobs with up to three fellow Respondrs™ to make even the most deadliest fire a co-op fuelled stroll through the park.


Climb the ladder of success as you become the best in the business. Amass ratings from your client, and unlock even harder jobs!.


Be a cut above the competition by purchasing and upgrading new tools - and show off your style with clothes and vehicles purchased directly from Embr.


Break down doors, smash windows, fix electrical circuits, clear gas leaks and do whatever it takes to get through a burning building and rescue your clients.

游戏开始！

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Happy 40th Anniversary Pac-Man!!!

Pac-Man was brought to like back in 1980 (May 22nd to be exact), and immediately set the world on digital fire by the gobbling hearts of fans everywhere he went. Definitely in arcades first, followed by consoles as this little yellow dude went pop throughout the 80s and held his own through the 90s.

For those of you interested in grabbing the Arcade1Up - 40th Anniversary Pac-Man Special Edition Arcade Game Machine and licensed Pac-Man stool combo... they will be available 07/10/2020. 

$499.99 is a pretty penny, but this is for the fans... those arcade veterans and legends + onlookers of yesteryear. The ones who desire a blast with this playable collector's combo. There are no quarter slots for the business owners in the room, but this would be sick in a mancave or a she-shed.

The machine comes loaded with:

Pac-Man Plus

Pac-Man (duh of the day)

Pac & Pal

Pac-Mania

Super Pac-Man

Pac-Land

Galaga

If you already own the arcade machine and want a Pac-Man stool... you can snag one for less than $100. This is also from Arcade1Up with legs that can be extended from 21.5" to 29.5". I was one of the kids who preferred to stand up unless I was at the arcade for a few hours... then it was time to look for a stool (with fingers crossed in hopes that no one had an accident on it). This isn't part of the 40th-anniversary edition.

This is the arcade machine I remember first and foremost when it comes to Pac-Man, I remember my mom and dad both playing the crap out of this. I don't even recall how old I was at the time, all I remember is that... I wanted to play. This classic head to head Arcade1Up machine comes in at $499 also, but... it doesn't include stools and isn't part of the 40th-anniversary edition.

Nostalgia doesn't have to break the bank, the 35th-Anniversary Connect & Play is also available... for $19.99! This would be the item I would send to my mom and stepdad as a gift, just to remind them to... game on! Hmmm I think I'm going to do that. If anything, he has a mancave that could use some games and perhaps the light-up silhouette sign.

I hope to see the Pac-Man Battle Royal game added to the next Anniversary edition of Pac-Man. By now... some of you may be thinking "Okay, we get it... it's not that serious" but... for me Pac-Man is one of the first games I remember. At the same time... it was one of the few games that I remember from the past... that didn't feel retro. I don't know how to describe it, nothing felt retro at the time, but at the same time... it stood the test of time. Is it fair to call it timeless? I say that it didn't feel retro, because looking back and even playing it today... it doesn't feel out of place or slow. Pac-Man is still challenging, and whether you play the classic Pac-Man, Pac-Man 256, Pac-Man CE, or whatever... I challenge you to give it a try.

You can literally get Pac-Man 256 in the Bandai Namco Bundle 4 for $1. You have about 8 days left for this bundle... so grab it and game on!

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

First 30: Aegis Defenders

aegis defenders

EXPLORE. BUILD. DEFEND.

Explore, build, & defend in this unique mashup of action-platformer and tower defense strategy. You play as a team of Ruinhunters searching for the one thing that can save their village - a legendary weapon known as Aegis.

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

NetEase Games Released News of Popular Titles at Annual Product Launch

One of the new titles that got on NetEase Games' Product Launch stage, Code: T - a simulation game, has released a cyberpunk-style teaser video. Mysterious hacker attacks NetEase system, unlocks the multi-encrypted file unveiling the chaotic worldview of futuristic city. Crime and darkness are hiding behind the flashing of neon lights. Players will become bounty hunters to maneuver among forces and to make their way to become legend. What kind of adventure are prepared for players? When the access portal opens, the unknown calls.

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Through an orchestra and modern dance performance, The Ragnarök, a role-playing game, takes the audience on a journey to save their kingdom with a spectacular rendition of the game's theme song, "The Ragnarök”. The Ragnarök is a cross-platform high-quality game that offers a free interactive dynamic open world based on Nordic mythology. In this elaborately depicted world, the natural scenery is changing dynamically as light and shadow move, the mythical deities are transformed into dragon flying across the sky. Mysteries of this world are waiting.

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As one of NetEase Games’ most popular titles, Identity V released a suspense CG teaser, which unveiled highlights of the upcoming major updates.

In order to escape from a mystery hollow manor, two ""detectives"" are uncovering a series of leads and just to find out that in Identity V, a new map - Chinatown will soon to be launched. On top of that, a new gameplay mode, ""Minor Arcana"" will be available and new characters - Galatea, Artist and Entomologist will soon be present to all players. Stay tune for more!

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King of Hunters has showcased its incredible portrait of a cold weapon era. In this interactive multi-tire open world, players will need to equip themselves with the right set of careers, weapons and to conquer the world. To walk through the clash of different civilizations, and to watch your army scuffle.

游戏开始！

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