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	<title>GameNorth</title>
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	<link>http://gamenorth.ca</link>
	<description>Gaming North of the Border</description>
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		<title>Soul Sacrifice Review</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/05/22/soul-sacrifice-review/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/05/22/soul-sacrifice-review/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 21:11:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[soul sacrifice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=181</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The main thing you’re going to take from any Soul Sacrifice review is this: It’s not entirely accurate to call the game one of chance. That’s the common expression, but it doesn’t really apply to any review you might come across. It’s much more accurate to sum up a Soul Sacrifice by calling it a [...]]]></description>
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<p>The main thing you’re going to take from any Soul Sacrifice review is this: It’s not entirely accurate to call the game one of chance. That’s the common expression, but it doesn’t really apply to any review you might come across.</p>
<p>It’s much more accurate to sum up a Soul Sacrifice by calling it a game of choice. <em>Soul Sacrifice</em> constantly puts the gift of choice in your hands. And you’re going to be making some pretty intense choices to determine your paths and eventual fate in the game. Constantly dealing with such dramatic consequences gets a little tiresome after a while, but that isn’t to say that the game is without considerable value.<span id="more-181"></span></p>
<p>Inside Soul Sacrifice</p>
<p>By reading the book of Librom, players relieve the memories of an unknown sorcerer’s travels across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Your travels revolve largely around traversing nightmarish surroundings, sacrificing souls, and building up an arsenal of powers that will enable you to take on the dangerous sorcerer known as Magusar. You can fight Magusar at any time, but it would be a shame to deprive yourself of what is indeed a very solid story.</p>
<p>It’s going to take a lot of fighting to get your character ready for the showdown with Magusar. This is where much of the game draws its appeal, although there is also a considerably hefty story to consider, too. The designs behind the monsters, creatures, and hideous, haunted examples of humanity in the game are quite well done. Fighting them is done largely through magic, and magic can only be used when it is exchanged for something. The exchange usually consists of an equipped offering, which then gives you a host of impressive offensive and defensive abilities. Some abilities can be accessed by utilizing the surroundings of a particular environment. Only one of your abilities is inexhaustible, but it still drains your health a little each time. What this means is that <em>Soul Sacrifice </em>is not simply a matter of slaughtering demons en-masse. The game gives you the constant task, and a very difficult one at that, of carefully considering your resources. This is where the game becomes one of having to make endless difficult choices.</p>
<p>Having to make one tough choice after another doesn’t simply end there. Different monsters have different weaknesses, and you must consider this while simultaneously being aware of your magic resources. You then must decide whether to sacrifice or save your slain enemies. Sacrifice gains energy for your soul (attack) level, while saving increases your life (defense) level. Your dark and divine levels are also influenced by which way you. It’s important to seek a balance between saving and sacrificing. Doing so will unlock a number of extra attributes.</p>
<p><a href="http://playturn.com/soul-sacrifice-review.html">soul sacrifice review</a> conclusion</p>
<p>Those looking for a casual experience will probably want to <em>Soul Sacrifice</em>. Those seeking a unique experience should definitely check this out. The constant strategy and intriguing plot will both prove to be well worth exploring for a certain kind of player.</p>
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		<title>The Many Benefits Of Video Games</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/05/17/the-many-benefits-of-video-games/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/05/17/the-many-benefits-of-video-games/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 20:15:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[games]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video games]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=174</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Think video games are all bad? Think again. The benefits of video games are more than just some fabricated reasons designed to sell consoles and games. Studies have shown over and over again that the benefits of video games are many. The Positive Side Of Video Games Still on the fence about whether or not [...]]]></description>
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<p>Think video games are all bad? Think again. The benefits of video games are more than just some fabricated reasons designed to sell consoles and games. Studies have shown over and over again that the benefits of video games are many.</p>
<p>The Positive Side Of Video Games</p>
<p>Still on the fence about whether or not video games can be good for everyone involved? Consider some of these reasons why video games are good for you, and then see if your answer changes at all:<span id="more-174"></span></p>
<p>Video games can work wonders against anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that those who suffer from legitimate stress and depression symptoms have been able to lessen the damage caused by these things through video games. It makes sense. Video games allow us to take the energy normally devoted to stress and depression, and redirect it towards something that allows us to alleviate our issues in a healthy way.</p>
<p>Video games improve motor skills. There have been studies conducted on children as young as three or four on what video games can do for motor skills. Children who grow up playing video games tend to have things like superior eye-hand-coordination, as opposed to children who do not grow up playing video games.</p>
<p>Video games can bring the whole family together. This has always been true to a certain extent, but the rise in games for the Wii, the Xbox Kinect, and other such similar devices has given families of all kinds even more reasons to make video game time the same as family time.</p>
<p>Video games can bring people together from all over the world. It’s not uncommon for video game fans to strike up deep, personal relationships with one another. Video games don’t have to be the only thing they have in common, but it can be the thread from which the history of their relationship can be traced.</p>
<p>Video games can improve your ability to make decisions quickly. Further studies have shown us that those who play video games are much better at making decisions in other aspects of their lives. Not only that, but they can make those decisions more quickly, and with a great deal more confidence as well.</p>
<p>Video games can improve your physical health. One study surprisingly suggested that video games can be a positive influence for those suffering from cataracts. Other studies remind us that video games can aid in pain relief. This is done simply by giving your brain something else to think about.</p>
<p>Embracing Video Games</p>
<p>Video games can certainly have their negative points, too. They can be extremely expensive, and it is possible to get to a point in which playing video games is taking up too much of your life. These are things to keep in mind, but by no means do they cancel out some of the obvious <a href="http://playturn.com/top-5-benefits-of-video-games.html">benefits of  video games</a>.</p>
<p>Any of the above reasons should be enough to convince you of their good points.</p>
</div>
<div><i><i><i><strong>About the author</strong>:</i></i></i>My name is Oliver . I’m a university graduate with an immense passion for all things gaming. My dream is to become a video game developer.</p>
</div>
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		<title>Dawn Of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars &#8221; Rule your own kingdom&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/04/07/dawn-of-fantasy-kingdom-wars-rule-your-own-kingdom/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/04/07/dawn-of-fantasy-kingdom-wars-rule-your-own-kingdom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 2013 21:01:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[PC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some people have been looking forward to Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars for quite some time. The developers behind this title have promised that the game would be the first full 3D MMORTS with real-time siege combat. &#160; Does it actually deliver on that grand promise? The answer is fortunately a pretty strong yes. Is [...]]]></description>
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<p>Some people have been looking forward to Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars for quite some time. The developers behind this title have promised that the game would be the first full 3D MMORTS with real-time siege combat.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Does it actually deliver on that grand promise? The answer is fortunately a pretty strong yes. Is it actually a lot of fun to play as well? The answer to that question is thankfully a yes, too.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://image.ohozaa.com/i/f1e/rY6KLU.jpg" width="640" height="338" data-mce-="" /></p>
<p>Inside Dawn Of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars</p>
<p>Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars isn’t going to blow you away with graphics. Some might call the visuals of the game a little dated. Others will no doubt find something about appealing about the way the look of this game has a bit of an old-school flavor going for it.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>But a lot of people might argue that graphics really aren’t what a title like this is all about. The name of the game with something like Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars is the gameplay. Addictive, compelling, user-friendly gameplay is essential to a title like this standing out from games like <em>Stronghold</em>, <em>Total War</em>,and <em>Kingdoms of Camelot</em>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The makers of the game have promised us some of the best gameplay ever for a title like this, and it’s always nice when a game company keeps its promises. The challenge with <em>DoF: KW</em> is that it puts you in a world that is constantly evolving. Everything within the universe of this game will change, develop, grow, and move in new directions whether you’re playing or not. That lends considerable challenge to the game’s demands that you complete quests, manage your economy, establishing walls and buildings, and gather resources. It’s a lot of work at the start, but the work certainly will pay off once you become established. Establishing a kingdom that can survive in a ruthless, constantly evolving atmosphere is going to be tricky, but the game gives you everything you need to build yourself up. And because the world of Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars is something along the lines of its own living entity, you’re not going to want to rest on your laurels once you’ve created a powerful empire. The game will offer constant challenges, endless opportunities to increase the power of your kingdom even further, and a steady line of threats to everything you’ve worked so hard to create.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://playturn.com/dawn-of-fantasy-kingdom-wars-review.html" data-mce-="">Dawn Of Fantasy Kingdom Wars review</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Conclusion</p>
<p>Does any of that sound appealing to you? Then you’ve found something that’s going to keep you occupied for a very long time. A number of games on the market promise similar replay value, but very few of them are actually going to deliver on a level that Dawn of Fantasy: Kingdom Wars does. It’s one of the best games of its kind to come out in ages.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The challenge for other developers will be to come up with something that matches everything these developers from Toronto have put into this title. That might happen, but it’s going to be a while before it ever does.</p>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><i><i><i><strong>About the author</strong>:</i></i></i>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Lexie is a com engineer working at JP morgan chase. She love blogging and traveling. Feel free to contact her at lexillago@gmail.com.</p>
</div>
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		<title>Etrian Odyssey 4 Legends Of The Titans &#8211; the best rpg on 3Ds so far.</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/29/etrian-odyssey-4-legends-of-the-titans-the-best-rpg-on-3ds-so-far/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/29/etrian-odyssey-4-legends-of-the-titans-the-best-rpg-on-3ds-so-far/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:01:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Handheld]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=160</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all have to agree that it was an embarrassing year for the Nintendo DS RPG fans. Games like the Pokémon X/Y, Fire Emblem and the Shin Megami Tensei failed to make an impression. However, now with the release of Etrian Odyssey, fans can take a sigh of relief. Compared to Earlier Editions Compared to [...]]]></description>
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<p>We all have to agree that it was an embarrassing year for the Nintendo DS RPG fans. Games like the Pokémon X/Y, Fire Emblem and the Shin Megami Tensei failed to make an impression. However, now with the release of Etrian Odyssey, fans can take a sigh of relief.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://upic.me/i/b7/hc8s5.jpg" width="640" height="325" data-mce-="" /></p>
<p><strong>Compared to Earlier Editions</strong></p>
<p>Compared to earlier three instalments, Etrian Odyssey is way better. We all remember how rough and tough the earlier parts were, but this one isn’t like its prequels. It’s more enjoyable and better in terms of gameplay modes and dynamics in contrast.</p>
<p><strong>What Really Makes it Great</strong></p>
<p><em>Etrian Odyssey 4</em> is extraordinary. Like its forerunners, the first-person RPG actions would take you back to the days when PC was really famous for gaming. The mechanism of the game is simple; it&#8217;s a menu-based RPG in which you investigate into a succession of mazes as deep as possible, before looming for air to restore your health and cash in the loot. All this delivers a skill of trees with loads of possibilities and raw contest. These are the fundamentals that have made it a powerful, but fair slot of following.</p>
<p><strong>Turn Arounds</strong></p>
<p>With this episode of the Etrian Odyssey, it seems as if the developers are softening up a little. Perhaps, they now understand that the first three games were really heavy weight and it was frustrating to finish them with a lot of hard work and dedication. The character turnaround is almost genuine, and there’s even little storytelling in the game mode.<em> Etrian Odyssey 4</em> fixes all this without mislaying its edge as a chamber crawler; therefore it’s beautifully balanced with thorough quests and the battles therein. Rivals will unbridle all methods of status effects, vicious multiple-hit assaults, etc. Nothing happens misdirected, and there is a sense of sequence to everything.</p>
<p>With the biggest and the best addition of multiple maps for ease of direction, battle and strategy building, Etrian Odyssey 4 leaps far ahead from its rival games released for Nintendo.</p>
<p><strong>Graphic Enhancement</strong></p>
<p>As for Etrian Odyssey&#8217;s shift from the DS to the 3DS, it doesn’t look strange, at least not in the beginning. Perhaps, the unflappable new feature is being able to customize two different characters to shape one of your own, although it would be impossible to raise their level of skillset and acquire new equipment. In the majestic arrangement of things, the change is small, but its addition is promising. The rest is much the same as it used to be, but transformation from 2D to a 3DS experience is one thing people would love.</p>
<p><a href="http://playturn.com/etrian-odyssey-iv-review.html" data-mce-="">Etrian Odyssey 4 Legends Of The Titans review </a> Verdict</p>
<p>Etrian Odyssey 4 seems promising as this is the only RPG game released for Nintendo DS that can attract a number of players to try and unwind the seamless gameplay mode it has to offer. In view of the recent slump in RPG selection, console wise, this game, if not boated, must get much appreciation and attract a number of buys pretty quickly.</p>
</div>
<div><i><i><i><strong>About the author</strong>:</i></i></i>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Trisha is a journalist working for a local newspaper in Louisiana.  He always blogging about techs , gaming and fashion.</p>
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		<title>Changing Trends In The Mobile Internet Arena</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/14/changing-trends-in-the-mobile-internet-arena/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/14/changing-trends-in-the-mobile-internet-arena/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:58:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=157</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WordPress has been around for a long time and it is safe to say that it has made quite an impression on young bloggers who before did not have a specifically engineered platform for expression. WordPress literally changed lives all that time ago and it continues to attract visitors and subscribers in huge numbers. The [...]]]></description>
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<p>WordPress has been around for a long time and it is safe to say that it has made quite an impression on young bloggers who before did not have a specifically engineered platform for expression. WordPress literally changed lives all that time ago and it continues to attract visitors and subscribers in huge numbers. The thing about WordPress is its capacity for customizations and how that has suited many different artistic people over the passage of time.</p>
</div>
<p><img alt="" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/p5dgHgQJKqwgLePZ4W-zSq4HDxSEfsQy2w9fynY5G2bPGE_gd5vAg97gOWn58MLKIhVhvDgNeNuSjB0Jf9r_XV34OY7ZVu70Q7U5tXQUSGcXyIud69XoRyx7XQ" width="590px;" height="300px;" /></p>
<p>Expression aside it is worthy to note the many technicalities that go into actually designing a wordpress site. It is not as simple as it looks and there are a few key pointers to keep in mind to do so successfully. The <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/11/26/mobile-web-design/">OpenWebsiteTutorial’s Guide: setting up wordpress for the first time</a> is a really great guide to figuring out how to get started the right way because after you know how to start a WordPress site and set things up on WordPress you will be on your way.</p>
<p>Nowadays everyone uses all websites on their phone and if provision has not been made by the website owners to adapt their own websites into mobile-viewing format, they will be losing out a great deal on web traffic and other gains. It is very important to make sure that mobile users are having a good experience when logged into your site so that they are tempted to return again and again and that can only be advantageous to you.<br />
<img alt="" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ekzznnML7TD1RnYfbEGomJ1ejd0LEhJP8nPVQT51nuKzu8nRTnhFEgsDyQ0ZFo0ZKzsUVKWAMB1ita9I_I-xNF0cLwFeD-PGMKXvtLqcCw-6XRS9L_NV2c9KBg" width="587px;" height="330px;" /></p>
<p>Benefits of Having A Mobile Site</p>
<p>Adapting websites to mobile format is a little bit of work but it does pay in the long run as web traffic is increased a great deal and your website also ends up with solid credibility because it has mobile-friendly features. Additionally, your existing users will also appreciate it and they will be able to get more use out of your website this way. A website has no choice but to move with the times as they were if it expects to survive at all. No website is going to be able to maintain any kind of popularity if it is not backed entirely by ease and accessibility.</p>
<p>Disadvantages of Having A Web Based Layout Only</p>
<p>One of the most major networking sites of all time which is Facebook is currently suffering because it has not made an adequate transition to mobile use. This goes a long way in explaining how important mobile browsing has become. Most websites do not now hesitate in trying their best to make a few changes to their original formats so that these sites can be efficiently used on the smartphone medium. Those changes can include making the available material very simple so that it can viewed easily and accessed easily. The display and such are radically changed so that they can look better in the small screen of a smartphone. No matter how large it is, it still cannot compare to the size of a desktop screen which is why it is very important to make allowance for that.</p>
<p>Correlation Between Mobile Sites Adaptation And Increased Smartphone Usage</p>
<p>Mobile browsers are another important and recent consideration. Before, there was not really a good enough browser that could actually take care of a lot of websites that were open simultaneously with really heavy content. Now with time a lot of really great browsers have come out and they really optimize the whole process of surfing the net through a smartphone. Smartphones are more than just a fad; they represent a principle about the lifestyle of most people nowadays. Similarly the internet is a very important part of anyone’s everyday communications too which is why the internet has to change so that it can be just as useful as it would be on a desktop, laptop or tablet. This transition is a good one because it points towards many possibilities that would not really exist otherwise. Content sharing when you are moving from one place to another is one of them.</p>
</div>
<div><i><i><i><strong>About the author</strong>:</i></i></i>Dagny Baldi is asocial Media Marketer at Open Website Tutorials.</p>
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		<title>Playing Games: A Brief History Of Mobile Gaming</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/01/playing-games-a-brief-history-of-mobile-gaming/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/03/01/playing-games-a-brief-history-of-mobile-gaming/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:54:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=152</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The story of mobile gaming begins, appropriately enough, with a serpent – or, more prosaically, a snake. A pre-installed game on Nokia phones in 1997, Snake was simplicity itself, and demanded nothing more than feeding an ever-lengthening snake through a two-dimensional maze. Despite the absence of tricksy graphics and colour, and despite the difficulty of [...]]]></description>
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<p>The story of mobile gaming begins, appropriately enough, with a serpent – or, more prosaically, a snake. A pre-installed game on Nokia phones in 1997, Snake was simplicity itself, and demanded nothing more than feeding an ever-lengthening snake through a two-dimensional maze. Despite the absence of tricksy graphics and colour, and despite the difficulty of playing on a small screen using even smaller keys, Snake proved deeply addictive and resoundingly popular.</p>
<p>For nostalgics, post-modernists, ironists, lovers of retro, and owners of very basic phones, it still is; 400-million players of the game to date can’t be wrong. But Snake’s most enduring legacy is what it told the mobile phone industry about its users back in the late 1990s.</p>
<p>They liked to play.</p>
<p>As Snake munched its way across the screen, mobile phone game developers were not slow to spot the potential, and variations on the same theme harnessed the limited possibilities of mobile phone technology. The games were similarly primitive by today’s standards, but technology was moving quickly.</p>
<p>Change came in the shape of wireless application protocol, or WAP, just in time for the new millennium. WAP enabled mobile phones to access the still-youthful internet, bringing downloadable ring tones and mobile phone games that could support multiple players. The mobile phone screen remained monochromatic and the games primitive, but the appetite for mobile gaming was clearly in rude health.</p>
<p>If colour TV changed the way we see the world, the introduction of colour screens to mobile phones in the early 2000s was a gear change for the mobile gaming world. Supported by increasingly sophisticated operating systems, games had a smarter, brighter and faster look. There remained a vast technological gap between mobile phone games and those played on consoles; this wasn’t quite Pac-man’s last stand, but it may have been his finest hour.</p>
<p>By now, there were two gaming worlds, as different from each other as the two sides of the moon; on the one side were the fast-paced, graphically lavish console games with ergonomic hand-held controllers. On the other, small-screen games were played using a keypad that had been designed for dialling numbers, and limited graphic options. While mobile and console gamers were not mutually exclusive, the gap between the two gaming experiences was widening. And mobile users kept playing.</p>
<p>Nokia’s 2003 N-Gage was the first attempt to combine the two platforms, offering games such as Tomb Raider and Sonic the Hedgehog. This first tilt at converging console with mobile phone met with a muted, if not underwhelmed, reception. But the story of mobile gaming was moving fast; handsets were changing and so were mobile games with the arrival of 3D graphics and networking capability. In 2007 came the evolutionary leap that changed everything.</p>
<p>The smartphone arrived trailing clouds of glory and a new world of mobile gaming, where keypad was replaced by touchscreen and game interfaces were transformed. Games could be – and were – quickly developed to exploit the possibilities of new-generation smartphones. Big-name developers were soon jostling with independent designers for the attention of players, who were as likely to play Call of Duty on their phones as they were to become hopelessly ensnared by Angry Birds. The now high speed mobile broadband networks had kept pace with the gaming advancements (see <a href="http://www.vividwireless.com.au/">Vividwireless</a>) which meant these bandwidth hungry games were able to be catered for.</p>
<p>And in 2011, the marriage was announced between console and smartphone. The android Xperia Play is a mobile phone with a games console under the bonnet, and may be the first missive from the future of mobile gaming. It may turn out rather differently. Only one thing is certain: in an industry predicted to be worth almost 13 billion US dollars by 2015, the history of mobile gaming has more chapters to come.</p>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><i><i><i><strong>About the author</strong>:</i></i></i>Indi Debah is a UK-based freelance writer. She writes articles for the press, blogs and magazines on a wide range of subjects, from the arts to luxury hotels. Indi is a graduate of the University of East Anglia’s MA Creative Writing course. <a href="http://www.indidebah.co.uk">www.indidebah.co.uk</a></p>
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		<title>Top 5 Mobile Games on the iPhone</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/02/18/top-5-mobile-games-on-the-iphone/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/02/18/top-5-mobile-games-on-the-iphone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:52:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=149</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have to be taken seriously as gaming platforms nowadays.  67 per cent of all time spent on a tablet is spent on gaming, with the majority of Smartphone owners at least dabbling in games. This makes the iOS mobile devices heavyweights in the gaming industry, and these are just [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch have to be taken seriously as gaming platforms nowadays.  67 per cent of all time spent on a tablet is spent on gaming, with the majority of Smartphone owners at least dabbling in games. This makes the iOS mobile devices heavyweights in the gaming industry, and these are just a few of the stellar titles available.</p>
<p><b>Dropship</b></p>
<p>On the surface, this game looks like an updated version of Space Invaders, however you will find that although the initial premise is similar, it offers much more.  Not that Space Invaders isn’t still fun!</p>
<p>Using an initially strange but perfectly functional touch control system, you need to blast your alien enemies away, just like in Space Invaders, but in a twist to that tried and tested system, you also need to rescue your human compatriots.  Free play and campaign modes both build upon this formula.</p>
<p><b>Angry Birds</b></p>
<p>It’s hard to talk about the top iPhone games without mentioning the most famous title to have debuted on the system.  The franchise is now a monster and the company behind it worth $2.25 billion dollars.</p>
<p>The game has been out for a long time now but people haven’t quite got tired of it.  New spin off titles help to keep the same formula fresh, with the latest being based on Star Wars.</p>
<p><b>Temple Run</b></p>
<p>A game that almost threatened to match Angry Birds in terms of popularity, Temple Run used the tilt sensors in the iPhone perfectly to create a game which involves constant running through temples, with the challenge being to use the touch screen and tilting to collect coins and avoid obstacles.  Essentially it is quite a lot like some of the Sonic the Hedgehog titles which utilised time trial style gameplay, and if you were addicted to those games back in the days of the Sega Mega Drive this may well be for you.</p>
<p><b>Real Racing 2</b></p>
<p>Real Racing 2 is the sequel to the top racing title on iPhone.  The original boasted 48 cars and 16 tracks, with a Real Racing GTi sequel being offered for free.  Real Racing 2 improves on the original in every way, helping to affirm the iPhone’s status as a proper gaming machine with a racing simulator to be proud of.</p>
<p>One of the major improvements is the ability to have up to 16 cars in an individual race.  A bigger range of vehicles, vehicle updates and improved controls also help improve the experience.  With a price tag of $9.99 however, make sure you trial the free GTi version first to ensure you agree on its quality.</p>
<p><b>FIFA 13</b></p>
<p>The FIFA franchise has been on top for a while on consoles, outselling its nearest competitor Pro Evolution Soccer for years, and also gaining the critical acclaim that it so often failed to garner in the early part of the century.</p>
<p>The transition to mobile proved a little more difficult however, with early titles failing to gain enthusiasm from critics.  However FIFA 2012 made massive strides in playability on mobile devices, much like the 2009 edition did on consoles.  This years’ 2013 version has not made the same progress as last year, but it has helped to consolidate its position as the premier iOS football title.  Most importantly it now features online competition!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About the author</strong>:</p>
<p>Thanks to <a href="http://https://plus.google.com/u/0/106035281539146311148">Michael Charalambous</a> for this fantastic article. If you&#8217;re looking to play <a href="http://www.liveroulette.co.uk/">Live Roulette</a> on the iPhone then make sure you visit liveroulette.co.uk.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Things You Should Understand About Gaming Cards</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/02/04/things-you-should-understand-about-gaming-cards/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2013/02/04/things-you-should-understand-about-gaming-cards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:42:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Handheld]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=137</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The concept of gaming has become of the crucial and ultimate to make your mind free. If you are taking something in your mind than the pressure and stress tends to build an ugly way of disrupting the whole mental stability. That is the reason we get provoked with the games and its imperial mechanism [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div>
<p>The concept of gaming has become of the crucial and ultimate to make your mind free. If you are taking something in your mind than the pressure and stress tends to build an ugly way of disrupting the whole mental stability. That is the reason we get provoked with the games and its imperial mechanism of perfect play with an uncountable spirits that you are recovering from it. But not all gaming consoles are having the same spirit thus to accelerate the whole motion you need to add something extra to it. This will gear up the initial requirement and take charge of the whole concept in a perfect way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.r4icarduk.com/categories/R4-Cards-for-3DS/">R4 3ds</a>  are the solution for the entire concept. This gaming specification will be adding much more energy and valour to the whole gaming experience. When you are adding these aspects for a better usage then it needs to be kept in mind that the entire facility will be taken to be within a positive reach from the need. The factors that are raising the needs of these cards are firing acceleration on the whole movement of gaming experience. All you can understand here is the ultimate way of getting encouraged by entire concept of satisfaction.</p>
<p>All that you can settle here will be an easy usage of perfect gaming with the consoles. These R4 cards are being design to satisfy the need of these games. The manufacturers created a new version of the R4 Card. This new version replaced the spring mechanism with a simple push to enter system. The original model of r4 is now considered outdated as it does not work with latest version of games. Purchasing it from websites makes it more convenient for the customers to get the best quality product along with 100 percent guarantee of excellent performance.</p>
<p>The capacity of the storage facility will be entirely different and it can include certain things which are needed to be taken into a perfect start. 2G and 3G storage memory cards are giving you an unveiling experience over the whole matter. In fact all you can have is the perfection over the ideas. Rather you can also purchase it from many websites as they give you the best quality product along with negotiable prices. With its portable feature you can experience hard core gaming anywhere and anytime. It also saves a lot of time for the office goers and businessmen who are also addicted to this gaming world. As it is a highly technical media enhancer you do not have to use any extra gadgets for installation of this card.</p>
<p>The technical features are giving you a perfect alert over all the needs that you must address during buying these cards. You can think of all the continuous effort which are needed like the right card according to the specifications that are matching with the needs of your gaming consoles. These things are certainly offering you a better identification quality over the whole matter.</p>
<p>So get going with the cutting edge cards!</p>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><i>Nancy Payton is a freelance article writer who writes on various topic. She wrote the above article about gaming cards and for more information she recommend you to visit: http://www.r4icarduk.com/<br />
</i></div>
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		<title>‘Diablo III’ Beta announced, auction house explained</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2011/08/01/diablo-iii-beta-announced-auction-house-explained/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2011/08/01/diablo-iii-beta-announced-auction-house-explained/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:27:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[PC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battle.net]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blizzard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diablo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Diablo III]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mac]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=4</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Diablo III Beta details have been released, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sitting in a pool of my own saliva right now. If you’ve managed to wipe that visual image from your memory, then feast your eyes on these playable features: All 5 character classes – Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk, Demon Hunter [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <em><a href="http://gamenorth.ca/tag/diablo-iii">Diablo III</a> </em><a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/events/diablo3-announcement/index.html#beta:d3-overview">Beta</a> details have been released, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sitting in a pool of my own saliva right now. If you’ve managed to wipe that visual image from your memory, then feast your eyes on these playable features:</p>
<ul>
<li>All 5 character classes – Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk, Demon Hunter</li>
<li>Tristram Cathedral – Everyone remembers Skeleton King Leoric right? I think he even made an appearance in <em>DotA</em>.</li>
<li>Followers – Only some of them, but still helpful if you have no friends.</li>
<li>Randomization – They listed this as a feature, but I suspect it’d be harder NOT to randomize just for the Beta.</li>
<li>Items – Gems, Charms, and Runestones included.</li>
</ul>
<p>I’ve been going crazy over every released preview of this game, so if you haven’t looked at gameplay trailers, check them out. In addition, Blizzard shed some light on the new <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/events/diablo3-announcement/index.html#auction:auction-summary">Auction House</a> that would be available in the third iteration:</p>
<ul>
<li>Just what it sounds like – Kind of works like the one in <em>World of Warcraft</em>.</li>
<li>Search functionality – Sorting by multiple columns and the ability to search for multiple characters on the same account. Both of these features sound awesome.</li>
<li>Pay with or make cold, hard cash – You can also pay or sell for real money. There is a transaction fee involved for the seller, but they can have the proceeds directly deposited into a “third-party payment service”.</li>
<li>The Old Fashioned Way – You can still do direct character to character transfers. The way me and my friends did it: Drop mountains of stuff into piles and let an unspecified deity sort it out.</li>
<li>Blizzard is not evil – Blizzard isn’t going to mess with supply and demand. This will be a player-driven economy.</li>
<li>Sell from your account – That means you can sell from any of your characters on the same account or from the shared stash without having to log out, which is annoying and also affords you an opportunity to stop playing the game.</li>
</ul>
<p>Personally, I won’t be paying real life money for items, but the Auction House sounds like a much better way to get a Stone of Jordan. And since both the real and fake money Auction Houses are completely optional, I can even forget the Auction House exists and play it like <em>Diablo II</em>, which is still an awesome thing. Now for the hardest decision of all: Which class should I play first?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</h4>
<p><img alt="dualistic" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20120508180941im_/http://gamenorth.ca/avatars/sewerratavatar.jpg" width="48" height="48" />Don Tam is a game enthusiast who currently resides in Toronto. He currently owns a two-year old PC, a Xbox 360 Pro and a DS Lite (black). His favourite games include Gears of War, Rock Band, Civilization IV, and pretty much anything Blizzard caresses with their gentle, godly hands.</p>
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		<title>Gears of War 3 Beta Preview</title>
		<link>http://gamenorth.ca/2011/04/16/gears-of-war-3-beta-preview/</link>
		<comments>http://gamenorth.ca/2011/04/16/gears-of-war-3-beta-preview/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:03:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Xbox 360]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Epic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gears of War]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gears of War 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Microsoft Game Studios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[X360]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Xbox360]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gamenorth.ca/?p=26</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Beta is almost upon us. Epic opens the Beta this Monday to those who purchased the Epic edition of Bulletstorm and on April 25 for those who pre-ordered Gears of War 3. However, thanks to our fellow Gears at Microsoft, we were able to sit down with the Beta last week, which gave us [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <em>Gears of War 3</em> Multiplayer Beta is almost upon us. Epic opens the Beta this Monday to those who purchased the Epic edition of <em>Bulletstorm</em> and on April 25 for those who pre-ordered <em>Gears of War 3</em>. However, thanks to our fellow Gears at Microsoft, we were able to sit down with the Beta last week, which gave us a chance to bloody our chainsaw and traditional) bayonets and to experience all the new gameplay features first-hand. For those of you eager to curb stomp some Locust heads, here’s what to expect once the Beta goes live:</p>
<p><strong>The Mantle Kick</strong></p>
<p>How many times have you taken cover at a conveniently-located chest-high wall only to discover that, rather inconveniently, your opponent has chosen the same wall to take cover behind? You each switch to your trusty Gnasher Shotgun and fire off some rounds of blind fire to break the ice, then dance back and forth, surreptitiously popping up to take a proper shot at your opponent. It plays out like a game of Whack-A-Mole, except the hammers are shotguns, and the mole in question is trying to kill you. To do away with such antics, Epic has introduced the Mantle Kick. Executed by pressing the ‘A’ button, the Mantle Kick will send your character vaulting over the wall, delivering a solid kick to anyone foolish enough to be sitting on the other side. Successful execution of the Mantle Kick will leave a victim momentarily stunned, and horribly vulnerable to all manner of blades and bullets. Take that, you stupid mole!</p>
<p><strong>Spotting</strong></p>
<p>The <em>Gears of War</em> games are all about teamwork, and while a single player can sometimes run the table and massacre an entire team, it usually takes a co-operative effort in order to secure victory. One of the best ways to co-operate is through communication, but with the advent of Party Chat and the sometimes volatile environment found in online games, communicating with the entirety of your team may prove difficult or painful. Thankfully, <em>Gears of War 3</em> features a new Spotting mechanic that allows players to pinpoint the location of enemies in a non-verbal manner. Clicking the left stick while your crosshair is trained on an enemy will place a marker over their head for a few seconds that can be seen by all teammates, even through walls and obstructions. The best part? If a teammate kills an enemy that you have spotted, you get an XP award. High five!</p>
<p><strong>Tac/Com</strong></p>
<p>The Tac/Com, short for Tactical Communication, isn’t anything new to <em>Gears</em> players. However, having practical applications for it in multiplayer matches is! Activated by pressing the Left Bumper, the new and improved Tac/Com will give players much more information during matches than its predecessor, including the ability to see the location of teammates, where weapons spawn on the map, and it will even identify wall-tagged grenades as being friendly or not. Additionally, we learned that Leaders in the new Capture the Leader mode can use the Tac/Com to see the location of their enemies, allowing them to issue more helpful orders to their subordinates. I’m going to miss sneaking up on leaders to steal a victory, but I’ll settle for them quaking in their boots as they see me coming.</p>
<p><strong>Map Preview</strong></p>
<p>Knowing where to find the best weapons on any given level offers a huge strategic advantage, so Epic has included a new Map Preview feature that gives players the skinny on where to find the good stuff. Before each match begins, an illustrated overhead view of the map is shown, complete with designated names for each area of the map, such as ‘The Crane’ and ‘Concession Stands’, to aid players in describing the maps. Furthermore, if players view the map during the game, it will be updated with the location of weapon spawns. This is immensely helpful to new players, and helps me plan my strategy from the moment the match starts, which typically amounts to “I’m heading to the Torque Bow!”</p>
<p><strong>Meatshield Tagging</strong></p>
<p>Using an enemy as a meatshield to protect yourself from his or her understandably upset teammates is a hobby of mine. Sometimes I even perform a ventriloquism act, saying things like “if you kill me, you’ll never get that money I owed you,” or, “you wouldn’t shoot a Locust with glasses, would you?” Okay, so I don’t actually do that – not out loud anyways. However, for those looking to add a little more fun to their meatshield experience, Epic has included an awesome new feature: Meatshield Tagging! If you’re carrying a meatshield and have grenades in your possession (any will do), you can press up on the d-pad to attach your grenade to the meatshield, then send the bundle of joy hurtling toward your enemies for an explosive reunion. Even better, if you’re fresh out of grenades, but your meatshield was carrying them, you can use theirs instead! “Get ready for a surprise!”</p>
<p><strong>Control Tweaks</strong></p>
<p>Here’s the situation: Don and I are about to secure the Torque Bow when a Locust Grunt rushes around the corner, frothing at the mouth, and downs Don with a single shot of his active-charged Gnasher Shotgun. Not wanting to face the rabid brute on my own, I quickly press the ‘X’ button to revive my fallen teammate. However, instead of reviving him, I unexpectedly pick up the Torque Bow and get gibbed during the ensuing pick-up animation. While I typically value the Torque Bow higher than Don’s life, things probably would have played out differently had I actually revived him. Unfortunately, such accidents were common in the first two <em>Gears of War</em> titles, but it has finally been addressed. Epic has made a distinction between actions that use the same buttons by changing some of them to a hold function. To revive a teammate, you tap ‘X’, and to pick up a nearby weapon, you now hold ‘X’ for a second. The same is true for executions; you tap ‘Y’ to quickly curbstomp an enemy, and hold ‘Y’ for the more bloody and satisfying, weapon-specific executions. This should help us avoid situations like the one described above, but I guess it means that I can no longer lie to Don about whether or not I actually intended to revive him instead.</p>
<p>In our brief time with the beta, we fell in love all over again. It has all of the makings of what made the first two Gears of War titles great, but polished to perfection. Veteran Gears will feel right at home, and thanks to many of the new features, players new to the franchise will find it easier to pick up and play than previous instalments. Join us on Monday when we review each of the four maps found in the Beta, as well as post a Q&amp;A with Epic’s crazy canuck, Rod Fergusson.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</h4>
<p><img alt="Richard Mitchell" src="http://web.archive.org/web/20120508180931im_/http://gamenorth.ca/avatars/ithilisavatar.jpg" width="48" height="48" />Richard Mitchell is a video game addict living in Toronto. He has been gaming for more than two decades, and despite multiple interventions, continues to game today. He has an Xbox 360, a PS3, a Wii, a Nintendo DS, a gaming PC, and a life, and does his best to juggle them all.</p>
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