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Mega Drive Megatron and Optimus Prime Playstation

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Transformers_TitleLet’s all start with a collective sigh of disappointment. Why the disappointment? Well, after getting quite excited over the announcement that Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. would release special console Transformers to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the robots in disguise, there has been another delay in their availability.

The Mega Drive Megatron was originally slated for a September release, but that has now been pushed out to October. Optimus Prime (featuring original Playstation) won’t see the light of day till 2015 (no exact date known). On the positive side, the delay should give you extra time to save – these Transformers won’t be cheap (~$103AUD).

For now, you can drool over the photos of these awesome console Transformers!

The sleek Megatron!
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Megatron in the flesh
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Mega Drive Megatron in disguise
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Optimus Prime Playstation!
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Where did Optimus go? All I see is a Playstation!
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image sources: Takara Tomy ARTS and TFormers

Beep: A History of Video Game Sound

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BeepIntro06With the flood of samey video gaming documentaries on the market, it is refreshing to see new and interesting video gaming film ideas hitting Kickstarter.

Beep: A History of Video Game Sound is a documentary film which will take viewers on a rich audio-visual journey through the history of game music and sound, from the minimalist sounds of 1970s arcade classics through to the surround sound orchestral soundtracks of 2014’s latest epics (Ed: oh man, chiptunes too!). We all have fond memories of gaming tunes or that special music track that has been (lovingly) stuck in our heads since childhood. Beep will unlock these memories by giving the maestros and sound designers of these awesome tunes the opportunity to tell their own stories and share in their amazing achievements.

But wait, there is more! The film will be published together with a book that will provide an in-depth perspective on the evolution of game audio, packed full of interviews with the pioneers of game sound. So whichever way you look at it, all bases are covered – on film and in literature.

There are great rewards for each pledge – from $1CAD all the way up to the dizzying $8,000CAD, there is something for everyone. With a target of $40,000CAD by September 30, let’s make sure this campaign succeeds! Every dollar counts. Show your support!


image and video via Beep

 

RESET C64 Magazine: Issue 4 Out Now!

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RESET_titleAugust is always a special month. Not only is it the month that my sibling was born, it is also the month that my favourite 8-bit home computer was released, the Commodore 64.

What better way to make my RESET magazine contribution debut by timing it with the 32nd anniversary of the beloved C64. Issue 4 of RESET is out now and is totally free. Get yours here!

This latest issue is bursting at the seams with all things C64 (Ed: but of course!)! So another big thank you to Kevin Tilley for putting together another great issue and for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this awesome C64-centric magazine. Till issue 5, happy reading!

 

Atari: Game Over

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Atari_GameOverBack in April of this year, we reported on the impending dig of the sacred Atari burial site in Alamogordo, New Mexico. We all waited with bated breath as photos trickled in showing what the landfill was hiding all these years.

After a few months, Fuel Entertainment Studios and Xbox Entertainment Studios have now released their first official trailer of the upcoming documentary. We are definitely looking forward to this documentary, but the focus on THAT one game that Howard Scott Warshaw created that brought down the industry is misleading at the least. We hope the finished film will have a balanced perspective of what really happened over 30 years ago.


source: Xbox

Good Game Top 100: Australia’s Favourite Games

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GoodGameTop100_hdrFor Australian viewers, I am sure I don’t have to introduce Good Game to you. For everyone else, Good Game is a popular Australian weekly program dedicated to video gaming. The show is broadcast nationally and is packed with the latest gaming news and events, gaming tips, reviews and interviews with game developers. The hosts, Bajo (aka: Steven O’Donnell) and Hex (aka: Stephanie Bendixsen) are the dynamic duo that bring you the latest in video gaming!

Anyway, Good Game is currently seeking your vote for their upcoming ‘Good Game top 100 games of all time’ program. You can cast your vote now, but you better hurry, as voting closes at midnight this coming Sunday, 27 July 2014.

The results will be announced in their show on Tuesday 12 August 2014 at 8:30pm on ABC2 (and also on their website). So what are you waiting for, go and cast your vote now! It counts!

Here is the Good Game How To Vote video (tongue firmly in cheek!)

source: Good Game

PAX Aus: Bigger, Badder, Better for 2014

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arg_PAX_Aus_2014

It was a year to the day when the first international PAX event left American shores bound for Melbourne, Australia! It was a privilege to exhibit with our fellow retrohilcs, Retrospekt and Retro Domination at PAX Aus 2013. We had lots of fun, and it seems, from the feedback, you did too. Our Classic Consoles (Retro Museum) popularity did not go unnoticed – the PAX crew immediately invited us to do it again for 2014.

Being at a new venue and new event dates (Oct 31 – Nov 2), this year’s PAX Aus will be bigger, badder and better! See you at PAX Aus 2014.

PAXAUS2014_Hdr

 

Jupiter ACE: You Could Own The Brand

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JupiterAce_Title

Got a cool £10,000 burning a hole in your pocket? Do you want to own a piece of computing history? If you answered yes to both questions, then you could be the proud owner of the iconic Jupiter ACE brand.

Take a look at the ebay auction to find out what you get for 10K (it may end up going for more!). You better hurry, the auction ends on May 18. Good luck!

 

Trapped: Andy Warhol’s Amiga Experiments

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Andy_Title

Back on April 25, we reported on the discovery and recovery of Andy Warhol’s digital artistic works from 30 year old Amiga diskettes. The Trapped: Andy Warhol’s Amiga Experiments documentary was shown this past weekend (May 10) at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Pittsburgh. If you happen to have missed the première, don’t worry, we have it right here for you. Press play and enjoy.


source: nowseethis

Retro Video Gaming Championships and Exhibition

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Attention Retro Gamers! Get your diaries out and mark June 1 2014 as “I am busy”.

The Amazing Mill Markets in Geelong will be holding the first ever Australian Retro Video Gaming Championships! First prize is a whopping $500 voucher to spend on retro gaming goodies – it doesn’t get any better than that! Entry is free, so you have no excuse! If tangling in gaming championships isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the exhibition should keep you occupied.

So what will you be doing on Sunday, June 1 2014? Hope to see you at the Amazing Mill Markets!

MillMarkets

source: The Amazing Mill Markets

EB Games Expo 2014

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EB_Expo

Get excited gamers! Tickets to EB Games Expo 2014 go on sale tomorrow (April 24, 10AM AEST)!

Australia’s biggest video gaming event caters for all gamers, from the modern to retro! I can’t wait to check out the Retro Central Park Freeplay City area which will be run by our very good friends, Weird and Retro.

EB_Expo_Freeplay

If you are in Sydney and are free between October 3 – 5, then you should get yourself down to the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park precinct  for one heck of a weekend! If you are from interstate or overseas, then I hope this event tempts you to come to Sydney! Hope to see you there!

All images sourced from and remain the property of: EB Games Expo 2014