Visceral Games, probably best known for their work on the fantastic Dead Space, released the poetry inspired beat-em-up Dante’s Inferno this week, earning themselves a wide range of reviews.

While a hack ‘n slash based on medieval poetry sounds unlikely, we happen to think that Visceral have stumbled onto an untapped market here.  There is a wealth of gaming inspiration to be found in early literature, and it’s all royalty free!  Here’s where we suggest they begin on their next project:

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ASCII art from GamesRadar's source code

OK, so no matter my personal misgivings with the upcoming Dante’s Inferno, even I have to agree that this viral idea is pretty cool.

So EA has launched a website called Hell Is Nigh, which asks the user to input six passwords to activate a download.  In perhaps one of the most original ideas to hit viral advertising in a short while, EA has purchased advertising space on major gaming sites’ source code.

What you see on your left is actually a screen capture of GamesRadar‘s source code, discoverable by anyone with the inclination to right click their page.  In the last two lines of the ASCII art are Hell Is Nigh’s URL, and the password linked to this particular image.

Stalwart lovers of medieval poetry (and probably a few gamers too) have spent the day searching for the hidden art, which has turned up on site such as Digg, Kotaku, 1UP and IGN.  Being the helpful type, they’ve also gone and compiled the complete list of passwords needed, just in case you can’t be arsed looking them all up yourself.

All password entered, users are given a package of concept art, wallpapers and game music, all of which is subject to a hauntingly damnation-filled EA Licenceing Agreement, so you’ll find no overt spoilers from me.  It doesn’t matter however, as if you’re actually looking for spoilers I’ve already told you where to go and what to do to skip the entire exercise anyway.

So the rewards are not so amazing, but I’ll be damned if I’m not impressed with the creativity of the thinking behind this viral.  Now if only they had of made a bit more effort not making the game play like a bag of cocks, that would have been great.

Visit Hell Is Nigh, and show you’re getting into the spirit of things by being slothful and cheating on the passwords.  And thanks for the initial heads up, BrentCsutoras!

An inkblot teaser. Scrawled below is "The nightmare is over but it will not end!"

News from the world of Electronic Arts, Visceral Games has confirmed that they are producing Dead Space 2!

“We’re thrilled to jump back into the series, making the next chapter in Isaac’s journey. The infection continues to spread throughout space and our hero Isaac Clarke is the only person able to contain it. There are still loads of necromorphs that need killing!” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer of Dead Space 2. “In Dead Space 2, not everything is exactly as it seems. Expect plot twists that will surprise you and a huge cast of twisted, disgusting monsters that are sure to scare the daylights out of you.”

-Steve Papoutis, specifying it won’t be the ‘living’ daylights

I’ll be honest with you, I’m not 100% sure where they will be going with plot. The thing I liked about Dead Space was the idea that it was a contained, almost claustrophobic feeling while you’re running from a huge dead thing. I don’t know if it will be as scary in a broader environment.

The press release is here, at EA Press. You can also follow the fun on twitter http://twitter.com/deadspace

I've unintentionally managed to create a perfect Monopoly Guy mask

It’s still a little bit of a wait before we get our hands on Army of Two: The 40th Day, the much awaited sequel to the original co-op bromance.

To keep the fans occupied in the meantime, EA has released the oft-hinted-at Custom Mask and Armour Creator, which allows players to create their own mask and shoulder-pad designs for use in multiplayer.  The entire thing is run by a flash program that allows you to stretch and re-colour shapes and text, kind of like the way custom decals are handled in the Need For Speed series.

Being the chronic character customiser that I am, I had a muck around today and managed to make a couple of classy additions.  I mean, when you get down to it, there just aren’t enough shooters that let you suit up in a tuxedo t-shirt.

I can’t wait to see what kind of designs end up online.  I know I’ve got several other ideas ready to adorn my face mask.

Army of Two: The 40th Day will be available world-wide on January 13th, 2010.

Red vs Blue? It's like they WANT their own machinima series

EA has released a new trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day, showing off the variety of co-op moves open to Rios and Salem.  I’ve linked you to the YouTube version, as the original version doesn’t seem capable of playing correctly for me (even on ADSL2+).

While there are several old favourites from the first game (step-jump, back-to-back, etc.), the lads also have a couple of new tricks up their sleeves, including a “mock surrender” ploy used to flank your enemies, and some good old fashioned body shields.

They’ve also released a selection of new screenshots showing off their multiplayer component, which you can check out here.

Most importantly, however, the Army of Two twitter feed has been abuzz about the announcement of a Custom Mask and Armour Creator, which is supposedly in private beta at the moment.  No other details appear to be forthcoming, but it sounds as if we’ll be making our own pretty looking face-protectors this time around (I bags the tux print armour!).

Now for those of you with weak stomachs, please be advised that neither these new screenshots or video includes any bro-fists (although at the end of the video there’s something in the “bro-elbow” department).  Viewer discretion is advised.

Okay, okay… I know this may seem off topic, but hear me out.

Web design is kinda my thing; its a moderate chunk of what I do.  I have even built rather successful mobile sites for big players in Australia and the UK, and I learned how to do it the same way anyone learns anything: the internet.

So, here is a summary of how to build a successful mobile based of another already popular site properly:

1. Take a successful site people want to read the content from. This is key. Then, take a look at the content.
2. Reformat this content, but keep it in full where you can. Some images may need to be smaller, videos in different / smaller formats, etc… But all the content. This is key.
3. Read steps one and two over and over again until you know them by heart. Then read it again, to be sure.

So, where am I going with this? I read Matty’s post on Army of Two on my iPhone, as I was away from my computer.

The site includes the usual set of rules and regulations: the weapon must be at least feasible to the current era, be able to be implemented into the game and not include any trademark material.

So I click the link. (more…)