The Season Pass Conspiracy

Microsoft has already begun employing the Season Pass DLC philosophy across a host of games.

Gears of War 3, Forza Motorsport and Mortal Kombat already have this 'pay up front' tactic successfully implemented. And while it's key advertising pull is to essentially save a lump sum from the total DLC cost in the long run, there are factors that you need to consider before you dive in and sign up to this up and coming DLC marketing strategy.

Can Skyrim Be Too Easy At Times?

Small observation here from my time with the game thus far.

I've done many quests so far in Skyrim. Already well into 100 hours and think I have a fair scope of the game to start judging it.

It was after one particular quest relating to a Daedric artifact (that shall remain unnamed), that my eyes were opened to something I just did not like.

Workaround For Skyrim 1.2 Patch Bookshelves Problem

Since I recently acquired a house in Solitude as a result of my ongoing adventures in Skyrim, I thought it appropriate to do a little bookshelf testing.

As previously noted, bookshelves seem to glitch as a result of Bethesda's second title update for Skyrim. The shelves can swallow whatever books you just placed in them and then become unusable. I have found a workaround for it.

Skyrim's 1.2 Patch Breaks Resistances and Bookshelves

The next patch from Bethesda has gone live for a few days and seems to have broken more than it fixed. Thankfully, they have actually fixed the texture problem so the game can finally be enjoyed to its fullest from the hard drive install.

However, I've noticed 2 new problems induced by the patch.

Skyrim's 360 HDD Install Texture Problem

I have been looking forward to this game for a good chunk of the last 3-4 years and now that it's here, I am blown away by the advances Bethesda have made from Oblivion (and Fallout). The interface, the design and even the storytelling is already going from strength to strength.

But what really left a sour taste in my mouth from the start were the graphics.

A Badass Gears of War 3 Desktop Wallpaper

Epic designer Quinn Delhoyo's twitter has a pretty badass background that makes for a great wallpaper.

Although, it isn't too easy on the eyes for me.

I've taken the liberty of toning down the color saturation and brightness as well as resizing to 1080p for those 16:9 monitor users out there.

Edited version HERE for you to save and use.

Leaked Skyrim Map Reveals Inspiration From A Game of Thrones

The highly anticipated Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's game map has been leaked, revealing key layouts and locations within the game's expansive world.

Upon further scrutiny, I did instantly garner a hint of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire in at least one prime location.

DICE Reward Camping In Battlefield 3 Open Beta

The BF3 Open Beta is open to incredibly mixed impressions.

In an effort to quell the rather insane "pre-order cancelled" mantra some foolish individuals have been parading, DICE have released an incomplete preliminary changelog to emphasise just how much the final game will differ to this Beta.

Amongst the changes, one particular item stood out to me the most: