The Initiative Check!

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What we’ve been playing:

James:
Mount and Blade: Warband
Halo
Left 4 Dead 2
The Witcher (finished)

Nick:
Batman: Arkham City
The Witcher
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer (I am an addict)
Orion: Dino Beatdown
Bought Alan Wake (haven’t tried it yet)

Rod:
Left 4 Dead 2
Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010 Wii
DC Universe Online
Gary’s Mod
Minecraft

Recent news -
Blizzard/Valve Settle Dispute Over DOTA-title:
www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/11/valve-blizzard-reach-dota-trademark-agreement.aspx
SWTOR Loses 400,000 Subscribers since February:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-07-star-wars-the-old-republic-has-lost-400-000-subs-since-february

Diablo 3 Stuff:

http://us.battle.net/en/int?r=d3

Elder Scrolls Online Announced:

http://www.bethblog.com/gate.php?referer=%2F2012%2F05%2F03%2Fgame-informer-announces-the-elder-scrolls-online%2F

Rock Band on iOS shutting down:
www.gamespot.com/news/rock-band-ios-shutting-down-report-6374677
The X-box 360 is banned in Germany!?:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/05/02/us-microsoft-motorola-idUKBRE8410DC20120502

Skyrim DLC for 360 in Summer, PC and PS3 later:

http://www.dsogaming.com/interstitial.php?oldurl=http://www.dsogaming.com/news/skyrim-dawnguard-coming-to-x360-this-summer-coming-to-both-ps3-and-pc-at-a-later-date/

Diablo III Auction House Fees Announced:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/01/blizzard-details-diablo-iii-auction-house-fees.aspx

Movies/TV/Music:

Nick:
The Universe
The Avengers
Music: Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears

Rob:
Hugo (DVD)

James:
Batman: The Animated Series
QI
The Avengers

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

Rob: @autographedcat

Rod: @rodthegolden http://www.facebook.com/rodthegolden

TadPool Podcasts: www.vtwproductions.com

Email: initiativecheck@initiativecheck.com

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What we’ve been playing:

Bryan:
Angry Birds: Space
Mass Effect 2 (a little, just getting started)
The Walking Dead

Rob:
TOR
MacGuffin’s Curse
Scoregasm (did i ever talk about this?)

James:
Mount and Blade
The Witcher
Angry Birds (Space)
Yearly Halo Playthrough

Nick:
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer (I am an addict)
Angry Birds: Space

Recent news -
Portal 2 Map Creation Kit May 8th

http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/4/26/2977445/portal-2-level-creation-steam

Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year:

http://www.gamer4eva.com/2012/04/batman-arkham-city-game-of-year-edition.html

EVE Online Economy F-ing Brilliant:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-04-27-ccp-players-attempt-to-destroy-eve-online-economy-is-f-ing-brilliant

Torchlight 2 Pre-order on Steam

http://store.steampowered.com/app/200710

Movies/TV/Music:

Bryan:
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocal

Nick:
The Universe

Rob:
Girls (HBO)
The B—- In Apartment 23
Unchained Reaction (Discovery)

James:
Batman: The Animated Series

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

Rob: @autographedcat

Bryan: @bryvost

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What we’ve been playing:

Bill:
Mass Effect 3 – Just beat the single player campaign
LOTS of ME3 multiplayer
Realm of the Mad God

James:
Angry Birds: Space
Mount and Blade: Warband
(Ask Bill about printing)
The Witcher

Nick:
Mass Effect 3 multiplayer
Mists of Panderia beta (a little bit)

Recent news -
Being banned from Steam no longer means losing access to single player:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30324377&postcount=50

DOTA 2:

http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2012/4/20/2961883/dota-2-will-be-free-to-play-with-a-twist

Brevik Video Games Violence:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17766404

Movies/TV/Music:

Bill:
The Dresden Files
Iron Man

Nick:
Trigun
Full Metal Panic

James:
Batman: The Animated Series
Justified

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

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What we’ve been playing:

James:
Infinity Blade 1
Infinity Blade 2
Fairway Solitaire
Mount and Blade: Warband

Nick:
Angry Birds: Space
Clear Vision
Where’s My Water?
Mass Effect 1 (Finished)
Mass Effect 2 (Finished)
Mass Effect 3 (Finished yesterday) Same Shepard.

Recent news -
Being banned from Origin no longer means losing access to single player

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/EA-Updates-Origin-Account-Policy-You-Can-Now-Access-Your-Games-Banned-41417.html

Mass Effect 3 Extended Edition looks awesome

http://penny-arcade.com/report/editorial-article/mass-effect-retaken-bioware-described-extra-ending-content-at-surprisingly-

Free Mass effect multiplayer DLC:

http://mmo-mechanics.com/news.php?article=1070bioware-releases-operation-resurgence-for-me3

Sniper Elite 2 looks pretty cool. – http://i.imgur.com/BsSIu.gif

Movies/TV/Music:

Nick -
Grandma’s Boy
Idiocracy
Cosmos

James-
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Nickelodeon

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What we’ve been playing:

James:
Draw Something
TripleTown (NEW UPDATE)
Pokemon Emerald (Nuzlocke Challenge)

Nick:
Draw Something
Mass Effect 3 (Solo & Multiplayer) MP is rocking cool
Mass Effect 1
Fallout New Vegas

Maeva:
Draw Something
Skyrim
WOW
TOR
Stupid Facebook Games

Recent news -
Survival Horror Too Small For Resident Evil? o.O

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/167135/Survival_horror_market_too_small_for_Resident_Evil_says_Capcom_producer.php

iPad Baldur’s Gate Release

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/116475-Enhanced-Baldurs-Gate-Headed-to-iPad

Blizzard Says TOR Cutting into Subscriptions
www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-19-blizzard-acknowledges-star-wars-the-old-republics-impact-on-wow
Prey 2 may be getting the axe next week

http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/23/rumor-prey-2-cancellation-announcement-coming-next-week/

Game sales have surpassed video sales in the UK

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17458205

Skyrim MMO

http://www.gamespot.com/news/elder-scrolls-mmog-reveal-in-may-636662

Movies/TV/Music:

Nick -
The Hunger Games
Doctor Who
Archer

James-
Avatar: The Last Airbender

Maeva-
The Hunger Games
Walking Dead
Archer

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

Maeva: @mirandaest

TadPool Podcasts: www.tadpoolpodcasts.com and the TadPool Network! TadPoolery! TadPool Tech!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What we’ve been playing:

James:
Draw Something
TripleTown
RockBand 3 HD
Mass Effect 3

Nick:
Draw Something
Mass Effect 3
Fallout New Vegas
Where’s My Water
World of Warcraft

Rob:
TOR
Draw Something
Ghost Trick
Holy Crap, You Guys, Chrome Apps!
(Bejeweled, Angry Birds, FROGGER! Super Brawl 2)

Orcs Must Die! Contest
Dragos_Kai gets first copy! Still waiting for second entry!

Recent news -
Diablo 3 Release Data!

http://us.battle.net/d3/en/blog/4612389/Diablo_III_Launching_May_15_%E2%80%93_Digital_Pre-Sales_NOW_OPEN-3_15_2012

British Game Group Hit Hard By Suppliers Refusing To Do Business

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17336697

Smithsonian Gaming:

http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/video-games-enter-realm-of-art-in-smithsonian-exhibition

Skyrim 1.5 updates

http://www.elderscrolls.com/community/new-features-highlight-15-update/

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What we’ve been playing:

James Bart:
RoboKill2
Game Dev Story
Zombie Parkour Runner
Hero Academy
Rome: Total War
Mirror’s Edge

Nick:
World of Warcraft
Pandora Saga Free 2 Play
Fallen Earth Free 2 Play
Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood need to finish it AC3 looks awesome
Saint’s Row 3 alternate ending actually worked this time
Hero Academy
Zombie Parkour Runner
Where’s My Water
SSX Demo
FFXIII-2 demo

Kenny:
World of Warcraft
Magic The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers
Halo Reach: Demo

Kevin:
Star Wars: TOR
Mass Effect 2 (Finishing Fem Shep)
Mass Effect 3 Demo
Rock Band 3
Simpsons Arcade

Orcs Must Die! Contest
Email the show at initiativecheck@initiativecheck.com and tell us your best answer for why Orcs Must Die. Two random entries will receive a copy of Orcs Must Die! via Steam courtesy of Six Horizons. Winners announced on the next episode.

Recent news -
Valve could be working on a console, possibly links with Steam:

http://www.theverge.com/2012/3/2/2840932/exclusive-valve-steam-box-gaming-console

Blizzard Cuts Employees By 500

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120229005855/en/Blizzard-Entertainment-Announces-Staff-Reductions

Bioware Writer Against The World

http://www.destructoid.com/bioware-writer-s-vagina-versus-the-internet-222206.phtml

Assassins Creed 3 Information Released:

http://gamingbolt.com/assassins-creed-3-info-blowout-new-engine-protagonist-information-new-camera-animus-3-0

Movies/TV/Music:

Nick -
Doctor Who
The Office (US)
That Mitchell and Webb Look

James-
Cowboy Bebop
Postal Service

Kevin-
Bleach
Father Ted
Here Come the Mummies

Kenny-
Supernatural
Eisbrecher

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Theme song is by Juicy Melon Jim

Make sure to stick around for the entire show, there just might be some prizes to be had!

What we’ve been playing:

James:
The Old Republic
Batman: Arkham City
Halo CE: Anniversary Edition
Hero Academy
Orcs Must Die!

James Bart:
Hero Academy
Plants Vs Zombies
Bit.Trip Hazard
DragonVale
Killing Floor
Portal 2 Developer’s Commentary

Rob:
The Old Republic
Mass Effect 3 (demo)
Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning (demo)
Stealth Bastard

Nick:
Saints Row 3 (Completed)
Mass Effect 3 Demo
Sonic Generations Demo
Hero Academy
World of Warcraft (Iron Man Challenge)

Orcs Must Die! Contest
Email the show at initiativecheck@initiativecheck.com and tell us your best answer for why Orcs Must Die. Two random entries will receive a copy of Orcs Must Die! via Steam courtesy of Six Horizons. Winners announced on the next episode.

Recent news -
Cancer Cure Could Owe Itself To Gaming:

http://www.scienceblog.com/52182/cancer-cure-may-owe-thanks-to-gamers/

Adam Adoamowicz Dies at 43

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/arts/video-games/adam-adamowicz-artist-for-lush-video-game-worlds-dies-at-43.html

DOCTORS have treated people born with a rare eye disorder by prescribing a course of gun-toting video games.

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/video-games-bring-a-see-change-20120218-1tftv.html

Preview of “Sleeping Dogs”

http://mashable.com/2012/02/17/sleeping-dog-preview/

Is video game retail dying? Three theories behind January’s sales downer

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40265/Is_video_game_retail_dying_Three_theories_behind_Januarys_sales_downer.php

Movies/TV/Music:

Rob -
Thor (dvd)

Nick -
Hot Fuzz
Peep Show
Sherlock (Season 2)

James-
Chronicle
Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace 3D
This Means War
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Game of Thrones

Rob: @autographedcat www.facebook.com/autographedcat

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

James G: @jamesgerstner, @sixhorizons, http://www.facebook.com/sixhorizons, http://sixhorizons.com

Don’t forget about the contest! Email the show and you could win!

TadPool Podcasts: www.tadpoolpodcasts.com and the TadPool Network! TadPoolery! TadPool Tech!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What we’ve been playing:

Carl:
TOR
Stealth Bastard http://www.stealthbastard.com/
Triple Town
Words with Friends
Shadow Era http://www.shadowera.com/

James:
The Old Republic (Legacy name!)
Skyrim
Dino D- Day
Fortix 2

Rob:
The Old Republic

Nick:
Saints Row 3
Hero Academy
Ghost Trick
Where’s My Water
World of Warcraft
Little bit of LA Noire
Little bit of SPAZ

Recent news -
Steam Credit Information Stolen?

http://store.steampowered.com/news/7323/

Double Fine Raises $1 Million Through Kickstarter:

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/double-fine-raises-1-million-for-new-adventure-game/3973/

Content That Could Have Been In Skyrim:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/02/08/stuff-that-might-be-added-to-skyrim.aspx

Binding of Isaac Rating Raised From 12 to 16 because of blasphemy:

https://twitter.com/#!/EdmundMcMillen/status/167951650890317824

Steve Jobs Joins the Fight in Soul Calibur V

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/10/steve-jobs-joins-the-fight-in-soulcalibur-v

TOR announces Global Cooldown UI Changes Coming Soon

http://www.swtor.com/blog/incoming-changes-global-cooldown-ui

Weekly Discussion Topic:
If you could experience one game again for the first time, what would it be?

Movies/TV/Music:

Carl -
Revenge
Ringer
Alcatraz
Grimm
Flashpoint

Rob -
Bridesmaids
Nerdcore Rising (Netflix)
Captain America: The First Avenger
Kevin Smith: Too Fat For Forty (Netflix)
Ookla The Mok – Nerdvana (music EP)

Nick -
Spaced

James-
Miracle of Sound – Fantastic video-game music http://miracleofsound.bandcamp.com/

Rob: @autographedcat www.facebook.com/autographedcat

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

Carl: @KithKannan http://about.me/CarlEarl Movies In The Buff Plug!

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New Introduction from Juicy Melon Jim!

James:
Mount and Blade: Warband
S.T.A.L.K.E.R Clear Sky

Rob:
TOR
Qube (demo)
Astro Tripper (demo)
Trine 2 (demo)

Blake: WoW, always WoW
Megaman 10 Challenge Mode
Words With Friends

Nick:
TOR
Kingdoms of Amalur Demo
Fallout: New Vegas
Saints Row 3

Recent news -
New Resident Evil game, gonna be fast paced:

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/332888/resident-evil-attracting-cod-fans-the-dream-says-capcom-action-route-makes-sense/

Reddit zombies thing: http://imgur.com/a/DeOSG#0
Bioshock Infinite 1999 Mode:

http://irrationalgames.com/insider/announcing-1999-mode/

Movies/TV/Music:

Rob – Frank Sinatra: The Classic Duets (netflix)
Digging Up The Past – The Iceman Cometh (netflix)
The Music Man (1962)

Nick – Peep Show

Rob: @autographedcat www.facebook.com/autographedcat

James: @Iyagovos http://www.facebook.com/james.bartholomeou

Nick: @therealnizman http://www.facebook.com/therealnizman

Blake: @themulliganator

TadPool Podcasts: www.tadpoolpodcasts.com and the TadPool Network! TadPoolery! TadPool Tech!