Other developers try downloadable content. To combat profit loss from piracy, developers continue to work on a game after its release and provide extra content to those who are willing to pay. You can pay $60 upfront for a game and continue to pay later if you want more. Unfortunately, this draws a fair amount of criticism, especially when games started coming out with day-one DLC—if the content was ready at the time of release, gamers asked, why not just include it in the game? Further, what was to stop developers from holding back content gamers wanted so they could ask for more money later on? Out of this has come a new trend of free-to-play games, which on the surface seems greats, but whose implementation is proving aggravating and even alienating for gamers and developers al

So, what is the importance of Game W-L and G +/-? These statistics determine where a team is ranked in the standings if two or more teams' match record is tied. For example, in the HGC North America Standings, Team Octalysis and ENDEMIC are tied for 4th place. However, since Team Octalysis has the better game record, they get the 4th place spot. In the case that both the match and game records are at a tie, the team with the higher G +/- score gets the higher spot in the standi

I saved the best for last on this list. While many folks pointed out Nintendo’s lack of original titles, Splatoon made a splatastic debut and made up for the last few decades. The cute, colorful, simple online shooter is a friendly way to introduce players to the genre. Clever weapon designs and fresh gear to wear makes Splatoon a uniquely designed game. It’s not serious or violent like many others, which appeals to players of all ages. Friends, parents, kids and squids can all enjoy this game together and not have to yell or scream about campers. Inking the entire level and fending off the other team is a big task, but Nintendo made it enjoyable. Plus, you might run into a Squid Party and those are always fun to mess with. Splatoon is my choice for best game of 2015.

Now, we've recently gone back with Malfurion and gave him some extra layers to his gameplay just so you can get more satisfaction out of the decisions you're making and you have more opportunities to distinguish yourself and show off your skill if you can play him w

Even if microtransactions might be backed by good intentions, that doesn't change the way they feel to gamers. EA's own Mass Effect 3 's day-one DLC had many fans up in arms —if the DLC was ready at launch, why wasn't it included in game, especially since it contained a character many long-time fans of the series were dying to see? It's easy to be cynical; EA knew players wanted to know more about the mysterious Protheans and knew they'd be willing to pay money for it, so it's possible they changed their business model for more profit. That, coupled with the introduction of war resources that required multiplayer grinding for the best ending, microtransactions to get better weapons and characters in multiplayer, and the controversial ending, left fans of the series feeling exploited and skeptical for the fut

A favorite to win this year's Phase 2 Western Clash, HeroesHearth Esports has been dominant this season as one of two undefeated teams. Additionally, they have only lost three of the 21 games they've played so far. The team has really made a name for themselves, even though they were drafted from the Open Division just last y

In _ HotS _ experience is shared between the whole team, making each player on that team the same level as the next. If every member of the team is playing well, then the team’s level will reflect that, making every role important whether or not that role is particularly great at farming experience or

On an Earth with fewer and fewer old school role-playing games, Citizens of Earth brought back the genre, at least for me. Comparing many of these games to Earthbound is pretty standard and Citizens of Earth compares pretty well. The storyline, cast of characters and writing are all hilarious. Every situation you find yourself in is not only fun but the companions you encounter add to the game’s whacky antics. Attacks and art style also come with a cheesy nature. It’s an all-around fun MOBA Game Champions Guide to play and enjoyable just to watch.

Earlier in this article, I said that HeroesHearth Esports was a favorite to win. However, by most accounts Team Dignitas is the favorite to win the Western Clash this weekend. Just this year, they grabbed 2nd at Mid-Season Brawl, 1st at the HGC - Phase 1 EU Pro League, and 1st and Phase 1's Western Clash. They have yet to lose a match this phase, and I don't see them deviating from that dominating p

Now, online multiplayer games are the norm. Even series that feature single-player campaigns, like the Call of Duty , Battlefield , and Gears of War franchises, are better known for their multiplayer. Games that once featured only single-player stories, such the Uncharted and Assassin's Creed series, have implemented online multiplayer in sequels. And although more games are incorporating multiplayer elements, few allow for local multiplayer; the focus is almost entirely on virtual shared gaming experien