I was very impressed with the last episode of The Clone Wars, going so far as to call it the Empire Strikes Back of the show. I’m very eager to see the conclusion of the arc on Friday. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a new episode of The Clone Wars.

I’m glad that we’re once again seeing Sidious on the show.

And the cityscapes, even in these clips, are nothing short of amazing.

From their press release:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars returns with new episodes starting this Friday, January 6th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network.

In “Escape from Kadavo,” the conclusion to a three-part story arc, Anakin tries to convince the Zygerrian Queen that she too is a slave and pawn in an evil Separatist plot. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan toils in the slave camps of Kadavo, a grim situation that grows increasingly bleak.

First off, I’d like to wish our loyal robots a Happy New Year. Thanks for reading our site and making this our best year ever. You really mean everything to us. We’ve got a lot of great things planned for 2012, so I hope you stay tuned.

Last year I began a new tradition that I will carry on for probably the rest of my life.

Jimmy Mac from The ForceCast introduced me to this last year and I see no reason not to make it a staple in everyone’s holiday.

The idea is simple: On New Years Eve, you start watching A New Hope so that the Death Star explodes at midnight.

To be honest, I liked the idea initially because I can’t stand watching the ball drop, I simply don’t care. And Dick Clark and whoever else they have hosting it makes me want to drill a hole in my head.

But this… This is special.

When I did it last year, I was surprised at how much more intense the Battle of Yavin can be. You have all the excitement and anticipation of ringing in the New Year added to the already tense nature of the sequence. I loved it. And then you can celebrate both the ringing in of the New Year, but also the rebels’ first major victory over the Empire.

The ForceCast worked out the start times:

Special Edition DVD: Press play at 10:02:48 PM. The Death Star will explode at 1:57:12 in the movie.

Blu-ray Disc: Press play at 10:02:42 PM. The Death Star will explode at 1:57:18 in the movie.

You can also head over to their chatroom and experience it live with fans of the ForceCast.

I can’t wait for tonight…

Disney has released a new trailer for John Carter of Mars on their website.

I can’t find it on youtube or Apple yet, but you can watch it on their site here.

It’s a fantastic, much more in depth look at the film and I get more and more excited for it with each thing I see. If you’re interested you can read about my excitement for it in the print piece I wrote for City Weekly.

And for those I’ve heard complain about the movie because the aesthetic is a little bit like Attack of the Clones, let me say first: Attack of the Clones is awesome. Second: It’s okay to like stuff that’s like other stuff. No one will think less of you. In fact, I’ll think less of you if you don’t.

I hope this movie ends up as great as it is in my head right now.

For those of you who have no frame of reference for how great this movie could be, the first three books in the series are .99 cents (combined!) on Amazon for the Kindle. They are worth 10 times that, at least. Buy them here, now.

A Penny Arcade reader sent along this incredibly shocking chain of emails over to the folks at at Penny Arcade after the reader had received some of the worst customer service I have ever seen. Seriously, it can’t get much more ridiculous than this…

I thought I’d share the emails with you and bring to light just how much this marketing company has done to completely ruin any positive internet presence they might have had (PR is their business…so good luck with that Ocean…) and generally destroy their overall reputation as an internet marketing company. Note: Ocean Marketing is a social media and overall marketing group that serves as a mediator between N Gaming and the customer for their Avenger Controller. N Gaming is not directly responsible for this terrible chain of email – but they should probably kick Ocean Marketing to the curb and demand hefty compensation for their potential losses (if they haven’t already).

The exchange starts off like this (my comments are in blue):

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 16, 2011, at 1:34 PM

I ordered 2 of the upcoming PS3 controllers (invoice xxxxxxxxx—Nov 3, 2011). Any chance of getting an update of when these items will ship? I’m not really happy about being forced to pay upfront then have the advertised date of “Early December” be completely missed without any sort of update on availability. I really need one of them for a X-mas present as well. Anyways, looking forward to finally using one of these bad boys. Thanks and happy holidays.

-Dave

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 16, 2011 2:45 PM

Dec 17

– Paul Christoforo

^( Seriously? You call THAT a customer service reply? Just a date – no word on what’s happening on that day, if it’s the day of receipt or the day of shipment. Just two words and the lamest signature I have ever seen at the end of an email.)

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 19, 2011, at 11:02 AM

Thanks for the reply Paul.  Can you clarify whether my particular order already sent or if Dec 17 was the first day shipments went out?  I have not received any sort of shipping confirmation email or tracking information.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 19, 2011 11:21 AM

They still haven’t shipped yet on the way here from china

^(Again, no effort to assure the customer’s concerns are being taken care of. No effort to assure them that the product is at least on the way and that they’ll forward promptly upon receipt, and no effort to thank the customer for their time, patience and business. This is at best a VERY poor excuse for “customer service” …if you can even call it that.)

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 20, 2011 4:29 PM

So then delivery to customer doors by December 24th is no longer likely correct?  Do you have an estimated date of when units will arrive in California? Thanks.

^Understandably, the customer is getting irritated and replying with the same short style of email. By this point I would have been demanding details and more explanation. This person was waaaaay more patient than I am, but then again I work in customer service with international clients so I know what kind of information I could be getting from a good company when I write to a customer service email address.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 20, 2011 5:11 PM

They are in the USA now in customs so its wither before or after Christmas.

^What?!?! Is that English? Also, I happen to know all too well that if you’re the one who needs to clear items from customs so you can get your product to your customers – you get your ass on the phone and you clear the items so you can give your customers an idea of when to expect the product. There’s no way this Marketing rep is handling both customer service AND shipping/customs clearance (and presumably doing Marketing as well?). I get the feeling that this person doesn’t really know what’s going on with the product, and it sounds like they’re bullsh*tting for time.

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011, at 9:47 AM

I noticed the updated info on the webpage, and I don’t understand why there is absolutely no benefit given to those like me who have already ordered, and paid their money.  You’ve had my money interest free for nearly two months, yet now ANY new order will get $10 off….meaning I should just cancel my order for 2 controllers, get my money back, then re-order.

My other questions is regarding item compatibility.  Ocean Marketing seems to be involved with the Xtendplay controller holder, so I was wondering if the Avenger N-Controller can be used in conjunction with the Xtendplay (for both Xbox and PS3)?  Thanks

^ (This is a legitimate question in that if the product releases, presumably those who have pre-ordered should have their orders allocated and forwarded first. That’s how it’s handled in the industry I work in, and that’s how it’s handled in a lot of other industries, too. Unfortunately, this Ocean Marketing guy is going to fly off the deep end and respond with complete insanity…)

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 10:14 AM

Yes it can be used with xtend play if you remove the stand and no one is allowed to cancel and re order if we catch anyone doing it we will simply just cancel your order all together and you can buy it retail somewhere else. (Holy crap he’s gone off the deep end! If we catch anyone doing it? You are representing a business sir, not the mafia!)

Things happen in manufacturing if your unhappy you have 7 days from the day your item ships for a refund. (So, wait, I’m not following here… He can return it but he can’t cancel it? You also didn’t explain that you were having manufacturing problems.) You placed a pre order just like any software title the gets a date moved due to the tweaks and bugs not being worked out and GameStop or any other place holds your cash and im sure you don’t complain to activision or epic games so put on your big boy hat and wait it out like everyone else. The benefit is a token of our appreaciation for everyone no one is special including you or any first time buyer . Feel free to cancel we need the units were back ordered 11,000 units so your 2 will be gone fast. Maybe I’ll put them on eBay for 150.00 myself. Have a good day Dan. (WHAT?!?!?!)

And here’s where things get really interesting…

From: Dave
To: Ocean Marketing
Dec 26, 2011 12:11 PM

Then cancel my order if you want to.  I’m making a legitimate complaint about your poor communication and you’re the one stooping to childish levels, a patronizing attitude, and threats.  Hell you can’t even get the spelling of my name right.

And Gamespot pre-orders…wow what a terrible comparison.  Retailers take a couple dollars IF THAT for you to guarantee your game availability on the release date, whatever that is. That’s the understanding and that’s what you get.  Plus, I don’t have to complain to Activision or Epic games about these issues because they’re usually not missing the street dates for their AAA titles.

Now let’s take YOUR situation:
1) You’ve promised a new product based off the design for an existing, working product
2) For the longest time, you’ve stated on your website (your failure to update regularly is another issue) the initial/special/limited batch of your new product by early December, obviously in time for the all-important holiday gift-giving season.  I and thousands of other customers GIVE YOU OUR MONEY, INTEREST FREE on the promises you made online.
3) I reach out to you, on Dec 16 (AFTER you have FAILED TO MEET YOUR ADVERTISED DEADLINE AND FAILED TO COMMUNICATE TO ANYONE WHAT THE SITUATION IS) obviously a little frustrated but more curious about when I and other customers can expect the product we paid for.
4) Your reply to me is a cryptic “Dec 17” with absolutely no explanation of what that means.  In the mean time you having been using funds from pre-paid customers to complete Research & Development, product redesigns, and manufacturing mis-steps.
5) You force me to follow-up with an email asking for clarification about what “Dec 17” means since the day has passed and I have yet to receive any new information about my order.  Now you instead of ANSWERING MY QUESTION OF WHAT THE NEW DELIVERY DATE IS, you tell me the goods have yet to leave China…  Why are you telling me this?  I’m not your employee I’m your goddamn customer!  TELL ME WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF MY TIME AND WHEN I CAN EXPECT MY PRODUCT I PAID FOR.
6) So great…I have to email you AGAIN trying to get a CLEAR answer from you whether a Dec 24th delivery date is possible and if not, what the new date is.  Rinse & repeat: You give me an update of the delivery process (wow, thanks…you haven’t told me anything I don’t know about the order of international shipping procedures) but instead say “…so its wither before or after Christmas.”  WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?  GIVE ME A DATE!?  One that you’re actually going to follow, because I already see “late Nov to early Dec”;  “Dec 17”; and now “CHRISTMAS” in my rear-view mirror.
7) So I guess what’s left for me to do but just wait?  Oh but what’s this, you’ve updated your website…Ok at least you’ve clarified the dates more, I can expect my controller my latest first week of January.  But now as a “token of our appreciation” to all your “loyal customers” (you mean like customers who put up cash for you hold an use?) you’re giving a $10 coupon.  Let me get this straight…so you held my money interest free for 2 months to help bring this product to market, and now some new customer can place an order and pay $10 less than what I paid?  You have financially penalized me in two ways for being a “LOYAL CUSTOMER.”

I’m SURE you’re getting tons of other inquiries and I’m sure you’re not enjoying the fact that your product is not out when you wanted it to be.  I and everyone else understands that “sh*t happens,” but if you want us to be understanding of that, then you need to keep us in the loop.  You’ve already set yourself up for failure by making explicit promises that aren’t even “likely” given that the design and manufacturing are still be refined.  Then you make sure you’re going to fail by actually taking all of our money, Not just a little bit….THE WHOLE F*CKIN BEEFALO.  Why wouldn’t we trust that you’re going to deliver our merchandise on time?  Besides…it’s based off an existing product so how hard can it be?  Well as your youtube video shows, making any consumer device is hard and requires many iterations and improvements.  But I’m not going to apologize for holding your feet to the fire.  You created these expectations by acting like the release was already a done deal and by hiding the fact that it was faaaar from it.

I want my two n-controllers.  I 1) PAID FOR THEM   2) WAITED   3) DEALT WITH YOUR UNHELPFUL ASS.  I also didn’t want to feel like my trust and loyalty as a customer was being abused and then actually punished in comparison to other customers.  But I guess we can’t have it all… so right now I’ll settle for getting my merchandise and hopefully never having to deal with you again.  I’ve spent enough time writing this email which I hope you gain some insight from.  If you actually do want to screw me over by not fulfilling my order, then I assure you be hearing more from me or people representing me.

You show a surprising lack of business polish for someone who’s quite established, AND an lack of awareness of your customer base: Hardcore gamers.  We’re a demanding, vocal customer but the flip side is we’re loyal and eager to spend.  It’s lucky for you that I really want this product because it seems really deliver on making the gaming experience more effective and enjoyable.  Hell, I want to combine the aventer-controller with the xtend play to make the ugliest, most comfortable, most awesome controller ever.  And I’ll still buy the xtend, so let that be a testament to your products, the rise above your poor representation.

-DAVE with a V

p.s. You look really douchy be having one youtube video complaining about the noise of traffic next to your home and then another video showing off your obnoxiously loud rice rocket (which is nice, I gotta hand it ya).

p.p.s. Welcome to the internet, bitch.  That’s how I roll.

From: Ocean Marketing
To: Dave
Dec 26, 2011 2:19 PM

LOL Thanks for the Free PR I know the Editor N Chief of Kotaku , IGN , Engadget I’ll be meeting them at CES .The noise complaint was for people high up on the food chain in a corporate world of real estate you have no clue about.  Thanks for the Rice Rocket Compliment too love me some motorcycle . Send that over to Engadget you look like a complete moron swearing and sending your customer service complaints to a magazine as if they will post it or even pay attention do you think you’re the first or the last what are they going to do demand us to tell you were your shipment is or ask for a refund on your behalf … Really … Welcome to the Internet ? Son Im 38 I wwebsite as on the internet when you were a sperm in your daddys balls and before it was the internet, thanks for the welcome to message wurd up.  Grow up you look like a complete child bro. I Don’t have my controller so im gonna cry to the world … Really ?? Hey take that free time and do something more productive. All you had to do was check the like everyone else , people have inquired but you’re the douchiest of them all J

To all our pre-order customers looking for information on the status of their orders after a busy couple of months The PS3 Avengers are on their way from our Manufacturing plant overseas. We are aware that everyone is anticipating having their Avengers under their Christmas Tree and were doing our best to get these orders shipped out as fast as possible. We appreciate you as loyal customers and for supporting our company. Customers will start receiving their products this week before Christmas and After Christmas and into the New Year. As a token of our appreciation we are offering all our pre-order customers and new customers 10$ off your next order with us just enter Avenger1001 at Checkout. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Oh and FYI When a street date gets pushed by a publisher on a video game you pre ordered do you cry to them too ?

You just got told bitch … welcome to the real internet check kotaku in 2 weeks when they are reviewing free PS3 Avengers we send them as well as G4 and all the other majors hell yeah , don’t forget to check Amazon, gamestop.com, play n trade , Myers , Frys and a ton of other local stores coming your way you think you speak for billions son your just a kid you speak for yourself no one cares what you think that’s why were growing and moving 20-50 thousand controllers a month. We do value our customers but sometimes we get children like you we just have to put you in the corner with your im stupid hat on. See you at CES , E3 , Pax East ….? Oh wait you have to ask mom and pa dukes your not an industry professional and you have no money on snap you just got told.

It gets way more entertaining from there. You can read where the folks from Penny Arcade get involved near the bottom of the post.

As you may have seen, the internet is now exploding with articles about this – including one from Kotaku that reveals the possible background of the Worst PR Rep in History – Paul Christoforo. Apparently, this might just be a case of Internet Roid Rage – as it appears Mr. Christoforo has been engaging in heavy anabolic steroid use and just came off a 16 week cycle. In a last ditch effort to re-claim his presence on the internet, Christoforo got a new twitter account called “@OceanStratagy” (oh yeah, he can spell, too). Feel free to tweet to him lots of fun things.

Press Release:

AVENGERS VS X-MEN Leads to The Can’t Miss Digital Comic 99 Cents Sale!

New York, NY—December 21, 2011—Not only is everyone talking about Avengers VS X-Men, the comic book event of 2012, but it’s also the holiday season—and that means it’s the perfect time for the most exciting digital comics sale ever! From December 21^st (at 12:01am EST) to December 30^th (at 11:00PM EST), experience the AVENGERS VS X-MEN: MAJOR PLAYERS sale on the Marvel Comics app , featuring some of the most important stories in comics history for only 99 cents per issue!

The world’s greatest super heroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more—go to war with each other in 2012, but now’s your chance to learn all about the Avengers and the X-Men before the first punch is thrown!

Don’t miss a single issue of the Avengers VS X-Men Major Players Sale, including:

• Amazing Spider-Man #546-601
• Astonishing X-Men #1-24 and Astonishing X-Men Giant Size #1
• Captain America #1-24
• Invincible Iron Man #1-24
• New Avengers #1-25
• Thor #1-12, #600-603 and Thor Finale
• Wolverine: Weapon X #1-16

But remember, this is a limited time offer—it all ends on December 30^th! So fire up the Marvel Comics app right now to take advantage of the Avengers VS X-Men Major Players Sale!

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!

For exclusive Avengers VS X-Men desktop wallpapers visit www.marvel.com

To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook.

Press Release:

December 21, 2011

VIZ MEDIA WRAPS UP 2011 WITH A SECOND DIGITAL MANGA UPDATE FOR DECEMBER

Highlights Include New NARUTO and ONE PIECE Digital First Editions, Debut Of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Pre-Order & Gift Subscriptions, And An Extended Holiday Manga Sale Offering 20% Off All Titles

VIZ Media concludes the year with a second digital update for December for manga (graphic novels) titles available on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad^®, iPhone^® and iPod^® touch.

Highlights for the newest update include the continuation of the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, with NARUTO Vol. 57 and ONE PIECE Vol. 62 (both rated ‘T’ for Teens) debuting ahead of the print editions. The DIGITAL WARP is a ‘speed-up’ of selected popular titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases, and prepare for the January 2012 launch on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine.

Fans can now pre-order a subscription or give a gift subscription to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA at SJ.viz.com/preorder. Subscribers to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA will receive a full year’s subscription (48 issues), an annual collector’s yearbook, and access to exclusive content, including creator interviews and videos. The first interview featuring NARUTO creator Masashi Kishimoto debuts the day WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA launches, on January 30^th.

Finally, don’t miss VIZ Media’s special holiday digital manga promotion, which continues through January 8^th 2012 and offers up to 20% off on ALL manga titles on VIZManga.com and the VIZ MANGA App. Catch up on best-loved or band new series with more than 500 volumes now available at a holiday discount. And look for plenty of new digital manga debuts coming soon in 2012!

Additional manga volumes launching during the second-half of December include:

Available now:

ARATA: THE LEGEND Vol. 8

CROSS GAME Vol. 4

HOUSE OF FIVE LEAVES Vol. 5

NARUTO Vol. 57 – debuting ahead of the print edition!

Available December 22^nd:

INUYASHA (VIZBIG) Vol. 7 – exclusive to the VIZ Manga App for iPad!

KEKKAISHI Vol. 20

MAOH: JUVENILE REMIX Vol. 8

OISHINBO Vol. 6

ONE PIECE Vol. 62 – debuting ahead of the print edition!

VIZ Media’s multiple digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, on VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers as well as Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world. Over 45 series and 500+ volumes are currently available, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit SJAlpha.com.

After watching this trailer you have to ask yourself why anyone lets Ridley Scott direct anything but science fiction films.

I think this trailer also puts to bed any idea that this isn’t part of the Aliens films. It has Alien written all over it, from the title design, to the sets, to the feel and tone, all the way down to the derelict spacecraft.

I have no idea, really, what this movie is about, but this trailer just rocketed it up to my list of movies I’m most excited for next year.

You can also download it from Apple.

Prometheus hits theatres in June 2012.

I picked up both Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 (for Xbox 360) on their respective launch dates. I was excited to play both with Battlefield offering something new for me and Modern Warfare was the next title in a series of games that I quite enjoy. I’ve spent quite a bit of time with both games in the two months or so that they have been out, and I find my copy of Modern Warfare 3 sitting on the shelf more often than not as I play Battlefield several hours each week having a blast. This post isn’t an argument as to why Battlefield is the superior game to Modern Warfare, it’s why Battlefield is the superior game for me.

The Call of Duty franchise has been a mainstay in my console since the original Modern Warfare and I have picked up each title since, enjoying hopping online and playing with friends. It was a nice change of pace from my go-to FPS title, Halo. I was excited for the Call of Duty franchises return to Modern Warfare and as soon as I picked it up I was anxious to get hope and hop online and get to the online playing. I spent several days with the game playing Team Deathmatch and other game types online. It was fun, but I found myself a bit bored and a bit frustrated.

The maps seems to have no rhyme or reason to them and are essentially just mazes of buildings to run through hoping you are the first guy to pull the trigger when you turn a corner and come face to face with a member of the opposite team. In all previous titles in the CoD series I have not used shotguns more than I have in MW3, but I found they were the most useful for this type of game play and found my game improving after I settled on the fact this was the best tactic. Then there are the kill streak rewards. Constantly throughout every game played there is some sort of ridiculous kill streak being used, raining hell fire down from overhead padding the kill-death ratios of those who called upon them. I use them myself obviously, but there is something slightly less satisfying knowing that your 27-3 K/D spread was mostly due to calling in an AI chopper to do away with all the poor guys that didn’t equip the proper class to hide them on the map. Not every second of every match needs to be filled with bombing runs, attack helicopters and other over-the-top attacks covering the map in explosions decimating the other team to keep me interested, but perhaps this is needed for younger gamers than myself. After a few days it occurred to me that this was just like all the other Call of Duty games: Chasing red dots on the map to build up enough kills to unleash a killstreak reward. It just wasn’t as fun as it used to be.

A few weeks prior to MW3, Battlefield 3 dropped. I had played and enjoyed the beta and was eager to hop into the full game. My experience with the Battlefield series was limited to playing the single player campaign in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, but I was looking forward to something new and what I found really impressed me. Air and ground vehicles for support, four classes to provide a role to play to support your team, no ridiculous kill streak rewards and most importantly: a first person shooter game that encourages team work by rewarding you for it. My friends and I immediately took a shine to the Rush game type and jumped into it feet first. Here was a game where the point wasn’t to try to get an amazing kill-death spread, but to work as a team towards the objective. You could score just as many points as the guy who got 25 kills in the game if you were distributing ammo, healing team mates, repairing vehicles, and accomplishing the objectives. Sniper rifles didn’t shoot perfectly straight over a mile distance – you had to account for bullet drop due to gravity and shotguns won’t instantly kill you from fifty feet away.

When I get online to play a video game with friends, I want to play with them, not just be playing the same game as them and Battlefield promoted this. It wasn’t long until within our squad we had all taken on our own roles and were great at working together tackling objectives. If one needed more ammo, there was someone to supply it; if a man went down, there was a medic to revive them; if a tank was damaged an engineer was on hand to repair it and keep it moving. Over and over again we found ourselves in epic battles holding down an objective, all working together and warding off wave after wave of attacks as buildings crumble around us thanks to the awesome Frostbite 2 engine.

Battlefield changed my idea of what a FPS could and should be. No longer was it just about getting an awesome kill/death ratio as you chase red dots around a map, now it was about team work, tactics, skill and working towards a common objective on expansive, exciting maps. Here we are now over two months after both titles have come out and Battlefield has rarely left my console – and when it has it’s been to play Sonic Generations, Batman: Arkham City, or Marvel vs. Capcom 3 not Modern Warfare 3. My desire to jump in to MW3 has pretty much dropped to non-existent, especially as more and more of my online gaming friends convert over to Battlefield. The fact of the matter is that Activision has been pushing out the same game under the Call of Duty umbrella year after year, never really changing much, never trying to introduce something new. There are millions of Call of Duty fans who love the game as is, so this formula seems to work for now, but for me Battlefield offers something new, engaging and expansive that keeps me coming back for more.

For the time being I’m considering myself done with the Call of Duty franchise. Perhaps in the next few years Call of Duty will come out with a new game that completely changes the FPS landscape once again, but right now I know I can get $30 store credit at my local gaming store. That seems more worth it to me than holding onto a game that will do little more than sit on my shelf collecting dust as I defend my base against waves of enemies descending upon me at Damavand Peak.

Good news and bad news! The first trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is finally here! The bad news is we have to wait almost an entire year to see the actual film… Damnit.

In any case, you can check out the trailer in glorious HD over at Apple.com!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is directed by Peter Jackson and stars Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchette, Ian McKellen, Luke Evans, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving and Orlando Bloom. The film hits theaters December 14, 2012.

When I was asked to provide my buddies at Big Shiny Robot with a review of David Laphams take on The Strain I nearly busted through my jeans. This comic rendition of Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s best selling horror novel of the same name was released this past Wednesday, December 14th, through Darkhorse comics for the low low price of $1.

A table side ghost story sets the issue in motion. A small boy sits in the candlelight as his grandmother tells the tale of a tall man’s misfortunes on a hunting trip and the important of quenching ones hunger in an effort to get the him to finish his dinner. Little does the boy know that the details and messages within his grandmothers story hold the the keys to his survival and the answers to the questions involving a mysterious plane landing in New York. A plane, that upon arrival, is discovered to be holding a cabin pull of dead passengers. Spoiler alert!! It’s got a little something to do with an ancient vampire. Not some glittery, baseball in the rain vampire. But a new take and perspective on an old archetype that only come from the mind of Del Toro.

Even if you haven’t read the source material you shouldn’t shy away from picking this up. The art provided by Mike Huddleston is top notch. His versions of the characters and environments is spot on with the images I had in my head while reading the book. That being said, Lapham does a great job of including details from the book to keep those familiar with the source material happy.

Anyone who enjoys titles like Hellboy, Locke & Key, or even some of Brubaker’s crime stories, would be doing themselves a favor by dropping the 20 nickels on this one.