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Bitmob.com regularly hosts writing challenges to help budding writers cut their teeth on various situations they may encounter. My task for the "Pressing Issue" challenge was to research and assemble a release calendar for August 2010 including major retail releases and notable Blu-ray releases for a fictional gaming magazine.

 

 

Retail Releases

– Madden NFL 2011 (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PSP, iPhone, PS2) – August 10, 2010

  • Here’s Johnny! Old Man Madden is back for another year and another season of that American Football. EA Sports claims various new features will make for a “simpler, quicker, and deeper” experience.

– City of Heroes: Going Rogue (PC) – August 17, 2010

  • Expansion to NCSoft’s 2004 PC MMORPG, City of Heroes: Going Rouge includes new classes and the ability for players to switch their character’s alignment from Hero to Villain and vice versa.

– Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) – August 17 , 2010

  • With developer IO Entertainment (Hitman, Freedom Fighters) at the helm, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days promises improved gameplay mechanics to flesh out the story of these self-medicated psychopaths and a multifaceted multiplayer component.

 

– Mafia II (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) – August 24, 2010

  • After several years, 2K Czech is ready to release its take on sandbox gaming. The game follows Vito Scaletta’s attempt to become a “made man” within one of the crime families in Empire Bay.

– Metroid: Other M (Wii) – August 31, 2010

  • Team Ninja making a Nintendo game about a powerful female protagonist? While there is no volleyball to be found,Samus is finally back in this unique, fast paced third-person-side-scrolling-first-person-shooting mashup.

– Valkyria Chronicles 2 (PSP) – August 31, 2010

  • Valkyria Chronicles 2 takes place two years after the events of the critically acclaimed PS3 Tactical-RPG that you never played. Gameplay remains largely unchanged with various modifications, including new classes and a new story.

Blu-ray Releases

– Kick-Ass – August 3, 2010

  • Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) just wants to save the world and get a girlfriend, but it is easier said than done. Based on the comic of the same name, Kick-Ass’s comedy and action does not disappoint.

 

– Escape from New York – August 3, 2010

  • When the president is kidnapped in a World War III-torn Manhattan, only Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) can save him! The movie that inspired Hideo Kojima to make the Metal Gear series.

– The Breakfast Club – August 3, 2010

  • Feeling nostalgic? This 80s classic digitally remastered in 1080p will satisfy your urge to get a bad haircut. Plus, with all those extra pixels, it will be easier to analyze all that social commentary!

– National Lampoon’s Vacation/European Vacation – August 10, 2010

  • The Griswold Family is back and has documented their wacky and hilarious escapades across the country and around the world for our enjoyment! Besides, getting there is half the fun!

– Dexter: Season 4 – August 17, 2010

  • Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) has a terrible secret: he sees dead people. That is, he sees them after he kills them. The forensic-analyst-become-serial-killer continues the intense journey with his Dark Passenger.

– DOA: Dead or Alive – August 17, 2010

  • Movie companies sure know how to properly adapt videogame franchises to the big screen for our enjoyment! Oh… Wait…

– LOST: Season 6 – August 24, 2010

  • Maybe if you watch the series finale of LOST on repeat in High-Def it will all make sense. I doubt it, but what do you have to lose?

– The Simpsons: Season 13 – August 24, 2010

  • The Simpsons recently turned 21 years old. It’s old enough to buy beer, now. Have a drink on me, The Simpsons; I’ll be watching your awkward teenage years in the meantime.

– Evil Dead – August 31, 2010

  • This cult classic horror comedy starring Bruce Campbell finally makes its way to Blu-ray in all of its gory, disgusting and evil detail.

My name is Marty Hess and I am an undergrad student at The Ohio State University looking to get into video game journalism. Published on my personal gaming blog http://www.pixelrated.com