Diablo III a No-Mods Land

If Blizzard have their way, Diablo III won’t be moddable in the slightest. Not only are they not supporting user-created mods – ostensibly due to the game’s requirement for an persistent internet connection – but they’re also actively discouraging the idea. Why? Because they just don’t them around. Chatting away with GameFront out of BlizzCon, technical artist Julian Love was adamant that the dev has other goals in mind that will “supersede modding.”

Skyrim Bonanza: New Gameplay Footage + System Reqs

Today, I think, we shalt christen Toby Spoils Ya Wednesday. Pity this didn’t go down on Tuesday because I love me a bit of alliteration, but to make up for my noticeable absence the day before (you did notice, right? Right? Someone…?) I bring to you double the Skyrim, with double the good news: This new gameplay footage rules, and it definitely looks like your humble hunk of junk will be able to play this game. Let’s ride.

Kinect Finally Learns How to Speak Australian

When Kinect launched in Australia, it didn’t come packing the same voice recognition that our American counterparts have been enjoying [citation needed] since November 2010. Why? Essentially, it couldn’t understand our funny little accents. It’s been taking a few lessons in local larrikinism, though, and Microsoft Australia have just announced that Kinect voice recognition will finally be available Down Under around the middle of December.

At least they’re delivering on their vague promises. Microsoft’s local product marketing manager Steve Blackburn did say we’d be getting the update “before December 31st” this year, and here it comes. Thing is, I don’t know anyone with a Kinect. Sure the price dropped off by about $50 in September, but there seems to be a distinct lack of decent gaming on offer for the fancy all-body motion device. I thought Rise of Nightmares looked alright, but our own Matt Williams put paid to those girlish hopes and dreams.

Virtual Vinyl: World of Goo

Look, I’m going to be honest with you: Your cologne smells like pure gasoline. Also, I’ve never played World of Goo. I just think it has a funny name. Yes, yes, I’m wildly immature and I should know better, but come on: I was raised in the digital wilds by the internet, a perverse maternal guide if ever there was one. Pleasingly, World of Goo has quite the quirky little soundtrack – and it’s free. That’s pretty goo-d. Haha, you like that one? No? Okay.

Virgin Admits They’re Not The Best For Online Gaming

Virgin Media was told it can no longer run broadband ads claiming that their UK internet service is the best for online gaming.

The Advertising Standards Authority said in their censure that the Virgin ads were likely going to lead gamers to think that Virgin’s broadband service was better than other UK internet services for gaming. But even the company admitted that wasn’t the case.

“The ASA noted Virgin’s comments that the “best for online gaming” claims had been included in ad (a) in error and would not be included in future ads,” according to the judgement.

The investigation was spurred by a complaint that Virgin’s service suffered from “significant jitter” which caused gaming issues.

This is just the latest in a series of rulings by different government agencies holding broadband providers accountable for how they handle online access for gaming.

Star Wars Machinima A Clone Apart Returns

What a wretched, wonderful fictional construct the Star Wars universe has become. While many people hate how George Lucas’s fiddling continues to dilute the memories of the folks who love it most, the Skywalker saga remains a rich playground for all

Three years ago, the crew at Illusive Entertainment created A Clone Apart, centered on the adventures of hapless clone trooper Danson Delta-40 I was sceptical about this trailer machinima at first, but the line about what happened to all the Jedi made me laugh. To go from thousands of Jedi to nearly none must seem weird if you’re time-traveling.

A Clone Apart uses the Battlefront Engine to make its magic, which just reminds me that I’d really like to be fighting in a giant Star Wars battle.

The Spies And Sexy Ladies Of Splinter Cell: Conviction

Ubisoft’s Splinter Cell: Conviction lived two very public lives. The first had Sam Fisher looking like the sexiest homeless man on the planet. That version was binned. The second version, the one that was actually released, was more “traditional”.

This art, from Ubisoft’s Bruno Gauthier Leblanc, is of this second Sam Fisher. And loads of the people he either helps of shoots along his travels.

Leblanc spent 10 months working on the project, during which time he did mostly character art, though you’ll see a few objects and installations sprinkled through the gallery as well.

To see more of Bruno’s work, head to his personal site.

Fine Art is a celebration of the work of video game artists.