Holiday Video Game Preview - Video Games | Games Reviews - Digit

As the holiday season nears, the video game marketing machines are ramping up. E3 is in the rear-view mirror; we've seen what big-budget games we should expect for the holiday season. All that remains is for them to ship.

This year, the two top consoles - the Xbox 360, which dominates the U.S. market, and the PlayStation 3 - will joined by a third, the new Wii U, on Nov. 18. Although early Wii sales were phenomenal - the console was the platform to have for the first two or so years of its existence - poor Nintendo is looking long in the tooth. It hasn't helped that most of its top titles have been internally developed.

Now, for this holiday season, we have a few platform exclusives - Nintendo's ZombiU, PlayStation All Stars: Battle Royale, and Halo 4 - as well as some AAA titles for all platforms, including the PC. Here are the hot titles you'll probably want to pre-order, as well as some snippets of actual gameplay to whet your appetite.

Assassin's Creed III
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed III will be released on Oct. 30 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and will be available for the Wii U when it launches on Nov. 18. A PC version is also in the works. Assassin's Creed III takes the stealth gameplay of the first two historical science fiction games into the American Revolution, providing another setting for intrigue and murder. The game is available for pre-order now via Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. The Standard Edition is $59.99 and the Limited Edition is $119.99.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
The popular first-person shooter (FPS) returns on Nov. 13 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PCs. It will launch for the Wii U on Nov. 18 in the U.S. and on Nov. 30 in Europe, though the Wii U version won't have Call of Duty Elite at launch, Activision told Kotaku this week. The Standard Edition will be $59.99, while a Hardened Edition for the Xbox 360 and PS3 will be $79.99, as will a Deluxe version for the PC. This time around, Alex Mason and his son take on a narco-terrorist who comes to power as a champion of the oppressed.

Far Cry 3
Ubisoft's Far Cry 3 will be published for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Windows PCs. The game was originally set for release on Sept. 4 in North America and Sept. 6 in Europe, however it was delayed to Nov. 29 for Europe and Dec. 4 for North America due to the developers polishing the game. No malaria or mutants this time, around, apparently: the goal of the game is merely to escape the islands, which, all told, are apparently 10 times larger in total area than previous versions of the game. Vendors like Gamestop are charging $59.99 for the game (including bonus missions) although Ubisoft is charging $49.99 for a PC download.

Halo 4
Halo 4 is the first installment in a new trilogy of Halo series games, known as the "Reclaimer Trilogy." The game begins four years after the ending of Halo 3, and marks the return of the Master Chief as the main protagonist, and the AI Cortana. According to the trailer, master Chief will be tasked to find out what happened to the Infinity, a starship sucked through some sort of wormhole. A new race of enemies is also revealed.

The game is set for a worldwide release on Nov. 6 with the exclusion of Japan, where the game will be released on Nov. 8. So far, it looks like just the Xbox 360 will be initially supported, although it's hard to believe that the PC won't see a release, eventually. The Standard Edition is $59.99; a Limited Edition is currently sold out.

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney
Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney is set for a Japanese release for the Nintendo 3DS on Nov. 29, but it combines two beloved characters: Professor Hershel Layton and Phoenix Wright. The game will feature a combination of gameplay elements from the Professor Layton and Ace Attorney series, with players alternating between the two starring roles, apparently to track down accusations of witchcraft. Neither character is in his own world, with both appearing in the mysterious Labyrinth City, which has been victim to a number of impossible occurrences recently. The town is allegedly home to witches who hide in the shadows, and is supposedly controlled by a villain known as the Story Teller.

ZombiU
ZombiU will be released exclusively for Nintendo's Wii U console on Nov. 18 in North America, and is a reboot of Ubisoft's first game, Zombi. The player controls a random survivor who must attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse running amok in London. The game is controlled using the Wii U GamePad, which has various context sensitive uses such as assisting in aiming certain weapons and unlocking doors. Since the Nintendo Wii is pretty long in the tooth, Nintendo and Ubisoft alike are hoping that the zombie-themed shooter convinces a new generation of gamers to defect to its new console. It will be priced at $59.99.

New Super Mario Bros. U
New Super Mario Bros. U is the fourth game in the New Super Mario Bros. series, and will be released in North America on Nov. 18, Europe and Australia on Nov. 30, and Japan on Dec. 8, as a Wii U launch title. The price will be $59.99.

What to say about this game? It's the same old gameplay you know and love, with a speed mechanic. The game can be controlled either using Wii Remotes or the Wii U GamePad, the latter of which allows play separate from the television screen.

New Super Mario Bros. U introduces new power-ups, such as a Flying Squirrel suit that allows players to glide across long distances or slowly descend down vertical paths and cling to the side of the walls. Baby Yoshis, which last appeared in Super Mario World, can be carried by the individual players. Each Baby Yoshi has a special ability based on its color, such as inflating in midair, blowing bubbles to attack enemies and illuminating dark areas. For more, see PCMag's review of New Super Mario Bros. 2.

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is currently scheduled to be released on Nov 20, for the PlayStation 3, naturally. It's more of the side-scrolling, brawling action that you know and love, complete with new characters like Parappa the Rappa, the skateboarding kung-fu master. The pre-order price is $59.99.

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Copyright ? 2010 Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc

Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Gaming/Holiday-Video-Game-Preview_11108.html

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Biodegradable packaging cardboard strip

I have an outdoor clothing t shirt company and was wondering has anyone used a biodegradable packaging cardboard strip that wraps around the shirt to hold together and makes it stand out, is it worth the extra the money, recommendations on where to get, or any bad experiences with packaging around t shirts?
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Source: http://www.greenoptions.com/t/4400/biodegradable-packaging-cardboard-strip

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UPDATE 1-Cycling-Cloud hangs over sport says Brailsford

(Adds Hoy and Dowsett quotes)

LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Accusations that cyclist Lance Armstrong was involved in an elaborate doping conspiracy have cast a cloud of suspicion over the entire sport, the head of British cycling Dave Brailsford said on Thursday.

The 41-year-old Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven times after surviving cancer, was accused of being part of the "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen" by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

USADA has banned Armstrong for life and stripped him of his Tour de France titles and on Wednesday it published the findings of an investigation into the Texan and his U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team.

Armstrong's lawyers described the allegations as a hatchet job, but Brailsford said the 1,000-page report made it hard for anyone to trust cycling.

"It is understandable now for people to look at any results in cycling and question that," Brailsford told BBC radio.

"It completely and utterly lost its way and I think it lost its moral compass."

The comprehensive report contained the testimony of 11 of Armstrong's former team mates, that, according to USADA, provided undeniable proof Armstrong was at the centre of a sophisticated doping programme.

"It is shocking, it's jaw dropping and it is very unpleasant," Brailsford said.

"It's not very palatable and anybody who says it is would be lying wouldn't they?"

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT

He added: "I think there are plenty of people out there who saw this guy and what he did as an amazing achievement.

"He is one of the first cyclists that maybe transcended the sport and became a hero beyond cycling.

"It was an amazing thing and people got behind that. So to now find out what was behind (it) is, of course, disappointing."

One of the team mates who testified against Armstrong was Michael Barry, who admitted to doping while he was a member of Armstrong's U.S. Postal Service team and who rode under Brailsford for Team Sky from 2010.

"We signed Michael from HTC which was, at the time, highly regarded as being a very sound, clean team," Brailsford said.

"During his time at Team Sky, we have had absolutely no cause for concern whatsoever, there has never been any question in terms of his performances, his training, his behaviour on the team. There have never been any issues in that respect. But ultimately he lied.

"We set out with a zero tolerance policy, so we said that anyone who has had a doping conviction from the past or proved to have been involved in doping hasn't got a place on Team Sky. That is our policy.

"When you take someone you ask them a question and if someone lies to you and you find out later it's disappointing."

Britain's six-times Olympic champion Chris Hoy said the accusations were "pretty depressing".

"I haven't read the report but it's good to get it out in the open and show that nobody is too big," Hoy told Sky Sports.

"It's been coming for a number of years, trying to change the culture, and Team Sky's approach has been about zero tolerance so ambassadors like (2012 Tour de France champion) Bradley Wiggins can inspire people.

"The next generation can see that you don't have to take drugs to win the Tour de France.

"Every day in the Tour de France you have to field questions about are you on drugs. Bradley was frustrated but his frustration is not with the journalists or the media but with the previous generation who have let down the public.

"I'm a bit removed from it being a track cyclist but it's difficult having aspersions put on you but all you can do is win clean."

However, Team Sky's British rider Alex Dowsett told the BBC that Armstrong was "still a legend of the sport, a guy who had cancer, came back and won the Tour de France.

"I think it's not really important and I really don't think it matters," he said. (Reporting by Toby Davis and John Mehaffey; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/1-cycling-cloud-hangs-over-sport-says-brailsford-140211656--spt.html

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Call for Applications-A Limited Number of Internships Available with ...

An internship at the ICTY Appeals Chamber is a great opportunity for law students or recent graduates to be introduced to the practice of international criminal law. Such opportunities can easily be life-changing experiences.? A few internship vacancies are now available, especially during the winter months (December-March).? These are filling fast, however, so interested students are encouraged to apply quickly.? Please review the information below.? Additional information is also available at http://www.icty.org/sid/113.? All students interested in applying are also encouraged to notify the ICLP at law-iclp@uiowa.edu.

*****

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (Tribunal) offers legal professionals, graduate law students, and undergraduate law students who are in their final stages of education the possibility to enhance their professional training in the unique environment of an international court. The opportunity to make an internship in the Appeals Chamber is open to those candidates who have an educational background in various areas of law, including national criminal law, public international law, international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Interns are fully participating in the day-to-day activities of the Appeals Chamber, either as an Intern who is personally assigned to a Judge or as an Intern who is assigned to the whole Appeals Chamber. Their responsibilities comprise comparative legal research, working on issues relating to the law and practice of the Tribunal, and preparing memoranda providing legal advice on such issues. Furthermore, Interns are invited to attend lectures and other activities which all have particular relevance to the work of the Tribunal. The internship should be for a period of at least three months, but applicants are encouraged to apply for a longer period.

Candidates applying for an internship with the Appeals Chamber should fulfill the following requirements:

-????????????????????? Having strong academic credentials;

-????????????????????? Having demonstrated good research, analytical and drafting skills;

-????????????????????? Being able to demonstrate special interest in the areas of criminal law, public international law, international criminal law, international humanitarian law, or human rights law;

-????????????????????? Being proficient in English and/or French, both written and oral.

Furthermore, work experience in a law firm, court, government institution or relevant NGO will be considered an asset.

Please note that neither the United Nations nor the Tribunal can offer a salary for an internship.

If you wish to apply for an internship within the Appeals Chamber of the Tribunal, we invite you to contact the Internship Coordinator of the Appeals Chamber, Mr. Jan Christoph Nemitz (nemitz@un.org). You may also refer to the information regarding eligibility and procedural issues of the internship programme on the Tribunal?s website (http://www.icty.org).

Please send your complete application (indicating your preference for the Appeals Chamber) to:

Head of Recruitment, Training and Examination Unit; Human Resources Section; ICTY; PO Box 138882501; EW The Hague, The Netherlands

October 11, 2012 | Filed Under Announcements, Deadlines, ICLP?

Source: http://blogs.law.uiowa.edu/docket/?p=9005

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MMA Marketplace: Stephan Bonnar?s ?We Step Up? shirt

Stephan Bonnar was in kinda retirement when he stepped up to take the UFC 153 fight with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. His actions are reflected in the shirt he wore to the open workout in Rio de Janeiro this week.

The "Spider Knows" shirt from Nike that Silva wore wasn't up for sale on Nike or MMA websites, but Bonnar's is available for $27.99.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mma-marketplace-stephan-bonnar-step-shirt-171207237--mma.html

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How to Leverage Big Brands for Your Small Business | Small ...

No man is an island, and no small business is either. As small business owners, we know that success requires reaching out to others. You can?t do it all on your own. At least? you can?t do it all on your own and be anywhere near sane by the end of the quarter.

When I say ?reaching out to others,? I don?t just mean networking. What I?m really referring to is leveraging the big brands and power players in your industry through your company blog. By leveraging these brands, you?ll be able to boost your own reputation and solidify those leads you?re already working on.

A few pointers:

When You Talk the Talk, You Will Walk the Walk

When your blog audience sees you cover well-known, credible businesses, they automatically begin to view you in the same light. Check out how the Matchstic blog weighs in with opinions on what?s happening in the world of big business branding.

They?re a mid-size branding agency, but they regularly associate themselves with big brands through their blogs. Case in point: this recent post on Arby?s.

Talk the big brand talk, and your readers will naturally assume you walk the big brand walk.

Turn An Enormous Marketing Concept into a Bite Sized Point

Big brands make great examples in your blog posts. Because these brands are already well known, you don?t have to waste your words trying to convince readers that your point is legitimate.

In the previous example, Matchstic doesn?t have to waste time talking about the Arby?s company by explaining what they do and where they came from. Everyone already knows Arby?s is a legitimate business.

It?s easy for the blogger to jump right in to the meat of the story (no pun intended), and create a bite-sized takeaway. Okay, that pun was intentional.

Get Ready for the Re-Tweets

Big brands will help your small business blog get more social media attention. Which blog post is likely to get more shares?

• ?4 Lessons I Learned About Selling Clothes Online?

or

• ?4 Lessons From Target About Selling Clothes Online?

The second title, of course. I don?t know who you are; I know who Target is. That?s the blog post I?m going to read, and it?s the post I?m going to share.

However, spammers and spam robots think the same way. So, when you do share an article that drops big brand names, prepare for the fake Twitter followers and spammy comments. It?s not a big deal, but you should be aware.

Of course, you might even make contact with the company you mention. If you wrote a blog post about Target, you would definitely want to include an @Target when you tweet the article.

Don?t Be General. Get Specific.

This is always a good rule of thumb for blogging. However, it?s especially important when you?re talking about big businesses. Because you?re writing about a company that has tons of available information and examples, you have no excuse for not using it.

If you need the nitty-gritty financial info for your blog post/case study, head over to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission where EDGAR will become your friend. The more details you have, the stronger your content will be.

Don?t Take Competition Too Seriously

I know, I know, it?s business. But, really? don?t go out of your way to avoid mentioning a big brand or competitor if they have some content that can help you boost your own company?s reputation.

So, you sell jewelry and Tiffany?s sells jewelry? Everyone in the world knows about Tiffany?s. Not many people know about you. By linking to a Tiffany?s product page or some valuable piece of content the company?s written, you aren?t hurting yourself. If anything, you?re demonstrating to your readers that you care about providing valuable information more than anything else.

If You Can?t Say Something Nice?

Don?t say anything at all. There?s nothing wrong with blogging about what not to do. However, try to avoid picking out a specific company as your example. You never know what big brand competitor might be interested in buying your company in a couple of years.

Even if you have no plans of selling, picking on another company:

(a) Looks bad.

(b) Could come back to bite you.

There?s no telling what kind of distribution your post could end up getting.

How do you leverage big brands in your small business blog?

Internet Chatter Photo via Shutterstock

About Amie Marse

Amie Marse is the founder of Content Equals Money, a small content generation firm based in Lexington, KY. She?s been a passionate freelance writer turned business owner for over 7 years. Her philosophy is that the essentials of content marketing do not change from the small business to the Fortune 500 level, and that creativity trumps budget every time.

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Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2012/10/how-to-leverage-big-brands-for-your-small-business.html

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Brainstorm

Vice and whiteangel- if you're both interested in an RP, let's start discussing it here. Unfortunately, neither whiteangel or I can message multiple people so it's probably simpler if we do it here instead.

As far as setting goes, I'm definitely up for an urban/modern RP. Whiteangel and I had discussed some kind of a gritty modern take on fairytales (we're talking the sinister Hans Christian Andersen-type stories with people dancing themselves to death and the prince from The Little Mermaid marrying another woman) into which we could probably incorporate some small element of magic. But any other ideas would be welcome too!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/prmVjFPLCog/viewtopic.php

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