LO1: Script

EPISODE 1

Introduction

Vicky:

Now for the news section of the show.

Jordan: 

In this section of the show we'll be looking at all the fresh releases, new games, consoles and the most recent tech news internationally across the gaming community.

Vicky: 

And we'll be asking for your opinions and speaking to people in the industry about all the latest gaming gossip. Let's take a look.

Approximate Time of Section: 10 Seconds

Mass Effect 4

Jordan:

Firstly, we're going to talk about Mass Effect 4. Believe it or not, it's been two years since the last instalment of the series was released. The developer, BioWare are said to be "somewhere in the middle of the development" of the new game according to studio director Yanick Roy. So what's keeping us eager fans waiting?

Vicky:

BioWare are keeping their cards close to their chests, however they have released a couple of teasers to wet our appetites. They've already told us that the narrative will focus on a fresh, new protagonist and although the new hero won't be directly related to Commander Shepard, the main character in past instalments, there will be nods to past adventures.

Jordan:

Additionally, there are a few new exciting additions to the new game. Mass Effect 4 will see the return of The Mako; a remodel of the original which featured heavily in the first game in the series. BioWare have clearly had fun playing with the game physics. The new Mako is agile and speedy, allowing players to efficiently enjoy exploring new environments. We've also been teased by a series of hyped up tweets sent by some of the developing team featuring images of them working on the graphics, but in true developer style, the pictures don't reveal a lot about the new game.

Vicky:

So in terms of release date, well, we're not entirely sure, and neither are BioWare. Mass Effect 4, although definitely in production, is still unfortunately years in the making. It has been estimated that the game may not be released until this time next year, and that's still pushing it. So for now, us Mass Effecter's will just have to hang on BioWare's taunts until the game is released.

Approximate Time of Section: 1 Minute 30 Seconds

Halo 5: Guardians

Jordan:

This week we've also been checking out the sequel to Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians. And thanks to several leaked snippets of footage, 343 Industries, the developer of the franchise have revealed some major changes in the gameplay of the new instalment.

Vicky:

The leaks prompted video games designer and leader of 343's team working on Halo 5, Josh Holmes, to confirm some differences between the new game and its prequel, as demonstrated in the leaked gameplay footage. Through his official Twitter account Holmes revealed that there would be "no penalty to hip fire in H5, no movement penalty when scoping/zooming, no flinch.”

Jordan:

This made a lot of Halo fans take to social media, most sceptical about the changes. However, 343 Industries appear to be confident about the new developments in the game and will be showing the same leaked clips later on as both the developers and Microsoft plan to provide fans with a first (or perhaps second) look at the game play.

Vicky:

Without spoiling the end of Halo 4 for you guys still battling through, a lot of questions were left unanswered, leading to a flood of speculation about the direction of Halo 5's narrative. However, officially, we do know that Halo 5 will be "a deeply personal journey" and that the main protagonist of the series, Master Chief, "will be searching for answers" according to 343 Industries general manager Bonnie Ross.

Jordan:

Although Halo 5: Guardians is still in production, it is speculated that the new instalment will be available in late 2015. It will be the first Halo title developed for the Xbox One.

Approximate Time of Section: 1 Minute 30 Seconds

GTA 5 (PC) 

Vicky:

Now, Grand Theft Auto 5 was initially released for PS3 and Xbox 360 in mid September 2013 and is finally due to be released for PC in early 2015. So, what's took Rockstar so long? Well it turns out there will be various updates, additions and enhancements in the long awaited PC version of GTA 5.

Jordan:

According to Rockstar North, just like the console game, the PC of version of GTA 5 will include new weapons and vehicles. Additionally, the game will also include denser traffic and additional wildlife. Although the game was initially delayed, Rockstar have suggested the new PC version will have visual and technical upgrades, weather effects, enhanced damage and higher resolutions.

Vicky:

Unlike the other two upcoming games we've mentioned, the developers of GTA 5 at Rockstar have set a release date for the PC version of their game: the 27th of January next year.

Approximate Time of Section: 40 Seconds

Conclusion

Jordan:

That concludes this week's gaming news. Tune in next week when we'll be looking at the next Saints Row title, and other exciting upcoming releases.

Approximate Time of Section: 10 Seconds

Approximate Time Whole News Section: 4 Minutes 

EPISODE 2

Feature:
Skylanders (3DS)
Saints Row: gat Out of Hell (PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows)
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2DS, 3DS)

EPISODE 2

Introduction

Vicky:

Now for the news section of the show.

Jordan: 

This week we've been looking at the next instalment in the Saints Row series: Gat Out of Hell, Capcom's Skylanders: Trap Team and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. 

Vicky: 

To begin with, we'll check out the next Saints Row game. Gat Out of Hell

Approximate Time of Section: 10 Seconds

Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell

Jordan:
In this next instalment of the series, we follow protagonist Johnny Gat and fellow playable character Kinzie Kenzington as they reunite with former saints and deceased enemies in Hell during their attempt to rescue the leader of the Saints after being captured by Satan.

Vicky:
'Gat Out of Hell' is very similar in terms of game play to previous Saints Row games; the player controls Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington from the perspective of a third person shooter in an open-world sandbox. The world the game is set in is scattered with various collectible items, quests and secondary objectives. New features include the superhuman ability "angelic flight", providing the player with wings. 

Jordan:
Also, unlike previous titles in the series, players progress through the story by executing quests in order to fill a "Satan's Wrath" meter. This new feature unlocks cutscenes and other clues to the narrative of the game. The new open word featured in 'Gat Out of Hell', New Hades, is made up of five islands; Den, Forge, Downtown, Barrens and Shantytown.

Vicky:
However, players cannot customize the playable characters like they could in previous Saints Row instalments. Despite this, critics have been positive about the new game, with senior member of IGN, Daemon Hatfield, describing his enthusiasm for the next instalment in the series saying "its more of the same, if you liked Saints Row: The Third and IV, I think it's gonna be fun"

Jordan:
The next addition to the Saints Row series will be released for PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox 360 and One and also for PC on the 23rd of January 2015. 

Approximate Time of Section: 1 Minute 30 Seconds

Skylanders

Vicky:
This week we've also been taking a look at the new Skylanders game, Skylanders: Trap Team. This new game revolves around the role of Portal Master using the Trap Masters to capture all of the escaped villains, after the primary antagonist of the series, Kaos, blows up Cloudcracker Prison, realising the worst villains in Skylands. 

Jordan:

Similarly to previous Skylander games, the player controls a number of different characters by physically placing the toy figures depicting the virtual characters onto a communication enabled device, which activates the character in the game. In this instalment, Trap Masters are Skylanders who are stronger when pitted against trappable villains and Skylanders Minis who are miniature playable characters are introduced to the game.  

Vicky:

In 'Trap Team', there are five returning characters, sixteen new characters and sixteen Trap Masters, each with their own unique abilities, including water, air, life, fire and undead.

Jordan:

'Skylanders: Trap Team' was released on the 10th of October 2014 and is available on platforms including PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox 360 & One, Wii & Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The game was also released for Android, iOS and Fire OS. The console starter pack includes playable characters, two traps, trading cards and a sticker sheet. 

Approximate Time of Section: 1 Minute 10 Seconds

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate 

Vicky:
Now, lets check out our third game in this weeks news, 'Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate'. The next instalment in arguably Japan's biggest video game franchise is said to introduce more lateral and vertical movement than ever before, opening up new possibilities by expanding the range of player actions. This will create more dynamic and fluid experiences for the player, as expressed by the producer of the Monster Hunter series at Capcom, Ryozo Tsuzjimoto

Jordan:
In the announcement video for the game, Tsuzjimoto also said that while the developers "wanted to maintain familiar features that fans have come to love, we really wanted to evolve the series in a new direction, to appeal to existing players and to attract new ones as well". However, the core gameplay is more or less the same as in previous games in the series; you play as a monster hunter, fighting and skinning monsters and gathering resources as with each victory you build up to a stronger opponent. 

Vicky:
Although a release date has not been confirmed, the developers Capcom have revealed that 'Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate' will be released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS in early 2015.

Approximate Time of Section: 50 Seconds