Mom's Minute

Mass Effect 3:  The End Game

If you watch The Walking Dead on AMC, you may be happy to know that Sunday, February 19, 2012, you will receive additional entertainment as well.

During the return of the hit show in its ninth episode, second season, there will be a full 90 second commercial featuring one of the most anticipated video games of 2012, Mass Effect 3:  The End Game.

Mass Effect 3: The End game is the sequel to Mass Effect 2 and is the conclusion of the series franchise.

Mass Effect 3:  The End Game is developed by Bioware and  published by Electronic Arts

Mass Effect 3:  The End Game commercial trailer is called "Take Back the Earth."

This video game television trailer is a must-see for Mass Effect fans.

Mass Effect 3: The End Game won the award as the most anticipated game of 2012 at the Spike TV Video Game Awards, and won awards from more than 100 outlets, again, as the most anticipated game to be released in 2012.

The video game is rated Mature +17, and is playable on the Xbox 360, PS 3 and the PC. 

Mass Effect 3:  The End Game will be released on March 6, 2012.

Karateka video game

Jordan Mechner, the legendary game developer for the successful blockbuster game Prince of Persia, is returning to the video game genre to remake his 1980's hit, Karateka. He had previously worked in the film industry. 

Prince of Persia has sold more than  17 million units accumulating in a sum of $500 million. The film adaptation of the video game was also successful, becoming the highest grossing video game movie -- earning over $335 million at the box office.

While attending Yale University in 1984, Mechner created the Karateka video game which sold over 500, 000 units during that time.

Screen shot from the 1980's Karateka video game

Karateka's storyline entails players defeating the evil warlord Akuma who has kidnapped Princess Marika. Instead of a fighting game like Street Fighter, Mechner describes the game as a cinematic story-driven video game.

Mechner has a small team working with him on the remake of the game, and as the creator director, has a very hands-on role.

Karateka will be modestly budgeted as a downloadable game, without the use of a large publishing company.

When asked why he was returning to video games, Mechner stated that regardless of what media he is working in, his goal is to create a world in which the story and characters come alive.

Karateka will debut for the PlayStation Network (The Sony Entertainment Network) and Xbox Live Arcade in 2012.  A specific date for the Karateka's release was not provided. 

University of Colorado iDreams Scalable Game Design Program

Launched in 2009, the University of Colorado iDreams Scalable Design Game Design Institute trains teachers on how to use curriculums based on video game and computer programming. The program exceeded researchers' expectations in its enrollment as well as accomplishments.

The program involves over 100 teachers and 8,000 students. Started in Colorado, the program has expanded to other states including Alaska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. 

As a reward for its excellence, the university institute has received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The grant will be used to track how video game design aids in the computational thinking of students and STEM simulations. STEM simulations are used to model natural occurrences such as how forest fires spread as well as other science phenomena.

Graphic for the iDreams Scalable Game Design Program

According to David Webb, co-investigator of the School of Education, the new grant will also be used to build up more robust research instruments to be used for computer science education.

Twisted Metal launches Valentine's Day, 2012

Would you like to play the newest installment of a video game on Valentine's Day, 2012?  Twisted Metal may be a game that fits your interest; however, you must be over 18 to play it since this game is rated Mature +17.

The game comes with a Twisted Metal soundtrack.  You may play the game while listening to your choice of 35 songs.  Fifteen of the songs are classic and more modern songs, while the other 20 are new tracks composed especially for the Twisted Metal video game.

Twisted Metal, a racing action game, is developed by Eat Sleep Play, published by Sony Computer Entertainment and is playable exclusively on the PS3.

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Twisted Metal video game

The four main characters in this video game will have their own unique storyline along with their individual music soundtrack.

The gameplay consists of factions battling for control as well as the prize to have one wish fulfilled by Calypso, who is the mastermind behind the Twisted Metal tournament.

The game has a robust online system for up to 16 players  using the PlayStation Network. Players can battle through a variety of favorite and new game modes.

Scene from Twisted Metal

The Twisted Metal video game is the longest running franchise in PlayStation history.

The Walking Dead video game

The Walking Dead which moved from a powerhouse comic book, to one of the most watched television shows, is now a well anticipated video game.

There had been talk previously about this video game from Telltale Games, but nothing had materialized -- until now.   Telltale Games has not only launched an episodic behind- the- scenes show about the game, but has also released new screen shots as well. 

A new storyline will be introduced which will be mostly character driven, similar to the Back to the Future and Jurassic Park video games.

Screenshot from The Walking Dead video game.

Unlike most zombie games, The Walking Dead gameplay will be focused on the characters instead of action.

The game will be playable on the Xbox 360, PS 3, WII, PC and Mac.

Even though a specific release date has not been set , The Walking Dead video game is expected to be available in mid to late 2012.