Beautiful HD Rendition of the Train Graveyard from Final Fantasy VII

The Sector 7 train graveyard, one of the earliest locations in Final Fantasy VII, was an empty and depressing place, filled only with entry level ghosts, a few potions and train wreckage. 

Jordangrimmer's fantastic reinterpretation expands the environment and fills it with life. It almost looks like professional concept art for what COULD have been the proper remake of the beloved RPG. Reminds me of the slums in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.

Looks a lot better compared to the original on PS1, huh?

Will Wright: Consumers Will Never Accept Always-Online

Will Wright, known for being the brainchild behind The Sims franchise, made a statement agreeing with Microsoft's decision to back away from the asinine Always-Online DRM policy, and discussed how "impressed" he was that the overwhelming negative feedback from the gaming community changed their minds. 

"From the consumers' point of view, I can really understand a lot of the backlash to DRM," he said in an interview with CNNMoney. "If something's required on the Internet that means they can't play it on the airplane or if their Internet connection goes down."

Our feelings are mutual, Mr. Wright. But does that mean I'm getting an Xbox One even after that? Nope.

If I could take us back to several months ago, Microsoft's Creative Director at the time, Adam Orth, basically gave the entire company's consumer base a middle finger for being genuinely insulted by the DRM policies, with the infamous tweet shown on the right:

So while I do agree that they made a smart move in changing their minds, and while I did buy a 360 just to play Halo, they've ruined their relationship with myself and many other people. And Will, I'm just gonna stick with playing your games on the PC :)

Microsoft, how about YOU #dealwithit?

PS3 will have same support as PS2 over the next decade

The time for the console upgrade is quickly approaching. With the release of the PlayStation 4 set for late 2013, people are gearing up for the switchover to the new console from its predecessor. Still, even at its (significantly lower than the PS3 at launch) price tag, $400 is not exactly an investment many of us can or want to make immediately – especially when the PS3 is still very much a viable console.

In an interview with Weekly Famitsu, Sony Japan's President Hiroshi Kamano made a statement saying: "With the 2014 launch of our cloud service in the US allowing users to play PS3 games on the PS4, some people may switch consoles from the PS3 to the PS4. But that'll be a gradual process, 

and to say 'we're releasing a new console, so trade in your old ones for it' would be a maker's ego talking, plain and simple."

This strategy is nothing new for Sony: Support for the PS2 continued long after the release of the PS3. That being said, it's definitely reassuring to hear it directly from the top.

Prepare for virtual marketing: Steam Trading Cards are HERE

Bada-bing, bada-boom. Steam's Trading Cards are now live and ready to go. What the hell's that you ask? Well, they are virtual cards that can be earned by playing participating games on Steam, trading with other users, or buying on the Steam Marketplace. Complete a set to create a badge, earn rewards, earn XP, and level up.

According to PC Gamer, "the user with the highest Steam level at the end of the year gets to high five Gabe Newell while announcing Half-Life 3. In space." Whoa.

Here is the first Hi-Res screenshot of Dragon Age: Inquisition using the Frostbite 3 Engine

This picture, an HD screenshot taken by BioWare from an E3 Trailer of Dragon Age 3, depicts the Inquisition in the midst of a briefing. For those unfamiliar with the lore, the Inquisition is comprised of what one could label as the "original templars", before they officially banded together and joined the Chantry. It looks gorgeous.

Below are 3 more photos BioWare silently uploaded to the company's Facebook page.

Looks the Darkspawn are ready to make their final assault.

The game promises to be immensely larger than the two predecessors, Dragon Age: Origins & Dragon Age II, with one map reportedly being 5x the size of Ferelden. It's also trying to model itself somewhat after the exploration-focused RPG that is Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. 

Dragon Age 3: Inquisition is due out in the later part of 2014.

ATLUS in Danger!

The cult-favorite game company ATLUS, responsible for incredible JRPG's such as Catherine and the Shin Megami Tensei series, may just be going down with its parent company Index.

Index just filed for what sounds like bankruptcy. "The company is entering 'civil rehabilitation proceedings' in order to cut off the corporate bloodletting before it becomes fatal." Evidently this means Index is under investigation for shady business practices. What?

This is not okay anymore. I don't want to see some of my favorite series riding the empty piggy bank train this soon. Or ever for that matter.

Massive Update for Google Earth & Google Maps

Google has updated its map imagery with a new set of images from NASA's Landsat 7 satellite, creating a world the company promises is "virtually cloud-free" and more detailed. The Google Maps team outlined a comprehensive revamp of the satellite maps used in Earth and Maps. Starting with satellite images, Google splices different shots together to create a smooth composite without any clouds obstructing the view, even in areas that will always have at least some clouds over them.

But it doesn't stop there.

Google is taking the iOS version of its Earth mapping app up to 7.1. The update brings a few new features, including the addition of its Street View imagery -- following a similar update to the Android version. Also on the docket are improved transit, walking and biking directions, which can be viewed in 3D. The interface has been streamlined too, with a number of informational layers like Wikipedia located under a handy Earth logo in the top left off the app. The release of 7.1 also marks the app's availability in more than 100 countries.