Ender

Danny 'Ender' Martin has been part of the Zath team from pretty much the very beginning since he met Zath himself at Leeds Met University whilst studying Business IT. He's an avid gamer and a big film buff. Danny graduated from the University of Bradford with a degree in Computer Animation and SFX and now currently works at one of the biggest UK games developers, which will hopefully see some of his ideas hit the gaming world.

Here are all the Zath articles written by Ender...

Xbox Kinect Sensor Review – Should I Buy The Xbox 360 Motion Controller?

I was quite excited when I first starting reading about Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect. A motion controller gaming system without the actual controller sounded like futuristic stuff and ever since it was first announced to the world as Project Natal, it was something I just had to have, it really came across as actual future technology that until then you’d only seen in sci-fi movies.

I was excited when I did finally got my hands on Kinect after we’d already seen a Xbox Kinect/Project Natal Preview, even more so through the setup as it felt strange not to be using a controller apart from my very own hands to lead the way.

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Worms Merchandise Incoming! – T-Shirts, Plush Toys & Books Heading Our Way From Team 17?

We’ve all heard of them and most people will have played at least one Worms game in their lifetimes, but Team 17′s worms are finally going to be hitting the physical world.

The UK based games developer who are well known worldwide for their massive Worms franchise has recently struck a deal with AT New Media to release Worms merchandise to the masses. Items such as plush toys, books, clothing are all now real possibilities and who wouldn’t want one?

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5 Most Wanted Games of 2011 – It’s Going To Be A Great Year Of Gaming!

2011 looks to be a massive year for games following on from 2010′s impressive performance. New hardware such as Nintendos 3DS and Sony’s newly announced NGP are already making my mouth water. But what about the games? Well, where to start.

Everybody’s list of their top 5 games for 2011 are going to be different. If they weren’t the world would be a dull place. So I have a look around to see what tickles my fancy for the year ahead. So why not check out my top 5 list below to see which games I’m most looking forward to getting my hands on in 2011.

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Sony NGP (aka PSP 2) Announced – Impressive Handheld Console Features!

Nobody can say that they were surprised at this announcement. But it’s now official, Sony’s new handheld is coming and will be called NGP (Next Generation Portable).

Many thought that it would be called Sony PSP 2 from previous rumours, but maybe they moved away from the PSP name to distance the NGP from the under performing sales of the PSP. Whatever the reason, it looks bloody fantastic.

There were rumours of the NGP being as powerful as the PS3 which had people scratching their heads as to how it could be. Well it looks like it so far! So what can we expect from the NGP, what games are going to be released and what’s the price going to be?

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Dark Knight Rises Movie To Feature Catwoman & Bane – Did You Want Different Villains?

This is official! Catwoman and Bane are definitely going to make an appearance in the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman film The Dark Knight Rises.

So who will be playing these characters? People have been guessing at what role Tom Hardy will be playing in TDKR. Well guess no more because he’s set to play Bane. The giant bruiser who once broke Batmans back. I can hear a few people wince at the sound of the character Bane after Joel Schumachers lovely portrayal of the brute in Batman & Robin………..moving on.

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Final Fantasy versus XIII Trailer Released

Looks like Square Enix are releasing them thick and fast now. Following the announcement of Final Fantasy XIII-2, a trailer has been released for the PS3 exclusive (for the time being) Final Fantasy versus XIII.

From what I’ve seen in the trailer, I’m quite looking forward to seeing how different this game will be. As part of the FFXIII umbrella, it’ll be interesting to see what direction they’re going to take and if it will link up with the FFXIII story and come to one climactic game.

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Final Fantasy Type-0 With Dual UMD’s Announced

It feels like Final Fantasy day today, what with the announcement of Final Fantasy XIII-2 and the new gorgeous looking Final Fantasy versus XIII trailer. So what’s one more. Square Enix has announced that the previously named Final Fantasy Agito XIII will be re-named to Final Fantasy Type-0.

The reason for the name change was apparently because Square Enix say FF Type-0 isn’t like Final Fantasy XIII. Not only that, but this will be the first PSP game to be spread across two UMD’s which makes me think the size of the game is going to be huge.

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Final Fantasy XIII-2 Announced With Teaser Trailer

Now this was something of a surprise. Square Enix has announced that there will be a sequel to Final Fantasy XIII which is aptly named Final Fantasy XIII-2, the second time that a Final Fantasy game has been given a sequel with the last being Final Fantasy X-2.

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Tomb Raider Gets The HD Remake Treatment On PS3 – Xbox Gamers Miss Out On Lara’s Facelift!

Tomb Raider is the next game franchise to get the HD upgrade. Square Enix has announced that Tomb Raider Legend and Anniversary will be getting remastered in HD with the third game of the pack being Tomb Raider Underworld, which doesn’t need the HD upgrade as it was released on next gen consoles..

The trilogy pack will be released in the UK on the 25th March this year with the US getting it 3 days before us. Also Xbox 360 users will miss out as this is a PS3 exclusive as with the other HD upgrades like God of War and Sly Cooper. There’ll be some small extras added into the pack with a Tomb Raider theme, a few making of trailers and a couple of Home avatar outfits.

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Nintendo 3DS Launch Line Up Announced – Will You Get This New Handheld Console On Release?

It’s not long now until Nintendo’s 3DS is released and the launch line up has been announced. Well, it’s Japan’s launch list so I imagine ours might have a few changes before it’s March release date.

The 3DS will be released in Japan in February and will allow players to experience 3D games without having to wear 3D glasses. This is a great sign, as it surely means that it won’t be long before 3DTV’s without the need for the glasses start to appear either.

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Sega Toylet – New Games Console…For Urinals

I had to read through this a few times before it sunk in what I was actually reading. But it seems as though Sega has made a very odd ‘console’, no it’s not like their old Sega Megadrive console, it’s actually for Japanese urinals and it’s called a “Toylet”.

Only in Japan…well, Tokyo to be precise.

The console works using pressure sensors and you can even select mini games from the LCD situated above each urinal. How many people wash their hands before using them I wonder.

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The Sly Collection Trilogy Review (PS3)

It’s good to see another PS2 collection converted over to HD after the succes of the God of War Collection and now we have Sly Cooper and his gang the latest to get the makeover.

I did play the originals back on the PS2 and quite enjoyed them, but playing it again the second time around in the form of the Sly Collection (Trilogy) seems to have made them slightly better.

Sly Cooper is a master thief and is joined by his best friends Bentley who is a genius and Murray who is the brawns of the group. There’s also Sly’s love interest Carmelita Fox who is a cop and always chasing Sly down and trying to arrest him, but of course it’s just a flirtacious encounter between the two throughout with the majority coming from Sly. It’s a love hate relationship it seems.

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USB Whack It Gadget – Retro Arcade Gaming On Your Desk

With only one shopping weekend left before Christmas, a lot of people will have finished their main Christmas shopping and might be looking around for some stocking fillers…such as this USB Whack It game?

Or perhaps you’re more like me, less organised and you still have a load of shopping to do and don’t know what to get. Either way, hopefully this idea might come in useful for people.

Well if you’re stuck for ideas, then this little USB Whack It gaming gadget will make a perfect little gift for someone.

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My Best Games Of 2010! What Are Your Favourite Games You’ve Played This Year?

As it’s the end of the year, we’ve been asked “What is the best game you’ve played this year?” It’s an interesting question is this one. 2010 has been a pretty good year for gamers with 2011 looking even better with the likes of Uncharted 3 and Mass Effect 3 recently announced.

So my first thought was should my best game of the year be something that’s new and something that I’ve only played once, or a game that’s a few years old that keeps me coming back for more? Obviously one of the games that I’ve only played once this could be a game I play over and over again over the years.

I’ve made myself a shortlist of my candidates and will try to decide on one by the time I get to the end of writing this post.

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Mass Effect 3 Release Date Officially Confirmed & Trailer Revealed

As if it wasn’t enough that we were going to get Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception next year, there’s going to be AAA title after AAA title.

Mass Effect 3 has finally been given a release date and is due to hit the shelves at the end of 2011 on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. With a superb looking trailer which is set in London, we’ll will see Shepard reach Earth to save the day.

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Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Trailer & Release Date Confirmed

It’s been a pretty big week for the games industry with some big AAA titles due for release next year with one of them being Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. We’ll all be able to join Drake on his next quest from the release date of 1st November 2011 which is less than a year away! Excited? You should be!

I can’t wait to see what Naughty Dog has in store for us, and the fact that they’ve said that both the campaign and multiplayer have both “evolved” since Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, it’s pretty exciting as to what we’ll be seeing and playing next year.

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‘Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’ Announced (Teaser Trailer)

I reported the other day that Naughty Dog were going to be making an announcement on the 12th December about their next game at the Spike Video Game Awards. Well Christmas has come early.

Well it’s official, it’s the new Uncharted game which will be titled ‘Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception’. Most people knew this was going to be the game that would be announced by Naughty Dog, although a lot of people, myself including, were holding onto the wishful thought of a new Jak and Daxter. Even though we have to wait a little longer for a new Jak and Daxter title, I’m ecstatic about Nathan Drake’s next adventure.

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New Sony Bravia HDTV With Built-In PS2 Released

Sony have recently launched a brand new Bravia HDTV with an in-built Playstation 2. As good as this sounds, the TV isn’t exactly pleasing to the eye.

TV’s these days are becoming slimmer but this looks a bit bulky and probably would have been better had the in-built PS2 be attached to the back. But instead, the PS2 act as the feet of the TV. It’s only a 22 inch Bravia TV so the PS2 will be quite noticeable, plus I don’t think it’d be a good idea to slap a 40+ inch Bravia HDTV on top of a console, no doubt that wouldn’t go well with Sony’s Monolithic Bravia TV design concept.

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Naughty Dog Announcement Incoming! Uncharted 3 or Jak and Daxter?

Naughty Dog are set to make an announcement on December 12th at this years Spike VGA awards about what their next game is going to be.

The general feeling is that it’s going to be Uncharted 3 and will possibly take place within the desert somewhere around the world. Not too long ago Naughty Dog came out and said that their next title will be influenced by Ico which was a massive hit on the PS2 and is set for the HD upgrade along with Shadows of the Colossus next year on the PS3.

Let’s just hope Uncharted 3 will be nothing like the disaster the Uncharted movie is turning into.

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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Review

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (12A)

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Felton, Jason Issacs, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson
Running Time: 146 minutes
Director: David Yates

Here it is. The penultimate film of the Harry Potter phenomenon. Some people were a bit unsure as to whether splitting JK Rowling’s final book into two films would be the best idea. But from watching the film and being a massive fan of the series, I’m glad they did…so far.

The general consensus has been that Part 1 of The Deathly Hallows was good, but lacked that extra sparkle to make it the magical film we were all hoping for. But given the story, I’m glad it’s been done like this to let everyone know what Harry, Ron and Hermione have got themselves in for.

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