Gamestaq

Do you love gaming, perhaps so much that you have a hard time finding the time to read more? Try combining the two! Here are 5 very different books, all about video games in one way or another.

This Gaming Life

by Jim Rossignol

An uplifting true story about one man’s bold decision to go learn about the games that he loves, in the countries where they are most popular, after being fired from his job as a finance reporter for his obsession with a game. That fateful day of his firing was, to him, “… the best thing that ever happened to me.” A delightful, short read that teaches one how a passionate hobby can change life for the better.

Game Boys

by Michael Kane

Michael Kane followed two of the top US Counter-Strike teams in their quest to win the Cyberathlete Professional League, a now defunct professional video game circuit. It’s an insightful sports biography and definitely a worthwhile read, especially for anyone who wants to know more about the often-misunderstood world of professional video gaming.

Replay: The History of Video Games

by Tristan Donovan

The most comprehensive history of video games out there right now. It starts at the beginning and ends in 2010. There aren’t many authoritative histories of our beloved medium available yet, and authors like Donovan add legitimacy and legacy to the paradigm. Anyone who has played games will find something to enjoy in this book. If history is your thing, also check out Steven Kent’s The Ultimate History of Video Games. For a comprehensive look in to the personalities behind the games, check out Harold Goldberg’s All Your Place Are Belong to Us.

Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline

This recently released sci-fi novel mixes gamer-friendly pop culture references with a compelling story juxtaposing protagonist Wade Watts’ bleak everyday existence with his quest to unlock the fortune of the inventor of Oasis, a vast virtual world where earthlings pass most of their time. Think of it as a cross between Willy Wonka, The Matrix, and World of Warcraft. It’s a classic sci-fi romp that received praise from many reputable outlets. If you’re a fan of this genre, also check out Neuromancer, Snowcrash and Number9Dream.

Reality is Broken

by Jane McGonigal

Reality is Broken is a thoroughly researched piece of non-fiction that argues why games are healthy and good for us. She gives you many “rules to live by,” practical maxims for maintaining a healthy relationship with video games. A great book to video game wary parents.

Video game literature grows by the day. If you love to play games, reading about them is a great way to gain a new perspective on the activity.

There’s nothing better than getting to play a game you are excited about early! There are a ton of betas going on all the time that give you the opportunity to test out upcoming games. Here’s a list of some of the most highly anticipated Betas over the next few months. Keep in mind, as with most betas, you aren’t guaranteed access, but putting your name down is the only way to get in for most gamers.

Battlefield 3

When: September
How to Get In: Medal of Honor Limited Edition, Pre-Order

The BF3 Open Beta reportedly begins early September. It will be multiplayer only and feature one, maybe a few more, multiplayer maps. The game comes out in October 25, 2010 so this beta won’t last too long.

If you bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition last year, you already have early access to the BF3 beta. If you didn’t do this, simply pre-order the game on Origin (EA’s online store) and you’ll get a free early access beta code. For a little more info, go here.

Battlefield 3 Alpha Multiplayer Gameplay

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Starting next Tuesday, August 23rd, the wonderful world of video games will be unleashing a non-stop holiday barrage of gaming goodness that will not let up until November 15th. Every single week there are AAA titles releasing, and many upcoming Tuesdays have more than one. Below you’ll find a list of all the most important games that will be coming out each week in either handy list form or easy to digest calendar form. So take a peek and plot out your holiday season wisely. Keep in mind you can sell these off for top trade-in value at Gamestaq, and nab yourself $38 just in time to pick up the next.
Calendar available at bottom

August

23rd
Deus Ex: Human Revolution – PS3/PC/360
Street Fighter 3: Third Strike – XBLA/PSN

30th
Madden 12 – PS3/360/PSP/PS2/Wii/DS
Bodycount – PS3/360

September

6th
Dead Island – PS3/360/PC
Resistance 3 – PS3
Driver San Francisco – PS3/PC/360/Wii
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – PS3/360/PC
Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten – PS3

9th
Star Fox 64 3D – 3DS

13th
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad – PC
NHL 12 – PS3/360

20th
Gears of War 3 – 360
Resident Evil 4 HD – XBLA/PSN

27th
FIFA Soccer 12 – 360/PS3/PC/Wii/PSP/PS2/3DS
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection – PS3
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 – 360/PS3/PC/Wii/PSP/PS2/3DS
X-Men Destiny – 360/PS3/Wii/DS

October

4th
Rage – 360/PS3/PC
Dark Souls – PS3/360
NBA 2K12 – 360/PS3/PC/PS2/WII/PSP

11th
Forza Motorsport 4 – 360
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record – 360/PS3/PC
Rocksmith – 360/PS3/PC
Just Dance 3 – Wii/PS3/360

18th
Batman: Arkham City – 360/PS3/PC
Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One – PS3

25th
Battlefield 3 – 360/PS3/PC
Silent Hill: Downpour – PS3/360

November

1st
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – 360/PS3/PC
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception – PS3

8th
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – 360/PS3/PC
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection – 360/PS3

11th
Elder Scrolls V – 360/PS3/PC

15th
Need For Speed: The Run – 360/PS3/PC
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – 360/PS3/PC
Saints Row: The Third – 360/PS3/PC
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary – 360
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – 360/PS3

2011 is more than halfway over, but the biggest games of the year are just now starting to line up and are getting ready to make our heads spin and our wallets empty.  We’ve picked the biggest 10 games rounding out the rest of the year and listed them in order of release date.  Use the below list to figure out what you need to pick up and when, and make sure to grab them for $40 or less at Gamestaq to avoid breaking the bank.

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION (AUGUST 23^rd)

2027.  Humans merging with technology.  You are Adam Jenson, you are augmented with technology without consent and pissed off about it. Using your new powers you must find out who did this to you and make them pay.

Adam’s newfound abilities are the beauty of the new Deus Ex: they empower him to engage the world in an aggressive manner (i.e. kill everything in your path) or an intelligent one (i.e. go stealth mode).  With options at every turn, the choices you make in this Human Revolution dramatically change its outcome.  Jenson’s abilities change over time and experience points allow for weapon and equipment upgrades.  This game looks to be the perfect mixture of non-stop action with rewarding RPG elements, and it comes out soon.

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Gamestaq member SteinlageT called in to the most recent OXM Podcast to let listeners know how awesome Gamestaq is for buying and selling your games! While the hosts might have had some trouble pronouncing the q at the end of our name, it sounds like they were into the idea of gamers not giving all their money away to the retail giants marking everything up! SteinlageT calls in at the 49:00 mark, feel free to listen to the whole cast or jump to that spot below.

or listen here…


We’d like to give a shoutout to OXM for taking the call, and if you guys have any questions about potential “scams”, remember that the Gamestaq Guarantee ensures that you will get your game with the original box, manual, and fully playable disc, or your money back.