Get free games as a Gold Member with Games with Gold...if it's available in your region

During this year's E3, Microsoft revealed a new feature called Games with Gold. This new "bonus" gives Xbox Live Gold Member two free games every month. Sounds amazing right? Free games are always a good thing. I was actually excited when the news broke, until I experience an issue this July that doesn't quite make any sense. Giving away region-locked titles on the Games with Gold promo?

For the second half of July, Gold Members gets a copy of Assassin's Creed 2 for free.  From July 16 - July 31, Gold Members are given the chance to get a copy of the game into their account. On July 17, I tried getting my free account on Assassin's Creed 2, but was welcomed with this.

It boggles my mind to experience digital products to be region-locked for a specific country, but that's old news and I should have known better. Legally, they are protected since if you dig deep enough, you will get the info that Games with Gold offer is only available in specific countries. But they are quite inconsistent since I was able to pick up Fable 3(June's free game for the month), and Defense Grid(Free game for the first half of July) with no problems. So what gives?

Games with Gold free games offer available 6/10/13-12/31/13 for qualifying paid Gold members only. Xbox 360 games (selected by Xbox) available for free download from Marketplace only during specified half-month window; available games may vary by country

The Big Problem

Not getting Assassin's Creed 2 for free is fine, I can live with that. The problem is they might actually get Xbox users considering this as an incentive to get gold. Just the thought that someone might go for the Gold service for the free games but to be greeted with region-lock issues bothers me. I'm sure there are instances already were people got gold status just to get Assassin's Creed 2, or whatever game offered during that month, and finds out they can't get a copy because the offer is not available in their region. The US is free and clear of course, but Microsoft again just doesn't do the extra effort to make it clear for consumers from other countries. All we get is this small text below giving the information.

This only strengthens the idea that Microsoft only focuses on specific regions. With region-locked present in Games with Gold, specific consumers get more based on where they live really. This has always been a problem even in Sony, and it's disappointing to experience first-hand that you are not given the same amount because of location. "Get two free games a month with Xbox Live Gold", right.

A friendly reminder

Xbox Live is still a good service, but if you live outside the US, do the research first. See if the games offered in Games with Gold will work for your region. Don't get swayed by the big text saying you get free games with Gold Membership. Also, be reminded that Games with Gold is only planned until the end of this year. It's not actually an added feature with Gold...just a promo. What happens with Games with Gold in 2014 is still unknown. So for the people considering a year subscription because of the monthly games, I suggest you rethink a bit as well.

TooMuchGaming's New Let's Play Channel

We've decided to split the let's plays from main channel since let's plays are pretty much an entirety on their own. All the older uploaded let's plays on the main channel (tmgblog) will stay there but newer let's play vids will go to the new channel (toomuchgamingLP). No trailer for the new channel is ready at the moment but there are some videos already live and there are much more to come very soon. Subscribe if you don't wanna miss our zany video game adventures and misadventures.

Check out some of the videos from the new channel below.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Live-action trailers setting the tone

2K Games has released the latest live-action trailer for Bureau XCOM Declassified. A third person tactical shooter that aims to apply the same deep strategic elements known in the XCOM franchise. Lost star Dominic Monaghan (also Pippen in Lord of the Rings) takes on the role of Agent Ennis Cole reporting on the first event in Pima. The first video ended with two choices that viewers get to pick by voting via Twitter. The new trailer shows the same trailer again, but now with Agent Cole's fate decided.

First The Decision trailer, for those that haven't seen the previous video. So the latest trailer The Chase will make a bit of sense.

The Decision

The Chase

I appreciate these kinds of trailers that engage the viewers by giving them a choice. It's a very short mini-series to set the tone of The Bureau. Did Cole survive? We'll just have to see. 2K Games plans to release two more live-action trailers leading up to the release of the game.

Bureau XCOM Declassified releases on August 20 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Oh, and just in case you have no idea what it looks like gameplay-wise, here's a good look at Bureau XCOM Declassified in action. I'm interested, and might give this game a go on day one. I'm a sucker for XCOM games, so I'm crossing my fingers on this one.

Gameplay Demo

Outlast release date announced, enter the asylum on September 4

Red Barrels are all set to release Outlast, a survival horror that got a lot of attention during E3. It has everything a horror game needs - A scary atmosphere, creatures chasing after you, and a story involving your character doing something stupid like going inside an abandoned asylum with a camera alone......at night.

September 4 is the date on the PC and will cost you $19.99.

What's interesting about this game is the use of the camera.  The night vision on the camera is your source of light and we all know how that works. Hopefully Outlast will give the horror genre a boost it deserves since we hardly get games like these.

Outlast was also announced for the PS4. No word if this will be a release title or will come out  sometime next year.

Thor: The Dark World for iOS and Android Actually Looks Decent

I like free games as much as the next guy but even though I've played a few really good mobiles games, I'm still not the kind of guy who would recommend mobile games to anyone.

The only mobile that I'm still playing to date is the Injustice: Gods Among Us iOS game. I mainly play it when I'm bored and supposed to be going to bed which I then end up not sleeping through out the whole night. That and I have yet to unlock the Lockdown Superman costume on the console version.

What seems to be the trend for movie games nowadays is that instead of getting a home console release, they're jumping to the mobile tablet/smartphone platform instead. This has happened with Iron Man 3, Man of Steel and Despicable Me 2. The same is happening with Marvel's second Thor movie, Thor: The Dark World, and it's Gameloft who is handling the development. Here is the official press release from Gameloft for Thor: The Dark World - The Official Game.

Having previously teamed up to develop several successful games including The Amazing Spider-Man and Iron Man 3 – The Official Game, Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games, and Marvel are joining forces once again to bring the official game inspired from the highly anticipated new movie Thor: The Dark World to iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android.

"In this free-to-play game, Thor must restore order to the Nine Worlds. Perform all of the God of Thunder’s iconic combat moves as you lead Asgardian forces, including the Warriors Three, in over 100 exciting and varied missions against Marauders and Dark Elves.  Gameloft’s stunning HD game engine brings to life the beauty of the Thor universe and worlds like Jotunheim and Asgard.  Thor: The Dark World will also include a compelling social multiplayer element where fans join forces to earn victory. An original story inspired by the film and cowritten by famed Marvel writer Christopher Yost provides a gripping narrative for the game.

"We are delighted to continue our excellent collaboration with Marvel,” said Karine Kaiser, VP Marketing & Licensing at Gameloft. "Developing official games from Marvel’s cinematic blockbusters and bringing the fans an immersive experience in a Super Hero world inspires us every time.”

"Thor: The Dark World – The Official Game will allow fans of the franchise to play as one of Marvel’s most iconic Super Heroes in a game of epic scope and beauty.” said Javon Frazier, VP Games Marketing at Marvel. "With this new game, we are further expanding the successful relationship between Marvel and Gameloft."

Thor: The Dark World –The Official Game will be released in conjunction with the theatrical film from Marvel in November.

While I did not like the Iron Man 3 iOS game and am too cheap and skeptical to buy the Amazing Spider-Man mobile game, the gameplay of Thor 2 looks to be a isometric beat-em-up where you flail your hammer around and break things. By that I mean it looks like an actual video game. The problem I have with most iOS games is that they're usually just gimmicky touchscreen games with like a big round button that lets you do everything or you simply just tap and/or swipe to do stuff. They do work in some games but usually that doesn't sit well with me. Thor 2 looks to be a old school style brawler with some special screen clearing moves. Be it good or bad, the game is free-to-play when it comes out so no harm in trying. Check out and trailer and tell us what you think.