The Adrenaline Vault » Announcements

Help wanted

Michael Smith — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:38:08 +0000

Adrenaline Vault is once again putting out the call for new volunteer reviewers. Interested applicants should love video games, writing, and writing about video games.

We’re looking for PC, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii reviewers. If you’re interested in applying, please send a short letter about yourself and three writing samples (preferably video game-related) to Jason Iatomasi.

All applicants must have their own equipment and a stable internet connection (if required for the review.) Good luck, and we look forward to hearing from you.

About Our Scores…

Michael Smith — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:00:55 +0000

Unlike most sites, we use a two-tiered approach to our review scores. The Star Ratings (from one to five) indicate our opinion of the nuts and bolts of a game: gameplay, graphics, sound, multiplayer mode (if any), etc. The Recommendation Rating (Skip It, Play It, Buy It) shows you whether we think spending your hard-earned income on a particular game is a good idea. Because of the distinction between the star rating and the recommendation, it’s a possibility that a game with a low star rating could get a good recommendation, or vice versa.

To give you a better idea of how this all works, here’s a breakdown of our ratings and recommendations:

: Abandon all hope, all ye who enter here. One-star games have practically no redeeming factors; rearranging your sock drawer would be more fun.

: Now we begin to see the bad outweigh the good. Nonsensical stories, sloppy presentation and game-stopping bugs can all be found in two-star games, but through all the muck, some positive light can still shine.

: These games have significant problems, but they still manage to be fun to play. Three-star games can be guilty pleasures: your mind says they aren’t up to snuff, but your heart still wants to keep playing them.

: Flawed but still impressive. A four-star game has some minor problems, but there’s more good stuff in there than there is bad.

: Nothing is perfect, but a five-star game comes as close as one can. These games combine story, gameplay and presentation into a package that every gamer should have in their collection. Five-star games also automatically earn the Adrenaline Vault Seal of Excellence.

: Caveat Emptor. Definitely seek out a free demo for these games, and if you can’t find one, save yourself the uncertainty and move on. These games aren’t even worth the price of a rental.

: There’s lots to like about these games, but there’s enough wrong with them that you’ll probably be better off renting them if you can or waiting for the price to come down. If there’s a demo available, try it first before you buy.

: Stop what you’re doing, head out to your local game store and purchase these games right away. You won’t regret it!

These are the things we consider when we choose our review scores and recommendations. If you agree or disagree with our choices, please feel free to say so in the comments section at the end of each review. We’re pleased that you take the time to read our reviews, and we value your opinion.

Did your eyes deceive you?

Angel Munoz — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:43:47 +0000

Did you just think: “Purple? Where am I??” No, you’re not seeing things. “Yes it’s purple, and yes you’re still at Avault!” Please allow me to explain. A few months ago we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the launch of the Adrenaline Vault, and after looking at screenshots of our original site, I became a bit nostalgic for the purple that originally identified us (1996 screenshot). Therefore, at my request, Andrew Slane (our Web & Graphics Director) is managing the conversion, and returning us to the color that first stood as our primary identity badge. The entire process should take only a few days. We hope you like it.

Anti-virus warnings

Michele White — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:30:21 +0000

It was brought to our attention that some of you may be experiencing malicious site warnings from your anti-virus software while visiting our main site or podcast sites. We just want to assure you that we are aware of the situation, and are working around the clock to solve the issue. The source of the code in question has not yet been identified. We hope to have the situation resolved shortly.

Update: The problem has been corrected. It was caused by a vulnerability in a third-party ad serving system, so to avoid any further issues, the site will have no banner ads for a bit. Thanks for your patience.

Avault’s RSS feed goes click-free

Michele White — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:39:32 +0000

We have made a major change to the way we serve our RSS feeds. Instead of offering partial stories with the intent of trying to entice you to click your way over to www.avault.com, we are now offering the entire content of our stories on the feed. This is in keeping with the spirit of our site, as our primary mission is to inform you off all that’s happening in the gaming world as expeditiously as possible. You can now load our feed from your favorite news reader and experience all of our content in its full goodness without the extra click.

3K comments and counting

Michele White — Fri, 07 May 2010 18:20:44 +0000

Attention! Stop the presses! (I’ve always wanted to say that.) Please stand by for an important announcement!

Denise has just posted the 3000th comment on the Adrenaline Vault. That’s right, since the relaunch of the web site, there have been 3000 posts tacked on to our reviews, news and general information. But while that may sound like a lot, I know that you can do better. We know that our readers are some of the most intelligent, creative and interesting people on the Internet, and we want to hear more from you. Post, post, post. We want the Adrenaline Vault to continue its evolution toward becoming a truly interactive site, and we need your constant input to keep things dynamic!

Also, don’t forget that Avault comments support global avatars (gravatars). Gravatar is an acronym for Globally Recognized Avatar, a small image (also known as an avatar) that appears by your posted comments on websites that support the open format. When posting a comment on Avault include the email address used to setup your free gravatar account and the avatar you uploaded will automatically appear by your comment. Just keep in mind that Avault will only display avatars that are rated G or PG.

Two more years of the Avault Podcast guaranteed

Michele White — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:36:46 +0000

NewWorld (parent company of the Adrenaline Vault) has managed to pin down Turks, Billy and Chris with a two year contract. The show has been steadily gaining in popularity since it first aired on September 25, 2008, and the folks over at our parent company wanted to make sure that they stayed here at the Vault. The agreement, signed today, guarantees that you’ll have weekly Adrenaline Vault Podcasts coming your way through February 2012!

Every week the guys showcase their commitment to both our site and the world of gaming, by hosting a truly unique and informative show that highlights what listeners want to know through their innovative morning talk show format. When asked about the continuing partnership, lead podcaster, Mark Turcotte could not contain his enthusiasm. “We are excited about this opportunity for both us and NewWorld. It still amazes us that a year and a half ago we were three guys broadcasting on our own and today we take this adventurous leap. We are optimistic about what the show will become over the next two years.”

The continuation of the Avault Podcast is merely the next step, however, in NewWorld’s commitment to all forms of digital media. The company is in negotiations to launch additional shows for your listening pleasure. Exclusive details will be available here in the coming weeks.

Please stand by…

Michele White — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:51:04 +0000

Thank you for your patience. Slane and Waterman worked tirelessly yesterday, and have repaired the needed fixums on the whosiewatsits. The forums have returned and you may continue with your great debates, sharing of game knowledge, and poking fun at some of our more visible members. Carry on! Nothing to see here anymore. Move along.

Help wanted

Michael Smith — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:13:24 +0000

Are you looking to join the exciting, non-stop world of games journalism? Sorry, can’t help you there. But if you can push nouns against verbs to create entertaining and informative sentences about videogames, we want to meet you. Adrenaline Vault is looking to fill two volunteer positions on our writing staff. If either of the positions listed below are interesting to you, send a brief letter telling us about yourself (no resumes, please; they can be dry and formulaic) and at least three (3) writing samples to Michael Smith or Michele White. We look forward to hearing from you!

News Writer

You will be required to submit ten (10) videogame news items (one or two paragraphs each) every week. Also, it’s possible that you might be called upon to write the occasional game review as assigned.

iPhone Game Reviewer

You must own your own iPhone and have a reliable Internet connection. You will be required to take a maximum of two (2) weeks to receive, play and write reviews of iPhone games as assigned.

Avault comments now support avatars

Michele White — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:29:02 +0000

Avault supports global avatars (gravatars) in the comment section of the site. Gravatar is an acronym for Globally Recognized Avatar, a small image (also known as an avatar) that appears by your posted comments on websites that support the open format.

To add a picture or image by your Avault comments head on over to gravatar.com and follow the simple sign-up instructions.

When posting a comment on Avault include the email address used to setup your free gravatar account and the avatar you uploaded will automatically appear by your comment.

Note: Avault will only display avatars that are rated G or PG.

The Adrenaline Vault gets a makeover (part 2)

Michele White — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:44:08 +0000

As you’ve probably noticed by now, and if not grab your spectacles and look over to the right, we have once again updated our look and feel. Thanks again to the tireless efforts of both Saulo Benigno and Andrew Slane, we have launched our new column. Now, whenever you pull up our home page, you’ll get a snapshot look of everything that’s happening on the site. This includes everything from our most popular articles, our recent reviews, posted comments, and a current list of those individuals with no lives that post most often. So why are you still reading this? Make with the clickage and check out the rest of the site!

Attention publishers and developers!

Michele White — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:26:04 +0000

Have you ever spent millions (or countless hours) on a game only to have it slammed by the press? Did you send your baby and life’s work off to a reviewer and receive what you consider to be unfair and biased coverage?

We here at the Adrenaline Vault pride ourselves on providing our readers with the most unbiased and informative coverage of video games on the Internet. For that reason, we propose to offer any and all publishers and developers a unique opportunity that they won’t find ANYWHERE. All publishers and developers are hereby invited to submit a rebuttal to any review that receives our “Skip it” rating.

Rebuttals must be professionally worded, contain no attacks on the reviewer, and consist of no more than 500 words. Submit these rebuttals to Michele White, and you’ll see it published and open for comments within two business days.

The next time that you’re tempted to hack in and alter the review, save your time and energy. Just pull up a keyboard and tell us where you feel we went wrong or misunderstood. We’ll be happy to open up a dialogue with you.

Reorganizing Avault!

Michele White — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:06:02 +0000

No, it’s not your eyes. The Adrenaline Vault does have a new look (wider pages), and it keeps getting better every day! Once again, the site’s web management team (Saulo, Slane & Andrew) have been hard at work, both day and night, but this time, their efforts were to make the site easier to navigate. Like the reviews of a particular reviewer? Now you have the ability to just click on the link for their name and read EVERYTHING they’ve ever written for Avault. Gaming on a limited budget and have time for nothing but the best? No problem. Just click on the Seal of Excellence in any review and check out the entire list that goes back to 1997. We currently have more than 2,100 reviews on the site, and our aim is to bring you more each and every day. Happy gaming!

Our console history has returned!

Michele White — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:43:59 +0000

Have you been longing for the days when summer afternoons meant simple things such as playing Stupid Invaders on your Sega Dreamcast or Dr. Mario on your Nintendo 64? If so, then pull up a chair and prepare to travel with us down memory lane. By popular demand, our old console reviews have returned! All of our reviews for the original PlayStation, the Game Boy Color/Advance, the original Xbox and more have been restored for your reading pleasure. If your first console was a PS3 or an Xbox 360, take a trip back to the past (using the drop-down menu on our reviews section) and learn what life was like before there were 3D graphics and Xbox Live!

They’re back!

Michele White — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:36 +0000

It’s been a long arduous journey, but the Wizard of Avault, aka “the Packrat of Brazil”, aka Mr. Web Architect extraordinaire, Saulo Benigno has done it again! After many hours of diligent attention to detail and data entry, over 1,600 of our old PC reviews are back!

Wanna see what games were really like back in 1997? Curious as to what Pete Hines or Emil Pagliarulo sounded like back in the day? Or are you just aching to relive a bit of gaming nostalgia? Browse through our review section and check out what we had to say about the games of yesteryear.

Did you know?

Michael Smith — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:18:52 +0000

Here are five tips that may help make your Avault visit a bit more enjoyable:

Did you know that every page on the site has a quick link to the main page? Just click the top left Avault logo.
Did you know that clicking on the dark circular Avault logo on the footer of any page will jump you to the top of the page? Try it! (Note – The small Avault logo turns white when you mouse over it)
Did you know that Avault looks best on Firefox? Check it out!
Did you know that Avault has three (3) RSS feeds? One for reader comments, a second for general content and a third for the podcast shows.
Did you know that there’s one link access to the latest Avault site updates? Just click on “Announcements” at the footer of any of our pages.

Skip it, play it or buy it

Michele White — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:41:57 +0000

We’ve added a new criterion for our reviews! At the bottom of each review, you’ll now be seeing a Skip It | Play It | Buy It icon. While we know that our current star rating is much beloved, sometimes it just doesn’t tell the whole story. Some games are GREAT, but hold little replay value and are thus not worth laying down $60 for, when you can rent it from Buster for ten bucks and play it until you finish. Other games may not be of superstar quality, but are a lot of fun and hold within them months of play time. So, to avoid unwarranted expenses in your gaming budget, in addition to the star rating, our reviewers are going to give you the skinny on whether you should:

Skip,Play, or Buy it!

Avault gets a makeover

Michele White — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:30:56 +0000

As you’ve probably noticed by now, we have relaunched the forums, changed the front page, and in general, given ourselves a makeover. This is all in an effort to make the site more interactive and appealing to YOU our readers. I use the term reader, as that’s what most of you have been in the past, but times are changing.

The new Adrenaline Vault is looking for you to step closer to your keyboard and join in. Yes, we’re still looking for comments, but we’re also looking for debate and discussion of the world of gaming. In the coming months, we’ll be adding columns to our front page, and you’ll be able to ask questions and address our staff directly in not just the forums, but right there on the front page as well. If you want to know about a game, we’ll do our best to get it reviewed. If you’re looking for walk-throughs, trailers or just want to talk about games and gaming, we’ll be there to lend an ear. So sit back, but don’t relax. Tell us what you want, and our staff will be manning their blogs, articles and the forums to respond.

Oh one more thing! We just reactivated our comment system. We inadvertently left them off after we finished the site update.