New gaming consoles, as well as the exciting games they offer, have always been irresistible. Unfortunately, they are not as wallet-friendly as they are user-friendly, and we are forced to choose among the latest and greatest. But now something is shaking up the gaming industry, and although a few details are unknown, it has gathered an immense amount of support.

The video game console that everyone is talking about is the OUYA, a prototype that began its reign in the crowd-funding sight of Kickstarter. Keep in mind that this is no ordinary device. OUYA is an open game console, meaning that all developers are welcome to create games without expensive development kits. The OUYA is a development kit within itself, mimicking the popular application programs of mobile devices that consumers love.

OUYA’s creators provide an exciting opportunity to allow those with incredible developing talents to finally generate console games, without requiring a license and expensive software. The platform of social gaming is much more developer-friendly, bringing mobile games to an entirely new forum for television play. The only catch is that some of what the developers offer has to be free-to-play, with offers of upgrades and subscriptions for those gamers who just cannot get enough.

It may be open development for amateur creators, but that is not to say that bigger names have not pledged to support OUYA. Shadowrun Online, Final Fantasy III, Saturday Morning RPG and other prominent developers have already committed to this new game console, with many more to come. OnLive has also partnered with OUYA, which will allow users to stream their favorite PC games. Not only that, but OUYA will be capable of streaming videos, music, sports and other popular multimedia.

This small multimedia Android cube has a lot to offer. It can be pre-ordered at an affordable $99, which includes both the OUYA and a controller. The device is able to stream games directly to your television, using a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 8GB of internal flash storage. Gaming has also never been easier with the innovative controller, complete with buttons, triggers, analog sticks, a directional pad and a touchpad.

The pioneering OUYA has certainly brought some excitement to the gaming world. It will hit the market in April of 2013, but is already available for pre-order. With hardware costs low and using an open development source, the OUYA is the gaming technology of the future. USUnlocked makes the OUYA easy to obtain, providing shipping to international customers who are interested in this new gaming experience.

It's 2012 and end-of-the-world scenarios appear to be on the minds of most Americans. Fortunately for all us who love those moments of heart-stopping terror, and with the recent premiere of the much-anticipated 3rd season of The Walking Dead, the undead are what it’s all about. The zombie apocalypse is by far the favorite end-of-the-world scenario, and everybody's planning for survival.

So after you've stored enough food for the next 20 years, stockpiled enough medical supplies in your underground hidden bunker and filled endless rooms with guns and other weapons, why not practice your survival skills with State of Decay?

Microsoft Game Studios has not issued an official release date for State of Decay, but it will be available for Xbox 360 / Xbox LIVE Arcade and eventually for PCs too. Created by Undead Labs, another horde of zombie fanatics out of Seattle, State of Decay takes single-player action games to a new level. The graphics are exceptional, and the game develops in real time, ever-changing, based on the choices you make. If this vast open world filled with NPCs to rescue, cars to drive, numerous towns to pillage and plenty of zombies to kill isn't enough, this 3rd-person perspective will fill hours of your time, as you develop strategies to preserve the safety of your group of survivors.

Your adventure starts in a chaotic afterworld. You select your character at the beginning and continue through the game, meeting and choosing people to become allies with. All the characters progress differently, each with varying stats and strengths. You can take turns being each character, but when they die, they die for good. One of the most exciting features of State of Decay is the ability to play on the side of good and of evil. When one of your characters is killed, you continue in the game as one of the undead!

The depth of the game is incredible. Base building, as well as population control, is a large part of the game so it's important that you befriend characters who will be useful to you. You can choose where and what kind of base you have, the garden, and how to lead the people in your newly-recreated society. Together, you will seek out food, ammunition, medical supplies and more in a world that seems to extend for eternity with stumbling, frothing-at-the-mouth Zeds around every corner.

Whether you are working on your base, negotiating with others you encounter or fighting off zombies, there is never a dull moment in the apocalypse. In order to successfully navigate through the enormous map as well as the limitless choices and situations, the player must be aware of his or her effect on the state of decay that surrounds them. So, gather your defenses, train your own militia and create as many supply chains as possible because no one knows when the end really will come.

At this point you may think that you’ve got World of Warcraft all figured out. Of course there have been new adventures, but you’ve been there and done that. Or so you thought. World of Warcraft has changed things up a bit, and there are new surprises to behold. The best part is that you don’t even have to contain your excitement, because the new game is already available.

World of Warcraft (WoW) is an extensive multiplayer online game that has fascinated gamers for seven years. This time around, the creators have unveiled the hidden continent of Pandaria, where the Pandaren martial artists dwell. A terrible evil lies within their midst, and it is up to you to protect them from their hidden past.

Within Mists of Pandaria, there are many added features that gamers will appreciate. It is even more elaborate with 90 levels, as well as the addition of a new Monk class. Mastery of the Monk’s powers will unlock several new skills, such as the ability to replenish spiritual energies, unyielding strength and incredible attack maneuvers. The Jade Forest, Kun-Lai Summit and the Mogu’shan Vaults are all captivating areas of Pandaria just waiting to be explored.

Although the new skill levels are great, what is most fascinating about this innovative world is that it contains the first neutral race in WoW history. As a member of the Pandaren, you have the choice to side with either the Horde or the Alliance, as you defend Pandaria. This is quite a change from previous editions.

There are also several add-ons for those WoW fans interested in more than just the new Mists of Pandaria. Within the collector’s edition, there is a behind-the-scenes DVD and Blue-ray, a soundtrack CD, an art book, a mouse pad, and an exclusive in-game pet and mount. If you prefer digital copies, the same bonus items are accessible through digital download purchases. The standard version is available, with the opportunity to purchase the additional items at a later time.

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria was released in the United States, September 25, and is on the shelves, ready for you to experience the wonder of Pandaria. This game is available in various languages, but the date of availability in those countries is unknown. With US Unlocked, you don’t have to wait a moment longer. International customers have access to all of the items they desire that are not available outside the U.S., which means you can start helping the Pandaren sooner than later.

 

Although being left on a hostile planet at the beginning of the original Borderlands was a bit of a downer, the life of shooting and looting that emerged was entertaining, to say the least. Your character of choice would roam Pandora, annihilating whatever aggressive beast or man crossed your path. Unfortunately, the characters, as well as the environment, fell a little flat. Luckily, Borderlands 2 introduces a Pandora that is impossible to resist.

Borderlands 2, released on September 18, is packed with new surprises that will please any gamer. First of all, there are several new characters that add more than a few laughs to the game. The writing is clever and in-depth, and you will find that the residents of Pandora have some interesting things to say, whether it be a witty remark or scathing insult. Writers were also kind enough to include the tangles of relationships and heartfelt emotions that create a world that is almost too real.

The conversations you find yourself engaged with may be slightly distracting, but there are benefits to veering off course. Borderlands 2 consists of numerous side missions that offer a fully developed gaming experience. There are attractive loot and experience rewards, varying degrees of difficulty and concentration, and fascinating skill trees that will keep you coming back for more.

This creative new game also makes some exciting changes to its cast. Handsome Jack is the perfect antagonist for Pandora, and characters such as Tiny Tina are frightfully dangerous and amusing at the same time. New enemies add a challenge as well, such as the bandit who gains strength with every kill. Your own character also comes with a better wardrobe, as well as a wider arsenal that is essential to more proficient looting.

Using the four main characters available, individual gamers can occupy themselves for a while, but this game really comes to life when played cooperatively. The online split-screen or co-op allows you to play with friends and utilize multiple character skills simultaneously. A new item-trading mechanism, as well as the ability to skip levels already completed by a partner, makes online gaming even more enticing.

The world of Pandora is surprisingly interactive and challenging, with all the plundering and battles that any gamer could possibly desire. Although this game is available for several consoles, it is the Xbox 360 that offers the best package. With your Microsoft points, you can purchase a Live membership and play online with other Borderlands 2 enthusiasts. For those not within the U.S., you can still access the world of Pandora through USUnlocked.