If Street Fighter is a game of chess, with carefully chosen strategies played out in a precise and careful manner, then Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is like backgammon. Backgammon starring massive robots with eyes made of rockets that can shoot lasers into your brain, bombarding you with lightning-fast attacks while dressed in skin-tight clothing that would put a glamour model to shame. Roughly speaking.

The Marvel Vs Capcom games, like all of the versus games over the years, have always been more about crazy over-the-top action, super-stylish and comedic characters and screen-filling moves. It’s what sets them apart from other fighting games and gives them such broad appeal. It’s also one of the few occasions a Marvel fan can pit different super heroes against each other, and it’s certainly the only chance you have to pit Capcom characters against Marvel characters (even though everyone knows Capcom characters are the best). Just seeing it in action is probably enough for you to know whether or not you want to play it but, for some, it looks overwhelming and you haven’t really played a fighting game for years.

Here are my top 10 tips for newcomers to the Marvel Vs Capcom series:

1. Take the time to mess around with all the different characters. Some of the characters that have never been in a fighting game before have some really interesting moves, and even characters that you think you know inside out – like Ryu – have something new to play around with. Experiment so that you know you have the right team.
2. Don’t be afraid to use Simple Mode. It may make inputs easier, but winning a game of Marvel Vs Capcom 3 isn’t about who can do the most complicated moves, it’s about strategy and tactics.
3. It’s ok to block sometimes. Honestly. If you never block, you’ll never beat somebody who does block. Not losing health is as important as dealing damage. And since you’re blocking…
4. Use Advancing Guard! It’s easy to forget it’s there as an option when you start out. Just press the attack buttons when you’re already blocking and you’ll push your opponent away. Advancing Guard is a great way to make some space when your opponent is attacking relentlessly.
5. Don’t mash! It’s easier said than done, but if you don’t stop mashing, you’ll never learn how to play fighting games. It’s like that eureka moment when you suddenly realise that you have to brake early in Gran Turismo to get round a corner; that temporary sacrifice of instant gratification opens up an entire genre of gaming to you. And there’s never been a better time to get into fighting games. Instead, learn the basic Light Mid Heavy chain. Almost all the characters can use it to link into pretty much anything. It’s easy to do, and is a good replacement for the mashing that you’ve just given up.
6. Learn the timing for launching. The trick is to jump IMMEDIATELY after hitting the S button. And don’t forget to combo in the air.
7. Don’t be intimidated by Mission Mode. They’re meant to span the entire range of skills a good MvC3 player will have after extended play. If you only make it to the third or fourth mission, don’t be disheartened. You’ll be surprised how soon you’ll be coming back to smash previously insurmountable walls.
8. Don’t rage quit! It will increase a hidden rating you have that increases your chances of meeting other people that rage quit. Which, I guess, is fine if you don’t mind playing with dishonourable people.
9. Have fun! It’s easy to get involved in discussions on which character is the best, and to feel that your character choice is one of the weaker ones. Remember, ‘tiering’, as it’s called, is determined by tournament players, and you might not even be able to take advantage of the things they’re doing with a certain character to make them top tier. Make your choices based on characters that you like, both from how they play and how they look. In the end you’ll enjoy your game more and who knows, maybe one day you’ll become the player people associate with that character. Many players make a name for themselves by playing with ‘weaker’ characters.
10. And finally, always make sure your team synchronise their outfits. Red Hulk with red She Hulk and Viewtiful Joe makes a great team. So does Captain America, Chun Li and blue Iron Man. If you’re not colour co-ordinated, you’re nothing.

Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is available on PS3 tomorrow so grab it and follow these tips to make an early impact on the online arena. Tell us: which three-fighter team-up will you be using?

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Hello all,

The most interesting fact about this month’s issue is that there’s a preview of True Crime: Hong Kong. Yep, the one that just got whacked. Either Activision changed their mind real quick or somebody didn’t get the memo. They flew our writer over to the US to meet the devs and see the game in action. Just before they canned it.

Anyway, let’s forget that sadness and move on to all the great stuff that is happening in the issue, which looks like this.

The biggest thing this issue by far is our look at The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. We’ve been out to Bethesda to see it in action and interview director Todd Howard. The game looks huge, with an utterly jaw dropping world to explore. It also heads up our feature on the future of fantasy on PS3, with Dragon Age II and the Lord of The Rings: The War in the North amongst others.

After months of leaks and rumours the PSP2, or NGP to its friends, has finally been revealed. Firstplay’s Nathan Ditum was in Tokyo for the launch event and got a personal demonstration from Shuhei Yoshida, the president of Sony Worldwide Studios, before getting hands on with Uncharted and a few other titles. The handheld looks incredible so here’s where you find out all about it from someone who’s played it.

I’m actually reviewing Homefront right now but I can’t tell you anything just yet. That’s for next issue. Instead, editor Ben has been playing it and interviewed the lead designer Chris Cross (yep, that really is his name). Ben’s written up his thoughts on THQ’s shooter head of next issue’s review. A pre-review, almost. Or preview, even.

The last highlight this month is our DC Universe Online review. Still not convinced about taking the plunge with PlayStation’s first MMORPG? (That’s Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game just in case you weren’t sure. (I know, I’m sure someone was embarrassed to ask.) I’ve spent quite some time flying around in tights; foiling fiends and punching monkeys. And if you want that last bit explained you’ll have to read the review.

Aside from all that there’s plenty to keep you busy. We talk to the MotorStorm Apocalypse director about how Evolution Studios helped build Sony’s 3D dream, and check out the future of three dimensions. We also round up Amazon’s dumbest reviewers – one star for Dead Space? Really? We get Killzone 3‘s Hermen Hulst to answer ten questions for us, play through Portal 2′s co-op campaign with one of GamesRader, plus there’s more on Uncharted 3, LA Noire, Crysis 2, Bodycount and poor old True Crime. Oh, true Crime, we never even knew you…

Don’t forget, you can talk to the team directly through our Facebook page here http://www.facebook.com/OfficialPlayStationMagazine where we’ll feed you all the latest info, pics and videos as we get them. Plus we’ll answer questions and generally hang out on Twitter, too, at Twitter.com/OPM_UK. You can also email us directly at OPM@Futurenet.com

The issue’s on sale now for £5.99 with a playable demo disk. Or you can save up 50% if you subscribe to http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/gaming/official-playstation-magazine-subscription/.

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If you hear strange noises in the dark, or if a strange figure roams your house. Who you gonna call?

Exactly! However, don’t be surprised if a whole new team of Ghostbusters rings your bell. The old crew is a bit tired of carrying around their heavy proton packs all over NYC, so they decided to hire a group of rookies to help them out, especially now that a huge wave of paranormal activity has been hitting the city in the last few weeks.

Introducing Allan, Bridget, Samuel and Gabriel, the new ghost bustin’ team here to clear the overwhelmed city of New York from the ectoplasmic infestation. They have a whole new arsenal of cool prototype weapons that Egon has been designing over the past decade. Egon’s and Ray’s studies on paranormal entities have revealed that ectoplasm can be charged with different sub-atomic charges, making ghosts weaker to different energy frequencies. To keep it simple, there are 3 different weapons each stronger against a particular kind of enemy. You will identify them by their color. Match the color of the weapon’s beam with the color of the enemy and you’ll get a sure bust. Also these new weapons together with the enhanced Proton Stream completely disintegrate minor entities so you don’t have to worry about tossing your trap every 2 minutes. However, when facing larger menaces, the trap will be your only sure solution.

Disintegrated ghosts will usually leave a small trail of ectoplasmic residue that can be absorbed by the team’s proton pack built-in Energy Syphon.

In some situations, the energy left behind by the ghosts will be so powerful that they can power up some of the other energy consuming features of the Proton Pack, like the Ectoplasmic Shield, the Power Enhancer or Nano-massage Health Recovery system.

Now it’s time for you to jump in and take control of one of these rookies and start clearing New York from these hideous ghosts and horrific specters. Face the threats by yourself with the help of an A.I. controlled squad, or team up with up to three friends to blast your way on either local or online multiplayer and find out who is the best Ghostbuster. Because we all know, bustin’ makes us feel good.

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There is such an eclectic mix of new items in this week’s update that I am struggling to spin a narrative thread to link it all together, so I’ll just dive straight in.

If you’ve completed Dead Space 2 on Zealot difficulty, then you have my respect and permission to wear the Isaac Prototype Suit – available in male and female variations from Alter Ego – around Home Square with pride. For the rest of you, Alter Ego is also offering what they only describe as “Literally The Most Colourful Suit in the World”.

In the Loot store, we have the Mad Scientist Starter Kit, which includes a wall and floor of flashing LEDs and two Ghostbusters computer consoles, while the nDreams store is offering four posters and a tentacle ornament based on the film ‘Monsters’, released earlier this year. In the Furniture Store, we have a range of Blue Toad Murder Files themed knick-knacks, including a Toad Seat and a Cow Sofa.

In Home Stuff we have a selection of animated animals, including a dog, horse, rabbit, hamster and a snake.

Finally, there’s another batch of content from Lockwood, which I’ll let them introduce:

“Are you rugged, responsible and hard-wearing? Do you enjoy the weight of responsibility and the air of authority? Well this week’s Lockwood Catalogue update has got you in its sights; weighed, measured, assessed and ready for action.”

“After the recent Helghast visitation to Home Plaza everyone could do with a little peace of mind, so why not increase the peace as a handy security guard? Perfect for patrolling any club space, or keeping the riff raff out of a VIP event, the Perilward Security Guard Outfit has everything for the modern security professional including the rugged boots and combats, heavy duty torch, headset and Security T-shirt with ID tag.”

Speaking of the Helghast invasion, this week is the last opportunity to pick up those precious Unlock Points to use in Killzone 3.

There you have it. Do your thing, as ever, in the comments.

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Today, Sony Computer Entertainment released the following statement:

Important Access to the PlayStation Network and Access to Qriocity Services Notice

Unauthorized circumvention devices for the PlayStation 3 system have been recently released by hackers.

These devices permit the use of unauthorized or pirated software. Use of such devices or software violates the terms of the “System Software License Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System” and the “Terms of Services and User Agreement” for the PlayStation Network/Qriocity and its Community Code of Conduct provisions.

Violation of the System Software Licence Agreement for the PlayStation 3 System invalidates the consumer guarantee for that system. In addition, copying or playing pirated software is a violation of International Copyright Laws.

Consumers using circumvention devices or running unauthorized or pirated software will have access to the PlayStation Network and access to Qriocity services through PlayStation 3 System terminated permanently.

To avoid this, consumers must immediately cease use and remove all circumvention devices and delete all unauthorized or pirated software from their PlayStation 3 systems.

What this means to you

Circumvention devices and game piracy damage our industry and can potentially injure the online experience for you, our loyal PlayStation customers, via hacks and cheats.

Many PlayStation.Blog readers have asked how we intend to deal with these incidents that they have been reading about in the gaming press, and this is our initial response.

By identifying PlayStation 3 systems that breach our guidelines and terminating their ability to connect to PlayStation Network, we are protecting our business and preserving the honest gameplay experiences that you expect and deserve.

Rest assured, this message does not apply to the overwhelming majority of our users who enjoy the world of entertainment PlayStation 3 has to offer without breaching the guidelines detailed above, and we urge you to continue doing so without fear.

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