<p>Finally, the holiday season is really kicking into gear! If you&#8217;re lucky enough to snag a vacation, there&#8217;s plenty of games to play or to buy as gifts for a lucky someone. The Steam Winter Sale and Humble Indie Bundle should help those of you with a low wallet find something affordable AND fun for a friend. There&#8217;s also plenty of nice media, including an impressive montage of some of 2012&#8217;s best games and a cinematic of the best way to money grind in Ocarina of Time.</p>
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<p>A lot has happened over the past week, and the debate about violence in video games, gun control, and psychological support has intensified following the Sandy Hook incident. Again, everyone at Explosion gives their heartfelt support to those affected by the tragic shooting.</p>
<p>Whatever your religious beliefs happen to be this season (Christian, Jewish, Pastafarian, etc.), make sure to have some fun! I will personally be enjoying some Saturnalia treats and finishing up my redstone Greensleeves melody on my Minecraft server before the 25th rolls around!</p>
<p><strong>Media:</strong><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clmxatK9P3k&;feature=player_embedded">2012 In Gaming: The Year in Under 2 Minutes </a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXmMQJMFL_I&;feature=player_embedded">Freddiew : Legend of Zelda: Pot Smasher </a><br />
<a href="http://game.katieandbarry.com/">Save the Date! – Marriage announcement in the form of a game. </a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/legocy/8292001691/">Cortana: A Holographic Mosaic </a><br />
<a href="http://www.explodingrabbit.com/news/super-mario-bros-crossover-2-1-released">Super Mario Bros Crossover 2.1 </a><br />
Dark Souls II Concept Art Surfaces<br />
<a href="http://watchdog.org/64856/montanas-schweitzer-blames-violent-video-games-after-school-massacre/">Montana’s Governor Schweitzer Blames Violent Video Games for School Massacre </a><br />
<a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/12/21/eca-responds-to-nra-blaming-sandy-hook-on-video-games.aspx">ECA Responds to NRA Blaming Sandy Hook on Video Games</a><br />
<a href="http://www.humblebundle.com/">Humble Indie Bundle 7 Now Live</a><br />
<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/">Steam Winter Sale Begins</a><br />
<a href="http://www.capcom-unity.com/djay/blog/2012/12/18/you-can-own-dantes-crimson-stoned-pendant">Capcom Releases Dante’s Crimson-stoned Pendant </a></p>
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<p><strong>Game News &; Rumors:</strong><br />
<a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/12/18/godus-can-be-played-offline.aspx">Godus Can be Played Offline </a><br />
<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/sound-shapes/videos/sound-shapes-holiday-pack-trailer-6401762/">Sound Shapes Releases Free Holiday Sound Pack</a><br />
<a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/thqs-bankruptcy-filing-reveals-new-games-from-darksiders-assassins-creed-creators/">Bankruptcy Filing Reveals 4 New THQ Games</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/zkqkOaw6Usrx5vshH6-a20Y4zaRsRekx">Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Gets Release Date</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Android/Superbrothers%3A+Sword+%26+Sworcery+EP/news.asp?c=47466">Superbrothers: Sword &; Sworcery Now Available for Android Devices</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDhcrgBSM2U">Chaos Chronicles Trailer </a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&;v=60zmVrtIBzw">First Few Minutes of Bioshock Infinite </a><br />
<a href="http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/47381/bully-midnight-club-3-and-red-dead-revolver-now-available-on-psn.html">Bully, Midnight Club 3, and Red Dead Redemption Available on PSN for $9.99 Each </a><br />
<a href="http://totalgamingnetwork.com/content.php?508-The-War-Z-Removed-from-Steam-Store-After-Valve-Investigation-into-Wrongful-Community-Bans-and-Censorship">The War Z Removed from Steam Store </a><br />
<a href="http://earthboundcentral.com/2012/12/itoi-announces-mother-developments/">Itoi Announces New MOTHER Developments </a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUyb-zzA5Bo">New FF14 Gameplay </a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ8U45OuXs0">Alternative Metal Gear Solid 5 (The Phantom Pain) Trailer </a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FHRAVGMf0Y">Lightning Returns – FF13 Extended Debut Trailer </a><br />
Survivor Zero Releases First Trailer<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1C2JSqNRxs">Battlefield 3 – End Game Trailer </a><br />
Unabashed Rumor: Majora’s Mask Fans Will See a 3DS Release </p>
<p><strong>Development &; Interviews:</strong><br />
<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/16/square-enix-confirms-layoff-rumors-denies-any-impact-on-mmo-ope/">Square Enix Confirms Layoff Rumors </a><br />
Deadspace 3 Devblog: Dead Space, Dementia, and Punishing Heroes<br />
<a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/dayz/comments/154fl0/in_light_of_the_recent_events_surrounding_warz_i/c7jd1cb">Day Z Creator Comments on War Z Controversy </a><br />
<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/capcom-europe-coo-david-reeves-stepping-down/">Capcom Europe’s COO Steps Down</a><br />
<a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-12-17-gamespy-blames-publishers-for-old-pc-games-losing-its-service">GameSpy Blames Publishers for Old PC Games Losing Support </a><br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/0ygZCDoCVec">Reset – Atmosphere Tech WIP Demo </a><br />
<a href="http://www.linkdeadgaming.com/20-questions-with-ryan-dancey-from-goblinworks-about-pathfinder-online/"> Interview with Ryan Dancey about Pathfinder Online </a><br />
<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnyegriffiths/2012/12/19/thq-files-for-bankruptcy-promises-no-disruption/">THQ Files For Bankruptcy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ubisoft-plots-thq-bid/0108645">Ubisoft Wants to Buy THQ </a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/business/bobby-kotick-of-activision-drawing-praise-and-wrath.html?hp=&;adxnnl=1&;adxnnlx=1355667710-D2WKmqjpF6ogupXgsuLi6w">NYT Profile of Activision CEO Bobby Kotick </a></p>
<p><strong>New Game Releases:</strong><br />
Avatar Karting 2 | XBOX360<br />
Bit.Trip Void | PC<br />
Castle Dracula | PC<br />
Deep Eclipse | PC<br />
Dino Storm | PC<br />
Field Goal Contest | XBOX360<br />
Fluidity: Spin Cycle | 3DS<br />
Final Fantasy II | Android<br />
Final Fantasy IV | iPhone<br />
Final Fantasy Dimensions | Android<br />
Goooooal Europa 2012 | DS<br />
Johnny Impossible | 3DS<br />
Motto! Shunkan Jump Kentei | DS<br />
Prize Drive | XBOX360<br />
Shadows on the Vatican – Act II: Wrath | PC<br />
Wizard Defenders | DS<br />
Zombie Driver HD | PC</p>

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