Gareth Von Kallenbach, GiN Staff

Gareth is a syndicated film and DVD reviewer and radio host who has spoken at cons for the past 5 years. He is the creator of www.sknr.net and writes for over 20 publications. In addition to his film work, Gareth is active in the design, testing, marketing, and promotion of computer and video games, as he has worked in the gaming industry for years and continues to do so on a professional basis as well as in his journalist capacity.

Recent Posts

Interviews

Building Rome

When LucasArts began to diversify again by publishing a slate of non-Star Wars titles, Gladius was at the top of the lineup. No expense was spared in the creation of books and materials to let people and the press know about the game during its creation. Now that it has been released, the turn-based gladiator combat game has been winning both accolades and a huge base of players. GiN challenged Robert Blackadder of LucasArts to field questions about how Gladius came into being, and of LucasArts' new diverse portfolio. GiN: How did the idea for Gladius come about? Blackadder: I wanted to … Continue reading Building Rome →

Game Review - SWAT: Global Strike Team

SWAT Hits the Spot

In the year 2018 a new breed of officer is needed to battle crisis on a global scale. As officer Kincaid, players will be put in charge of a team for the new SWAT Global strike Team. Starting in basic training, players will learn that this is not all fun and games and the job you are preparing for is a very serious one with deadly repercussions should you or any of your team fail. With 21 Solo Play missions and 10 Multiplay missions, the need for team cohesion is vital. SWAT has a dynamic voice system that allows players … Continue reading SWAT Hits the Spot →

Game Review - Lethal Skies II

PS2 skies get lethal

In the near future, pilots battle for control of a war-torn planet. Lethal Skies II puts players inside the cockpits of a vast array of sleek and deadly fighter planes as they battle-opposing forces for control. Players have 19 planes at their disposal and over 20 missions to plane ion both solo and linked play ability. Each craft has its own strengths and weaknesses such as speed, firepower, and agility and players will soon find themselves realizing that firepower is not always the key to success. Missions usually follow the seek and destroy variety and are varied by the settings … Continue reading PS2 skies get lethal →

Game Review - Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

The Force Strikes Back

With the pending release of Star Wars Episode III, Star Wars fans the world over have been whipped into a veritable frenzy with the promise of further adventures and merchandise based on that famous Galaxy far, far away. With great anticipation, I like many other gamers awaited the release of the new game Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy from the creative minds at Raven Software and Lucasarts. The game is a 3D shooter that is set ten years after "Return of the Jedi" when the New Republic is being menaced by the evil remnant of the Empire that seeks to reclaim … Continue reading The Force Strikes Back →

Game Review - Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter

Mace Marries Shooters and Space Flight

In the deep recesses of space, a man has come looking for answers and seeking revenge. The man is Mace Griffin, a former member of the elite Ranger squadron has just returned from prison after being framed for the loss of his team ten years earlier. Mace takes work as a bounty hunter in an effort to gain information on who has set him up. The game unfolds in a series of missions that are punctuated by cut scenes as missions are assigned at various locations such as space stations that are teaming with activity. Innovatively blending the action of … Continue reading Mace Marries Shooters and Space Flight →

Interviews

Devoted to the cause

Blood Transfusion to save aging game Although some games like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City get the largest share of the game industry's revenue, there are many quality programs of note as well that don't get very much press. Then there is the Blood Transfusion project, which in all likelihood, you have never even heard about. The Blood Transfusion project is made up of a group of talented programmers who are devoted to a classic game: Blood. When Blood first came out for the PC, it was a masterpiece of visual programming. Lots of people were turned off by the … Continue reading Devoted to the cause →