The last day of the Eurogamer Expo was rounded off with a live version of the Eurogamer’s podcast, featuring a number of indie game developers as well as some Eurogamer staff.

The main topic was, as to be expected with the guests, indie gaming. Smaller sub-topics were discussed such as what indie meant to the developers sitting up on stage, that the only real difference between AAA studios and indie developers was the need for indies to be ‘out there’ more, how new media and social networks could be a double-edged sword at times, allowing for that important word-of-mouth marketing while leaving themselves open to anonymous backlash and how indie gaming has risen from being practically nothing to carving out a sizeable niche in the gaming community.

Though really, it’s impossible for me to write an article that does this podcast justice. Just watch the video below.

Guests were:

(@vics_viper) Martin Robinson – Features Editor for Eurogamer
(@edstern) Ed Stern – Splash Damage
(@vlambeer)Ramil Ismail – Vlambeer
(@mikebithell)Mike Bithell – Thomas Was Alone
(@roll_7)John Ribbens – Roll7
(@wyp100)Wesley Yin-Pool – Eurogamer News Editor

It’s really not as stupid as it sounds – but you still probably won’t want to buy one.

When I heard word Nintendo were due to release a version of their popular 3DS console that didn’t have 3D, I thought I was just hearing crazy rumours and it couldn’t possibly be real. Yet that’s exactly what Nintendo chose to reveal this 29th of September. “Why release a version of a console whose whole gimmick is a glasses-less 3D experience; and remove the 3D? Are they MAD?!?” But then when I thought about it, I realised actually, it makes sense after all – for a certain market, that is.

The Nintendo 2DS is, like the name implies, a new alternative to the 3DS which forgoes the 3D effect. It’s functionally equivalent to the 3DS and plays both 3DS and DS games, so it’s wrong to call it a “new” handheld console – like the Wii had the Wii Mini, this is effectively a trimmed-down redesign of the original concept. For the first time since the original DS in 2006, the new Nintendo 3DS foregoes a clamshell design and goes back to being a single, solid surface not unlike a tablet computer. Rumours suggest that to save costs, the dual screens that define the “DS” part of the entire line are in this console a single touchscreen, with the output of both screens carefully positioned onto separate segments. The plastic bevel hides the unused screen areas giving the illusion of two screens; while also disabling touch for the upper section as only the bottom screen of a DS/3DS has ever supported touch. Other changes include: L and R buttons with a more rounded profile so they can be easily reached (given your hands will have further to stretch); a Sleep switch on the bottom right replacing “closing the lid” on the previous handhelds; and the controls repositioned to the centre of both sides where the screens separate – a change that, unfortunately, has led to the removal of the right speaker from the console, though Stereo output is still possible via headphones.

So, it’s a bulky, flat device with less speakers and reduced portability. Why would you ever want that?

I’ll give you the one reason the 2DS makes sense: Kids playing 3D games. Until now, Nintendo has had real difficulty touting 3DS games and consoles to younger children, a market it has always excelled with before. This is because of the 3D effect itself. Due to the potential of eye strain from watching two images merged together (which is, in basic terms, how stereoscopic 3D works), children under 7 are not advised to use the 3DS with the 3D effect on, for their own health. The problem is, while parents can avoid buying games that use the 3D effect; or can switch it off with the slider on the console’s side, the console’s own built-in software uses the 3D effect and turning it back on is just a case of sliding the switch back up – so a younger child, who probably won’t understand the health risk, can easily be exposed to the unsuitable 3D effect. Therefore, Nintendo can’t target the console or its games to young children, closing it off from one of its best markets – parents buying games for kids. With a new handheld console, with the same features of the 3DS but without the 3D effect as a rule, Nintendo finally make this market their own once again.

Additionally, the lack of hinges on the 2DS, by making it a flat, single surface device, make it less fragile – and we all know how children are with electronics, always dropping them. (On the downside, as the device is permanently open, the screens are always exposed to damage – which Nintendo is resolving by proposing owners also purchase a carry case for the device or screen protectors.) The October 12, 2013 release date of the 2DS – the same day as Pokémon X and Y launches globally – cements the fact that this is a console for the younger children.

The clincher? You can get the new console for just £110 from many UK retailers – significantly less than any 3DS version currently available.

However, those older players like myself – who can take advantage of the 3D effect and which don’t find it causing headaches for them – yet don’t have a 3DS already, might just find the 2DS a bit of a hard sell. While it may support the same games; have the same two internal cameras; the same features; wireless capability and so on, the chunky, non-portable build and the stretch it will cause to press the L and R buttons may be a turn-off, as well as the single speaker; and 3D DOES help to improve the graphics and playability of a fair few titles.

Unless you’re money-conscious, a young child, or concerned about the 3D effect, the Nintendo 2DS is probably best avoided. But if you ARE any of those, you now have an option. And THAT is where the logical insanity of Nintendo makes sense. You’re always welcome at the Sanitarium, Nintendo 😉

Ubisoft Montreal’s trailer for Watch_Dogs, which has been viewed countless times in the last many months – indeed, even at the Eurogamer Developers Presentation today they admitted they’d “seen it way too many times now” (not seen it yourself? YouTube to the rescue!) – makes a big deal of how technology has evolved in ten years, talking about how in 2003, a computer virus blacked out a whole district for a day and led to four people dying; and now ten years later, everything is computerised and a whole town could be hacked by just one individual. Indeed, technology HAS moved fast, even in just half that time. Watch_Dogs is a game that’s been in development for over five years, originally under the codename “Nexus”. Even part of the game’s original logo appears on protagonist Aiden Pearce’s face covering.

However, speaking at Eurogamer, Ubisoft explain that despite the futuristic undertones, Watch_Dogs isn’t as made up as it seems, explaining that in five years technology has evolved from traditional computers to smartphones. “What was the next step up from Smartphones? Smart Cities. It sounds futuristic, but it’s already happening”, citing examples of certain Asian cities investing in city-wide computer networks ahead of the Olympics and other major events. But Watch_Dogs doesn’t take place in Asia – rather, it’s based in modern-day Chicago. Ubisoft cite the reason for this as because Chicago is a large town that’s always evolving; indeed, the Chicago that rose after the Great Fire of Chicago hardly resembles its predecessor. “Every time Chicago has rebuilt, they bring in something new that evolves the town. That was one part of choosing Chicago as the setting. … Another aspect is the density. You need to build chaos. Chicago has complete second layers on the ground, for example intersections where roads go under worlds. No flat world.”

Watch_Dogs tells the story of Aiden Pearce, a vigilante who fears the evolution of a city-wide computer network threatens him and his family. He finds ways to hack the computer network; and using his phone or computer terminals to control it, makes it work for him; uses it to get out of trouble; or gets information about criminals and bad activity around him. Described in Concept Art as “a hero by any means necessary”, Ubisoft explain they take “vigilante” to have a different meaning to the standard assumptions, explaining that when people think of vigilantes, there’s extremes: Many people think of characters like Batman, caped crusaders who deal justice alone; but it’s also true of less “good” characters like Dexter from the TV drama – a serial killer who targets the guilty, thus helping the law but not being part of the law and breaking the law himself with murder. “Aiden is in the middle between Dexter and Batman – Aiden is neither a good guy, nor a bad guy; he’s just taking justice into his own hands to protect him and his family.”

Essentially, Watch_Dogs makes a game of dynamic events and always thinking on your toes. Aiden is constantly aware of his surroundings. For example he always tries to keep his gun concealed; and walks in a relaxed manner, so he doesn’t draw attention. “There’s a lot of different ways to handle a situation. For example, say you have a reputation; and you walk into a shop and while you’re there, a police notice flashes up on screen with your face. One NPC who sees you might try to call the cops. You could shoot him, but then you might attract attention and suddenly there’s two other people calling the cops – then it’s four other people. You can ignore it, but then the cops know where you are and others might call in too as they notice. But if you jam the communications, no-one can make a call. And if you just flash your gun, you might intimidate the first person into thinking twice about making the call himself.”

“Everything is about dynamism. If you’re in an open world and you plan to give people control, everything has to be connected. … A living city has to be heavily pushed. You need to see people interacting, living. … You’re going to escalate matters based on the choices you make; and there’s nothing more satisfying than barely surviving a situation you create because of good, or sometimes bad, choices. So an emphasis is always on choices and consequences … meanings to things.” Later, Ubisoft added: “Nothing is separate elements. Everything is connected.”

This connected focus extends to the game’s multiplayer. Even when playing solo, you are never really alone. Others can potentially join your own games; and just like anyone on the street, you can hack them to get information on and connections from them; but they can do the same to you. As the crowd brought up concerns of griefing, however, Ubisoft explained this has been thought about and will be solved by a Firewall mechanic. All your technology will be protected by a firewall; but if you hack another player, you let down your own defences. When YOU get hacked, however, the firewall goes back on and you can’t be ganged up on by others. Ubisoft plan to adjust the Firewall mechanic based on player feedback. The people who enjoy the challenge may find themselves hacked more often, those who can’t cope will get stronger protection. You can turn it off completely too; but then you’re missing out on what they describe as “a cool additional gameplay experience.”

We’ll leave it to Ubisoft Montreal to have the final words (though these may be somewhat paraphrased):

“It’s absolutely possible to act all the time as you play; so you can think every two seconds. As you play more you’ll think more, and the game will feel fresher. You’ll start thinking more about escape routes as you’re just moving around; avoiding cops if you draw attention etc. – and the game will always feel like something new. That’s what makes our game something truly new.”

Watch_Dogs will hit Windows PCs, PlayStation 3 & 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U, with release dates ranging from November 15 to November 29, 2013 depending on platform and region. Here in the UK, all releases except PS4 will be on November 22, 2013; with the PS4 a week later.

With Pokémon X and Y now just a month or so away, it won’t be very long until the entire world gets to discover a whole new region, with all new Pokémon – as well as all the old guard – on a 3D hand-held console for the first time. Surprisingly however, with so little time to go until the launch of the games, there’s still a huge amount we don’t know about the content of the games and the Pokédex within them – and of course, that makes the hardcore fans ever more impatient. Thanks to new leaks published by CoroCoro two days ago and since confirmed by Nintendo, however, we now have some more details to go on – so sit tight as we bring you up to speed:

Pokémon with multiple appearances

Although genders of Pokémon go back as far as the second generation of Pokémon games (and arguably to the very beginning of the whole franchise if you consider the Nidoran family), it wasn’t until Generation IV – with Diamond and Pearl entering the scene – that Pokémon of different genders started taking on different appearances. However, in nine games up to now, very few Pokémon have taken advantage of this mechanic; many either appearing exactly the same in both genders; or having such subtle changes as to be almost indistinguishable.

While it’s still possible for this to remain the case for the bulk of Pokémon being introduced in X and Y, two of the latest leaked Pokémon suggest some attempt to put more emphasis on gender differences. First, take a look at Meowstics:

Not only are the genders physically different, they learn different powers based on their gender as well. Male Meowstic learns the psychic-type move Miracle Eye, while the female version learns Extrasensory. It’s not known if the same is true of this next example, however:

Male (left) and Female (right) Pyroar

Pyroar is a lion-like Pokémon in appearance; and like real lions, male specimens sport hair all around their neck. Unlike real lions, however, the female’s hair grows merely from its head in a long, flowing line.

Then there’s Furfrou, a Pokémon players can groom to their liking. Starting off as a basic white dog, different grooming techniques can turn it into one of two poodle-like variants; or cause its legs to grow orange fur:

(Ungroomed Furfrou extreme left)

Mewtwo’s X Forme

Now here’s a shocker. Newly revealed by Nintendo is a Mega Evolution for Pokémon’s oldest legendary, Mewtwo. “But wait!”, I hear you cry, “wasn’t that revealed MONTHS ago?” Yes, but here’s the kicker: there’s TWO forms of Mega Evolution for Mewtwo! The one we’ve known about for a long time will only be available in Pokémon Y. However, for those of you who ignored Yveltal and have chosen to get Pokémon X instead, your Mega Evolution for Mewtwo has a very different look:

“Sorry, Pokémon Y Players! You can only get THIS version of me with Mewtonite X!”

Apparently, the revelation of this new Forme has already caused many fans to re-evaluate their choice of game just weeks before the worldwide launch – go figure, huh?

Other Mega Evolutions

A surprise new entry to the list of Pokémon getting Mega Evolution is Garchomp – if only because some fans believe it to be already a highly overpowered Pokémon. Like many Mega Evolutions, the appearance change is subtle, but very noticeable:

Garchomp (left) and Mega Garchomp (right)

Starter Evolutions

Finally, the Generation 6 starters of Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie have grown up; and we’ve finally got to see their first evolutions. Froakie becomes a longer and slimmer frog with human-like arms, called Frogadier; Chespin becomes a chubby hedgehog called Quilladin (after the “quills” – or spikes – of a hedgehog) and has been compared to a grass version of either Emboar or Darumakka; while Fennekin becomes a more human-shape fox called Braixen.

It’s going to be one exciting month’s wait…

In just 20 minutes, Nintendo delivered a Pokémon conference that answered many questions those nostalgic about their current crop of Pokémon have longed to hear – with a little extra Pokémon news to boot – when they live broadcast a Pokémon Direct conference earlier at noon today. If you missed it, you can catch up with the video below – our summary is after the break.

Pokémon Bank

Satoru Iwata started the Direct with a nostalgia trip; before then moving on to what he feels is one of the biggest limitations in Pokémon games: Lack of storage. While all Pokémon games have always featured enough storage to have one of every Pokémon available at the time, they don’t accommodate well those who store multiple of the same Pokémon or like to specifically arrange their Pokémon due to the amount and sizes of boxes on offer. As mentioned later in the Direct, previous attempts to rectify this include Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire, which provided larger boxes stored to Gamecube if you connected up your GBA via a GBA-to-GC link cable; and for Gen IV, the probably best-forgotten My Pokémon Ranch.

For the newest generation, Nintendo is going one better. 3DS users will be able to download a software called Pokémon Bank. With this new software, players can register to have online storage – Nintendo are setting up dedicated servers by which players can store their Pokémon online. Pokémon Bank gives you the tools to deposit and withdraw your Pokémon between X & Y and your online storage boxes and arrange them as you like, freeing up space in your game for catching new Pokémon as well as giving you the means to show off your collection on the internet. Though box sizes remain at 30 Pokémon per box, Pokémon bank will at launch offer 100 boxes, for a total of 3,000(!!!) storage slots – allowing you to make HUGE collections.

Unfortunately, although it was not mentioned by anyone in the Direct, small print shown in the video overlay suggests this will NOT be a free feature; and instead will require an annual fee. While this is understandable to support the service, as the dedicated servers will need to be maintained, this change may outrage certain Pokémon players who may feel this brings Pokémon too close to a subscription-based model, rather than the pay once, play any time game-play that has defined Pokémon to date.

Poké Transfer

But what of you who want to keep your Pokémon from previous generations? After I heard some months back of the technical incompatibilities that prevent DS and 3DS consoles from communicating directly with each other, the question of how Nintendo would provide transfers for Pokémon from your Gen V games (Black, White, Black 2 and White 2) to X and Y is one that I’ve constantly wanted an answer for – and luckily, Nintendo have provided it today.

In addition to Pokémon Bank, Nintendo will be providing a second downloadable app for 3DS consoles called Poké Transfer. This app connects to a Gen V game you insert into the 3DS and acts as the bridge between it and X and Y. Simply put, using this app, you can transfer Pokémon from your Gen V Pokémon games to your Pokémon Bank in a similar means to using the Pokémon Bank itself. Later, you can withdraw the Pokémon using the Pokémon Bank software to bring them into your game of Pokémon X or Y. As you may expect from previous generation-skip functions, these transfers are one way; but also requires you have an active Pokémon Bank account to transfer the Pokémon to.

Now, this is where Nintendo could potentially be seen as being evil. If Pokémon Bank requires an annual fee to utilise the storage; but having one is required to transfer your Pokémon from previous generations – then nostalgia fans are likely going to find themselves forced into making at least one additional payment to Nintendo for a feature they got for free on previous generation games. Yes, maybe the technology is different and Nintendo need to support their servers – but I can see such a move polarizing a lot of the community.

Reintroduction of Kanto Starters

What might make nostalgia fans happier, though, is if they had the ability to get one of the very first Pokémon from the entire franchise directly from the game. Well, you can!

In a rare departure from tradition, it was made known a while ago that in X and Y, your choice of starter Pokémon is NOT given to you by the Professor of the game, but by a NPC described as your “friend”. Your friend’s bag contains three Poké Balls, each containing one of Chespin, Fenikkin or Froakie; and he gives you the option of taking one of your own. Many assumed that with this change, the game’s professor would no longer offer Pokémon at all, instead being simply a major storyline feature.

Oh, how we were wrong. As revealed today, the Professor WILL offer Pokémon to the Trainer, but it will be an additional starter Pokémon from a different set. What set is that? Why, only Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle! So each player will get to start their game with starters from Gen VI AND Gen I – bringing the old and new together in a perfect harmony.

But don’t think Charizard, Venusaur and Blastoise will be the ultimate goal for your new Kanto starter, oh no. All three of the original Starter Pokémon will feature their own Mega Evolution in X & Y, which pleasingly makes very little change to their actual appearance when used – Blastoise just gets a head cannon; Charizard an extra horn, that sort of thing – but offers them enhanced strength and secret skills temporarily for that battle.

Mega Evolutions are triggered by a Mega Bracelet worn by the Player Character; and a Mega Stone held by the Pokémon that’s compatible with their species. With the two in combination, during a battle an animation plays with the Player Character lifting their arm, which reveals the bracelet with its gem glowing. The Pokémon in question then also glows and is then covered in a ball cocoon, from which the Mega Pokémon bursts out. Satoru implied during the Pokémon Direct that forming a bond with your Pokémon will be essential for its Mega Evolution; as greater friendship between you will strengthen the power of the Mega Evolution and bring out more of your Pokémon’s untapped potential.

New 3DS XL designs

To commemorate the launch of X and Y, some time ago Nintendo announced an exclusive 3DS LL (as the XL is know in Japan) design to be sold in Japan soon, which has a blue faceplate emblazoned with a black Xerneas and white Yveltal sketching atop the faint capital letters X and Y. To finish the Pokémon Direct, Nintendo announced that Western players weren’t going to miss out on this exclusive – the same 3DS XL design, as well as a Red faceplate variant, will both be available in North America and Europe on September 27th.

Wow, what a crazy 20 minutes…