E.X. Troopers follows Bren Turner, who joins the academy from EDN-2nd, and aids in the battle between the snow pirates and the Akrid aliens on EDN-3rd. Players will be able to choose from one of three unique bases of operations in what's being billed as a "light" shooter experience aimed at beginners.

GAME Australia falls into administration
By Tom Phillips Published 14 May, 2012
Diablo 3 pre-orders cancelled, no refunds given.

GAME Group's Australian business has entered administration. Shops will remain open for the time being.
Staff were told they wouldn't be stocking huge new PC release Diablo 3 due to payment issues with shipping companies, Kotaku Australia reported. A subsequent email from GAME Australia's head office announced that administration had been entered.

Customers with pre-ordered of Diablo 3 at GAME Australia are being contacted via text message, and told they will not be able to pick up their copy, nor will they have their pre-order deposit refunded.

"Due to the appointment of an administrator to our business this morning, it is with regret that I inform you all that our stores will not be receiving any stock of diablo 3 (sic)", the text message read. "Because of this, we regrettably will be unable to fulfill any pre-orders. Also, we will be unable to refund any deposits paid towards a pre-order of diablo 3. If you need any more info, please email customerrelations@game.com.au"

GAME Australia legally must withold refunds while in administration. Customers who are owed money can become unsecured creditors if they register with administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers, The Verge explained.

But you'll likely be placed at the bottom of a to-be-paid list - below the more substantial sums owed to banks, lenders and employees.

"Initially we will continue to trade all stores, operating these on as close to a 'business as usual' mode as possible whilst we get a clearer understanding of the current state of the business and actively pursue options to secure its future," PricewaterhouseCoopers spokesperson Kate Warwick stated.

"Prior to our appointment, the company's management had been exploring interest in investing in the business with a number of parties and we will look to see whether this interest can be harnessed to continue the business or part of it through the voluntary administration process."

Stock problems also preceded GAME UK's tumble into administration, although there was a month between the Mass Effect 3 no-show and administration itself.

The fate of GAME's down-under division has been a concern since that time, when GAME boss Paul Yardley stated the company was looking for a buyer for the Aussie business.

"It's time for our industry to grow up," she says, in a quiet but determined voice. "Why is it that so many topics that are dealt with in other media are off limits or taboo in video games? Why can't we deal with the things that matter? I can think of so many examples of topics that could be interesting, issues that could be addressed in games or that could be integrated into existing big IP if we don't want to make them the centre of the experience. It's our responsibility; doubly so for people like me who can make a difference, or push for something getting funded."

It's Raymond's recent journey into motherhood that has brought about this determination to create games that carry greater meaning. "I am generation X and a parent now, so I don't think I am really the target market for games any more," she says. "We tend to think young people just want explosions. But I don't think it's true. Perhaps even less so than when we were children. I believe we are underestimating our audience by creating the same experience over and over again. We think that this is what they like but I think we are deeply mistaken.

"More and more people come to me at Ubisoft and say, 'I love games. I came into this industry with so many ideas. But I can't continue to make shooters over and over again. I'm not even in line with the messages.' I have that meeting a lot these days. Yeah, it's time to give our teenage medium a kick in the balls."

"Beyond that? What about the way the way the system is stacked against the poor? If you lose your job, especially in the States where there's no healthcare, your debt can grow out of control very quickly. It's remarkably easy to become homeless. That meta-gameplay loop could easily be brought into a game I think. Sexism, too. That could easily be brought into a franchise like Call of Duty. If you could play as a woman you could bring in some perspectives to what that might be like.

"I don't know when we decided as an industry that in order to sell five million copies of a game you have to make a Michael Bay film. There are other options."