Throughout history there have been a select characters that have represented a set console generation. Many of these iconic characters reside as console poster boys, however they’re much more then that. These characters are the reasons why gamers, and casual gamers, purchase a set console.

In my studies throughout this generation, I’ve personally composed a list of the characters that have shaped this generation of console; so far, of course. This list is a non-bias composition of characters that have single-handedly shaped this generation, all of the iconic characters that we already love, won’t be on this list – no discrimination was important when making this list.

The first character I’ll like to mention is Nathan Drake, the chromatic and adventurous, adventurer. I placed him as one of the more iconic characters of this generation because he has single-handedly transformed the way characters are portrayed in video games. His realistic mannerisms have changed the way developers craft characters — challenging developers and animators to really take on character development in a different form. Personally, I find his impact to the industry hard to describe. But, understand this; his influence has re-imagine the iconic Tomb Raider franchise.

The next character I’ll like to mention is Desmond Miles/Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad/Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who are all technically the same person. I didn’t pick these characters based off what they’ve done but, instead, because they matter so much to this generation of console. The Assassin’s Creed franchise represents something greater, it could indeed represent this generation as a whole because the titles have improved so much over each installment, in terms of plot and gameplay.

The next character I’ll like to mention is Commander Shepard, who’s an important addition to this list. He’s the main reason I decided to conduct this list of the today’s most iconic characters. Basically, Shepard has fitted to everyone’s portrait of him or her, giving the player an emotional attachment to the story, which is an incredible task within itself. But, more importantly, the addition of the “Decision Wheel,” which has transformed character interaction forever because of it has “simplified” the in-game decision process for consoles.

The next character I picked, the Big Daddy. Picking the Big Daddy was challenge for me because, well, I wanted to pick Jack, the character whom the player controls. But, I couldn’t; the Big Daddy character was prefect in representing BioShock, a game that has transformed story telling in video games forever. The game was so artfullily crafted and unique that, even though the main character couldn’t talk, the story was relayed throw the people around Jack and the location.

In conclusion, I’ll like to mention Marcus Fenix, the main character of Epic’s Gears of War series. As I’ve said, each generation their are characters the define a generation of console, and I believe that Fenix represents this generation of console for Microsoft. Master Chef wholehearted represent the original Xbox and the revolution of the first person shooter, and Gears of War represents the revolution of cover-based third-person shooters, it just makes sense that he would be one of this generations more iconic characters.

I’ll also like to mention these characters: Sackboy, Niko Bellic, John Marston, Issac Clarke and GlaDOS.

*These characters also represent the both assistant characters and main characters.

It looks like inFamous is about to sell a boat load of copies. According to the PlayStation Blog, after keeping this secret for a long time, Naughty Dog is tackling the task of creating a fully-realized multiplayer and co-op mode(s) for their upcoming title, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

And, as rumored, there will be beta of the game in inFamous, which will be of the multi-player mode and it will be releasing on June 3rd – inFamous releasing May 26.

However, the games’ full co-operative mode will be playable with up to 3 players: Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer along with a third character. In addition, the co-operative story will be different from the single-player campaign and there are mini-bosses to top the levels off.

Also the game will have a five versus five death-match in its Multiplayer as well as a Capture The Flag mode called Plunder.

“Adding a multiplayer aspect to the Uncharted franchise is a significant step in the replayability of the game,” said Christophe Balestra, co president Naughty Dog. “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will be the most impressive and ambitious game that Naughty Dog has done and we are thrilled to let our fans experience it this fall.”

In video game sequels there has always been that very despicable link between the first game and the second title that leaves you wondering what has transpired. Anyway, this seems to always be that case, but it looks like that’s going to change.

In an interview with GamePro, issue #247 that’s currently out now, the president of Naughty Dog, Evan Wells, revealed their current ideals for the upcoming title, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

He stated that they’re are “making sure that you do not need to know about the experiences Nathan Drake had in Uncharted: Drakes Fortune to understand or follow the story in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” – when reacting to a question about new comers to the seires. 

When continuing to speak, “Although Uncharted 2 starts off a couple of years after the first story ends, it’s important to remember that the two stories and games are independent for each other…”

Update: Here’s a picture of one of the areas featuring snow in the game.

Original: We have all seen snow, or looked at it in the movies, and in some of these cases you may have seen some of the most beautiful showcases of snow. Well, it looks like you really haven’t seen anything, yet.

Naughty Dog is working to make Uncharted 2’s snow and ice as visually impressive as the stunning water effects found in Nathan Drake’s original adventure.

In a recent interview with Gamereactor.se, Naughty Dog producer Evan Wells boasted that with the new improvements to the Naughty Dog Engine 2, “[Uncharted 2] will have the prettiest snow you’ve ever seen in a game!”

“With Uncharted 2 and the Naughty Dog Engine 2 we can do much more, do it better and do it faster,” said Wells. “For example, we can see more polygons on screen, which allows us to create areas with even more detail than in the previous game.”

“In addition, we save no effort when it comes to the rendering of snow in Uncharted 2. It should be a banner to me to be the prettiest snow you have ever seen in a game!”

Forget about India. When the game was first revealed about a month ago, we were already given some details about the game. Like what the story was going to be about, and what treasure Drake was after, but in the latest issue of Edge magazine it gave new light on Drakes newest quest.

“Our catalyst is this man who cataloged all of his journeys — all the details of everything that happened in his life — but despite that he left one gaping hole,” said Amy Hennig to Edge magazine.

The hole is somewhere in 1292, and in that time Polo left Kublai Khan’s court for Venice, commanding a fleet of 14 treasure-laden ships and a crew of 600 plus men. But, by the time he arrived home in Venice, he was down to one ship and a dozen or so survivors.”He never once said anything about what happened to him… And on his death bed, after people had called him a liar for what he had spoken about in his book, he said: ‘I didn’t say even half of what I saw,” she continued.

In Uncharted 2, the game kicks off with the search for Polo’s fleet and moves on to Polo’s real secret: the Tibetan city of Shambhala, also known as Shangri-La. Gone are the rich foliage of the first game, and in its place, snowy mountains and the war-torn urban Tibetan streets.

In the article it says that it explores the “shadier” side of hero Nathan Drake, who, as Naughty Dog points out, is sometimes “a jerk,” I really wonder what that means?