Rise Against - Make It Stop (September's Children)

Rise Against have just released the video for Make It Stop (September's Children) from their latest album Endgame, battling the simply idiotic idea of homophobia and concerning the number of suicides of GBLT teens last September. The video centres around three homosexual teenagers and the bullying they're forced to endure, before each finally snaps and prepares each of their own suicides. However, they come to realise they still have a future (in amongst numerous clips from the 'It Gets Better' campaign and the names of the teenagers who took their lives last year) and stop before it's too late.

As I have come to expect from Rise Against, this video was simply brilliant, tackling a common and sometimes controversial issue perfectly. The message of this song is perhaps best portrayed in the lines "Too much blood has flown from the wrists, of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss" and it's such powerful songs as this that are why Rise Against are perhaps my all-time favourite band, rarely disappointing me. I'll be recommending this video to absolutely everyone I know, not only for the message, but for the song as well.

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

Many LGBT youth can't picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults. They can't imagine a future for themselves. So let's show them what our lives are like, let's show them what the future may hold in store for them.

Dead Island - E3 Trailer

The latest trailer for Dead Island is out, and it sure as hell has worked to get me excited. It starts off with what seems to be one of the protagonists stumbling around the resort drunk, before the zombie outbreak suddenly hits. He then wakes up, hungover, to discover chaos. The trailer then goes on to show several clips of gameplay, showing off some of the weapons you can use. With it's incredible announcement trailer and now the two further ones showing off gameplay, I will be very shocked if this game does not sell well, and extremely disappointed if it turns out not to be very good.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 E3 2011 Trailer

The third trailer for Final Fantasy XIII-2 has been released at E3, featuring even more gameplay and cinematics, and showing some more of the battle system, which appears to be basically the same but with the inclusion of quick-time events. It also hints further towards the idea that Serah is going to play a very big part in the game, which makes me very happy.

Mass Effect 3 - E3 2011 - Fall of Earth Trailer

One of the most exciting moments of E3 for me was the latest trailer of possibly my all-time favourite franchise: Mass Effect, along with a couple of gameplay demos showcasing Kinect integration and a mission in a Reaper base. These have all worked to get me even more excited for the game, which has unfortunately been pushed back from it's original release date to March 6, 2012. Although I'd rather play this game as early as possible, I guess it gives me time to play the piles of brilliant games set for release later this year.

Halo 4 and Halo: Anniversary - E3 2011 Trailers

This year's Microsoft conference saw not one, but two big Halo announcements! The biggest of this is the start of a new trilogy developed by 343 Industries, formed when Bungie left Microsoft to become an independent company. Part of me is pissed off with the blatant dragging out and milking of the franchise (and that it's not even being made by Bungie), however, another part of me is FUCK YEAH HALO 4!!!!! There's still a long way to go though, as it's set for a 2012 Winter release.

The other announcement was a complete HD remastering of the original Halo, Halo: Combat Evolved, with a new co-op feature and multiplayer online. There's a shorter wait for this, set for release on November 15th 2011, exactly 10 years after the release of the original. As Halo: CE remains to be the only Halo I haven't played, I'll definitely be getting this so I can round off my Halo experience. This is also being released by 343 Industries.

There's also an exclusive video with interviews with 343 Industries:

Assassin's Creed Revelations - E3 Trailer

The first trailer for the next instalment in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and the last to feature Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Despite the lack of gameplay footage, it's certainly worked to get me excited and I definitely can't wait until November 15th.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - E3 Teaser Trailer

With E3 just 4 days away, Square Enix have released another Teaser Trailer for upcoming title Final Fantasy XIII, this time featuring several clips of gameplay and a plot synopsis. Whilst I'm still unsure about this game and whether or not it'll just be some stitched together money-maker, I can't help but get excited. The fact that Serah is a playable character and looks like she'll be a main part of the story excites me quite a bit to, as I really liked her despite her limited appearances in Final Fantasy XIII. Now I've just got a new Mass Effect 3 trailer to look forward to!

Set a few years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors have decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off to find Lightning…