Arcade Sushi April Fools Roundup

In what's become an annual tradition in the tech and video game world these days, every April Fools promises an annual round of hoaxes. In many ways, it's not about the pranks surprising people anymore, since they're all expected. Instead, it's more about how creative, interesting, and funny the pranks can be. We got in to the April Fools act today with our own. But now let's take a look at some of our favorites.

Half-Life 2: Episode Three

Don't let your pulse quicken too much there, Freeman Fanboys. This is a by the numbers prank from Valve, setting up a page for the long-awaited third installment of Half-Life 2. Seriously, is it approaching vaporware at this point? Compared to some of the other stuff out there, the prank isn't that elaborate. But hopefully that's because they are all too busy making Half-Life 2: Episode Three. Here's hoping.

Deus Ex: Human Defiance 8-Bit

We will issue the same warning to all the retro-lovin' Deus Ex-Heads out there. According to a new video posted today, it would appear that Eidos Montreal is hard at work on Deus Ex: Human Defiance, a new game that would render hero Adam Jensen into glorious 8-bit. The devs even play it off as though it's a Kickstarter campaign and they need your help. But alas, this video is the closest we're likely to get to an 8-bit version of Deus Ex. Unless of course, they have a Super Adventure Box turn of heart.

Super Adventure Box

What is Super Adventure Box you ask? Well, it's a project by Guild Wars 2 developer ArenaNet that started out as a April Fool's joke, but has since turned into a playable three-level adventure. So who knows with that Deus Ex thing. Could happen! But with this Super Adventure Box thingy, players will be able to solve puzzles and romp around in interactive, high-concept environments that will call to mind several recognizable games. Sounds interesting.

Apple iPlay

This is the one you've probably heard about already. Kudos to Apple for having a good sense of humor about their famous promotional videos. We're surprised they got Jony Ive to participate! Definite bonus points for that. And for poking fun at Rovio to boot. Check it out below:

Dishonored Gameplay Narration

This hilarious video almost feels like more of an acting showcase than anything else. Featuring some great deadpan from Dishonored co-creative directors Raf Colantonio and Harvey Smith, the video goes through several parts of the game with ridiculous "DVD extra" style commentary that details what was left on the cutting room floor. We don't want to spoil any of the bit, so just click through and watch. There are some real gems in here.

Journey Rocket Death Match Teaser

What do you get when you take the calm serenity of games like flOw, Flower, and Journey and then give them over to John Romero? Something along the lines of this. In an amusing poke at the repetitive rocket spamming of Quake-era death matches, along with the high minded serenity of their own titles, the guys at indie developer thatgamecompany took it upon themselves to mash up everything into a faux-DLC pack for Journey. In the video, we get to see some action from the Rocket Death Match DLC (exclusively for PS3), and we're impressed they went the extra mile to mess around and make some in-game efforts to prank everyone. Coming out spring 2014! We can't wait.