Wireless

Well, That’s Pretty Damned Serious.

2009-06-21T22:24:00.001-07:00

I don't know if this is just the internet being seriously out of proportion and context, but apparently Activision (the number one game publisher in the world), is pulling their weight around, and saying that it would consider to drop support for the PS3 and the PSP if the prices aren't dropped soon. Some comments I've come across are mixed. Some are saying "GTFO Activision", as many feel that their reputation is extremely damaged, due to a yearly franchise release policy, overpriced plastic toys necessary to play many of those games, and incremental upgrades to them as well. Others are saying that they won't actually desert Sony, it is just a bluff.

I must say that my position on it is that Sony should take this seriously. Sure it's all about profit in the end, and that's why this is happening in the first place. But it's probably more serious than most people are taking it.

Exclusivity happens all the time in the Entertainment Software Industry. Games come out for certain systems, or gain exclusive content all the time, and it's boggling to see how so many people don't think this is a big deal to Sony. I think of it like this:

Microsoft's game plan is solid. Activision has plenty of reason to choose sides with them primarily.
- They have the cheapest "next-gen" system in the Xbox 360 Arcade, which sets the entry barrier low for many people, and essentially gives Microsoft a way to seriously take advantage of those people by making them pay extremely ridiculous prices for more hardware and Xbox Live pricing. It's the "T-mobile" plan honestly. What seems like a little will actually turn out to be a whole lot when you want more.
- They pay for exclusivity to big name titles all the time, and in many cases, like with Valve, the developers don't really mind the exclusivity at all, since the workload is easier and the Return of Investment is usually high.
- With the way that the 360's interface is designed for advertising, it means that Microsoft has given publishers a chance to step into the limelight with their projects, even if it would be an otherwise unknown title. Every day that someone signs on to Xbox Live, is a chance to sell a product for the 360.
- Microsoft knows what sells. An exclusive contract for millions of dollars sounds like a lot, in the short term. But when people see that a product they want will only come through one venue, they flock there, and have no qualms about it. Ask Apple and AT&T. That turns into extreme amounts of sales for those involved.
When EA's franchises were number 1, and Sega didn't have them to back them up in the Dreamcast and the Saturn, Sales of those console showed. Most people have recognized that Sega killed the Dreamcast in major part due to lack of many 3^rd party publishers including EA. With Activision doing what they do, Sony does not need yet another major reason for people to not buy the system.
Activision will not have a problem surviving without Sony. They have hardcore and casual titles in the DJ/Guitar Hero games, Tony Hawk, Call of Duty, and Spiderman plus they have World of Warcraft, which continues to bring in massive cashflow. Tony Hawk and the Hero games now also will require new controllers, with games coming out very expensive and still sell tons. Even without the Vivendi Universal buyout, they could have still skyrocketed to number one eventually.
The CEO of Activision is a straight up businessman. Doesn't even like games. Typical model of that guy in a business suit. "The Man", so to speak. He won't see a problem dropping Sony.
With Windows holding the marketshare it does on the Personal Computer, Games (until very recently) didn't really have a place in other Operating Systems. That kind of shift is something that could be expected, and considering the amount of money Sony has put into their more modern platforms, they don't want to see it crumble to that level.
Nintendo and Sony's PS2 may not have the most active userbase, but the extremely large userbase in general gives plenty of opportunity for uninformed sales. To the Walmart mom, there is no difference in a 360 or PS2 version of Guitar Hero, and that's where it sells.

So yes, I do believe that Sony should take it very seriously. It will be worth it in the long run, seeing as the result of this price drop will drive more sales of the PS3 anyway, and Activision's mega titles will still be a major part of the Playstation Equation. I don't really know how far this will go, but I would never be surprised that Activision will do what it says. We'll see how this will turn out.

My Problems With Motion Sensing.

2009-06-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of the "Ghost in the Shell" series (particularly the first season of the "Stand Alone Complex"), as well as the first "Matrix" film. When I think about using extra activity to play games, my mind goes directly to these sources because the talking heads at the "Big Three" are all trying to make it towards that point. The idea that gets tossed around the head honchos of those companies is this: The easier it is, the less excuse they have to not buy it, particularly if it helps them do things that they cant normally do on a frequent basis.

The problem with implementing Motion Sensing as it is currently, is that there are too many reasons why it doesn't work, the main reason being that there is a gap in realities from the screen to your bodily actions. That is it.

What good is it to see an avatar represent you, while you do the actions he/she is doing physically? It benefits no one, and is no different then someone using any other form of controller. Some people will directly point to the newly announced Project Natal, but the problem still stands. There is no direct feedback, only that which is shown on screen. Where this form of control is valuable is not when simulating yourself into an avatar, but when the game recognizes your omnipresence to manipulate the interface. Things like most PC genres: RTS, TBS, Adventure if you really want to think about it. You have to be the mouse. This is where it will succeed, when a game will have an interface separate then controlling a lone 3D avatar.

I hope developers will omit from their minds the illusion of simplicity that resonates with motion detection. The traditional controller is in many experiences more capable then people realize. With proper implementation, it will have its success in realms outside the dual analog controller, and can properly replace the mouse (the keyboard is also up for debate!)

2 Days of E3 so far making a big start.

2009-06-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Heres what I thought of the last 2 days of conferences (that I haven't seen fully but I will watch this weekend).

I think the middle ground that Sony has shown between Project Natal and Wii Motion Plus is the best practical rendtion for Motion Sensed gaming.
Another Halo. Another Mario. Another Assassins Creed. Another Tetsuya Nomura Final Fantasy. Another Tony Hawk (with a board this time). Another Rock Band/Guitar Hero. Not interested.
Everything pushed back to 2010. Everything.
MAG, Splinter Cell conviction, Modnation Racers, God of War 3, Uncharted 2, Final Fantasy 14, Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, The Last Guardian, Golden Sun, Gran Turismo games, LittleBigPlanet PSP are all I gather so far that are interesting that I didnt know about. By the end of the Week could be lots more.
So an MGS action game with Raiden. Depends on the route they take. Ninja R-Gaiden? No.
Nintendo has really lost their former core audience. On another note, Nintendo Fans (not nintendo) sucks. So yay.
The new Vitality Sensor on Nintendo looks hilariously useless at first (I know because I cracked the fuck up on it) but used properly I could see some potential. On perspective, think of a crime drama game where the cop is grilling you about a murder you witnessed earlier in the game, and is saying you look like a liar, based on your pulse
The PSP Go isn't what I wanted it to be... but its a step in the right direction. I imagine the next version will be much better. Also hella freakin expensive.
Final Fantasy 7 on the PS store.... seriously, now those fuckers can shut up!
How come God of War 3 doesn't feel epic enough?
Gran Turismo looks amazing. Also on the PSP I wonder about the precision of the stick. Could be tricky.
Zune 1080p streaming wins.
The Zune HD with an AMOLED screen. Oh yes. I'm interested
I like the strong efforts from Sony and MS to make sure that the life cycles of these consoles are pumped to its fullest extent, before just killing off one brand for another. The motion sensing is certainly a valuable asset to have in convincing people that there is still a reason to keep playing them.
FINALLY digital distro of games to Xbox 360. It always made sense to me. Glad there will be a push for it.

Thats all for right now. I have lots to say later.

Palm Pre Skepticism.

2009-05-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Boy Genius Report put up what could be considered a in depth preview of the Palm Pre, instead of a Review as is posted. I understand it was more on the side where they start from now on things that they could be final on, but considering that the star here is the OS and how it is entirely dependant on the "cloud", I don't think it could be judged properly yet.
After reading through it, I realized the comparison to the iPhones were abundant, so there goes integrity out the window. Other then that, some notes were that it feels "cheap" (even though tons of people own and love 360's and lots of people hailed the G1 which are "cheap" and even frail but thats OK), and the phone reseted on them once, which reminds me of the huge abundance of resets I used to get on my 650 and 700p. Like many devices lately however I expect that not too long after launch will be a bevy of updates with fixes. Hardware-wise, I'm not too concerned with. The star of the show here is the webOS and Palm knows it, so if they dont have to invest in hardware too much, they could make plenty of other phones, better. In a most ideal manner, I'm sure Palm could do what it did with its old OS, and license it out to other manufacturers . Imagine what a gaming system could do with that OS. Or even the PSP Go with a multitouch screen ....*shiver*.

E3 wonders.

2009-05-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

E3 is certainly a big deal to the game industry and community, and I think the main reason it has the level of appeal it does is because of the concentration of so many competitors into the same time slots that is usually associated with it. You have to really put up some serious product in order to make it to the headlines in order to sway these crowds (or at least that's how it used to be) When the big companies go at it with full blown competition, they go pretty fierce and its awesome, personally. The companies put on this act as if they really are fanboys of their own product, and they must know their audience quite well since they blatantly shoot the competition down. However it plays out, it usually works, with the masses of their main consumers screaming in some kind of victory or loss, as if they are playing on the same sports teams as these multimillion dollar corporations. What becomes most interesting is the "Converts". Lets say that fans will always love and be completely owned by a given brand. Then the competitor throws a curveball that has caught that persons attention. Nintendo with the Wii has recently done this, where people dismissed entirely the company only to be struck quite ruthlessly with what became the Wiimote. Then it turned into "the Wii will be my secondary purchase" almost immediately. Seeing that kind of mentality evolve in the internet is hilarious most of the time, because these people dont need to feel the way they do about a certain product, because it is just that... a product. These past few months I haven't been able to keep up with gaming news as much as I'd like but I know what I would like to hear:

Sony implemeting cross game chat, and finalizing a single SKU with tons included for a low price.
Microsoft announcing an open source.... something.
Actually.... Sony making an official Linux distro for the PS3 that can be easily installed and customized.
Nintendo to focus on more mature gaming. Mature does not equal blood and gore, kids.
Sony decides to drop Home in favor of Free Realms or an MMO equivalent that is actually good, and accessible from the dashboard.
Microsoft allows more codec support
Microsoft releases a casing that supports larger, standard HDD.
Sony gets better Ads.
Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft implements Widgets for the interfaces that are customizable.
Apps support.

What do you think will/should happen?

War memories.

2009-05-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

In reading the new Penny Arcade I recalled how I didn't have much knowledge of anything for quite a number of years. A console war wasn't really up to me, it was up to what I thought was interesting and what was the budget for my parents wallet. Somehow I thought a Sega Genesis was good. I didn't even really understand the importance of the Super Nintendo as a Console, as I found out about its existence way later in its lifespan. I didn't form a strong opinion of games, or anything really.

What a time that was huh?

Once I read my first issue of GamePro though (yeah I know GamePro sucks), everything changed. I learned of bias, competition, unfair business practices, extreme fanboys/fangirls, variety and most importantly, quality. That just because something was new, or popular does not make anything better. That's when the Platform Wars came into play. I took a different stance then many others however because I didn't want to be biased, I just wanted the best, and wanted other people to demand it as well. In order to do that I had to engage in all the platforms available and find out what was best for the consumer in a price to value consideration. So it began with the major 32-bit vs 64-bit console war, Nintendo 64 vs. Sony PlayStation vs. Sega Saturn. I recently spoke with some colleagues at my workplace of this "war" and now have a different view of the war, but my opinion remained the same.

What I realized in retrospect was that the Nintendo 64 had some serious major efforts, but the games revolved around multiplayer, which in many eyes is more important then actual game quality, as long as the game is popular. Many games on the platform didn't really touch on new ways to play games whether alone or not, and have not stood the test of time, technically, or gameplay-wise considering its archaic, controller, and reliance on expensive add-ons which still speaks ironically for Nintendo in the present. Meanwhile, on the Playstation many things have made standards that are still used today, such as high quality cutscenes, more detailed stories, reliance on creating more atmosphere for the player and demanding more emotion from them. It was what was good from the Japanese philosophies that helped the public want more then just a toy. Today I still believe strongly that much good has come from this thinking and that it helped gaming more then the competition could have at the time.

Fear of Repetition.

2009-05-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

For many years I have been seen as a tough critic for things among people who know me, but it is because I have the simplest outlook: if you support things that don't make reasonable progress, then you are only hindering it... especially when it involves payment of your personal funds. When you buy something you are speaking directly to the seller and could be suggesting that you approve. If it's to, say, My Bloody Valentine in the movies, then you are only saying that more movies like that should be made.

I don't really have an extensive RSS list, because I only rely on a few different sources for the information I actually would want. Techdirt is one of my favorite blogs, as I find it quite informative and I like how the theme seems to follow the very wise and age old concept that change isn't necessarily a bad thing, but new opportunity, as well as that consumers (in this day and age more then ever) control what the market (whatever that market may be) wants, not the creators, or would be owners. It reiterates itself all the time about many of the same topics, but for good reason.

One of the main reasons I haven't kept up with my blog, even though I start one, is that I'm afraid of repetition. What I realized was however that if Techdirt, what is usually a well written blog in my view, can do it for its purpose of making fantastic points, then I can do it as well. So I will definitely try to post here as often as I can, even if I repeat myself.

The Palm Pre was unleashed today and it seems like a nice sweet spot. Of course it still latches on to things like MIR's and Contracts, but considering the situation, it isn't as bad as it could be. With Sprints great coverage in the city, coupled with excellent pricing compared to practically every other competitor, it really is the best possible fit. I would hope honestly however that Palm would release itself from Sprint's clutches to other carriers so more people could have a reason to use this phone and support this OS.

Honestly though, It should have come out sooner. Not only would people have been easier to flock to it, it wouldnt have had the competition of Apple's Marketing machine so close to its WWDC showing, which is its stalwart supporters and fanbase, as well as the common non techie who swears through it all that the Apple product lineup is filled with Gold and Platinum.

Why iPhone OS v3.0 still doesn't make the cut.

2009-03-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Its probably a given that when discussing the new upcoming features of the iPhone, that I wasn't going to be hailing it as a great collection of updates that make this device godly.

But unlike what it seems that I might do, at least everyone else on Engadget's comments, I won't be upset about the fact that it has improved pretty seriously. Sure I could rant forever on how it should have had those features from the start, considering many phones do, but why? Everyone knows that. I like that its going to be there now.

I'm glad that they did decide to make things better without having to resort to another hardware model... of course it makes even more sense not to considering the sales of the current models. There isnt much to change on the form without adding things that competitors have been touting it lacks.

That said, while appreciating the much needed progress of that device, I'm not budging with my opinion of the Palm Pre. The problem with Apple products, is that now it makes the rest of the industry in electronics just wait for Apple to do something and then branch off of that. While Palm has certainly taken this model into mind, they have actually done something with the platform instead of what everyone else wants to mimic, and that includes WinMo and Android Phones.

The Palm Pre:

already announced things like cut and paste since inception... and for it to be such a big freaking deal this long with Apple is incredible.
will most likely have all the features that were great with PalmOS.
has a physical keyboard
Multitasks extremely well.
better web browsing experience as far as weve seen.
has an evolved UI and apps have better integration with it.
will have a better phone plans available to it due to Sprint, as well as great coverage in the city.
has great hardware and specs
has a very healthy dev community from previous PalmOSthat will get larger, due to ease of development... not as much as Apple, especially with improvements made for their dev community... but enough to encourage that it could get much better.

So yes. Congrats to all those who favor all things Apple, as you have a device that will make you much happier. But I dont think that at the present, or in the future that my Anti Apple purchasing habits will change.

Why I Wont Be Buying Street Fighter 4.

2009-02-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

I have been a fighting game fan for years. Here's my fighting game resume.

Street Fighter 2: SCE,HF,SSF2,SSF2Turbo,SSF2THDR
Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo
Street Fighter 3 (All 3 versions)
Street Fighter Alpha 1-3 Max
Samurai Showdown
Mortal Kombat 1,2,3,UMK3,Trilogy,4
Rival Schools
Eternal Champions
Art of Fighting 2(?)
Marvel Super Heroes
Xmen/Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
Marvel vs Capcom 1,2
Capcom vs SNK 1, 2
SVC Chaos
Soul Edge
Soul Calibur 2, 3
Tekken 1, 3,5, 5DR
Bushido Blade
Bloody Roar 1,2
Guilty Gear X, XX, XX#reload
Virtua 3tb, 4,5
Super Smash Bros 1-Brawl

This list isn't bragging rights or that I am the greatest Game Player. In fact, I think I suck at most games, honestly, I dont honestly believe I am the worst, but I know well enough I'm not good enough. This list is to show my gaming history is loaded with fighters, and considering alone that I dont really think I have played too many games at all, its fair to say that fighters have taken up a fair percentage of my game playing time. So it isnt me being a person (as there will be many people in the next weeks) saying that this game is great but only play Shooters, especially since I'm not particular to any genre, and if I was it wouldnt be Shooters.

So, I'm not going to buy SF4. Why?

I am not a sucker for hype
I don't like the Hyper Masculine Artstyle
I don't like the fact that the games story is basically a nostalgia cash in so that the entire original World Warrior Cast can be put in because the mainstream crowd hasnt played Street Fighter 3
I don't like that it's lazily made in 3D
I don't like that the Parry system with something else, that functionally is basically a parry system.
No Characters From Street Fighter 3, except the obligatory Hado-freaks.
The only new character thats interesting is that Viper Chick, and even she is like a SNK ripoff.
Why is everything dipped in ink?
For a game series that created an entire genre, it hasnt created anything new in the space. So instead of an entirely new experience that everyone can start from scratch with, they caved and made sequel to Street Fighter 3, while being able to completely pretending that the same game never existed, since it is a prequel.

Capcom's successful strategy is keeping these loud jerks that bitched about the game industry not doing anything new. Even though they freaking DID do this(Killer7, Devil May Cry 1,3, Okami, Godhand, Viewtiful Joe, Resident Evil 4, Power Stone), these games were not successful. Even Resident Evil 4 didnt sell nearly as much as it should have for the impact it has given to the industry. So, Capcom now doesn't care about innovation. They certainly have the resources, but with only about 1 game that I know of down the pipeline slated to be interesting (Dark Void) everything is just looking into their previous library and just doing it AGAIN. Since EA is even trying out new shit from time to time nowadays, that funnily also dont sell a lot, I find it inexcusable. So Capcom, Fuck you for making a waste of an entry in Street Fighter 4. Thanks.

Oh snap!

2009-02-08T18:05:00.001-08:00

I don't have much time since I'm on the train at a few stops away, but I did want to post something. Wish I knew what.

Oh ok, so here is my recommendation to those P90x workout tapes out there. The workout is pretty good, and thats not me comparing it to other tapes, I'm just saying that I like them and what they do.
It must be retro time to other people in my family, because my brother has been playing Final Fantasy 9, and my Fiancee has been traversing thru the Metal Gear series, currently on Snake Eater. I kind of envy them, in a sense that they get to live through those experiences for the first time and I remember how it was to play thru those the first time. Good times for sure.
I am really sure I want the Palm Pre now. Wish I had the money for it.
There really is some kind of outspoken dislike for Sprint now... Its almost unreal. I can understand if the area is just shitty in terms of coverage. But I live in NYC, which is pretty much set for awesome coverage of any service provider. Considering that it has the best flat rate plan out there, and their reliability in this city, if you live here, you are doing yourself an injustice by not using Sprint.
I think I'll take the time to use this last bullet to say to my fiance, I love you and I'm excited to have been with you and known you this long .Thanks.

Chowder.

What I've Been Trying to Say

2009-01-25T08:17:00.000-08:00

Things I wanted to address but never got to do it because I am a procrastinator:

The Xbox 360 has won on the hardcore front in terms of cultural impact and sales. The Wii has won in terms of sales in general. The PS3 hasn't won. Period.
I want the Palm Pre. A lot. And the people defending the iPhone against it, are really ridiculous, and should be proud of improving on a good idea, and not hate that it wasn't made by Apple and isn't on AT&T. Switch to show support.
Games are Art. Stop arguing. If movies can be art, and there are bad movies out there, then games can be art.
I hate how people don't appreciate that gaming is actually better then what it used to be, just because when they were into gaming it was important to them. I don't play a lot of games lately due to lack of interest in many new games, but I don't dislike it just cuz it doesn't have 8-bit sprites.
I hate that the gaming industry is so damned reluctant to innovate further then what is already here. I feel like im watching as it is sluggishly moving along to the next obvious progression, and all the innovation is happening in shooters only it seems. The easy cash ins are blunt proof of the reason why people are buying the Wii and DS. Because of promise and possibility of something new. So fuck the war from so called hardcore to the casuals, because at least casuals are open to new things. that dont involve death and shooting and competition and the same old lame franchises.
2008 had lots of promise... but not enough success. Effort is a success in its own right, but there wasn't enough financial and structured success in many titles. Best efforts from EA tho, which is amazing, they finally are responding to the "we don't do anything new" attacks.
Its interesting to have read an interview in Gamasutra with the Arc System Works. They also see the hypocrisy from Capcom with Street Fighter and call Soul Calibur garbage. Thats great. They may have not had nearly as much success as those and they have certainly milked Guilty Gear, but I hope Blaz's HD 2D art is appreciated.
Sony has to stop bitching and put up some marketing. Rip off who you need to rip off, but there is no reason that LBP and Uncharted shouldn't get the attention they deserve.

That is all.

What everybody really wants from Sony's PSP for Xmas.

2008-11-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

I breezed through an article on CNet (via Digg) today about the PSP. As with most articles about it, it was saying politely that Sony fucked up, as its an easy article to write. Sony doesn't have the greatest reputation for most things, And its usually the Price:Quality Ratio of their products that fuck it up, as well as the proprietary nature of the corporation.

Another company that dwells into this field is one that is now a household name (usually in a good sense in the mainstream). That company is Apple.

The handhelds from Apple, the iPhone and the iPods, show something: Evolution. Any one model is picked and improved on, on a yearly basis and the mainstream comes around surely like Salmon will come upstream. What needs to happen with the PSP is to follow in Apples footsteps.

Here is what needs to happen to the PSP platform. Bullet Time:

Start over with a new Handheld. It may seem inconvenient in some way to current owners, but I will get to that.
Needs to be a PSPhone. People love convergence as shown with the iPhone, even though it was popular to think that convergence wouldn't work. Apple broke this way of thinking(of course with the newfound popularity of owning Apple products it helped too, but I will get this as well). Considering Sony Erricson's past allegiance to the AT&T network, it isn't unbelievable that it will be released on said network, especially since it uses GSM which is much more widely available around the world including Japan. This will also dramatically increase the appeal as a gaming platform to play over a worldwide network as well as access to the Playstation Store on the fly.
The Phone's OS could be a mod of Android (preferably even keeping the XMB Theming with Android at the Core like a custom linux distro), Google's new Open Source OS for phones. Since Sony and Google have been playing well together with Google's internet search being integrated to the PSP and PS3, it shouldn't be too hard of step. At first, it could seem that Sony could open the Playstation Store to Apps for the platform. However it seems it would probably end up in a situation where devs and consumers will get frustrated by Sony's lockdown. Using Android could effectively give access to Google's Android Market platform which will be a great way for homebrew devs of the first PSP to get some access to the PSP in a legitimate fashion instead of breaking the machines terms and not giving people an excuse for piracy, to unlock the machines. There are real homebrew users out there and they deserve to be rewarded with more functionality.
The new PSP must be backwards compatible. Entirely, with games and system level features. Every feature that has been added since inception, must be retained. People who buy iPods on a yearly basis don't buy it with fear that they will lose major features for the new model. The only thing keeping iPods interfering with each other is iTunes, since iTunes needs to be constantly updated and some versions don't work on older machines. This will give the current owners more confidence that their money will be well spent.
Connectivity is a huge key. Phone functionality is already there but there needs to be more. Wireless connection to the PS3 and other devices on a wireless network, including older PSP's. Nothing less then 802.11/n WiFi. Mini-USB can stay as well, but shouldn't be relied upon entirely. Bluetooth to work with that new "official" BT headset from Sony, as well as any other since it also is a phone. Same Headset Jack as the Slim PSP, which can support video output. Who knows, a Mini-HDMI port for simplicity (or not considering its rarity? Your call I guess)?
Hardware needs to be upped. Considering the horsepower that is in the iPhone and iPod touch, something more powerful then that could help. More ram and a faster, perhaps new processor. A higher resolution touchscreen with an onscreen QWERTY keyboard. Accelerometer. Perhaps even the motion technology in the Sixaxis, to be used in gameplay. Ranging size of Flash Memory, with a Multiformat-Card Reader (YES. SD AND MS.) for expansive memory. Unlike others, I dont know if having another analog is a good idea, but something perhaps to make up for it, or just leaving it out entirely is not a bad proposition. Ability to rip games (DRM-Filled to make Pubs and Devs Happy) to the Drive to cut down on loading increase convenience. Now here is the kicker that most people probably will like. Sell new games on Locked Down Memory Stick Duos AND make available on the PS Store as well AND release software that will DRM rape a legitimate game on UMD to be allowed to be ripped. I'm trying to think in a way that benefits Sony as well as the consumer, because if the past is clear, Sony cares more about themselves being happy then the consumer. Either way, who knows if AT&T will actually play nice with people downloading very large files to the handheld, and not everyone has a PS3. The PS3 must also be given this functionality via firmware update, which in turn will speak to the PSP owner to be a prospective PS3 owner for ease of use and expanding on the featureset of the PSPhone.
Heavy marketing on all its functionality. What I've told people about marketing is that people like to be told what the product can do as long as its not done obnoxiously. The more straightforward the commercial, the less reason a person has to be confused about the functionality. Making a nice commercial is all good for that field, since I understand how marketing is serious business, but its not a good idea to make a commercial that leaves the potential consumer in the dark. Of course a Press Conference and maybe even a commercial for every added new feature. Hey, Apple does it and people love them.
Make all decisions thinking about marketshare. Marketshare will lead to profit if large enough, eg. all touch screen interface phones are "iPhone killers" or competing in the "iPhone Market". Thats what you want. "PSPhone chasers".
Work with developers. Microsoft spends oodles supporting devs for potential profit as well as owning new exclusive IP's. The Xbox 360 is currently the most popular platform to develop for, besides the NDS. Mobile gaming doesn't have to be hardcore graphics, it can be casual and assuming that the horsepower is there, both can be achieved.
PSPhone=$199.99, for a surefire success.

One thing I do want to press is how important the PSP is to Sony's potential. The Original CNet article said that it should be used as a gateway, to other Sony platforms, Majorly the PS3. I can't agree with that more. Everyone has to stick out in some fashion. Nintendo has its 2 screened stylus portable and motion sensing remote console. Microsoft has the PC gaming market on lock and actually brings PC-centric titles and genres to consoles. Apple has the fastest growing mobile phone line in a long time, and the iPods popularity have introduced people to the Mac OSX platform, just because it another Apple product. Sony has multimedia gaming devices that are severely limited, but have "potential". People don't care for potential anymore, since everyone pretty much gets what they want on the fly and are currently getting what they want. Results are king. Ask Google.

Russhin

2008-09-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Lets see what I can cook up between Elizabeth and NYC on the NJT.

I had a feeling to type something up before I even started my weekend but I had no clue what to begin with. So Just branching off my brain I'll try to do my best ,with typos , in a short amount of time.

I think for the first time I am not really up to date with the latest gaming has to offer, and it actually kind of upsets me. It is really mostly due to the games I posted about last blog ago, but it is also due to MONEY. Fortunately I still have enough to play in the meantime, with those good games. However, I have do have to get back on theGamespot RSS feeds as well as introducing IGN to the flavor. We'll see how that goes.
Spore is really fucking uninteresting and my theory is that EA wanted to single handedly revive the PC industry. To do this they hired there world famous money-maker Will Wright to make a game that would include the basics of all the PC industry has to offer. Animal stage is PC-RPG, Tribal is PC-RTS, etc. Unfortunately the game is never more impressive then its fantastic creature creator. It would have been nice if there was more going on, like any of the Sim games, but the final product speaks for itself.
I've been counting the days down to find if I'll have enough money at some point that will allow me to sign back up for Gamefly. Soon hopefully.
Air Matresses are fucking pissing me off.
Gaming is getting really disappointing, and I think its because hype is ruining it. Spore actually is a prime example of this. Everyone actually was, poised to revive PC gaming in some ways, with even hardcore players intrigued into its kiddy styling. If something that has failed to capture casuals and hardcores, and they were both looking forward to the change, then that is a major problem.
This DRM heavy gaming bullshit, is actually killing PC gaming more then its saving it.
I need new PC parts... fucking really.
I reallylike what the PS store is dishing out. The original titles and very leniant DRM is fucking great.
XBMP needs some work with its content as I'm generally not impressed, regardless of the few titles I've purchased. (At this point I probably seem a little Sony biased, but I'm just being honest. Really the PS3s store is filling my flavor for orignal content and not rehashes better. The offering of PSP games for the cheaper and portable PS1 games for cheapest is also great). I'm really not looking forward to the new updates interface just the features of the 360. We will see how this turns out.
And We are done!

What's up in Crispy's world?

2008-09-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

Games? Yes. What I think about them? Sure.

Rogue Galaxy is another fantastic RPG from Level 5 (Dragon Quest 8, Dark Cloud series) Its almost anime Star Wars which in itself is very remeniscent of Final Fantasy 12, which is a title I loved... mostly till the very anti-climactic end I guess. But it seems more complete as a game and sets some standards, at the very least for me, to what RPGs should continue to have in the long run, like random challenges in random battles to keep the grinding less stale. Overall I'm impressed so far, although admittedly im not that seriously far in.
Oh yeah... I have a Xbox Live Gold account. Surprise. I still dont honestly think its worth the price, but the purchase was based on now I think I might be able to play with people since I know q uite a few more people with an Xbox 360. We'll see if it will work out for the better.
I purchased Braid (first XBL purchase ever!... besides Gold), based off of the demo, and sorta-kinda hype, being that it seems that mostly critics, and the intarwebz hype of usually rooting for the underdog. The game is extremely polished, with a very distinct bunch of art choices, that almost never really gets seen... well not since Psychonauts anyway (for me). On top of this, it has actually made a mature, story/take on the entire "Save the Princess" platforming cliche, and added some real freaking emotion to it. The time mechanics are a great addition to the very (read:very) Mario-esque platforming, because it actually gives the game a chance to be more difficult then most Mario you know, without relying on extremely cheap precision. Also impressed, also not far in.
Ikaruga sure does look like an old game by todays standards, but damnit its fun. The difficulty is so tremendous but its never boring or repetetive, which is usually a trait of good shooter. Lots of action at all times, and all it makes me wish for is a damned full screen option, but ill have to make due.
I borrowed Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow from a friend, because it is where I left off. I owned SC:PT on the original Xbox, but I never got thru it entirely, because of difficulty and other games. I haven't played it too much lately but I plan on it when some other games are out of the way.
Picross. Its... addicting.
Bangai-O Spirits is a game made by Treasure, which like Level 5, are masters in their respective genre to be revered. I mean come on, look at the list of games they've developed. Serious shooter classics here, including the aforementioned Ikaruga. Spirits takes the mechanics of the previous Bangai-O games (which you my or may not know) and amplifies it very highly. Then they use those mechanics to make sort of a very puzzle like nature, with individual stages that have a basic goal and more solutions then just "shoot and don't die". Personally I take those stages, which are open to play as freely as you like from the gate, as a platform to give ideas on how to best use the outstanding level creator, that is intuitive and entirely worth the price of the game, if you are indeed a fan of the shooter genre. Very fun and addicting.
Final Fantasy 4 (DS) brings a lot of what I used to love about Final Fantasy, back to the forefront. I, like millions, didn't really start playing RPGs till Final Fantasy 7, and I've played them since then. The horrible part about playing FF4, is that it shows me that Square Enix actually knows whats its doing. They know they could bring black the glory of distinct art, very strategic gameplay, and unique characters or at the very least build upon it. They don't and they wont. Nomuras designs and depressing storytelling, as annoying and stale as they are, sell much more. Good Game but haven't played it much.
All I can think of for now.

Reasoning.

2008-05-25T13:45:00.001-07:00

You keep seeing things about the demise of stuff like PC gaming and you realize just how wrong that is. You know who is saying PC gaming is dying? Publishers of games that didn't sell well thats who. Epic, Activision, and a few others I don't really remember off hand. These Publishers are getting no better then the MPAA or the RIAA. Not selling ell? Blame Piracy. Blame the fact that not every PC is a stationary machine, that cannot be modified or improved. Its everyone elses fault but your own.

Here is where I make my case against that train of thought. GTA4 broke many records getting the money it did. The PS3 has yet to be cracked for pirated games as of yet, but the 360 is already ripe for it. Microsoft completely boasted how the game is selling the best where? On the 360 (roughly 60 percent apparently). Then why wasn't piracy an issue there?

I won't use World of Warcraft as a defense for PC gaming, because being an online game means its harder to bypass that kind of thing. Instead, The Sims games do not need internet connection as far as I know. A serial does it. Not insane DRM. Not rootkits. A serial.

It's just a bunch of horseshit really. Neither PC nor Console Games will die. As I mentioned, Console Games are selling tremendously. Whats the main reason World of Warcraft and the Sims games are selling so much though? What is the phenomena of it? It isn't rocket science.

Answer: Most everyone has access to a PC. Not everyone has access to a Console. Hell, some people don't ever buy a console of any kind, not even a handheld. But most people have to access to the internet in some way and Cell Phones still aren't at the point where we dont need PCs anymore yet, even thought great monumental strides have been made in the last few years. Many homes have more thne one PC and its never really an afterthought. A console is however an investment. You don't need to play games ever, or really do anything that any of the current Console can do. Checking email, Word Processing, Web Surfing with a fully capable browser are necessary however these days. So what happens when everyone has a PC? Everyone has the opportunity to play PC games.

Sure Pirating isn't seriously a hard thing to do. But there is an entry barrier. And for some who cant handle an entry barrier, which is about 70-80 percent in my book honestly, there are things like Consoles, which usually, is as simple as plug and play. Now I will not sit here and proclaim that I am a Hardcore PC gamer but I do accept it as a platform, as I do play games on the PC myself from time to time. But as long as the adoption rate for PCs (read: Any OS) is always higher then consoles, games will not stop coming out for them. Easy examples of that are the constant integration of other devices to iPods (being the marketshare leader of the Portable Music market), most games.... applications being released on Windows primarily (since there plenty of other PCs running windows then any other OS), The Nintendo DS library being drastically larger then the PSP's, Blu Ray winning the standards war since more people had a PS3, whether they wanted to use it for that media or not, and so on.

I can say that the PC as a gaming platform will never die, as long as the PC market outsells consoles as a whole.

Sony is finally putting the PS3 to work, which is good because there is a lot to do.

2008-04-18T01:21:00.001-07:00

Sony is having quite the week, with the release of the new store as well as GT5:P and the MGO beta. Having downloaded the game from the new, glossy/bubbly PS store, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (almost 2GB), had to be installed. The install however also took a large amount of time. If you weren't aware, the PS3 doesn't have a lot of RAM going for it, so that's why things like in-game XMB, haven't happened yet. Sony engineers have to work towards making ways to bring the PS3's OS features into the scene without impacting gameplay. But even understanding why some things are limited over others, it doesn't make it any less annoying at times.

Before I had moved onto the current generation, starting with the 360, I had read about the multitasking feature set, not only available, but being added as the months went by. Things like playing your own music during gameplay, being able to speak to other users no matter the game or functionality being used, wireless controllers turning off when idle, being able to charge them without the system on, were great features. But then background queued downloading, followed by being able to set a sort of "sleep" mode that when the system finished downloading it would shut down completely, it just made usability standards that any console to follow, should very well follow. The PS3 has been making strides to provide a reasonable competitive system, and with the way the PSP has actually made its value much higher than when it was released even without the homebrew, considering its obviously weaker technical specifications, I certainly have faith in it to become just that.

Still there is no way to be happy currently with the lack of features that are definitely subpar. Upscaling for any and every game and video, is seriously necessary. The whole "sleep" functionality should be implemented allowing you to charge devices via USB while "off", as well as being able to finish downloads with the system off. In terms of downloading, the ability to download something and watch a movie would be pretty great, considering media (as well as a certain Format War winning form of media) is a pretty big part of the marketing plan. In Game XMB features are something I have mentioned before, and honestly the way I did are in the form of a pipedream. But some things can be taken into account. Cross game communication, with easy way to invite people, are starts even though users were promised some of that "soon", so we've been told. Custom Soundtrack, support for all PlaysforSure Devices (since my Zen goes unrecognized). Also, looking at images shouldn't be too hard as well. Video I guess could be understandable to leave out, but hey it would be nice.

The PS3 is certainly a great machine, but its problem from day 1 was too much dependency on potential. Some things are rounding up finally and it is greatly appreciated, but it took too long to get to this point and there is still more to cover. I'm glad the 360 has set some well appreciated standards, here's hoping things round up better for the gaming community in the long run.

Just what creatures dwell in the darkness?

2008-04-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

I've chosen for this entry to be the one to catch up. I have not posted for a while, simply because everytime I get on a roll, I feel like someone in their head is responding with "tl;dr". and then the window to Wireless (namechange in question!).

So then I wanted to try once again to make a post and and failed. I had the right idea, but i went about it the wrong way. Now the rules are forfeit. I'm going to post freely, unbound, to make amends for my absence

I tried playing the Fallout games and my they haven't aged well. I tried both one and 2 and on my laptop, they were unplayable, literally, because of some misunderstandings with my laptop (maybe an issue with the shitty 8400?) I've never played them before but I am excited somewhat for the 3rd entry. Most people are saying that the old ones are great and they probably were at some point. Most people are also saying that the 3rd will be shit because of its similarity to Oblivion. Personal opinion? Bethesda made its mark with me with one of the greatest games I've played in the past few years with Oblivion (PC). Much of the game was a terrific experience was fantastic and i didn't even make it that far in the story. It wasn't perfect, but I had fun, as did many others.
I'm setting out to play the Longest Journey games but I'm doing it with GameFAQ's. Some of those puzzles are just damn crazy im-fucking-possible
I've acquired a Dualshock 3 and I find it lighter then the 360, but not as light as a Wii-mote. As expected, rumble doesn't hold the largest presence in the games I've tried it on, since rumble is not so necessary unless the game makes a deal out of it like Metal Gear Solid.
Speaking of Metal Gear Solid, I've been playing the games on and off since I'm catching up on 4. I've even plopped in Twin Snakes for a bit just to remember how severely fucked the control scheme is. Its got more functions then buttons available if you have to know.
I heard the the MS-remote is a "clusterfuck". Straight from their mouths? Thats hysterical.
Gaming Industry is continuing to keep me disappointed... but i wont get into it now.

END

SNK Playmore got some fucking balls. With this game anyway.

2008-03-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

I just saw that video (and I mean this one), and I've read this article. I never really had a problem with SNK games as they have been living the 2D dream for eons. Not like they've never delved into 3D, but at the moment, they deserve recognition. Capcom has tossed 3D into the Street Fighter series and even its spinoffs enough to show they have been waiting for a moment where Street fighter could make as much money as possible, as mentioned in the last post.

Whats notable about SNK is they have done more with their Neo Geo System then any one company has done with a single board or static setup (other then Atari). The system was released in 19-fucking-90. According to Wiki, the last game was made for it in 2000-fucking-6.

I usually am a fan of the underdog. SNK games (in the US anyway) have been the underdog for years. My problem with SNK arcades was its stagnation. I mean, there is a reason why there is a King of Fighters XII. Tons of Metal Slug games, Top Down Shooters, and unpromoted (in the US anyway...jeez) fighters were the mainstay of SNK systems. Other platforms have had tons more variety, in a shorter timespan, due to popularity. In some, if not all ways, it seems that SNK prefers the niche market its put itself into for its titles.

While every company for profit is by name after cash, maybe someone at SNK Playmore has some gamer drive in them... at the moment. I would say thanks for not selling out...but you already have.

So I caved, and I totally regret it.

2007-12-31T00:29:00.000-08:00

I didn't want to see the fucking Street Fighter 4 video. I was already sad with where it was going. I didn't want to be more upset with where I know it was going to end up. I saw it. I'm really stupid for doing so. The animation sucks. The character design and models suck. The fighting system hasn't changed much, and looks worse since the animation is not done well. It looks like a better rendition of the EX series, which isn't a good thing to say.

I'm sorry but it just seems so half assed. It's like it was being made to compete with the King of Fighters games that have been coming out in 3D now, which is something I dont understand, because those games aren't so great in the first place. I keep thinking that some Capcom CEO must have been bored and thought to himself "You know what sells nowadays? Sequels, Rehashes, HD 3D graphics and Franchises. What's a franchise that we've been able to bank on for many years, but not nearly as much as its most popular time that would satisfy all that criteria? STREET FIGHTER!".

Its just greedy and gross. Its probably, in reality, just a reaction to the fact that the 360 and the Wii sold so much of Street Fighter 2:Hyper Fighting/World Warrior and it was the logical next step.

Getting over the Transition: What should happen this year or this "gen".

2007-12-10T14:52:00.001-08:00

I don't like to surround myself with hype, and make judgments based on whatever is laid out for me, and not what I want to hear (or what anyone else wants to hear for that matter). So here are a list of things that I want to happen or at least wanted to happen.

I'm never going to pay for an Xbox Live Gold Subscription.

You don't always get what you pay for. As far as I understand, Gold dashboards still has ads. Until the last update the only thing gold members got over silver members was Multiplayer functionality. Which I honestly could do without. Now my content is also delayed almost a week now. That's great. Seriously. I'm glad people feel that its worth paying for. A week advantage of content and Multiplayer. Something that every other competitor is giving for free. You know what would be awesome and seriously industry pushing? Free. No tiers. But of course assholes will still pay for it like they are getting a better experience. I don't pay for it and you know what I get? Everything. Except multiplayer, which because I don't like most of the people on Xbox Live and the subscription fee is not enough to eliminate the dirtbag lil prepubescent kids that don't know how to say anything without calling someone a faggot I am just fine in not hearing. What do you pay for, seriously? People still get to talk across games, via text or voice. There is no "Gold" level of content, that can not be accessed when it comes to purchasing something either. A p2p/Host-client multiplayer scheme. It should be free.

In Game XMB. No shit.

There was an article up a few days ago saying that it wasnt necessary. Off of the submission title on Digg, I was ready to get furious and wonder what the hell kind of drugs that guy was on. I further read and I understood what the guys beef was but guess what. He's full of shit. The experience on the PS3 is so limited by the fact that multitasking wasn't even a thought. And not just for launch, but a fucking full year after and perhaps a WHOLE long time after. Just think of this in the current state of the PS3. I'm setting up a room for me and my girlfriend and a few of our friends to play in Warhawk. I finish making the room, for which I have a password set because I want it to be a private affair. I didn't tell her what the password was. I have to tell her on my cell phone. I couldn't message her to tell her using the same device, I had to use another. OK now next situation. I'm playing Virtua Tennis and the PS3 tells me that the new Metal Gear Trailer is finished downloading. Fair enough, I'll watch it. OH WAIT. I have to quit playing my match. In fact, quit the ENTIRE GAME to watch it. I hate the music in Virtua Tennis and would rather listen to some Lamb of God. Whoops, cant do that either. Jeez this fucking game is hard, wish I could go to GameFAQ's for some tips. NOPE. In the rare event in the history of ever, I want to show my friend a picture that I happen to be storing on the PS3 HDD. CANT. I see it like this. Every PS3 has a HDD in it. I think in a coming update they could put the OS on the HDD either partially or entirely. I cant imagine the OS being that complicated and huge that they couldn't just DRM rape it so it isn't used somewhere else. Every PS3 owner, has at least 20 GB. Sure, I don't know just how much work this would take, I'm no programmer or coder and in fact I would love further explanation on how it would actually be difficult or not.

Applications for all major gaming systems.

I'm not talking about homebrew, or hacked code. Every major console has functionality beyond gaming, but it still remains that everything you might want to do is not open to you. For instance, the PS3 has a very plain and not very agile browser. What if someone made a PS3 browser based on FireFox? What if someone made plugins for the standard browser that increased its functionality? What about the DS's Pictochat Functionality, and someone basically making a better one? Its completely possible. What if someone made a plugin for the 360 dashboard that allowed the use of other IM networks besides MSN?

Open Marketplaces.

Maybe this idea is more for the next coming generation, but open online stores are a totally plausible idea right now as far as my wishes go. If the systems were opened up with guidelines and simplified SDKs were available, I don't see why developers have to wait for the console manufacturers. Take for instance the PS3's Store. Whats to prevent them from opening it up to people who make their own HD videos or even games? And I know that it is there business to keep it like this, but even a section exclusively made for user content wouldn't be so bad would it? It would do good for Microsoft's already favored image (at least in the States) to have a User Creation Center or even something that they described from the fucking get go when they said that apparently VirtualGirl09 would be able to sell her game related products to other users.

A legitimate, great, unbiased gaming news site should appear.

Blogs are a great way to get out opinions, and that is the reason why I don't want to depend on a blog for gaming news. Blogs like Destructoid in my opinion are bullshit. They cater to the hive mentalities that build up on the Internet in the first place. Why? The reason is simple. There is no bigger picture in many of their minds. It's "screw Sony for such and such", and "Gamespot are Cashwhores, nevar forget!". That's bullshit. Personally, Gamespot's and Gamasutra's news is the most reliable and mature one I have ever read. I can't say I have read them all and I am all open for people supplying suggestions. I'm just tired of hearing of sites where readers don't make their own opinions about situations, they rely on the opinions given to them, which are opinions that are mostly uninformed and quick to judge. And so, we need a website that gives out intelligent and mature game news.

Annual Treatment/ Franchises have to stop or get better.

One of the biggest topics in the games industry, is the use of rehashes/remakes and sequels to milk dry any existing IP's. I've talked about sequels in a previous post, I don't have a problem with them being useful iterations of a known IP. I am a Metal Gear Solid fan because every iteration does not have the same mechanics to stealth. If anyone is willing to say otherwise its basically no different then any other game in any basic genre. FPS's battle in an effort to make you find a different way to enjoy shooting someone else, Platformers make new ways to worry about jumping, Etc. The Metal Gear Series, is just one way franchises can work properly. Bringing highly significant mechanics to its genre. Who knows that if MGS2 wasn't so successful with its mechanics, that maybe Splinter Cell wouldn't exist at all. Back on topic, the easy way to get my point is this. Sports games are an easy topic to relate to so that is what I will make a profitable fix. Madden '08 came out this year correct? The next game will be in 2010. What will happen until then? Well assuming that the game isn't perfect, because of EA's obvious talent (/rolleyes), the next 2 years will be filled with updates that fix numerous glitches for free. A yearly update to roster will be sold in online marketplaces and on disc, with the download no more then $6.00, and the disc $10.00. The disc will include all updates that were made for the year, assuming that if you need the disc you don't have an Internet connection. To be fair, a disc with updates only can be mailed to you for free, providing you register your copy, a few months before the update so as not to be left in the dark if you are an avid player with no Internet connection. The cycle is repeated until 2010, in which a new Madden 2010, with stellar visual and audio upgrades, roster updates, new game modes, new features, and much more are added for the next major update in this ongoing franchise. There are ways to change any business model, but it it needs to be attempted first.

XBL+PSN+PC+dedicated server support= Pushing for more people to feel safer about playing online.

I may not have a desperate desire for online play, but I do not think it isn't necessary which is what I fear may be what some people may be thinking as they read earlier in this post or my previous. I do like online play when it interests me enough, but I could live without it, because for some games it is either a welcome addition (Call of Duty 4), or absolutely necessary (Battlefield 2). So here is the trend. Games on the 360 are many times ported to the PC and vice versa. Some of those games eventually hit PS3. The current state of Xbox Live doesn't support 360's being a dedicated server for any games. The PS3 has no guidelines to its online play, so some games like Warhawk support that feature, but it depends greatly on the actual title. The PC also has no guidelines, but many if not all multiplayer games support this notion of user dedicated servers. The plus side to P2P/host client gaming on XBL is that since there is no server dependency, most games don't need to worry about servers being up to play online (see MGS3, EA). However, if someone had the ability to run their own servers for the game they wish to play, it would be much better for those who still wish to play games that the publishers decide to drop support from. With the power of the current consoles, it shouldn't be too far fetched for all of them to have the ability to support this kind of functionality if given the choice, with obviously the greatest capabilities for the PC. So now that all the Consoles support this here is the ultimate catch. Call of Duty 4 is pretty much the same game on any platform, minus the DS. So why can't people on all three major platforms play each other? Why can't a PS3 player battle a 360 player and a PC player in the same match? Walled Gardens in gaming are severe bullshit. There is basic functionality in most Games, especially those that are ported, that is similar, version to version. Why should that be a hindrance to players on other networks. I'm not saying that there should be no exclusivity at all, but its stupid for the specific platforms to act as if nothing else exists. The basic functionality should be across the basics, compatible, with only certain features perhaps exclusive to the platform, as the publishers see fit.

Stop announcing release dates before they are Guaranteed.

Many people like to balance things out before any purchase. Given that many gamers may be adults, but most are kids, and that games aren't cheap, you shouldn't say a game is being released at a certain time if it isn't definitely expected. When I was in high school, I know that I was saving my money for certain games. Luckily enough the delays weren't nearly as abundant as they are now. Every time you announce another delay, you add to the person spending money on some other product, that may not even be directly related to your company. It wouldn't be a delay if you had just decided not to give a specific date in the first place considering any title, especially one with huge aspirations, as well as budgets, can have serious impact on your company, should something go wrong. The sad part is that these decisions are mostly due to publishers announcing things to make investors happy. If they hear that a game is coming out a strategic time, and is guaranteed, it makes them more confident to invest more money.

These are my thoughts on this generations problems that could evolve to be even bigger problems in the future of gaming. Video Gaming is an entertainment. No one needs gaming but why not make the player feel like it shouldn't be a commitment that isn't guaranteed in enjoyment? Not every game is good just because you made it in the first place. Games are different then toys, for instance, because your imagination can make a toy better. A game is someone else's imagination packaged up for you, which is the same as a movie in any sense. So when people buy your product, its usually based on a hope that the imagination you've thought of is fun and interesting. What do any of you think should be done this next year or this "gen"?

The industry is fucked up.

2007-11-29T18:51:00.000-08:00

I could have gone at length about how upset it makes me to hear that Mr.Gerstmann was fired from his job. Is it any different, however... well, with anything involving money? There are only a few things that keep me upset and its easier to list them briefly:

I'm still going to end up going to GS in the future to watch E3 conferences.
Where do I go for objective/unbiased reviews to perhaps solidify a purchase now? (even tho I don't buy games as of late, which I will explain later.)
They still have a great news feed.

I enjoy watching all the press conferences at E3. It's good entertainment usually for me. Gamespot has not been beaten to the punch with providing the live feed, undisturbed by commercials like those who actually think G4 is a channel worth watching. Yeah sure.

I am certainly glad services like Gamefly I exist, in fact I absolutely endorse it. (PS. I'm not getting paid, I just think its a really good Idea). I play as many games as I want without having to worry about if it was a waste of time. I had it at one point and dropped it, only to acquire it once again, and I will be a member until either something better comes along, or I can't afford it. Gaming has never once been a cheap hobby, but even though the prices for making games has gone up (as well as the price for it), the quality has not been shown to be improved. And I mean that for all games. There are some great titles to be sure, but there certainly aren't any milestones like there used to be. I prefer solitarian gameplay personally over something that involves other people, namely because while I have enough friends, not many of them are into

A) Games that I like.
B) Games at all.

Many games are relying on the multiplayer aspect of their packages, but I am never one to play a game too long, since I like to have many diverse experiences with games and would only purchase a multiplayer game that I was assured I could play with someone else.

GameSpot's Reviews are in question here. As mentioned, I shouldn't really be too worried about it anymore due to Gamefly. I like reading the front page of Digg (it amazes me how anything actually escapes the other pages to reach the front), and I like the idea of gaming blogs, but I like my news non-biased. I really like what the news team does and I certainly think its one of the better that I have read. I don't want news that's trying to give me an opinion. I want news that will let me make my own, and they do just that. Sure I don't get all the news from them, but who said I'm only reading it from them?

Just quick shot at another thing. If MGS4 needs to sell a fucking million in a day to succeed then whoever is on top of Kojima in rank (last I checked he was only vice president), needs to be stern fisted. There is a thing called a budget. I'm all for games pushing the limits of technology, and of course I want better games to come out. The fact of the matter is, however, that sometimes to do that is not a cheap affair. If you are going to develop a game and then bitch about how expensive it actually was to make it, then don't make expensive games. I know, no one person really wants to lose money in life, but it's either you are making a game that is Metal Gear Solid 4, or you are making Kane & Lynch.

Breaking the Rules? Hopefully.

2007-11-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the bit of absence there. On with the show.

Anybody with real knowledge of how the industry rolls, understands that there are many things that don't make sense with "da rulez". One such thing is the consolidation of all major gaming releases due for the end of the year, which I still think is ridiculous. Something of note however...is happening.

There are quite a few games that were due out by the holiday season, or at least before it. With so many games being pushed back to fall into the other Q's that don't end in 4, and most likely with them selling greatly... will it be too long before the annual summer drought is no more?

I think every games enthusiast will tell you the same thing: it makes more sense to create several blockbuster games and sell them throughout the year. It maximizes profits all year round, consumers are happy and eventually you shouldn't have to pay as much for the same games. Of course, thats just a part of an equation. What also needs to happen is more marketing for every game. And I do mean every. Even the bad ones. Look at the companies that are making the most money in most technology. Not everyone is a hobbyist, and can only really rely on said marketing.

Halo must be good if its everywhere I look when I eat Burger King right? The Xbox 360 must be good when there are that many commercials and advertisements right? The Wii must be the best gaming system ever since its selling out so much AND there are so many different kinds of people playing it on TV right? Radio shows are giving them away in contests so there must be a lot of people who are interested in it right? It just makes sense to follow through with that kind of marketing, because people will just buy it on recognition. Plenty of people do.

It's nice to see how Sony is finally trying to make its rounds via marketing, which I personally think the ads are great even though they are greatly exaggerated showing things that have not even come to existence or even if they ever will. When you abstain from marketing for too long, the result is that people forget about you. Look at Sprint. Sure they haven't completely fallen off the map, but the state of things leads towards that it actually has. If you aren't saying anything, its probably because you have nothing good to say right? In this particular case however its kind of in the middle ground at this point, where they are neither better or worse off then their competitors, besides not being in control of the market.

On a bus recently a person behind said that the iPod is better, because it doesn't need replaceable batteries, and syncs up with the computer easily. Of course, hes just described myriad other players. But with Apple's widespread publicity and marketing how is he to know better, especially with it really being the "iPod Market" at this point (although it seems that it is loosening up quite slowly).

Here is a list of big games that are coming out at times that aren't at the end of the year.

(According to Gamespot.com. Also, I say big games according to level of media attention they've received or are at least expected to receive, as well as my interest in them)

Kingdom under Fire: Circle of Doom (X360)
Haze (PS3)
Burnout Paradise (X360 PS3)
Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)
Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice (PSP)
LittleBigPlanet (PS3)
Culdecept SAGA (X360)
Devil May Cry 4 (X360 PS3)
Mercenaries 2 (X360 PS3 PC)
No More Heroes (Wii)
Ninja Gaiden DS (? DS)
Super Smash Bros Brawl (Wii)
Dynasty Warriors 6 (X360 PS3)
Dark Sector (PS3 X360)
Condemned 2 (PS3 X360)
N+ (X360 DS)
Army of 2 (360 PS3)
God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP)
Endwar (X360)
GTA 4 (X360 PS3)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (DS)
Command and Conquer 3: Kanes Wrath (PC X360)
House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return (Wii)
Battlefield: Bad Company (X360 PS3)
Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice (DS)
Lost Planet (PS3)
Mario Kart Wii
Home (PS3)
Rez HD (X360)
Farcry 2 (PC)
Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)
Okami (Wii)
Spore (PC)
Star Wars Force Unleashed (all platforms Minus PC)
Splinter Cell: Conviction (PC DS 360)
Too Human (X360)

Those are just games that have been announced at some point or another. Not to mention that there will undoubtedly be much more announced in the meantime. The last few generations have had their golden years, Next year may be the year that defines all years to come, and hopefully, for the better (where we wont have to suffer a drought. Who knows, maybe we might actually wish for that drought again just to be able to get through all the huge games.

Nostalgia. The enemy

2007-11-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

Every holiday season (which let’s face it, begins right after Madden is released) the Gaming Industry ejaculates. They release game after game, knowing that no matter what, the hype will be sure to catch someones eye just to be able to wrap it up in a bow for many months later. While that in itself is a problem altogether, I have found another disastrous problem that plagues the industry:

Nostalgia.

In looking at the way that most any Industries like to go, there will be the innovator, and there will always be those who follow. Nostalgia is a huge problem. It makes the industry get older in age but not in mind, so to speak. Here are some things that are the product of nostalgia being raped.

Crappy Licensed Games:
- We have all committed the crime. It could be in our childhood not knowing any better, and buying Maximum Carnage, because we liked Spiderman. It could be you saw the Matrix and realized that once a game allowed you to be Neo, it would undoubtedly be great. It could be a game that would be otherwise crappy, but because of the license it gets more of our attention. Sports Games also fall into this category, because many people, who even buy the really bad ones, just buy it because of the relation to their favorite sport. I don’t have a problem with Licensed Games. I know of the possibility for good in them when given enough effort. But there is a reason why a lot of effort isn’t put into making them. It’s because when you see the cover you won’t see “Really bad Harry Potter Game”. You’ll see, Harry Potter, the lovable book series gone decent movie series, gone “TEH WII IS LIEK A WAND LULZ WIN!!!111”.

Endless Sequels that don’t Change:
- There is a difference in making a sequel, like Metal Gear Solid, where the goal is essentially the same but how you do it in each game is different, and the DDR… that is always the same DDR. Just how much has Tony Hawk changed over the years? Gran Turismo? Soul Caliber? Virtua Tennis/Fighter? Street Fighter? DYNASTY WARRIORS? Guitar Hero? I could go on. There are exceptions which I think would make sense. Episodic content can’t be placed here, because the point of the games is supposed to be this way. Using the same mechanics/visuals to flesh out a much larger experience. In fact I would rather episodic content then endless sequels, because the idea that I don’t have to pay full price for a game I don’t entirely enjoy is pretty ridiculous. I keep paying for it as long as I’m interested. Of course many publishers want to see that money slide out of your pocket, and know that as long as the name is on the box and they can assure that basically it is the same as the last installment with a few minuscule tweaks, you will buy it.

Remakes:
- It isn’t bad enough that people will reuse the same IP over and over; they actually go ahead and make the same game over. Did Tomb Raider really need to be remade? Resident Evil? Metal Gear Solid? It isn’t right that people should pay for something they already owned once. A Final Fantasy 7 remake? Why? Will they change the story even further then they already have? Will Aeris have a choice of death or not? Slightly expanding on that, anyone who is waiting on that game to show up and be the reason to buy the PS3 has lost their goddamn mind. Here’s what goes on in a Publishers mind about a remake: The gaming audience has expanded since the first time the game has been around (universally true). The franchises sequels might be huge and it may have been critically acclaimed when it came out, but it didn’t sell half as well as it would now. Shoe in for easy money. The groundwork is already there! No need to pitch the game, just update the graphics and put in gameplay that is relevant in the industry’s standards. Voila. A game that will to retards who come in and say “OH YO I REMEMBR DAT GAEM SHUN! AND NAO EET LOOK REAL AND SHIT!”

Bias:
- When it comes to the video game industry it's not widely accepted or known that there is one other form of bias, that doesn't always involve people trying to troll about some products over others. With that being said, the problem isn't with others, its you. Yes you. Now just think about every genre you don't like for a second, and in this particular situation don't include a genre you used to play, but grew out of. Now about that genre, have you ever played the best that genre has to offer? Have you ever played it at all? Is there a game you have played and thought was fantastic, and knew people who didn't like it, without even playing it? This is actually most common with obscure games like the Katamari series, or Viva Pinata, but it actually can happen to any genre. In the long run it is usually call preference to not like certain genres, but what kind of preference is involved with not liking them unjustly? The sad part is that it is human nature, and can not be easily fixed. Some people have a shorter attention span, or just dislike the aura of it, whatever that may be. Even the smallest factors can prevent someone from playing a game that shouldn't be missed.
- People expect a game to be a certain way, and if it isn’t like that, the game sucks, when in reality they are just not open enough to see if the newness is honestly good or not. You know them, and well they may probably be you. The more a game is like Counterstrike, or Unreal Tournament (you pick your fave year), or Quake 3, the better game it is. Its pretty ridiculous that those games weren't built in a day and they are replicators of formulas that have been tried and tested. How are we supposed to get better games out when all people really want to do is play the same thing all over again and get the same play experience. That's why Publishers don't like taking the risks that can actually deliver real quality, and you get games like Haze and Timeshift. Which brings me to my next point...

Ripoffs:

Notice how many FPS’s there are coming out recently, with a lead who wears a helmet with a neon glow and a supersuit of some sort? Ever wonder why there are so many JRPG's that look and practically play the exact same? Its because innovation is never properly rewarded in this industry. Marketing efforts are. I would say that its like that in most industries, where it doesn't matter if the Blackjack was an excellent smartphone, it just didn't get the marketing that the iPhone did, and guess who wins out of those sales and just general street knowledge.
There are some (in fact...too many) publishers who are content in not being the innovators. You see them all the time, like current day Midway and Atari being the first that pop into mind. Midway is publishing UT3, but UT is UT... So there really isn't risk there, its just a publishing deal.

I constructed most of this list on the same day that Street Fighter 4 and Bionic Commando were announced. And thats when this entry got delayed. You see I was sitting here bashing the system that nostalgia is responsible for, and then I got fucking nostaligic. Then, in an instant, the hate came back as soon as I saw the trailer for SF4. I'm certainly not the strongest in the SF community, and perhaps not the best player, but I do love Street Fighter. I'm one of those guys who is still a fighting game fan. Street Fighter 3: Third Strike is probably my favorite 2D fighter, and I know many people will contend, but I personally don't give a shit. Either way here is my problem with that trailer:

Nothing happened.

It's the same horseshit that has happened everytime we see Ken and Ryu Fight. Ken gets cocky, Ryu does a fireball. It showed no platforms it was available for, no gameplay, and worst of all, nothing new. I really like the epic feel they were looking for but it didn't do what it was supposed to. It didn't instill joy into me but straight up anger. Ken and Ryu are still designed the same way they looked in 3. I'm not happy about that. All the trailer does is remind you that Street Fighter exists, which then kicks up nostalgia of older SF and then it starts all over again.

Well... Crysis will be putting a few people in a Crisis.

2007-10-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

I guess I was pretty wrong about the Crysis specs I said a few posts ago... The words of the day are...
Holy Shit.

Why is reason so impossible to find?

2007-10-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

The last few years have been insane with the DRM topic, as far as I know.

Flat out, lets put it into perspective.

Most of us have been to a mall of some sort, where there is always the Food Court with people handing out a sample of their most addictive food. Great right? Not to diminish the role of morality of anyone who might read this...which clearly is not many people... you have gone back to that sample person for another one right? If you come too many times, it gets obvious that you are exploiting them, and they might even deny you another sample. Will they call security on you though? No, because it is petty and they are actually giving you food in hopes you will buy a meal containing that sample. However, not everyone goes to the samples to try, they go to get a minor snack, or simply for gluttonous reason. Will that food stand then proceed to sue you for eating and not buying?

Replace food with music, replace Food Stands for Record Labels, Samples for Songs/Singles, cooks for Artists. Doesn't it work better that way?

How in the name of scrotums, does an asshole/retard Chris Crocker get his/hers own reality show, but the RIAA sues some regular nobody for $220,000, for sharing music on KazAA? I think it goes without saying that she is not this criminal out to destroy the music industry single handedly by giving people free music, since she is frankly...USING KAZAA.

So what did we learn kids? The RIAA, for feeling upset that someone shared music (which can be done without the use of the internet, in just playing your music loudly or at a party), decided to be childish, and sued someone for more than the persons (most likely) net worth. And the Artists, are nowhere to be found to aid her. Way to have it be worth being a fan.