GameJonez

GameJonezBlog has moved to our beautiful new site at GameJonez.net - you will be redirected in three seconds! Please update your bookmarks!

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:43:00 +0000

GameJonezBlog is now GameJonez.Net - You will be automatically redirected in few seconds, please update your bookmarks!

Thanks and Game on!

Todd Melanson aka Tiberius Jonez

GameJonez is Coming Out of the Closet

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone! I'm Todd Melanson. If you've been here before, you know me as Tiberius Jonez. I hope your holidays were filled with fun and you were able to make some great new memories to carry into 2015.

As you can probably imagine, finding the time to consistently write a small blog like this can be difficult when you have a normal life to maintain. The rewards for blogging on this scale are internal and completely unheralded - so if the satisfaction of a well-written story and the occasional scoop of the "big boys" like IGN or Gamespot - even if it seems like nobody noticed, are not enough to keep you writing, then you are unlikely to keep going. Because trust me, the rewards for this kind of thing are not financial. I am not making a living for my efforts. That's the dream, but it hasn't materialized as of yet. Which is partially why I am writing today.

First, a very brief history of Tiberius Jonez:

"Tiberius Jones" was born in 2001, it was my PC gaming name way back in the days of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and it was my original gamer tag on Xbox Live until someone hacked my account and Microsoft was unable to recover it. It's been "Tiberius Jonez" with a "z" ever since. I simultaneously played under the name "Thunker Jonez" in some gaming arenas, but I never wrote under that name, it was strictly a gamer tag.

That brings us to the present day. I recently started a Thunker Jonez YouTube channel where I review PC games and talk about tech stories of the day. Essentially a lot of the same material I used to cover here but in video form. Getting this blog's readership up has been a struggle for a couple of years - and the Thunker Jonez YouTube Channel also needs a boost. At the same time, I need to get my real name out there so I can legitimize myself as a known journalistic quantity.

I'm not in a financial position to invest in a domain name right now, so I am limited to blogging on blogger for now. Luckily, after doing some research I've discovered that GameJonez Blog is beginning to get crosslinked with quite a few aggregators around the world, so I've decided to come out and start blogging with my real name and start taking this whole thing to the next level by dedicating more time and effort to my writing and my love for all things tech and gaming.

So, over the next few weeks and months I will endeavor to share my work and experiences as I merge the Thunker Jonez YouTube channel and GameJonez Blog.

The December 2014 Trailer for Thunker Jonez YouTube Channel

that will be merged with GameJonez Blog in the next couple weeks.

After a rather lackluster 2014, 2015 looks to be a truly exciting year for gaming and tech. The emergence of Virtual Reality technology, new super high definition display technology, and an array of new PC Space sims that I personally am quite excited about, are just a few of the things we have to look forward to this year. I would be remiss in not mentioning the long-awaited GTA V for PC that is finally coming in just a few weeks on January 27th. I can't wait to play that game from a first person perspective - it looks incredible from what I've seen and read.

I am very excited about the future potential of GameJonez Blog. I ask for your patience as I get things going. Please check out some of the past stories here, my Twitter Feed and the Thunker Jonez YouTube Channel.

As things evolve and come together, I will be relying on your feedback, comments and suggestions for inspiration and more importantly, to keep me from flying off the tracks. Thanks everyone. Game on!

Microsoft and Game publishers will get a cut of Xbox One used game sales

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:16:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email at tiberiusjonez@gmail.com
Twitter: TiberiusJonez@GameJonez

I speculated a while back that this coming generation of consoles would be the last, and that the way games will be sold in the future will eliminate retailers like Gamestop, who rely on the fat profit margins they reap on used game sales, virtually overnight. The first step in that direction was confirmed today when it was revealed that Microsoft and game publishers will get a cut of all Xbox One used game sales.

According to MCV, Xbox One used game sales will be permitted but retailers who choose to sell them will need to use Microsoft’s Azure-based cloud system to do so. This will ensure that Microsoft and game publishers get a percentage of the used game sale rather than having the entire sale go to retailers like GameStop, as is now the case.

Here's how it will work. Consumers will bring their used game(s) into a retailer and trade it in for cash or credit just like they do now. The retailer will then enter it into their Azure system and wipe the game from the seller’s Xbox One Live profile. Retailers will be permitted to set used game prices, within reason, with the eventual sale divided three ways based on a (presently unknown) split percentage determined by Microsoft.

Rumors are flying that the percentage to retailers may be as low as 10%, which could effectively kill used game sales due to the fact that retailers would have very little incentive to go through all the work required to sell used games for such a small profit margin.

It has long been suspected that, at some point, developers and publishers might disallow used game sales altogether, but Microsoft is the first to come up with what appears to be a viable alternative to an outright ban. The move is a very shrewd one as it is sure to draw more developers to Microsoft's new console. Surely, some of those developers will become Microsoft exclusives. I suspect it won't be long before Sony and Nintendo follow suit.

Microsoft's Major Nelson posted a response to rumors on his website essentially revealing nothing other than "Microsoft supports the sale of used games" and that more information will be coming soon. Not incidentally, Gamestop's stock dropped 5% in early reaction to the news.

Xbox One – One machine to change your living room forever?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:53:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email @ tiberiusjonez@gmail.com
Twitter: TiberiusJonez@GameJonez

Still a box, but a pretty one.

Depending on your point of view, Microsoft's big reveal yesterday meant different things to different people. Early opinions and impressions from around the net seem to range from “Holy Cow, that thing is bad-a$$!!”, to “Big deal!?” to “Where were the games?” and an occasional “Nintendo is dead either way!”. Regardless of your overall opinion of the presentation though, there is no denying, parts of it were pretty darn impressive while other parts were a bit underwhelming. Oh, and while they didn't reveal pricing or an exact release date beyond "later this year", they did show an actual final-design console and controller! Wink, wink.

On Sunday, prior to the big show, I speculated on what to expect from the big reveal and, as is par for the course, I was right about a couple things, and wrong on a couple others.

The name: Virtually everyone, including myself, seemed to think the name was surely going to be Xbox Infinity, but in what I considered to be somewhat of a surprising turn, Microsoft chose to go with the name Xbox One; the stated implication being that their new box is a one-stop-shop for all things games, TV and entertainment.

I found this interesting because prior to the Xbox 360 being released, several game journalists at the time suggested that, even though the console would be only the second offered by Microsoft, the company might find themselves at a competitive disadvantage if they named their pending console without alluding to the number "3" in the name, simply because Sony would surely be following them with their own third-generation console which everyone assumed (correctly) would be named the PS3. Surely, it was suggested, if MS named their console the Xbox2 instead of something akin to the eventual actual name, Xbox 360, the uninitiated (specifically parents purchasing for their kids) might mistakenly assume the MS machine were inferior to the competition simply because the name suggested being a generation behind.

While reflecting on the name Xbox One, it occurred to me the name suggests a couple things; first, that Team Xbox is now self-assured enough in their ability to compete with, and differentiate themselves from, Sony, that they are comfortable allowing their newest offering to be judged solely on its own merits, name be damned. Secondly, they are going ahead with their assertion that the name should be suggestive of the console's feature set, rather than what it may or may not suggest console-generation wise. Judging by the roar of applause from the audience in attendance, the console's name and physical appearance, which were revealed simultaneously, were both a hit.

Regarding the look of the console... I thought the Xbox One's physical design was simple, elegant and functional. However, I was more pleased by the 40 plus improvements they've reportedly made to the Xbox One controller, most notable of which are, 15% quicker responsiveness overall, and triggers that feature programmable levels of feedback. Whether this simply refers to force feedback, or, as many have assumed, something much deeper, such as different levels of resistance (say, for different gas and brake pedals of different cars) was not exactly spelled out. Point being, if they've managed to make significant improvements to what many already consider to be the most functional and comfortable controller on the market, then kudos to them!

Always on required or not: Confirming my expectation, the Xbox One does not require an always-on internet connect to function. However, you certainly reap the machine's greatest rewards by being connected. So, was this point a moot one from the outset? Certainly not. If Microsoft had “forced” consumers to have an always-on internet connection to function, the backlash would likely have been swift and severe, especially in the U.S., where consumers simply don't like being told what they can or can't or should or shouldn't do.

I thought MS demonstrated a keen understanding of the marketplace; by not requiring always-on internet they appeal to the “games only” crowd, while making it clear to those looking for a much more robust experience that if you are always online, then this thing has the potential to truly revolutionize the way you interact with all of your entertainment experiences.

A quick note about the new Kinect-centric Xbox One interface: what was most impressive to me and, judging by the applause, those in attendance, was just how intuitive and responsive it is in action. When Xbox Design Exec, Don Mattrick, in real time and using only his voice, switched between different functions of the Xbox One, going from playing the new Forza, to live TV, to a movie, to music, then to Internet Explorer and back to the Home page, the transitions were seamless and virtually instantaneous. This part of the demonstration made it clear that the Xbox One does indeed have some serious horse power under the hood. It was very slick and impressive.

The final two points I speculated about are so intertwined that it makes more sense to address them in tandem, rather than separately. Entertainment vs Games and Differentiating the Xbox One from the PS4: If you go back and look at much of the pre-reveal speculation around the net, the single biggest question for most people seemed to revolve around whether or not MS would take an approach focused on games and gamers or one focused more on overall entertainment possibilities. Additionally, I speculated that if it were true, as rumored, that MS intended to include a cable box in the Xbox One's hardware, depending on what features it made possible, that it alone could be a real differentiator for MS and possibly an instant game changer with the potential to tilt the field in their favor vs Sony, at least early on.

As it turns out, MS is indeed taking a decidedly entertainment focused approach with the Xbox One. That's not in any way to say it will be inferior to the PS4 as a gaming console, as some have suggested, we simply don't have enough information at this point to make a determination either way. It didn't help that at the reveal, very little actual game play footage was shown, clearly disappointing the crowd in attendance.

When they did show footage, which was clearly not in-game, but more likely replay footage, of the four new Xbox One sports offerings from Electronic Arts (Microsoft exclusives, by the way), the crowd's underwhelmed reaction was evidenced by a palpable moment of silence which hung in the air for a good three seconds. Game-play footage shown from a few other games, including the new Forza and even Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts, was so brief that, again, it was nearly impossible to come to any conclusions regarding the Xbox One's gaming-only potential.

The one piece of game-centric news that did produce an instant and genuine show of appreciation from the crowd (and myself) was the fact that, of the 15 Microsoft-exclusive titles scheduled to be released within the first year of the Xbox One's launch, 8 of them are brand-new IP's. From the research I was able to do, no other console in any previous generation has debuted so many new, exclusive IP's in it's first year. The fact that the new next-generation Forza would be available at launch was also met with clear approval.

Converse to the underwhelming reaction to what little was shown of the console's games, when it came to overall entertainment, the functionality of the new Kinect-centric Xbox One interface combined with many new functions and features, including a new exclusive partnership with the NFL and real-time integration of fantasy league stats from all the major sports during live TV broadcasts, while providing just a glimpse of this new technology's potential, were impressive and well received.

So, what does all this mean in the early battle for market supremacy between Microsoft and Sony? Is it all just a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing? It's too early to answer that question. According to Team Xbox, we'll have a much better idea in just under three weeks when at E3, much more will be revealed about the Xbox One, specifically, a lot more exciting game-play footage and game related news and information.

Assuming Sony is prepared to show more of the PS4's features and functionality at E3, as well as an actual console, everyone should be in a much better position to start forming some concrete impressions and opinions of both console's relative positioning prior to their respective launches later this Fall.

For now, I would say the only clear winner is E3. With a bit of fan-fatigue setting in recently for the industry's annual blowout, anticipation of what Microsoft and Sony will show there now has gamers around the world once again pumped up for what could be one helluva show, and showdown.

So, what did you think of Microsoft's big reveal? Comment below and let us know. As always, thanks for visiting GameJonez and Game On!!

Microsoft Reveal Week Is Here - what to expect

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:12:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email tiberiusjonez@gmail.com
Twitter: TiberiusJonez @GameJonez

Microsoft is set to reveal their follow up to the Xbox360 this coming Tuesday, and among other topics, there are a ton of rumors going around about the name, what the console will or won't do, and whether MS's focus is going to be primarily on games and gamers, or a more rounded "center of entertainment" approach.

It's always fun to speculate about these things, so without further ado, let the speculating begin!

The Name: It seems to be a foregone conclusion that the console is going to be named the Xbox Infinity. Not only is the source that leaked the name credible, but the name makes perfect sense given MS's past focus on offering as many different quality features and options as possible to their consumers. NextBox is too bland and Xbox720 too predictable. Have a different name in mind? Comment below.

Games vs Entertainment: Since they burst onto the console scene in 2001, Microsoft has been quietly, and at times, not so quietly, focused on a much broader and future-thinking goal than simply creating a good gaming console. While the Xbox360 is a quality gaming machine - especially since they went to the "slim" design, Microsoft has added so many other features aimed at social media, connectivity, music, TV and Movies (Netflix), and on and on Ad Nauseum, one can barely keep track of them all.

Their end-game has always been to eventually offer a set-top-box that is a one-stop-shop for all your gaming AND entertainment needs. With the new generation of micro-processors, they finally have the raw horse power to do it, and do it well. The only question in my mind is, with a Gaming/Entertainment approach, will they be forced into any kind of compromise that could result in a gaming console significantly less powerful than the PS4 or will they be able to successfully tow both lines?

I expect the new Xbox to be at least as powerful as the PS4. I never underestimate Bill Gates and Company. Microsoft has proven over and over again that they can raise the bar, innovate, and compete with anyone in this industry. They have basically dethroned Sony as the Console Superpower during this generation and now both companies find themselves in a virtual dead heat moving into the next generation... likely the last console generation.

Always on connectivity required to play games or not? I'll be brief on this one...no way! While the fact is the vast majority of gamers, especially Xbox gamers are online, I still don't believe Microsoft will gamble with their hard-won market share by forcing consumers to have a broadband internet connection in order to play games. There is simply too much possible downside to justify such a move.

Differentiating the next Xbox from the PS4: I believe Microsoft has one card up their sleeve that could be a real game changer. If the rumors of an integrated cable box/DVR in the next Xbox are true, that single hardware difference alone opens up so many possibilities in gaming and entertainment, it could singlehandedly tilt the field in Microsoft's favor. If true, I think Sony would almost be forced to either change the design of the PS4 to include similar hardware prior to release, or have a mid-generation hardware change that integrates it.

There are lots of other topics we could cover, so if you have additional insight, thoughts, predictions for Microsoft's big reveal this week, comment below! Otherwise, comeback Tuesday evening for my thoughts on the event.

Xbox Infinity logo is fake, the name is not

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:43:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email at tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

GameJonez has learned that the logo pictured below, and featured in a story I posted yesterday is a fake.

The Xbox Infinity logo is fake, the name is not.

Reddit originally posted the image in an article revealing the name Xbox Infinity. This is the second fake "leaked" image of a supposed new Xbox logo. While the image may be fake, the name Xbox Infinity appears to be real.

According to International Business Times: Sources related to development of the new Xbox have confirmed to IBTimes UK that the console, which is scheduled to be launched on 21 May, will be called Infinity.

I consider "launched" to be the wrong term; "revealed" would be a more accurate description of Microsoft's May 21 event. With any luck, all will truly be revealed then.

The console is expected to be released in November with two different prices available. Standard pricing will be $500, with a $300 version available with a two year commitment to Xbox Live Gold at $15 per month. The second option essentially ends up equaling $660.

I have to say, if this pricing structure is true, it's an ingenious move by Microsoft for three reasons. First of all, it almost surely undercuts whatever price Sony will announce for the PS4. Secondly, I suspect for an extra $160 over two years, the vast majority of consumers will gladly make the commitment to Xbox Live, something they're likely to subscribe to anyway, in order to save $200 now. Thirdly, that's $200 more in Microsoft's pockets. After all, where do you think that $200 is gonna go? Duhhhh!!, $200 represents three games and an accessory. Those guys in Redmond ain't no dummies.

$500 Xbox Infinity is $300 with 2 Year Xbox Live Contract

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez

email at tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

This logo is fake

According to rumors on several sites around the net, (I'm not linking to them as they are unconfirmed) the next console from Microsoft, reportedly named "Xbox Infinity", is expected to be released in November with two different prices available. Standard pricing will be $500, with a $300 version available with a two year commitment to Xbox Live Gold at $15 per month. The second option essentially ends up equaling $660.

I have to say, if this pricing structure is true, it's an absolutely ingenious move by Microsoft for three reasons. First of all, it almost surely undercuts whatever price Sony will announce for the PS4. Secondly, I suspect for an extra $160 (significantly less if you already planned to join Xbox Live Gold) over two years, the vast majority of consumers will gladly make the commitment to Xbox Live Gold, something they're likely to subscribe to anyway, in order to save $200 now. Thirdly, that's $200 more in Microsoft's pockets. After all, where do you think that $200 is gonna go? Duhhhh!!, $200 represents three games and an accessory. Those guys in Redmond ain't no dummies.

Do you think this rumor is fact or fiction? My vote is fact. It sounds exactly like something Microsoft would do.

So, what do you think about this? Comment below!!

Simple math says Microsoft's next console is named Xbox Infinity?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 03:05:00 +0000

Gamespot is reporting that the Nextbox will be named "Xbox Infinity". It's hard to argue when this visual shows the Xbox name next to a mathematical representation of infinity.

Yes, that figure eight is the mathematical equivalent to infinity. Normally, I might call GameSpot out for early conjecture, but, all things considered, I'm inclined to think they got it right this time. And I have to say...

I like the name. Infinity obviously suggests an infinite number of possibilities. The question now is, can Microsoft live up to such a name and the lofty expectations that come with it.

What do you think?

Comment below!!

As always, thanks for visiting GameJonez. Game On!!

NO MORE CONSOLES AFTER THE PS4 AND XBOX720. Believe it!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:35:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

The following excerpt was taken from the final paragraph of a story I wrote in November 2007:

'My belief is that by 2010, Microsoft and Sony will own a roughly equal 35% share of the gaming market, with the Wii holding a solid 30% market share. My reasoning is pretty simple; different management philosophies will determine the outcome for everyone. The real showdown comes in 2011-2012 when the next "Next Generation" begins.'

-Tiberius Jonez, Editor of GameJonez, Nov 5, 2007

FIRST OF ALL, I LOVE GAMES!

It's no secret that I love gaming. It is my favorite source of entertainment. When done right, gaming has the potential to offer up an amalgam of experiences unlike any medium to come before it. What other form of art or entertainment can you think of that has the potential to deliver an "audience" all the feelings of having been entertained, inspired, moved, tested - not just mentally and physically, but morally and ethically and still leave room for the simple reward or pain of victory or defeat?

Videogames are also an incredibly flexible medium. These complex experiences can run their course in the span of a few minutes or be sustained over a period of days, weeks or even months, allowing for infinite creative possibilities. What other medium can do all this? I challenge you to name one, because I can't.

I think there are two things that fundamentally distinguish videogames from other forms of entertainment. For one, videogames are possibly the only medium of entertainment where the audience is an active participant in the entertaining without ever having complete control over the outcome. And secondly, no other medium stimulates more senses. At any given moment, a good game may be simultaneously stimulating your eyes, ears, sense of touch, cognitive and problem solving abilities, emotional core and even your psyche. With all that going on, I
don't know how many neurons must be firing simultaneously in your brain, but I imagine a cat scan would look like a Kansas thunderstorm. To be sure, games today can be incredibly engrossing, but the medium does have it's fair share of problems, and they begin with...

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MUHHH-NEEE!!

It's true, the experiences videogames can give us are far richer in many ways than anything else out there. Unfortunately, I see several forces conspiring together to create an environment where we, as gamers, may have to be far richer to continue playing them.

I believe the gaming industry is at a crossroads of economics and content. To understand what I'm talking about, you have to first understand just how expensive it is to make games these days and how these guys make any money at all. So, let's take a look at a current example.

Activision's highly anticipated game "Destiny" from Halo developer Bungie, will be released on current and next generation consoles and will feature continuing development that will span ten years. To say the least, Destiny is an extremely ambitious project. The estimated budget for the initial release is slated at $140 Million, and that's assuming no significant delays or problems along the way. According to the contract between Activision and Bungie, Destiny will be released first on the Xbox 360/720, and then the PS3/4 and, because of it's colossal budget, it will need to sell approximately 5 million copies just to break even. By comparison, within 24 hours of being released, Activision's last Call of Duty: Modern Warfare game sold approximately 6.5 Million copies in the U.S. and U.K. alone. So, while I suppose it's technically possible Destiny could sell that many copies, you have to bear in mind that COD is a very well established franchise with a huge, loyal and rabid fan-base, and while Bungie does have an established track record of success, that was with the Halo franchise as an Xbox exclusive; Destiny is a brand new intellectual property (IP) being released on both platforms with no established track record on which to base expectations.

What do all those numbers really mean? They mean that at some point developers have to pass the cost of development onto consumers to maintain their bottom lines and deliver profits to their investors. Games now cost $60 and the pricing structure of the next generation of games has yet to be revealed. With development teams for next gen games numbering as many as 500 people, some analysts are predicting prices as high as $100 for a single game! If history is any indication, I seriously doubt prices will skyrocket that dramatically, but $70 seems like a reasonable expectation. Here's why...

SOME PERSPECTIVE

Historically, videogames have actually been quite inflation-resistant when compared to other forms of entertainment, especially movies. In 1981 I paid $2.00 to see a matinee showing of Raiders of the Lost Ark the weekend it opened. That same week I used my hard-earned snow-shoveling cash to buy Atari Football (screenshot below - yeah, that was actually supposed to represent football - and we were happy to have it!!) for the Atari 2600...which, as you can plainly see is one of the most simplistic games you could ever imagine by today's standards, and I paid $50 for it back then. Thirty years later a movie ticket in my area costs between $12 to $24 depending on whether you want to see a standard flick, a 3-d show or an IMAX film. So, let's just take the standard flick; an increase from $2.00 to $12.00 is an increase of 600%. Video games going from $50 to $60 in the same period represents an increase of only 20%...an absolute bargain by comparison...even more so when you compare today's Madden NFL to that Atari atrocity. I think I'm more than getting my extra ten bucks worth of product. If you had to pay $60 to see a movie, I suspect you'd skip the opening of the next big summer blockbuster. So, how have game prices stayed relatively flat for so long?

Atari Football - $50 in 1981
VS
Madden NFL 2013 - $60 in 2013

In the early 80's video games were exploding! They were new, exciting and represented the cutting edge of technology, but in many cases, the games were being churned out by "teams" of one or two people in a day or two for a few hundred dollars. So, as you can imagine, Atari and other developers had ridiculously HUGE profit margins built into that $50 price point, and people were happy to pay it. Nowadays, developers are lucky if they make $2 or $3 per game after all their costs are factored in, and game retailers typically pay $55 for a new game that they sell for $60. Their real profits come from used game sales. Game developers also don't have the luxury of the additional revenue streams afforded movie studios, like DVD sales, cable and public T.V. royalties, On Demand access fees and more.

And so we come closer to the point of this whole story...what all this means to console makers, specifically Sony and Microsoft, and why I believe this is the last generation of consoles we'll ever see released. To understand where we're going you have to first understand where we are and what these two mammoth companies are trying to accomplish.

WHERE DO THE PLAYERS STAND TODAY?

In 2012, Microsoft reported earnings down $1.1 Billion from the same period a year earlier, but I wouldn't feel too sorry for them, they still reported a net profit of roughly $6.4 Billion, and with an interesting footnote; the Xbox division reported $98 Million spent for research and development in the final fiscal quarter alone, a clear indication that they've been seriously ramping up R&D efforts for the Xbox720. As creators of Windows, the most popular computer operating system in the world, Microsoft could literally afford to view their Xbox division as a hobby if they wished. They could pull up stakes today, leave the gaming space entirely and hardly feel it; but don't worry if you're an Xbox fan, Microsoft isn't going anywhere. Their plan, spelled out by Bill Gate's with the release of the original Xbox, was then and remains today to gradually transition the Xbox hardware from a gaming-only console to a unified "set-top box" that would eventually allow consumers to control everything from the lights and thermostats in their homes, to their use of the internet and all other audio/visual entertainment with one device, using only their voice as a controller; and Forbes agrees with me. Solid evidence that their plan is working came recently when Xbox live reported that 2012 marked the first year that the majority of people connecting to Xbox Live were doing so to take advantage of services other than online gaming.

Sony entered the current generation of consoles as the undisputed industry leader. It was estimated during the last generation of consoles that Sony's Playstation 2 controlled an overwhelming 70% of the global console market. However, due to a series of strategic missteps with the PS3 and perhaps by underestimating their competition, as I predicted in 2007, their lead has all but vanished and, depending on whose numbers you trust, they now find themselves in a virtual deadlock with Microsoft with each company now controlling roughly 35 to 40% of the market with a floundering Nintendo claiming the rest with the Wii and the thus-far disappointing Wii-U.

In stark contrast to Microsoft's $6.4 Billion profit of a year ago, Sony reported a staggering LOSS of $4.8 Billion in the Sony Computer Entertainment division alone...that's a swing of more than $10 Billion between the two companies!! Sony's electronics division hasn't been helping much by barely breaking even for the past 5 years. Sony as a whole reported a net profit of $404 Million.

Bloomberg recently reported Kazuo Harai, Sony's new Chairman, wants to generate 70 percent of revenue and 85 percent of operating profit in Sony's electronics from games, digital media, and mobile devices by March 2015. To say Sony has a lot riding on the PS4's success would be a massive understatement. While they are down-playing it publicly, internally, Sony execs know this might be their last best chance to make SCE profitable once again. The very survival of Sony Computer Entertainment could be on the line and the changes they've made in their approach so far with the PS4's release vs the PS3's release reflect a keen awareness of their precarious situation. From firing Ken Kutaragi, to announcing their console first, to embracing a more developer friendly x86 architecture with the new hardware, Sony is attempting to correct past mistakes in hopes of, at the very least, maintaining a level playing field between themselves and Microsoft.

FINDING AN IDENTITY

The biggest problem for Sony in the current generation is the fact that even though they entered the race a full year after Microsoft, they really did nothing to differentiate the PS3 from the Xbox360. As Forbes points out in their article, aside from a very few exclusive titles for both consoles, and the obvious differences between Xbox Live and PSN, for most consumers, both consoles occupied the exact same space and it was really just "a choice between blue pokemon and red pokemon."

But now I see a clear line being drawn in the sand between Microsoft and Sony that could actually end up benefiting everyone.

Sony made it clear with their "reveal" of the PS4 in February that they are getting back to focusing on games, games, games and eschewing many of the other entertainment features offered by the PS3 and Xbox 360. At the same time, recent rumors out of Redmond, Washington suggest that Microsoft has every intention of offering a powerful gaming system while continuing to advance their agenda of an all-purpose entertainment one-stop-shop of services that could eventually end the need for cable.

I see this as a possible win-win. If Sony is successful in reestablishing themselves as the best games maker on the planet, then they have a legitimate opportunity to regain their supremacy in that space.

If Microsoft were to successfully introduce a more inexpensive console that further expands their variety of entertainment offerings, while perfecting voice control and still being a good, if slightly inferior gaming machine to the PS4, they could fill a niche wholly separate from Sony. The end result could be a situation where consumers are adequately motivated to own both systems in order to have access to all the combined features on offer.

The danger for Sony lies in Microsoft's advantage of knowing what the PS4 is going to offer processor specs-wise and possibly being able to simply one-up them. If they can do that then the PS4 would be in trouble indeed. And if the new Xbox's gaming specs are only slightly inferior to the PS4 but they offer a bunch of other features that consumers want, that could also bode poorly for Sony as consumers will often sacrifice a small difference in graphics if their is a perceived value-gain with everything else included in the package.

THE END IS NEAR...NO MORE CONSOLES AND NO MORE GAMESTOP

And finally, regardless of what happens in the battle to dominate this upcoming generation, I believe this will be the last generation of true consoles for several reasons, and I'm not alone. One of the "experts" that agrees with me is well-known Wedbush Securities Industry Analyst Michael Pachter, who also predicted in 2009 that there would be no more consoles after the Xbox360 and PS3. I didn't agree with that assessment at the time. I had already predicted in 2007 we would have a PS4 and Xbox 720 and that by the time they rolled out, Microsoft and Sony would be virtually tied in market share; and apparently I was clairvoyant that day, because I was pretty much spot on with one exception; I thought the next gen would arrive a year sooner, in 2012.

Now it's 2013 and the environment surrounding the industry has significantly changed, thanks in large part to the one thing that is always toughest to predict; the astounding rate of technological advancement. With the continuing improvement of streaming technology, cloud processing and Nvidia's GPU processor technology, six years from now it will literally be possible that the only hardware Sony and Microsoft will need to offer consumers is a controller(s) that will plug directly into your TV. The "consoles" will exist completely in the cloud.

One immediate result of this transition will be the almost-overnight destruction of Gamestop and all other brick and mortar videogame retailers, and trust me, nothing else would make Sony and Microsoft happier. Whether they admit it publicly or not, stopping the sale of used games and ending piracy stand at the very top of both company's long-term agendas. Streaming everything solves both of those problems instantly while greatly reducing publishing costs.

No more consoles means no need to manufacture hardware for every consumer. Factor in the elimination of all the costs associated with production, servicing, warranties, packaging, shipping, energy and real estate costs as well as all the salaries and benefits of the employees required to run all those operations; in the final analysis, I just can't see how both companies can avoid coming to any other conclusion...producing more consoles simply no longer makes good business sense.

So, enjoy your physical discs while you can because I don't think you will see them anymore after this generation.

I would love to hear your comments below.

As always, thanks for visiting GameJonez. Game on!!

Three New Grand Theft Auto 5 Trailers released today

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:32:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez

email tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

Rockstar Games released three new trailers for Grand Theft Auto V today. The video below includes all three. The trailers feature three distinctly different playable characters from the game and contain the kind of over the top action we've come to expect from the GTA franchise. Having three different playable characters is a first for the series and the graphics seem to be a significant upgrade from GTAIV. The game appears to really be shaping up. The car-jacking hi-jinx is scheduled to begin September 17th.

Gameplay Video - Saints Row The Third: Bikini-clad Base-jumping Belly-flop

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:43:00 +0000

For my next challenge...

A buddy of mine was visiting today and while I was taking care of some business making phone calls, he was killing time playing with my Saints Row The Third character on my laptop. He was attempting to base jump from a vehicle into the rooftop pool at the Saint's high-rise headquarters without success. Yes, this is the kind of stuff we do when we're bored. After about 30 minutes, I was beginning to get frustrated watching him repeatedly try and fail, so I finally asked him to hand me the controller so I could give it a try. Bingo, nailed it on the first try!! He was pissed! I couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't resist sharing the video with you. Try to ignore the bikini; my girl Roxy is sexy!

HP Laptop, Logitech f310 controller, and Saints Row The Third videogame...$550. Showing-up your buddy with a Bikini-clad base-jumping belly-flop? Priceless!!

Greg Kasavin sparks heated debate on violence in Bioshock: Infinite when he guests this week's Gameplay podcast.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:11:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

Greg Kasavin, former Gamespot Editor and one of my favorite game reviewers of all time, stopped by for a visit with Kevin VanOrd in this week's Gamespot Gameplay podcast; which includes quite a heated debate on the occasionally shocking violence and controversial themes featured in Bioshock: Infinite. (beware spoilers from 00:49:00 to 01:05:00)

Among other things, the show includes a very interesting discussion on the birth and maturation of the modern shooter genre, the Metal Gear Solid series, Dark Souls II and a career retrospective on Kasavin's time at Gamespot, highlighting some of his very best game reviews.

Personally, it was great to hear Kasavin's thoughts on the industry again. Back in the day, he and Jeff Gerstmann were the go-to guys for quality game reviews. They were both major influences on me and it's safe to say that without them, GameJonez would not exist.

Gamespot veterans Carolyn Petit, Tyler Winegarner and Tom McShea all contribute to this spirited discussion. The show runs nearly 2 hours in its entirety and is interesting throughout, but if you're cramped for time you can skip around at will.

Greg Kasavin now works for Supergiant Games, the creators of Bastion. They recently revealed that they are working on their next release, titled "Transistor". Which platforms "Transistor" will be released on is yet to be determined, as is the release date. Stay tuned.

Activision being cryptic with latest Call of Duty tease

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:02:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
email at tiberiusjonez@gmail.com

Activision's official landing page for Call of Duty has been replaced with a mosaic comprised of pictures of fans. The mosaic is being slowly revealed over time, but appears to me to be the skull logo featured in different iterations throughout the Call of Duty series of games.

If you click "find me" at the top of the page you can connect via twitter or facebook and presumably be added to the mosaic.

This is what you'll see at the official Call of Duty landing page.

This "tease" is starting to feel like the latest "worst kept secret in gaming". Do you think these sorts of teases are an effective marketing tool? Do you think they're a complete waste of time and money? Would you do it differently? I'd love to hear someone else's opinion on this in the comments.

Emulators: Console Gaming's past has never looked better

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 05:04:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
GameJonez Blog Founder and Editor

Final Fantasy XXII never looked so good.

LEGAL DISCLOSURE: I am not an attorney, and as such, the contents of this article should, in no way, be construed as legal advice. I am not offering legal advice in any form or fashion and GameJonez Blog and it's contributors do not accept responsibility for the results of any action taken by any reader of this blog or of any other person. If you have any questions about the legality of any action you're considering taking, always consult an attorney licensed in your state of residence prior to acting. By continuing to read this article, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclosure, and that you agree to hold GameJonez Blog and it's contributors harmless for the results of any action taken by you as a result of reading this article.

Now that that's out of the way, onto the fun!!

As I'm sure you're keenly aware, the current generation of consoles is winding down to its inevitable conclusion, and like a sports fan stuck in that depressing vacuum of time between the end of football season and the beginning of baseball season, I've been looking for other outlets to spend my entertainment time. As a result, I've found myself diving (back) into videogame emulation so that, before moving forward with the new consoles, I might play some of my favorite games from the past, the memories of which still burn brightly but whose hardware, sadly, has long since fizzled out.

I've spent a large chunk of the past week or so getting familiar with PCSX2, the best Playstation 2 emulator currently available, and the focus of this article. For those of you not familiar with videogame emulation, here are the very, very basics: there are essentially four parts to videogame emulation; the emulator, a game rom, a BIOS file from the original hardware and a computer. An emulator is a software program that mimics (or emulates) computer hardware. Rom is short for "read-only memory" and is a game's programming code, and a BIOS is essentially a programming environment that sets the rules of how any given computer hardware and software function together. If you have a decent PC with an internet connection, an emulator, a BIOS for the hardware you wish to emulate, a compatible game rom and some patience, then you have all the necessary components for reliving the memories of games from your past.

While emulators are generally easy to find and download using your search engine of choice, roms are a different story, requiring a bit more effort; mainly because, under the vast majority of circumstances, possessing the rom of a game you don't already own is illegal - a federal offense no less. Hence, the disclosure above. Essentially, for any software that is not free-ware or share-ware, if you don't own a copy of the original game, then you are not legally permitted to possess the rom. The same basic rules apply to a console's BIOS. In order to legally use it for emulation, you have to "dump" (transfer) the BIOS from a console you physically own to your computer. The practical result is, you will never find emulators, BIOS's and roms simultaneously available on the same website.

God of War 2 on PCSX2 running at 60 FPS

Of all the emulators out there, MAME is probably the best known and best supported. It primarily runs classic arcade games from the 1980's, and has been in active development for at least 15 years. If you want to get your Galaga or Pacman groove on, you can't go wrong with MAME. However, if arcade classics are not your flavor of choice, fear not friend, there are a wide variety of emulators out there, spanning virtually every videogame console ever released since 1980, up to and including the Sega Dreamcast, Playstation 2 and the original Xbox. Sorry, despite the claims of some unscrupulous and fraudulent websites and YouTube videos you may come across, to date, no one's figured out how to successfully emulate the Xbox 360 or the PS3. Furthermore, the general consensus is, for various programming reasons (especially as it relates to the PS3), they probably never will.

If this is all new to you, you're probably wondering, "Why isn't everyone using emulators and why haven't I heard of it before now?" It's pretty simple really; playing games with an emulator requires both some effort and a degree of patience and, as a result, is not for everyone. Even the best emulators run only a fraction of their parent console's total game library well enough to play. The percentage of playable games for any given emulator is, for the most part, directly proportionate to the amount and quality of development hours invested in improving the emulator's programming code.

Okami. Simply gorgeous!

Emulators are, as far as I've ever seen, free-ware and open-source; so you're usually free to, and, in fact, encouraged to, tweak them to your little hearts content if you think you can do a better job than the developer. Generally, whenever a new emulator first appears, it will not run any games well enough to actually play. That's where Geek Nation comes in; the best emulators are almost always the result of cooperation between the original developer/programmer and the gaming public, which often takes the software and improves upon it, usually in an effort to play a specific game that the emulator may not run well, if at all. For example, when PCSX2 debuted around 2005-2006 it could only run one game, and only at a pitiful 1-3 frames per second. At the time, it was really no more than a "proof of concept" offering, demonstrating that a PS2 emulator was at least possible. Fast forward to the present day (as of this writing) and the official PCSX2 website currently lists 1,866 PS2 games as "playable", with more games being added and/or improved upon every day. Without the benefit of any corporate funding, that, in my opinion, represents a staggering rate of improvement for a team of programmers that has fluctuated between just 2 to 6 people at any given time.

Of course, impressive as that number is, it still represents less than half of the 3,852 total Playstation 2 titles ever released as of May 2011, according to Wikipedia. That being said, if you're looking for the most popular PS2 games, you're likely to be pleasantly surprised. In the past week I've played Kingdom Hearts 2, Final Fantasy XII, Okami and God of War 2; four of the highest rated PS2 games ever released. Of course, you have to understand that playing those games was not as easy as simply placing a disc in a tray and hitting the power button; far from it! While you don't necessarily have to be a rocket scientist to be successful, emulation is not for the lazy or the completely computer illiterate.

If you don't know what a "noob" is, then, yep, you guessed it, you're the noob. If you don't know how to download and open a compressed file or how to "mount an ISO" and you want to run emulated games, then you're either going to have to learn how by searching the net like the rest of us, or you can simply give it up now and go buy another, working console on Ebay. In fact, one of the main downsides of emulation and what turns many off from using it is the fact that no two titles ever seem to run equally well with the same settings. As a result, tweaking, experimentation and trial and error are all par for the course if you plan to spend any appreciable time using emulators. Fortunately, for those willing to put in the time and effort, most emulators (at least the good ones) have active forums populated by passionate members sharing their experiences (and settings) in an effort to help each other get the most out of the emulators with the fewest possible problems.

Kingdom Hearts II

So, after varying degrees of tweaking of the different emulator settings for each of the games mentioned above, with one exception, all of them ran perfectly (some, better than "perfect") on my laptop with full gamepad support using PCSX2. I say "better than perfect" due to the fact that because most modern PC's (laptops and notebooks included) are far more powerful than the original PS2 hardware, many games can be played at resolutions far higher than the console's native resolution. Final Fantasy XII running at full 1080p is a site to behold and Okami will simply take your breath away.

In the interest of full disclosure, and in an effort to demonstrate how a modern low to mid-range PC can handle PCSX2 emulation, the screenshots here were all taken (using FRAPS) with the games running at 1024x768; roughly 70% higher than the PS2's native resolution, and as you can see, they all look pretty spectacular. All these games consistently ran at between 50-60 frames per second except for Gran Turismo 4, which I can't seem to get above 35 FPS in-game, despite my best efforts. To my credit, I'm not alone; PCSX2 is known to still have many issues running GT4 and GT3. Aside from these titles, I only own about 10 other PS2 games presently, so I was somewhat limited in what I could play with emulation as, since I'm writing about it publicly, I couldn't take a chance on playing anything outside the letter of the law. Some of the other PS1&2 titles I own and plan to try are Bully, Grand Theft Auto 3, Gran Turismo 2 (to test backwards compatibility with PS1 titles) and Maximo: Ghosts to Glory. I will report my results with those in a few weeks.

Gran Turismo 4 Opening Movie

In the meantime, if you have an itch to play some of your old games but your console is dead, whether it's a Sega Genesis, Nintendo NES, SuperNintendo, N64, Playstation 1&2, Xbox or most any other console, with some determination and time, emulation might just be the ticket to keeping your favorite games alive!!

Have you ever tried emulation? If so, please share your experiences and, as always, thanks for visiting GameJonez Blog. Happy gaming!!

GameJonez Blog is back by popular demand!

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 04:19:00 +0000

WELCOME BACK!!

Posted by Tiberius Jonez
GameJonez Blog Founder and Editor

Well, hello there GameJonez readers. Long time, no see. I've received quite a few requests over the last several months to write some fresh material and breathe some new life into GameJonez Blog. So, by popular demand, and after an extended absence, here I am, out from under my proverbial rock.

I want to thank everyone who has emailed me encouraging me to resume my participation in GameJonez Blog. After more than a two year hiatus, it is gratifying just knowing someone out there even remembers me or this little gaming blog of mine. As long as you keep coming back and commenting, I'll try to keep finding interesting things to talk and/or occasionally rant about.

So, here we are. The first thing you'll notice is our new look. I hope you like it. I doubt anyone will confuse GameJonez Blog with the IGNs and Gamespots of the world, but considering I'm only using free Blogger tools, I'm pretty happy with the result. I think the new look is more elegant than the old and most importantly, it's even easier to navigate. Each picture represents a story. Simply click and enjoy. All the old content has been preserved, and amazingly, some of it is actually still worth reading. With any luck, I will hopefully give you plenty of new reasons to stop by often. As always, I welcome and look forward to your comments!

So, where to begin...hmm. So much has happened in the world of videogames over the past couple years. In short, with the current console generation coming to a close, Nintendo seems to be fading fast, Microsoft is kicking butt in the sales arena and Sony is hoping to reclaim their previous status as market-leader as we move into the next generation of hardware this Fall. Meanwhile, PC gaming keeps chugging along despite an environment of rampant software pirating and copyright infringement and in spite of the naysayer's seemingly never-ending pronouncements of doom and gloom.

I finished Bioshock: Infinite and Mark of the Ninja a couple weeks ago. Both were absolutely outstanding for different reasons. Bioshock: Infinite, aside from being visually stunning, left me contemplating and discussing with others, it's controversial subject matter and compelling plot for several days after the final credits rolled. Mark of the Ninja was a refreshing take on stealth mechanics and the Ninja approach to combat wrapped in a package of slick graphics and uber-tight controls.

Everyone's favorite annual gaming event, E3, is right around the corner, and with new consoles from Microsoft and Sony on the horizon, it should be a whale of a show. All in all, there's certainly lots to talk about and we will get to much of it, in time. Over the next few weeks I plan to gradually work my way up to once again contributing to the global conversation surrounding gaming on a regular basis. For your part, I would love to hear some suggestions for topics you'd like me to explore or gaming related things that have been on your mind.

For today though, I want to briefly talk about my favorite past-time and, I assume, the reason you're here...playing games! Specifically, playing older console games on your PC. So, please, read on to the next post. And, as always, thanks for visiting GameJonez Blog. Game on!!

Xbox 360 Slim Quick Review

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:47:00 +0000

Posted by Tiberius Jonez

I was lucky enough to secure an Xbox 360 slim on the Friday following the console's unveiling at E3. My guy at my local Gamestop held one for me until I got off work in the evening, even though they only received five of them and they're not supposed to do holds on merchandise - their policy is first come, first serve. Thanks dude who shall remain unnamed, seriously.

I traded in my 360 Elite with the 20 GB hard drive from my original release date console and so after trade-in credit I paid $177 and some change for the $299 360 Slim.

First impressions:

As soon as I got it out of the box, I was struck by the 360 Slim's aesthetics; it is a beautiful console that will add a touch of class to any entertainment center.

Wow, it's silent. Not just quiet - it is inaudible. And yes, the power is on. ;0-)

The smaller and cooler processor, generous vents and much stronger, yet silent fans, means there should be much less chance of overheating issues and console failure.

The gloss black finish, added USB ports, repositioned optical audio port and touch sensitive buttons are all lovely additions and really raise the overall impression of the console's build quality. While I've always considered the 360 a better overall gaming console than the PS3, the PS3 has always had a distinct advantage in looks, in my opinion. But not anymore. The new 360 Slim looks every bit as good as the old shiny PS3's and considerably better than the new PS3 Slims.

The built-in wireless "N" means I finally have some hardware to show what my new N Router can do. Last but not least, the 250 Gigabit hard drive is my favorite upgrade; no more deleting games to install new ones.

After a week of heavy play, I can say I am thoroughly pleased with my Xbox 360 slim. It has performed perfectly under heavy stress and is a beautiful addition to my electronics menagerie.

The new matte black wireless controller is very cool too - it's size and form factor are unchanged, but the new finish is very "Batman" in design.

If you can get your hands on one, you won't be disappointed with the new Xbox 360 Slim.

Thanks Microsoft. I don't know how you pulled it off - unexpectedly unveiling a completely redesigned console AND having it available on store shelves only 72 hours later, but I'm impressed.

Game on!!

Alpha Protocol - hit or miss?

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:09:00 +0000

I can't lie. Alpha Protocol looks extremely overrated, but what do I know? That's why I rely on you, the GameJonez Reader to determine whether or not this game is a diamond in the rough or cubic zirconia. So tell me, is Alpha Protocol legit or illusion? Please comment. THANKS!

UPDATE 5/28/10: Apparently I wasn't far off with my first impression of Alpha Protocol. Gametrailers.com is less than impressed with the game. I doubt I'll even rent this one. RPG games that try to be shooters don't seem to work unless their name is Mass Effect.

Video Games | Alpha Protocol | Review HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

What's wrong with DLC?

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:05:00 +0000

by Tiberius Jonez

There's been a lot of debate during this console generation regarding downloadable content, or DLC as it's commonly known. Some people love it, others, not so much. I've always been of the opinion that DLC, like most anything, is great when done properly and useless, even insulting, when done wrong.

DLC falls into three general categories for me. First is expansion packs. To me, an expansion pack is new content that adds significant value to an existing title. New levels or missions in GTA IV or Elder Scrolls: Oblivion are good examples of expansion packs. I would even consider the map packs for Modern Warfare and Gears of War to fall into this category. These kinds of new content add potentially tens or even hundreds of hours to the original game's playtime. At $15 or less, I consider these to be decent to excellent values.

Next is original stand alone games like Shadow Complex from Xbox Live Marketplace or Pixel Junk Shooter on PSN. In fact, these are probably the two best examples I can think of of games that could easily be sold at retail, but are perfectly suited for sale as DLC. Again, at $15 or less, these games represent fantastic value for the gamer and a great source of revenue for publishers who maximize profits by eliminating packaging and all the infrastructure required to get products to brick and mortar retailers. By the way, if you haven't played either of these games, do yourself a favor and check them out - you won't be disappointed. These are two of the 20 or 30 best games to come out in the past two years in any format.

Finally, we have micro-transactions. This last category is where things get more dicey. This includes everything from new outfits for your Xbox Live/PSN avatar or Mii, to individual cars for Forza Motorsports 3 or EA's "unlocks" - such as paying $10 to unlock all the courses and equipment in Tiger Woods Golf without having to play through the game to "earn" them. Some of these, such as the EA unlocks, can represent a significant value. If I want to play Tiger Woods online competitively but don't have the time to invest 40-50 hours of offline playtime to level up my golfer, then the cash to unlock my character's levels and equipment would represent a decent value to me. However, offering me Horse Armor (pictured) for my Oblivion steed for 200 MS points is just silly. EA's offering to sell me the NFL Jersey of my favorite team for my avatar and charging $5 (400 ms points) doesn't represent a good value to me either when I can go to Walmart and buy a real Miami Dolphins shirt on sale for $7.

What actually bothers me more than the items offered as DLC is the way two of the three console makers price their offerings. Microsoft sells items on Xbox Live using "Microsoft Points", which are offered in 400 point increments. Each 400 MS points is roughly $5 real money. Microsoft recently changed the pricing structure of their DLC in response to complaints from customers. Previously, most items for sale on Xbox Live Marketplace were structured in such a way as to insure you were always short 100 points or had 100 points left over. It was basically a way for MS to force you to either forfeit that extra 100 points or buy 400 more points so that you could buy some other item. Nintendo uses their own "Wii points" price structure similar to Microsoft's points. 400 Wii points is also roughly equivalent to $5 real money. Fortunately, Nintendo does not seem to price items in the same way MS used to.

Why is it Sony is the only console maker with enough sense to simply offer their wares for actual real currency? It is simple, when I add $5 usd to my PSN wallet, I know $5 usd is coming out of my bank account and this simplicity actually seems to have the affect of encouraging me to buy more software rather than less. Plus, they price many of their micro-transactions under $1. I bought a cool hat for my PSN Avatar, and it cost me 38 cents. I thought it was a fair price and gladly paid it without hesitation.

I find the points systems used by Microsoft and Nintendo to be insulting. There's just something about the points systems that makes me feel dirty. I never feel like I know what I'm actually paying for any given item with those pesky points, and honestly, 1200 Microsoft Points just feels like more than $15 dollars to me, which may be part of the reason why I don't buy much add-on content through Xbox Live Marketplace.

As DLC becomes more prevalent, and eventually (a decade or more) all software is purchased via electronic delivery, it would be nice if all three console makers would just get into the mode of offering good values for real money. As the industry continues to expand their customer base, conventions like these "points" systems will only confuse new customers and potentially turn them off from DLC completely.

DLC can be a great tool for publishers and developers to increase revenues and extend the shelf-life of the games they create, while (hopefully) offering gamers more fun experiences at a good value. But, for DLC to reach its potential, console makers need to make the pricing of DLC simple and transparent.

Ubisoft ignoring Assassin's Creed 2 audio problems

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:42:00 +0000

by Tiberius Jonez

I was very excited to receive Assassin's Creed 2 last night. Unfortunately, after 5 minutes or so of playing, my excitement quickly turned to irritation and finally, complete disappointment. From the first cut-scene on, I experienced audio issues ranging from skipping dialogue to overlapping dialogue to a complete freeze of the game at one point. No, my disc is not scratched and my Xbox 360 Jasper Elite is working perfectly, thank you very much!

I really wanted to enjoy the game, but after an hour or so, the problem was so bad that it was impossible to follow the plot due to all the lost dialogue. The game is simply broken.

I researched around the net today, and sure enough people are complaining about similar issues with both console versions of the game. On Ubisoft's own forums, people are complaining and apparently Ubisoft's response is simply silence. There is no mention of a fix or upcoming patch to fix the problem. You can complete a work ticket on Ubisoft's forums, but no one has reported any progress or even an acknowledgment of the problem from Ubisoft.

The fact that Ubisoft, one of the most respected game developers in the industry, would release a game as big as AC2 with this kind of severe problem is fuel on the fire of gamer's reticence regarding the industry's move toward more PC-centric game development. Five years into this console generation and we still have game companies releasing games that require patches to correct problems that should have been addressed prior to release.

While I'm sure Ubisoft's board of director's will be happy with their stock prices next quarter, they may be whistling a different tune if the next Assassin's Creed is released to disappointing sales due to their complete disregard for their benefactors - namely us, the gamers.

If you've experienced audio issues with AC2, let us know by commenting.

Tritton AX 720 Gaming Headphones Review

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:10:00 +0000

by Tiberius Jonez

“The Unfair Audio Advantage.” That’s what Tritton technology’s website declares on the product page for their AX 720 Gaming Headphones. After using these headphones in Modern Warfare 2, can I honestly say it’s a fair statement? Read on and find out.

There are two major players in the Gaming Headphone space, Turtle Beach and Tritton. Turtle Beach seems to be the better known of the two; likely due to their long-standing availability at Best Buy stores across the land, but Tritton’s products are now also available through Best Buy and other major retailers. This, combined with the quality of Tritton’s product line could be giving Turtle Beach legitimate cause for concern.

Being Christmas time, I was given $100 to buy something for myself and I’ve been in the market for some decent gaming headphones for a while. I couldn’t stand the idea of buying another crappy Microsoft headset or some other junk from Madcatz or Nyko, so I started researching. What I found initially was that Turtle Beach is well-reviewed around the internet, with only sparse mention of Tritton. So, I ended up buying a set of X31’s from Turtle Beach for $99.99 plus tax.

I chose the Turtle Beach product because for $100, the X31’s are wireless and are supposed to do a decent job of mimicking surround sound with a stereo headphone. I got the X31’s home and at first glance, they seemed kind of cheaply made to me. They were light, which is normally a good thing in headphones, but they seemed a little TOO light – like they’d break easily under any kind of strain or abuse. I’m a hardcore gamer, so whatever I buy is going to take some abuse – there is simply no way to avoid it.

Once I got the X31’s setup and running, my impressions were mixed. On one hand I thought they were comfortable and the ability to adjust your chat volume independently of game audio was a very nice feature (the Tritton AX 720's also have this feature). Unfortunately I found the “surround” capabilities of the X31’s to be sorely lacking. While playing Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox 360 I could hear that enemies were somewhere near me, but I had no idea what direction they were coming from. Worse yet, I experienced severe popping noises whenever either end of the cord attaching the headphones to the controller got jostled. For $100, I was very disappointed.

So, I headed back to Best Buy to exchange them for a pair of Tritton’s AX 720’s. At $129.99, the AX 720’s are $30 more than the X31’s and they are not wireless, but I had read a few reviews that gave the Tritton’s extremely high praise for their sound quality – which is always better with a wired product VS a wireless one. Unpacking the AX 720’s, the first thing I noticed is the build quality – these things just feel well made. They are larger and a quite a bit heavier than the X31’s but they look really nice and feel very sturdy.

Setting up the AX 720’s is a bit of a process. The unit comes with its own Dolby 5.1 amplifier that connects to your Xbox 360 Elite via the optical input. The amplifier is quite small and should easily fit in most peoples setups. The amplifier has it’s own power supply, so you’ll need to have a free outlet available on your power strip. Xbox 360 owners must have an Elite model to take advantage of Dolby 5.1, as it requires the optical input. By the way, the AX 720’s can be used for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC and will work great with any BluRay/DVD player or other audio/video component with the requisite optical output. PC users can use the included standard 3.5 MM connection for stereo sound as well, but you will miss out on the surround sound goodness. The cord running from the headphones to the amplifier is 12 feet long and should be sufficient for the vast majority of players.

I did have one hitch with the setup. The manual is less than comprehensive, and at first I had other players in my game complaining about a very irritating buzzing sound coming from my mic. My wife and I searched the internet for a solution and nothing suggested fixed the problem. Then I started messing with settings on the AX 720’s amplifier and stumbled on the answer. For Xbox 360 users, make sure you select 5.1 Dolby, headphone mode, and game mode. Setting it like this eliminated the buzzing being heard by other players. Now it was time to get to fragging.

Before I even started a game, I noticed the sound quality difference over the Turtle Beach X31’s. I have my dashboard set to the water effect. Low and behold when I turned on my 360 I heard water sounds and at first couldn’t figure out where it was coming from – then it hit me – it was the dashboard effect. I had never even heard it with the X31’s or from my TV's speakers.

So, I joined a game of Modern Warfare 2. I took a couple of seconds to adjust my chat volume and game volume to a nicely balanced level. This is accomplished with an inline volume control on the cord running from the headphones with independent volume controls for chat and game audio. There is also a mute button so you can speak to someone in the real world without annoying other players in the game.

Once the game started, I was instantly blown away. I heard a chopper fly in from behind me and then I started taking in all the ambient sounds in the game; bullets whizzing by, explosions near and far, and people scurrying about. I could not only hear all these sounds, but I could tell exactly where they were coming from – both the direction and distance. Explosions were full and powerful and every sound in the game was crystal clear and beautifully recreated.

What you want to know is, did wearing these things make me a better player? Normally, I'm a solid player in MW2, but I absolutely dominated with these things on. It was so easy to find a comfy camping spot and just listen for enemies to approach. This was especially effective inside of doorways. I would simply setup inside a doorway and wait for someone to approach, then just as they were about to enter the door I’d leap out and knife them.

The second match I played was on Karachi. Here I didn't camp, and I can't tell you how many times I avoided a death because I heard someone approaching from behind and was able to wheel around and take them out – much to their chagrin. Once the dust settled I was the top player in the match by a large margin. going 25-4; my best single match score ever. Oh my, the sweet gaming goodness. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

A significant side affect of using these is that it seems to make the game's graphics better. That's not to say the graphics are literally improved but it is astounding how much easier it is to spot enemies – especially distant ones, when you have audio cues pinpointing the direction you should be looking in.

This is truly something that cannot be adequately explained – you simply have to experience it for yourself to appreciate the added sense of immersion true surround sound adds to your gaming enjoyment. Not once did I find myself wondering where a shot or approaching footfalls were coming from – it really lent a sense of confidence to my playing that I would never give up now.

To be plain – if you enjoy first-person shooter games and don’t mind ponying up the $130, you will not regret buying the Tritton AX 720’s. I give them my highest recommendation.

Deal of the Day (Nov. 17th)

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Free Blueray Player and Free Shipping on select Toshiba HDTV's at Circuit City. And if that isn't enough? the Tv's are on sale upto $750 dollars off. Don't miss out!! Check out their site now: http://www.circuitcity.com/email/circuitcity/CCEM164.asp?SRCCODE=CCFACEBK&cm_mmc_o=m21CjCd-2HPRRsCjC2zF5zbTECjCaBltb_z%20cbft%20_kAyzY

Video Game Deal of the Day (Nov. 15th)

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:16:00 +0000

Video Game Deal of the Day

Need for Speed Shift for PS3 or XBOX360
Originally $59.99 on Sale for $39.98 until Sunday, Nov. 15th
while supplies last For more information click here

Madden 2010 - The best mobile game ever?

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:25:00 +0000

by Tiberius Jonez

I recently got a new phone; an LG Dare. I decided to buy a game to see what it could do, and after scouring the entire library of available games on the Verizon network (and reading some reviews) I settled on Madden 2010. At $10, Madden is one of the more expensive games on the Verizon network. Is it worth it? Read on.

After quickly downloading the game, it was installed and I was looking at the menu screen. There are three pretty standard modes of play; Play Now, Exhibition and Season. They are all exactly what you'd expect.

What you might not expect is just how fun and satisfying a football game can be on a touch screen phone.

When the initial kickoff takes flight, you are immediately struck by the graphics - Madden 2010 is essentially a N64 game squeezed into a cell phone. The motion is very smooth for the most part and the animations are quite good. The hit and tackle animations in particular are exceptional. Of course, Madden is fully licensed so all 32 NFL teams are represented.

The control scheme is a combination of a standard 8-direction digital pad located on the lower-left corner of the touch screen (directional toggle on non touch screens) and an "OK" circle that becomes visible in the lower-right anytime an action is available.

So here's how it plays out:

Touch the screen and the ball is snapped. The QB automatically drops back and starts surveying the field. Circles pop up on screen to represent your receivers and the "OK" circle is visible in the lower-right. The circles representing your receivers change colors depending on the action on screen. The colors are: green for uncovered, yellow for partly covered, and red for completely covered.

As a receiver comes open, you tap the "OK" circle, followed by the icon of the receiver you wish to throw to; on this play it was Adrian Peterson. A.P. catches the ball and starts up field. The "OK" icon pops up again, Tap it and the action freezes (actually slows down to a near stop) and a series of icons pop up representing different moves available to your ball carrier, such as spin move, hurdle, dive, change of direction, speed burst, stiff arm and others. I select spin move and Peterson spins, splitting two defenders and continuing up field.

As the "OK" circle refills another defender approaches from the side. The "OK" button fills up...I tap it and select stiff arm. A.P. sticks his hand in the defenseless defender's face and knocks him to the ground. As he resumes his upfield assault, the "OK" meter fills up again - I select celebrate inside the 10 yard line and A.P. holds the ball out behind him, taunting the defense as he struts into the endzone for six.

The controls are very well designed and give the action a very cohesive feel that is rare in mobile games. I have played nothing but this game for three straight days. If a cell phone game can keep me away from my Xbox 360 or PC, it must be pretty damn good.

One of the game's best features is the save system. If you exit the game for any reason - to take a call, text message or because you need to stop playing, your game progress is automatically saved at the moment following your last completed play. This save feature makes it very convenient for playing in short bursts.

Madden 2010 mobile is a fantastic game - the best I've ever played on a mobile device. It is fun, deep, and offers super tight controls. If you love football or just good games, you can't go wrong with this one. Pick it up.

PS3 Slim is a game changer?

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:30:00 +0000

by Tiberius Jonez

The worst kept secret in gaming is now officially outed. Sony announced the PS3 Slim to day; a smaller, lighter, more efficient and cooler PS3 with all the same features as it's predecessor. Using a third less power is a good thing, let's hope they improved the blu ray drive's reliability.

Does a smaller box and a much needed price drop make this a game changer for Sony? I doubt it. It certainly will boost sales this year, especially during the all-important holiday shopping season.

Microsoft needs to get Project Natal named and released sooner rather than later. From what I've read and seen, Natal is legit and if used properly, it could render the Wii obsolete overnight; at least in the minds of those gamers falling into the "XBox or PS3 for sure, and a Wii if it was a gift" crowd.

Blu Ray is becoming less of a draw for Sony as standalone Blu Ray players continue to come down in price. There have been no announcements of release dates for any Natal titles but all indications point towards a late 2010 release - holidays 2010?

If that is the case, Sony needs this year to prove most fruitful for PS3 sales. They could fuel that success by releasing more games designed to draw on the 360's success like Mag and Infamous.

I've been pondering a new PS3. This makes it more likely I'll have it sooner rather than later. I am super excited about Project Natal and a slew of good games coming to stores over the next 12 months. Next up, Forza Motorsports 3 and Modern Warfare 2.

This next year is going to be a good one for gamers everywhere.

A salty Brit's take on E3

noreply@blogger.com (TiberiusJonez) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:46:00 +0000

by Brendan Rose

With E3 wrapping up, I thought I'd talk about some of the new games I think looked cool, as well as the games I think seem crap or that I'm indifferent towards as well as the new motion controls for the PS3 and Xbox.

Okay first up, Mass Effect 2, now I think this looks really cool. You can bring your old character over to the new game, and if you die you don't get to bring them over into the third game. It's supposed to be darker than the first Mass Effect, which is cool because it was kind of lame. I just sat around waiting the entire game for the lesbian sex scene with the blue alien girl, but it was a lot of fun, and I really liked the psychic powers. They've revamped the graphics and the combat, and you can now wound and cripple the enemy. It looks cool

Alright next we've got Bioshock 2, it seems really neat from the footage I've seen. Everybody knows this time around you get to play as a big daddy, with the proper drill. Slower this time, more lumbering, more powerful, and they've got the big sisters there to set up some good dynamics. It looks ok.

Heavy Rain, seems really cool. It's got the branching plot lines. If you die as one character you just switch to one of the others and the plot adjusts, and it just looks like it's got a lot of potential. I'm not a fan of those stupid quick-time events where you have to press a certain button fast enough to keep the scene going. I hate that. But it seems interesting enough for that not to matter.

Dead Rising 2 is going to be awesome. God of War III seems pretty good from the footage I saw. Everyone's pretty hyped about that game. I never played the God of War games, but I'll definitely try it out. Then there's Final Fantasy XIII and now XIV which will be online. Not much to say about that. I like the look of the new game, and VS sounds awesome.

Flashpoint 2 seems to be rolling along well and looks cool, if they ever release it. Left 4 Dead 2, looks exactly like the first game, which isn't exactly bad, I'll buy it, and some new maps would be fun. Then there's Halo ODST, I'd like to play another Halo. Looks ok.

Assassin's creed 2 seems neat with some new features, better assassinations. It looks like it could be fun. Brutal Legend seems kind of funny. Jack Black... Probably a stupid game, but I'll buy it just to have a look. New AVP, could be fun, if they get it right. Batman Archam Asylum is something I will take a look at later along with Crackdown 2.

Now moving onto the intermediate games there's MAG which seems interesting with 250 or so players. Dark Void just keeps floating around. Some Knights of the old republic game, others liked the earlier one. And then Lost Planet 2 which has fancy graphics and lots of neat action and open areas and big scary monsters to fight but I just look at it and I feel nothing. I feel dead inside.

Then the games that just look like festering shit. First, Uncharted 2. My god, can someone please kill the hype surrounding this miserable looking tomb raider thing. It looks so boring and stupid it makes me want to barf on a child. Modern Warfare 2, I have no interest in...none. I understand people love the first Modern Warfare, but I've never understood it. So, go ahead and let the flaming begin.

The Beatles Rockband will probably sell a lot of copies, but not to me. No way in Hell. And then there's some fucking Metal Gear thing going on... Some stupid shit... Looks like Metal Gear on Xbox. I really don't care

Then finally, these new motion controls, which I hope will strangle the last gulps of life out of the Wii like a boa constrictor on a stray duckling. First the PS3 has a motion controller set for 2010 release that looks at least as good as the Wii motion plus. And then the Xbox has this.... Magic thing....Project Natal. They just showed a weird trailer. If it lives up to the trailer it could be cool. No controller required. It scans your body with two cameras and tracks your movements in 3D, and it responds to voice commands. Could be cool if it works I guess. So the Wii has no power and no games at all, and whatever the Wii control once offered, is now available on a better system with real graphics, If they get it right.

So anyway that's what I thought of E3. Kind of cool. Like a nerd mecca.