Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, what the hell happened to the Minnesota Vikings, WWE hyping Bret Hart’s return to Raw, or the best things to do with leftover turkey, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
By the time you read this, I’ll be on my way to Atlantic City with my family. I’m Asian, ergo gambling is in my blood. I actually spent the better part of 2001 earning money in blackjack and video poker. Although I don’t gamble as much as I used to (in casinos, life is another matter), I’ve always loved gambling and card-based minis in videogames.
Out of all the minigame distractions I’ve enjoyed over the years, my favorite would have to be Triple Triad in Final Fantasy VIII. It’s a fun card game that was great for a distraction from the RPG grind and actually had an impact on gameplay. Its simple and addictive nature proved to be so popular that several fans created downloadable versions of the game. While it’s not as exhilarating as going on a hot card-counting run at Binion’s Horseshoe, it doesn’t require a bankroll and you won’t lose money on a bad run.
What are some of your favorite gambling or card-based minigames? Let me know and I’ll try to reply from the road on my BlackBerry!
I used to earn about 20 free Sonics on the Casino Level in Sonic 2. I was so addicted to flicking him into a slot machine. In fact, just like a blue hair, I had my favorite slot picked out as well. Stage 2, first slot you come across; that's mine!
Bayonetta got a pretty good review from IGN. Higher on the 360 simply because of technical issues on the coding for the PS3.
This game intrigues me. I thought the demo was pretty fun and enjoyed the fact she got naked to do special moves. I don't think this is a $60 buy for me, perhaps on sale or cheaper.
Triple Triad FTW!
I liked gambling in the casinos in GTA San Andreas
@Smartguy
Platinum games didn't even attempt to make the PS3 version of Bayonetta so they got Sega to port it and they did a shoddy job on the port. Such a shame that this still goes on.
@RROD
It is a shame really. Very second rate and disrespectful.
@Smartguy
I love the Bayonetta demo but I refuse to support shoddy work. Therefore, Bayonetta will be a rental for me.
@RROD
Rental or used for me as well. I don't know if it is worth full price regardless.
GTA:SA was fun for me as well.
@RROD
In their defence, they've never made a PS3 game. Actually, Bayonetta their first 360 game.
@Sandrock
That's a bullcrap excuse. Kojima productions never made a PS3 game either when the made MGS4 and that was a masterpiece. Naughty Dog never made a PS3 game before either when they made Uncharted 1 and that was also great. I could go on but I think you get my point by now. This is only a problem with small devs. EA, Capcom, and Ubisoft never have trouble making games for the PS3.
@RRODisHere Why does Platinum even need an excuse? It's a relatively new and very small studio. I don't understand the heat the developer is getting.
… I got nothing.
But hey, the Steelers won 2 in a row!
@ those who don't know
At the very beginning of the season, Iceman challenged me to a bet regarding the Steelers/Dolphins game at the end of the season. If the Fins win, I have to rock a Dolphins avatar for a month. If the Steelers win, he has to rock a Steelers avatar for a month.
After 17 weeks, that game is this Sunday. I didn't think I'd be as nervous about it as I am… but that's how the cards fell (damn Madden curse).
Maybe… this side bet is my favorite gambling mini-game.
@RROD
They are also large well established developers and publishers. Platinum Games is not. Bayonetta is only the 2nd game they have ever made. All I'm saying is cut them some slack. Their first game, Mad World, didn't do to good and I doubt they have the man power or money to code a PS3 game in-house. At least they are trying to get on the PS3.
@R-Pad
I call host advantage, not fair….
Ya I think the port is to blame not the studio. they rocked it with a superb game that is getting glowing reviews. I've heard even big, well-established devs have had trouble coding for the PS3. let alone the little guys. it's one of the unfortunate disadvantages of the PS3. but with such power comes little things like this.
@Raymond Padilla
@Sandrock323
I understand they are a small company but that's no excuse. I'd rather they take Valve's stance and not make the PS3 version at all if they can't get it right. Other small devs don't have a problem with the PS3 version of their games. I don't care if the PS3 version of a game has 50 less pixels on screen than the Xbox version but the PS3 Bayonetta version is just downright shoddy and a slap in the face to PS3 owners. Either get it right or don't do it at all like Valve.
bayonetta is hot and sexy! but i have to agree with rrod, devs shouldn't take a console for granted if they are planning to go multiplat. the ps3 still has a lot of potential.
@topic
TRIPLE TRIAD!!! that damn mini game wasted 2 hours of my life.
@Shockwave
Yes, Sega is to blame. If you can't make games on the PS3 then make it an Xbox exclusive.
@Bayonetta – I am a little lost as to where the quality drop off was. I have played the demo on the PS3 and it looked fine and played without any slowdowns. I am all for not getting something for shoddy worksmanship, but if the coding issues are small enough that the average gamer won't give a rip, then why are we having this conversation?
@RROD – careful what you wish for
@LarcenousLaugh
According to ALL of the reviews that I read, they all made it a point that the PS3 version was vastly inferior due to extreme slow down, extensive load times, tons of screen tearing, and washed out visuals. Usually the Xbox version of games have a few more pixels on screen and that's no big deal but this Bayonetta situation is just too much. It will still be a good game on the PS3, but I just don't believe Sega should be rewarded for such shoddy work. I've played Uncharted 2 and know what can be done on the PS3 so these shoddy ports are unacceptable.
@Shockwave
I meant what I said. Valve knows they can't make PS3 games right so they don't and I applaud them for that.
you guys do know that sony is working on something to fix the bayonetta issues right?
@rbee90
I didn't know that but I sure hope it's true.
@Rbee – they most likely are, but I think RROD is trying to say that this is something that should have been worked on pre-shipping.
@RROD
here's a link.
http://www.vg247.com/2009/12/02/report-sony-to-fi…
i really hope they do fix it. because i was planning to buy bayonetta for the ps3. but if things are bad, then its the 360 version for me
@Bayonetta: Eh, if I play it, I'll just play it on the 360 anyway. I'm not 100% sold on it after playing the demo. I always get excited for the Devil May Cry games and then I never finish them. I get the feeling Bayonetta will be the same way.
Here's a link for that has an OnLive demo. Skip to minute 12.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/OnLive-CEO-Tal…
@Nightshade
What did you think of chapter 6 and the train scene in Uncharted 2?
that video makes me sick. the prick says "no used games". I really hope OnLive crashes and burns.
@RRoD: Pretty impressive so far. I've gotta admit, the game started out slow for me. It's really picking up now. I just returned to the Tibetan village last night and eventually had to turn it off because I was falling asleep.
@Nightshade
Yeah, that first level is basically a stealth tutorial. Did you jump in the pool at the top of the hotel in Nepal?
it is neat that he plays Crysis on his iphone though.
@RRoD: It wasn't the stealth level that bothered me so much as the first jungle level. Maybe it was because I'd just played through the first Uncharted, but I felt like, "I just did 10hrs in the jungle. Can we do something else now?"
I have some issues with the gunplay, which though improved from the first game, could still use some work in my opinion. I mean, you've got hit someone in the center of the forehead to register a headshot. If you hit them in the back of the head or in the mouth they seem to just shake it off. It was definitely worse in the first game, and at least they got rid of the stupid six-axis controls for the grenades.
What I gathered about pricing from OnLive demo:
1. You will buy games or should I say "lease".
2. You will rent games.
3. Demos are free.
I still don't know if there is a charge for monthly access, but it seems that you will pay the full $60 for the game to house it on their server.
This guy is all about eliminating the used game market and retailer discounts. This is a bad business model for the consumer.
@Nightshade
I thought it took way too many bullets to kill the pirates in Uncharted 1 and I agree with you about the sixaxis grenade controls in Uncharted 1, I hated it. I feel that all of that was fixed in Uncharted 2 though. I see no problems with the gunplay now.
last thing about that video:
There will be a monthly service charge to use OnLive on top of you buying and renting the games. He was actually asked a direct question if the games would be $60 and he went all politician and didn't answer it…so no answer it is safe to assume full price for a game on their server.
FAIL
@Smartguy
They probably haven't worked out the who gets what cut with the publishers yet. Not a good sign if he can't give an estimate.
@RRoD: The gunplay is significantly better than the first one, but I still feel like headshots hits aren't as clean as they should be.
@Smartguy: I get the concept of OnLive, but I hope digi distribution never completely replaced physical media. I like my discs.
@sandrock
maybe. the guy reeks of greed though. just my impression.
@Smartguy
Don't all people in marketing?
@sandrock
Nah, marketing people are sleazy.
@Smartguy Iceman is in marketing, no? They're not all bad. Ha!
@smartguy. I need to work on being sleezy then, I'm switching from advertising to marketing. Lol.
@topic. I do love gambling and cards (I like to think I'm pretty good at Texas hold em, but I also don't usually play for money) but I'm never able to really get into any gambling on video games. I played the slots in pokemon blue/red, but other than that I love the feel of a nice deck of cards in ny hands (I also collect decks of cards wherever I go).
HELLO…..hello…..hello. ECHO…..echo…..echo (crickets chirping and tumbleweed rolls by)
Man, I am bored. Tom's Hardware doesn't have any new posts yet today either.
*continues making cricket chirps*
*tumbleweed continues*
Give R Pad a break, guys. He's sleeping off Atlantic City. Need a topic:
What are you doing New Years?
or
Did OJ do it?
discuss.
OJ did it. He got off in that blood spray just like Sytheria.
Lol N8R
So a guy at Best Buy told he that Project Natal will not work with consoles made before 2009, because MS added a serial port to the newer consoles to accommodate the new processor that Natal will use. Anyone heard about this because my 360 is so old it doesn't have HDMI even.
@slicky – doubtful, sounds like more ill-informed sales people. I have a 2008 and 09 console and haven't noticed any differences.
@New Year
I got suckered into to going to a NON-Alcoholic party. I don't like going out to bars because the cops are out in droves. I am still trying to find a better party. Most likely I'll be in bed around 10:30ish, I haven't seen the New Years ball drop in nearly 3 years.
@Shockwave
I assumed he was full of crap especially when he said when you buy Natal you have to install it by opening the case to expose the serial port and replace the entire top of your console. I am pretty sure that voids warranties and poses a risk of electrocution, I doubt MS would condone or make people do that.
@slicky – after some quick research I've found nothing of that. the only thing that came up is Natal won't be compatible with old games which makes sense. To my understanding the whole reason Natal will be designed solo at first is so that it can be added to any console.
I'm thinking it will plug in via USB.
@slicky – geez, ya that's news to me, lol. I don't know where these rumors start.
@ Larcenous
I thought the same thing for a while until I saw an interview with Michael Badin about it (if you don't know who he is, look him up. He's one of the leading forensic pathologists ever and his testimony is probably what aquited OJ ultimately).
OJ had him and Dr. Lee (the other leading forensic pathologist) check the scene before the cops started chasing him. They got to the point where they took pictures when the cops kicked them off the scene and then totally wrecked the crime scene (stepping in blood, leaving footprints, contaminating evidence, etc.). Those pictures show drops of blood on Nicole's back that MUST have come from the killer based in the size and shape of them. OJ had no wounds at the time of arrest. He also said it had to be 2 people that did it.
The other thing that always struck me as odd is the dog. That particular breed of dog (an Akita) is a very smart and loyal breed. The neighbors reported that they heard the dog barking like crazy. If it was OJ, the dog would have been quiet.
I don't think he did it… but he definitely robbed that dude in Vegas.
@ Larcenous
By the way, I sent you 3 more books.
@ Natal
I'm just hoping for a Natal version of "The Girls Next Door".
@N8R – The cops really flubbed the hell out of that investigation. Whether he did it or not, the person who did literally got away with murder.
That being said, they could have easily had an Akita with the same problem as Brian from Family Guy.
Sorry for the lack of updates guys–caught a nasty head cold in AC. Been trying to sleep it off, but all these calls from my Google contacts have been keeping me up. Lots of info on the Nexus One, but it's mostly disappointing.
I'm still on my BlackBerry, but am heading back to NY later today. There will be some new content up tonight, EST.
@Everyone Thanks for the well wishes. I don't remember the last time I had a cold (that didn't involve binge drinking).
@Smartguy I love the hardware–Snapdragon processor, gorgeous screen, noise cancellation, etc. I was hoping Google would be bold and try to shake up the market, but all signs point to traditional prices. I understand that it would have pissed off its partners, but it really could have been disruptive. Instead it's another Android product, albeit the best of the bunch along with the Motorola Droid.
@N8R – saw them in the box. I think the racist cop with the kid who ate the shotgun is hilarious. Martians and the Eff Bee Aye ftw.
@Shockwave
In the videos and demos I have noticed a 3-4 inch tall black box where the hard drive goes on the 360. It looks like a very large add-on for Natal. If that IS where it goes then where does the hard drive go?
@ Larcenous
Arseface rules. His dad is totally comical too.
@Ray
I hope you get to feeling better.
@Ray – no worries, we know how to entertain ourselves. Rest, dear video game journalist, rest and get well.
I was so bored last night I spent most of the night flipping back and forth between the History Channel and the Science Channel. Was watching a show called Sci-Fi Science where they were trying to explain through our current understanding of physics how you would build a time machine. Apparently you need to go a lot faster than 88MPH. I am so lame…..
@Ray
Yeah, the Nexus One is quite underwhelming. That whole shop for your carrier is a total crock.
@OJ
The point about the dog is moot in my opinion. Any dog, incredibly loyal or a dud, will bark like crazy if it sees one of its owners being harmed or in a fight. That is inherent in the pack mentality of a dog. Personally I think he did it. The fact that the woman was damn near beheaded and the guy was cut up pretty fierce indicates that it wasn't some random thing. It would seem it was carried out by someone with extreme emotional distress and hatred. I also don't remember anything about the assailant stealing anything.
@anyone interested
I picked up Dark Athena from BestBuy yesterday for $15. It was on the 50% off table with a regular retail of $30. Go to bestbuy and look for titles that have a yellow dot sticker on them. They are making shelf space for the influx of titles after the new year.
@OJ: I'm not enough of a forensic expert to have an opinion on the subject. But he always seemed like he was acting guilty to me.
i take a few days off and you guys are talking about oj, ray got a head cold in AC
someone got a kato kaelin joke?
@ Smartguy
The pack mentality also shows fear and compassion of the alpha male. If the alpha male is harming/killing another member of the pack, the dog runs and cowers.
If the thing stolen was cocaine or pocket cash… the (inept) police never would have noticed. I think it was junkies or dealers or both. I also tend to think that Nicole wasn't the target, Ron was. She was just literally standing in the way.
All the evidence that wasn't contaminated by the police supports that OJ couldn't have did it. The blood spatter doesn't lie. After that was properly recorded, THEN the police contaminated it and literally washed her body. It seems as though they tried to set OJ so their case would be open and shut (another thing they failed at).
It also goes to show his motivation for robbing the dude in Vegas. That was his stuff that got seized based on a lawsuit for a crime he (presumptively) didn't commit. How would that make you feel? I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying I could see the motivation better if he indeed was innocent.
In fact, all of his actions after the trial scream of his innocence.
@OJ: He tried to run. If you've got nothing to hide, you don't run. You also don't write a book about how you would have murdered your ex-wife.
@ Nightshade
Obviously, you're not black in LA during the '90's and in desperate need of money.
@N8R
The dog lived with Nicole, so it wouldn't cowher to OJ or at least it shouldn't.
His actions after the trial: remember that book he was putting out? Amazing that an innocent man would try and do that to the mother of his children.
@Ray
The hardware seems fine eventhough I have never really cared for an HTC product. I am just quite disappointed that the unlocked phone can only utilize current tech from one mobile carrier. It is a poor decision on google's part.
530 for the unsubsidized phone and 180 for subsidized. If you cancel within 120 days, you pay the difference in price of the phone. Sounds like a Verizon ETF.
@Smartguy Btw, what carrier did you think it was going to be? Verizon just went big with the Motorola Droid, which has been a great success. AT&T doesn't need a hot Android product since it has the most successful consumer smartphone.
That leaves T-Mobile and Sprint. I would have went with T-Mobile too.
@N8R
he wasn't in desperate need of money. He had that fat pension from the NFLPA and whatever other retirement investments he made. Those assets cannot be seized by creditors or a judgment against you. The guy was living it up at expensive events. In fact the last big one I recall was the Kentucky Derby.
@ Nightshace
Perhaps I should state that better.
For all we know, it was AC that wasn't trying to stop. It was a low speed chase after all that ended at OJ's house.
This is right after Rodney King and the mentality towards cops in LA was NOT at an all time high. Especially for minorities.
It's really hard for us white folk to understand that. To be honest, the racism out here disgusts me. I NEVER saw racism like this when I lived in Pittsburgh. It truly is lowering the bar for everyone.
Everybody has to be involved in ending racism or it simply won't work for the same reason people refuse to believe that Pluto is not a planet. It's what they know… and they don't want to change. That would be too hard.
@OJ – I always go back to the SNL skit that opened the show back during that time period. Tim Meadows was playing OJ as a commentator at a football game, and with the telestrator, spelled out "I Did It" while the Al Michaels-esque play by play guy kept asking what the hell he was doing.
If he didn't do it, which the justice system is obviously flustered about since he was held both not guilty criminally and guilty civilly (odd spelling there), he played the whole thing completely wrong. I think the "If I did it" book was also a lack of class move. Bonehead to the Nth degree, even if he managed to maybe pull off one of the biggest legal swindles since Jack the Ripper.
@N8R – Let's leave Pluto out of this. Not only has his status at the adult's table been revoked, but now he has an identity crisis. He has suffered enough.
@ Smartguy
No dude… the dog knew OJ as the alpha male. The dog doesn't forget that stuff. Especially after only a few months.
He did have a private investigation after the trial AND before he was considered a suspect. The media didn't report on it because he made a concerted effort to keep it private. What he found was that the scene was botched to the point of not being able to find anything. That was all apparently in the book. The title was probably the publisher's idea.
@N8R: It was 4 years after Rodney King. And a lot of racism these days is self inflicted with the glorification of the ghetto lifestyle that permeates LA. I'm not saying true racism doesn't exist there, but we just elected a black man president and he won California by a huge majority. By comparison, Mississippi just ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing Slavery in the year 1995.
All I'm saying is that when you run, you look guilty. And he seems to have shown a complete indifference to what happened to the mother of his children since his acquittal.
@N8R
Here say. Regardless, the book itself was a classless act. You make compelling arguments and I do agree that there is evidence that he was set up but there is just as much saying he did it.
Well I guess either way OJ is going to be in jail for a very long time, and this time they could prove it
@ Nightshade
I agree with the "looking guilty when you run" bit, but it doesn't prove guilt by any stretch. There are lots of cases in probably every state that confirms that.
Also it was 2 years after the riots which the remnants of still existed.
What glorification are you thinking of? Rap records? Movies? Because those are distributed by white people and mainly sold to white people.
Here's an example of the type of racism that goes on here: I went to Walmart and bought Notorious the DVD. A black girl rang it up and literally asked me "Why are YOU buying this?". It's embedded in people's consciousness out here that some people can't understand why a middle aged white dude would want a movie about Biggie Smalls.
In fact, where I live (Victorville), it was in the '90's when a huge thing went down about people from the Air Force base were hanging black people from telephone poles around town and writing KKK tags beside them.
It's not that gross any more… but the remnants still linger.
@ Smartguy
Truth be told, there hasn't been a case that Badin worked on that I can discredit him for. I was in the "I really don't care, but I hope he did it" demographic before I saw the interview with Badin. He brought up the blood spatter and that's when I said "Holy hell… maybe he didn't do it".
@N8R: I lived in York, PA for a decade. While living there in 2001, our mayor, a former police officer, was charged for his part in the race riots there in 1969. Every year the KKK holds a parade and rally in downtown York. So to say, "it's really racist in LA," doesn't do the actual problem justice.
And whomever is selling the ghetto lifestyle, it's a lot of black people on my TV rapping about it. So what kind of message does that send?
@N8R: Also, if that was people from the Air Force base, they could have been from anywhere. So it's hard to blame that on "racism in LA" when as far as you know it could have been 3 dudes from Texas or Maine or wherever.
@ Nightshade
Of course it doesn't do the problem justice. I just speak about what I know because otherwise I would be presumptive and talking out of my ass.
What message does that send?: The message the dude selling it wants you to get as well as the one that statistically shows to make money. Positive MC's have a hard time getting signed. Talk to a few of them and you'd see that. Talent makes no difference anymore (listening to the radio will tell you that). It's all about what still makes money and who knows who.
My brother has a reputation for being the greatest drummer on earth in multiple countries (his band is called Don Caballero and he's on Relapse Records). He has approached all 5 major labels and none of them will sign him to any of them because he's too good. Why? Because why would people buy all the crap you're trying to peddle if they can get something quality? Simply put: There's more money to be made in crap.
@ Nightshade
Where did I say that LA is the exclusive home of racism?
I said I never noticed it as much in Pittsburgh as I do here. Yeah, it's there too, just not as rampant anymore. Times are changing… here as well. But some people are stubborn.
@N8R: Look, I don't pretend to like the crap on the radio. Most of the stuff I listen to are imports. But you can't deny what you see on the TV. Whatever the reason for it, that sends the message that black people in LA are nothing but thugs. So if you live there, and that's the message you're bombarded with, that's what you're going to see.
But it's not just there. I was born in Connecticut, and the dichotomy between areas like Greenwich and Waterbury is disgusting. I lived in Central PA for a decade, and the racism there was just as bad as it is here in AZ, only here it's primarily towards the Hispanics. So to argue that the racism is somehow worse in LA and that gave OJ the excuse to act like he did is exactly that….it's an excuse.
That being said, I wasn't there and don't really know whether he did it or not. But he damn well looks guilty.
@Natal Demos
That huge HDD on those 360s means that they are dev kits and not retail 360s. They also have them sitting next to, and presumably linked to, a normal 360.
@ Nightshade
I didn't say it was worse here, I (basically) said a spotlight was shone on it in that particular area, around that time. He knew he was being set up. He hired the 2 leading pathologists in the country for a private investigation (which is something guilty people don't do) and the police kicked them off the scene. I think racism had a role, but wasn't a key factor. Maybe it was for AC (who was driving) and why he didn't stop. He claimed OJ had a gun to his head but there was no gun found on him or in the car. I don't know exactly why he didn't stop, only presumptions.
Black people in LA are by far NOT nothing but thugs. If you believe what you see on TV, that's your fault. If you've ever heard the expression "If it bleeds, it reads", than you can see my point.
Also, Central PA… is kind of the sticks. Sure, there are cities, but it's not cities near the size of Philly and Pittsburgh (or Phoenix or Tempe). I'm sure there's more racism out there in York than there was in a steel town where people immigrated from all over the world to work blue collar jobs.
The problem overall is a sociological one (i.e. herd mentality). It's not a hereditary problem as some would argue (not you… but some). So the solution is in individuality. Think for yourself and don't believe the hype.
Nobody's opinion is greater than anyone else's, it's just a question of whether or not you have all the facts. That said, ignorance is the gatekeeper to immorality.
@N8R – that comment from the girl at the Wal-Mart checkout was pretty racist. I don't think that was appropriate from an employee.
@N8R: My wife grew up in the Bloomfield/Garfield area, and as a white girl was in the minority in her school. She would argue your point about not seeing any racism in Pittsburgh. See, by saying (paraphrashing) that "the sticks in PA are more racist than the cities" you're generalizing the problem.
@ Correction on #94
Police say they recovered a loaded weapon, but there was no evidence presented about it at the trial (probably because it couldn't be proven).
@ Shockwave
I know, right? I didn't want to make a big deal about it nor did I want to cost anyone their job… so I just told her "I study all things musically related" and left it at that.
@ Nightshade
That's weird, I hung out in Garfield a bit and had a keyboard player that lived in Bloomfield. I was treated like family by all kinds of people in those areas. I also said that racism is there, it's just not as noticeable as it is here.
I'm not trying to generalize, Hell, my grandparents lived in Smicksburg where the closest neighbors were Amish. The Amish folk seemed pretty open to all races and creeds. I'm just assuming that a bunch of white people who only know about black people from what they see on TV would cause a tad more stereotyping.
Key word: assuming.
Heading back to NY from Atlantic City. I won a head cold, though I'm not nearly as congested as I was last night. My Mom won about 600 bucks on slots, which just amazes me.
Ya N8R I'd have to bite my tongue on that one. It's one thing if someone said something like that to me but entirely another if an employee is making a comment like that to a patron.
Although, there seems to be a big problem where comments against white people aren't considered racist but white people need to be overly careful about what they say.
As long as man has been writing words down there has been prejudice, I like to think we're getting better on certain levels but I have no doubt some things won't ever change.
@ Nightshade
By the way, the Polish Platter at the BBT (Bloomfield Bridge Tavern) is off the chain. I played a few shows there and at Coyote Cafe. I stayed getting the Platter without onions.
AWESOME!
@ Shockwave
Think about it like this: Slavery was abolished in the 1890's. It wasn't until the 1960's that Jim Crow laws started getting thrown out because of the civil rights movement.
That was barely 40 years ago. It's come a long way in 40 years… but still has a way to go. These things take time.
When we visit Pittsburgh, we usually stay with my wife's brother in Cranberry Township and go into the city. Her father still lives in the Bloomfield/Garfield area, but she doesn't really talk to him unless she's forced to (I make her call him on holidays) so she doesn't go back there much.
@N8R
I think Shockwave was referring to the absurdity that white people can't be racially discriminated against. Only in America do we let race pimps change the definition of racism to exclude white people. Reverse racism? Really? I can't believe that some people actually think there is such a thing. Racism is racism. In NOLA, the blacks are quite racist. They do not elect white people, and the black ministers only speak out against crime when there is someone to sue like the NOPD or National Guard.
Society is always looking for a reason to separate us into "us" and "them." It's just easier when we look different or speak a different language. But classism is just as rampant and more widely overlooked & accepted.
@ Class system
It's a way to divide and conquer. It's so the people can't gain enough power to overthrow the government if needs ever be.
@ Nightshade
Apologies. It's sounds like an excuse, buy I actually hit the wrong button on the keypad (the 9 is above the 6).
I've only been to Atlantic City once for a conference for work at a previous job. Frankly, when looking down from the hotel at the absolute squalor that the people there live in, it made me sick to my stomach to see the giant money making machines that are the casinos side by side with what is basically a American shanty town. I have no desire to ever go back.
@N8R: Bah, no worries. Like I said, I'm a history buff. I'm like the grammar police for dates and places.
@ Ray
I always get congested when I switch climates real fast.
Another thing is, I have no allergies to anything airborne in Pittsburgh but have several out here in the desert.
@ Nightshade
Cranberry is pretty rural… yet a very nice place to live. I know a few (hush hush) farmers out that way. Bloomfield is more my speed. I'm from Edgewood/Swissvale which is right on the East End like 7 miles from the city limit.
I graduated from Woodland Hills High School. If your wife went to Peabody… she had it rough. That's like a 6 story building that they bricked up all the windows in so that people couldn't throw you out of them after they took your lunch money.
@Rpad or anyone – I've never been much of a wrestling fan myself but I watched The Wrestler the other night and thought it was a pretty fascinating movie. any thoughts from people who actually enjoy it?
@Shockwave562 I love that movie. It really captures what life is for indie wrestlers (I know a few). The only thing it didn't convey is what road life is like for a lot of these guys — driving for hours to the next show, sharing a crappy hotel room with a bunch of other guys, etc.
That aside, it was a great film.
And also, I've seen hundreds of strippers prettier than Marissa Tomei.
I think a few of you have hit the nail on the head. even if the world becomes one mixed race one day there will still be all kinds of ways to show prejudice. one of the biggest one is classes. There's also attractiveness, wealth, education… as long as there are people there will be prejudice.
@N8R: I believe she went to Schendly (sp?), which no longer exists. They closed it down recently. Her school was featured in Seventeen magazine while she was there about High School styles, and she got picked as one of the kids whose pictures they put in the mag. I like to jokingly say to her that I married a centerfold, and she generally punches me in the shoulder at such a notion.
@ Nightshade
I'm a history buff too, but I am particularly slacking on exact dates. Names I'm good with, numbers not so much. I know when things happened before and after what, but the numbers tend to blindside me.
My particular interests though are sociology and anthropology. Both sciences that revolve around history.
And then there's music history… which plays in to both anthro and soc. More so soc., but anthro gets involved when you consider that even monkeys move to certain time signatures.
@ Shockwave
I liked the movie alot. The cinematography bugged me a bit, but that's only because I felt like I spent most of the film looking at Mickey Rourke's back.
The light they shone on what wrestlers tend to become was much needed however.
@ Nightshade
I remember Schenley (close). She must have been more on the Bloomfield side than the Garfield side (which is really only separated by Penn Ave.). They also recently tore down a large building of St. Francis right there to make room for the Penguins new stadium.
@History
It is never accurate and rarely true. You'd be surprised how much fiction is put into text books.
@N8R – ya I didn't like that camera angle from the beginning. I also didn't buy Marissa Tomei as the "aged stripper" because IMO she is smoking still. other than that I thought it was great. but I wasn't sure how accurate any of it was
One more thing on Marissa Tomei, I think she's hotter than any stripper I've seen at a club, but I haven't been to a lot of them
@ Shockwave
Yeah, Marissa Tomei is totally pluggable.
@Sandrock: That's why you don't study the textbooks, you study the facts as they are available while searching for more clues to piece everything together. There's always a certain mythology that goes along with the study of anything you can't observe in real time.
@Shockwave: Come to Scottsdale. The strippers are fine…….
@Nightshade – ya I went to tempe once to hang out with a friend. The girls were smoking and on the ASU campus you didn't have to pay a dime for lapdances
After several embarrassing performances by the Giants Defense down the stretch, I'm officially over football for this year.
@Shockwave: Obviously, I wouldn't know anything about that being married and all…..But if I just happen to drive down University Avenue while school is in session and just happen to see all of the absurdly hot girls walking to class…..well, that just can't be helped, can it?
@ Nightshade
My dad always used to say "I might be married, but I'm not DEAD!"
@nightshade – sounds like a perfectly legit detour to me.. haha
@N8r – Ya, the Broncos find themselves in a very awkward position themselves, unfortunately they were stupid and going to the playoffs is no longer in their hands
I actually have customers in that area. I just visit them more often than some other areas……
@N8R. Not only does anthropology look at history, but it does so hollistically, which is something that the other social sciences do not do. In my opinion that is an advantage that anth. Has over psych and soc.
I would also mention that anth. Involves a lot more than Jane Goodal's study of primates and archaelogy…those are only subfields of the entire discipline. (just making a point for the good of the class, not trying to imply N8R was saying that is all that anth. is)
That post was for #114…I'm a little behind today.
@Ray
Selling a smartphone that can only use one carrier's 3G isn't what I would consider a market shakeup. In fact it's just another HTC android phone on T-Mobile.
I know putting two transmitters in a device isn't cost effective, but why not have more than one SKU and sell the devices directly to consumers? You could eliminate contracts and ETFs (except Verizon, they have to be the worst about billing you).
I'd consider their device heavily if it worked on ATT 3G instead of only T-Mobile. T-Mobile's footprint in my area just isn't big enough for me to support the Nexus One. It just seems contradictory to hype an unlocked phone sold directly to consumers but still make them go to a specific carrier to use the device. (i don't consider an EDGE network using).
@Smartguy You make it sound so easy! What other phone manufacturer has ever released multiple versions of the same device that work on all four major carriers at launch? I don't recall that ever happening, certainly not for a smartphone. Also, keep in mind that this is Google's first go at selling consumer electronics.
No matter what, the first shot was always going to be for a single carrier. The Nexus One had to be GSM for global appeal. Since T-Mobile and AT&T use different 3G frequencies, Google had to pick one. Like I said before, AT&T doesn't need this product.
Btw, that last reply was written from the George Washington Bridge on my BlackBerry. I can't imagine doing that on a virtual keyboard…maybe I don't want the Nexus One.
@ bsukenyan
Oh, I hear. I'm fascinated with the whole scope of anthropology. I mainly watch History Channel when I watch TV and most of the shows I watch are more anthro/soc related than others.
So uh….the strippers in Scottsdale…..
@Ray: What's the toll on the GW these days?
@Nightshade386 I wasn't paying close attention, but I think it was 8.50.
@N8R. Yeah it is very interesting I agree. I also like to watch history channel a lot. And I'm interested bc anth is my major
@ bsukenyan
Meanwhile, people are talking about strippers, and we're thinking of Homo Erectus.
That's not right.
@Ray
I'm not going to argue that ATT doesn't need the Nexus One. That's a relative matter based on end user and steep competition as far as sales go.
My point is: Google hyped this device (or the blogosphere did) to be a starting point to try and change the way the cell industry operates in the US. They rationalized that selling an unlocked device at a fair rate would give the consumer choice. In reality what they have done does neither. It's over $500 to purchase from Google, and then it only operates on the smallest 3G network in the US. This is very short sighted to market the Nexus One in the US given those circumstances.
This phone will probably do well overseas, but in the US, with T-Mobiles incredibly small footprint…they'd have been better off going with the larger 3G network. I know if I were a company and wanted to maintain my goodwill, I'd have went for the larger marketshare.
Man, it was like $6 last time I drove into the city. It's been a long time though….
@Ray
That's one hell of a toll.
I'm sure there are prettier ones than Marisa Tomei…but I enjoyed seeing the goods nonetheless.
T-Mobile was the worst network I was ever on. I would have calls dropped in my own living room.
@Nexus One
I think HTC is the reason for the price tag. The service providers can get screwed as there is nothing they can do to stop an unlocked phone. HTC on the other isn't going to want to manufacture a phone that under minds their other products.
@sandrock
HTC has always sold unlocked phones as far as I know. This one has android on it instead of Winmo.
@N8R: If people want true equality then they’ll stop using the color of their skin to excuse the indefensible. And if he was innocent, he should have put all his efforts into finding the real killer like he said he was going to do rather than play golf until his money dried up.
@N8R. I guess that's what we get for enjoying the history channel every once on a while. Haha.
@N8R: (correction from the history/civil war buff) The 13th Amendment was ratified by 27 of the 36 states by Dec 1865, when it became law. So Slavery was abolished before the beginning of 1866.
@ Football
The craziness of the AFC slot is fierce. Amazingly, the Steelers (who actually for the first time in history have a 4000 yard passer, a1000 yard rusher, and 2 2000 yard receivers all in the same year) are not totally out of it. If we beat Miami (and Troy might be back for this game) we need one of 3 scenarios to happen:
• Houston loses or ties, and Jets lose or tie.
• Houston losses or ties and Baltimore (at Oakland) loses or ties.
• Jets lose or tie and Baltimore loses or ties and Denver (home vs. Kansas City) loses or ties.
It’s a long shot… but our best bet is New England beating Houston and Cinci beating the Jets. Here’s hoping.
Of course if we lose, all bets are off (and I have to rock a Dolphins avatar for a month).
@the college of william and mary
somebodies alma mater beat maryland in basketball yesterday……..
and oj did it
they found nicoles blood in his bronco=guilty
So I went to AT&T yesterday for the hundredth time to ask when they would be getting an LG eXpo in. They said they wouldn't be getting it. It is only sold online. What a crock. I really wanted to use one.
If ya didn't know the LG eXpo is the first 1Ghz smartphone in the US and has the projector attachment available soon.
@slicky
That sucks because BestBuy only has dumby units out for you to see.
@Thundercracker
Indeed. William and Mary….You and Mr. Sharper share the same alma mater.
@RRoD: Don't know if you read Kotaku, but there was an interesting piece today about the sloppy fiction in Uncharted 2, particularly early in the game. I tend to agree with much of what the writer is saying here. Here's the link.
http://kotaku.com/5437484/uncharted-2s-sloppy-fic…
I had very much the same reaction about tossing the guard down to his death, and about the lack of stealth in that jungle level. Mind you, I told you previously that I thought that the early part of the game didn't really click with me, and this author seems to have nailed my complaints to a T.
@nigthshade – I enjoyed that article, although how unrealistic it may be the guard from the museum somehow survives the fall off of a massive cliff in to the ocean…
I also tried doing that jungle mission 30 times completely stealth and I am convinced it was not possible to do it that way, it was a big let down and does take away from what you are there to do.
After playing MW2 (got it for christmas, glad I didn't pay for it) I realized that at least Uncharted 2 makes sense have of the time. The whole story in MW2 is crap and completely unbelievable, everything from the spy mission gone wrong to the ensuing war is as far from believable as it gets. I'm about 4 hours in so I should be done soon but I don't think this game is going to wrap itself up nicely.
@ #153 Uncharted 2 makes sense half* of the time
@shockwave
The game is set up for people to buy episodic content for the single player. It's a dick move by Activision.
@Shockwave562
They tried way to hard to give Russia an excuse to invade the US and failed miserably. Most of it is believable, but that part is way to unbelievable and to central to the story.
@sandrock
A terrorist attack on a country's home soil couldn't provoke the invasion of a country? It's happened before….
@smartguy – that sucks, well, I certainly didn't pay to get the first half of the story so I won't be paying to get the rest. sounds to me like people paid for an unfinished game. maybe if the first part had been interesting at all I would have bought the episodes. I'm so tired of CoD, it's the same game every mission. the fact that the scenery changes is the only thing that keeps it interesting.
@Sandrock – which is where I sit, I think they could have thought of many more reasons to give Russia a way to fight, hell, even if they chose China it would have made more sense. It's funny that the big controversial mission is the disconnect for me. people say it was supposed to mean a lot to the story but I find it to be the most out of place.
@Smartguy – one dead CIA agent is not enough to start a war no questions asked. Not to mention, what is that agent doing there in the first place when that much is at stake? I mean, god forbid he accidentally died while at the airport… killing civilians… totally sounds like CIA to me….
I'm not much of a multiplayer gamer, so the CoD games are almost universally rentals for me.
@Nightshade
I just read the link you posted about Uncharted 2's "sloppy fiction". That can be said about every game. That's just nit picking. I guess space marines and 500 pound guys with chainsaws on their guns is unsloppy non-fiction. The same applies to Mass Effect 2. It's just fanboyish nit picking.
@shockwave
He was there to give intel on Makarov. He had been infiltrating the terrorist group for quite some time. They explained that. It was kind of easy to miss since they didn't transition very well.
One agent could start a war. Not all leaders of nations are rational. The Russians still don't like the US and in the game it is made to look like a group of Americans (not just one, only one was caught) went through a Russian airport and opened fire with machine guns killing any and everyone. For a country like Russia who is in a worse economic crunch than we are, yeah…that would stir it up. My opinion. I need to stop reading Clancy.
@Shockwave
Since when did games need to make sense? They're games. If Uncharted 2 only makes sense half of the time, then how since does Halo and Mass Effect make? I know you are eagerly awaiting Mass Effect 2 and I haven't played it but it looks like a space RPG. Doesn't make sense to me but it's a game. I'm enjoying Assassin's Creed 2 but it makes no sense what so ever.
About COD games, I only play them for the online multi player. I have play many hours of MW2's online multi player but I haven't even touched the single player yet and have no desire to.
@RRoD: Since the article was written by an assistant professor at UC Santa Cruz, I have a hard time with the notion that it's simply, "just fanboyish nit picking," as you put it.
And honestly, I'm really enjoying the game. But when I said, "It started really slow for me," I never felt very comfortable with how I'd articulated that point, and I felt like this article kind of made my point for me. I'm not saying that type of sloppy fiction doesn't exist in other games, or in other forms of media, because it's pretty much rampant, particularly in films these days.
@RROD, um, that was an insult to COD not Uncharted… check the post again.
BTW. I'm ok with fiction but I still want it to be reasonable for the story. I didn't like the Jungle part but the fact that they are looking for Shangrala (sp?) doesn't bother me.. get it?
@Nigthshade – I think fiction in games is completely reasonable and to be expected. Sloppy fiction, however, is something that takes me out of a game experience. If I have to lean back and say "wait, what? that doesn't make sense" that can really affect the experience of being "in a game" for me.
@RRoD: Comparing an overall fictional setting to moments of missing common sense isn't really a fair comparison.
@Nightshade
Don't let titles fool you. I've read fanboyish articles from professional journalists and analysts before. Having a professional title does not negate one from fanboyism.
@Nightshade
ALL games are overall fiction, so the comparison is valid.
@Shockwave
If that's how you feel then please explain to me how you can enjoy games like Halo, Assassin's Creed, and Mass Effect.
@Shockwave: yeah, I expect a good story in games, and a good story will often require the occasional "leap of faith" in regard to how you get from point A to point B. But it's generally the little moments of missing common sense that drive me away from a particular piece of entertainment.
Example: The funniest part of Scary Movie, was the very first scene with Carmen Electra, because in the first 5-10 minutes they exposed every stupid stereotype from the horror genre that makes no logical sense. I couldn't watch most real horror movies, because the first time they go down into the basement where the scary monster is armed with nothing but a flashlight, my brains says, "You deserve to die, and I'd rather be somewhere else."
"Comparing an overall fictional setting to moments of missing common sense isn’t really a fair comparison."
"ALL games are overall fiction, so the comparison is valid."
Now that makes no sense whatsoeve. That's like saying, that only entertainment based off of something completely true should be logical. You can have logic and common sense within a fictional setting.
@Nightshade
True, but fiction is fiction. Again, all games are fiction. I'm not understanding how we can pick which games will be criticized for having "sloppy fiction" and ignore the rest.
@Uncharted 2 article
I have some issues with his explanation and expectations of fiction in general, much less the game's fiction.
For starters, I will address the falling guard. That served two purposes: 1. it allowed for a game technique to be taught, and 2. it really was a funny joke. But Larcenous, that guard would have died in reality.
Go ahead and hit the breaks, Skidmark, cause I am about to rock your world. You are playing a game, which in itself, much like the movies, creates an automatic suspension of disbelief. If the fact that you are breaking into a turkish museum, originally armed with nothing but your wits and black leather gloves (Security!), doesn't strike you as less believable then a guard surviving a huge fall into water, I invite you to stop the game now, cause the rest of this isn't going to get any easier to take.
Given the context of both the move and Nathan's character at the time, we have no reason to assume that the guard would die. That assumption is made completely by the person playing dropping their suspension of disbelief and inserting a fictional situation with actual reality.
Next, the jungle level. Fiction, and writing in general, is made up of a series of beats. In short stories, the action flows in a pyramid structure, building to a climax before falling into the post action and epilogoue. In longer flow, there are a number of peaks and valleys. You want it to be exciting, but you don't want to blow your wad all at once.
So let's play that scene out in beats.
1) intro – arrive in jungle
2) up beat – introduce firefight for first time in game – 4-5 enemies, allows for opening stealth kill, before branching into larger conflict.
3) down beat – drop rock for Sully, follow path to first camp
4) up beat – camp firefight – 10-12 enemies, begin with more stealth but disolve into larger fight to continue pushing concept. Fight consists of two waves, intital, then scripted re-enforcements.
5) down beat – arm charges, introduce counter mechanic, introduce main camp with stealth explore, continue story beat
6) up beat – Main firefight – 4 waves, introduce grenade play with aiming mechanic, reinforce cover mechanic and previous lessons with flanking enemies
7) down beat – Cave exploration, story exposition
8) up beat/cliffhanger – Conflict during cut scene, begin chase, end with ledge jump into river (similar height to the fall of the earlier guard).
9) wipe to next
That's the story board beat breakdown of the two chapters that comprise the jungle scene. Does it make literal, real world sense? No. Is it supposed to? No. It's meant to introduce you to their tiered firefight mechanic, as well as provide beat structure for the overall narrative. Fin.
apparently my 8 ) was replaced with a smiley. Damn long bulleted posts.
@RRoD: Who said we were ignoring the rest?
@MW2
Russia had no proof the US sanctioned the act. Just because we know he was CIA doesn't mean Russia did. Also, the UN would have gotten involved if Russia tried it, but there wasn't anything mentioned about the UN. Then Makorof gets off scott free for no reason at all and the SAS members of T141 get killed for no reason at all. They never even stopped to tell us what story the General was trying to make the truth. All of the major plot points were poorly conceived and implemented.
@Nightshade
Well, what are we talking about and where are the articles nit picking other games?
@Sandrock – that is a much better example of Sloppy Fiction.
@sandrock
Please don't include the UN in any argument you make. They are a useless pacifist organization that only collects money. They are perhaps the most useless organization on the planet. If I got a letter from the UN telling me cease and desist, I'd throw it in the garbage.
Russia knew it was an American. Makorov shot the guy and left him so the Russian officials conclude that the whole group was American. It fits.
I can't give you my theory on Makorov without spoiling the story for Shockwave though.
@ Smartguy
They knew he was American, but they never knew he was CIA. Terrorist are still terrorist. They would need to prove the US government had a hand in it to justify invading. Also, don't bring Iraq in as a defense. Husain made the very bad mistake of tempting the US. If he had shut his mouth, denied any involvement, and let UN forces inspect for WMDs, the US would have never been able to invade.
@sandrock
You just proved my point and justified the connection IW made in the game. Irrational behavior dictates events…not logic. The whole invasion thing. Hussein had been tempting fate for far too long anyway, the world is better off without him. Also the UN didn't give the US permission..we just did it.
They knew he was CIA. Here's how: Makarov knew the guy was CIA. Makarov set the guy up. Makarov gave the Kremlin everything he knew because Makarov hates the US. The Kremlin knew everything that Makarov knew.
one more time for my sake: I hate the UN.
sidenote: I would really like ODST to go on sale. Also, I just started watching season 1 of LOST. That's an alright show. Go go Netflix instant stream!
@Smartguy
Makarov doesn't control the Russian government. Russia also owes the US for stopping their nukes in MW1. Russia has no reason to justify an attack. Who looks like an American? is another good point. You can't look at someone and say they look like an American, especially a dead person who can't give it away with his accent or body language. Irrational behavior dictates events, but they still have reasons to back up their argument. None of which MW2 gave for the Russian invasion.
@shockwave DO NOT READ THIS POST SPOILER ALERT
@sandrock
I think that will be explained in the DLC for the game. They left off with Shepherd but did nothing with Makarov. Makarov knew that you were with the CIA so it is natural to assume he would pit one power against the other with said info. How else would the Russians have known? He had to tell them. It's a safe conclusion. Like I said, I think this will be apparent with the DLC. If you can think of any other way that the Russians knew the dead guy was an american gov't official then I'm all ears.
@ Smartguy
It was apparent he was trying to pin Americans as the terrorists, but there wasn't any sign of escalation afterwards. That is what I am trying to say. The game never mentions the Russian displeasure with the US. They just attacked without warning. Yeah, that is what a sneak attack is for, but they could have explained that the Russians were blaming the US in a better way. IW doesn't have to explain why for story sake, but they do have to give some form of foretelling before the invasion and/or an explanation after the fact. A story can't jump to the climax and jump back down, it has build up to or build down from it. MW2 did neither with its story between the two countries.
@sandrock
Yeah, I think that will be done in the episodic DLC for the game. I think I will just read an updated Wiki instead of buying it though.
@Smartguy
That is just a horrible way to use DLC and only hurts the game itself. (although I wouldn't put it past Bobby) I would rather they learn from this and make the next one better.
advanced happy new year everyone! hoping 2010 is gonna be a big year for gaming, technology, and mankind! after playing 80 percent of halo 3. i want to be a spartan now. :D
Mr. Padilla,
Is there something wrong with your Amazon ads/links? I wanted to buy something today from Amazon, but I couldn't find any working links on your site. Have you stopped doing ads with them?
-M
@rbee90
Just wait untill you play ODST ;)
Nevermind my last post… I got it now.
-M
@RROD – if you can point out a sloppy or inconsistant part of the fiction in Halo or Assassin's Creed I'd like to hear it. I thought the fiction on both those titles was well told.
I'm not saying there isn't any slopiness with the fiction I just can't think of any right now. I'm all about fiction I just get really mad when I see an error or inconsistancy with the story/fiction. Same thing gets me when I watch movies or read.
@ Shockwave
Did you just ask RROD about Halo?
That's like asking oral sex advice from Mother Theresa.
Happy New Years in like 10 mins all.
Anyone bother watch New Years Rockin Eve? I think it's about time Dick Clark let's himself retire. He is a shell of his former self since the stroke/heart attack, and it is simply painful watching him try to perform a duty that came so naturally to him for so many years. Hang it up Dick… for f*ck's sake hang it up.
Happy New Year everyone. Time for me to just veg out and not pay attention to the date change. Had some good hibachi food and a jug of sake.
Happy New Year everyone!!!
hey guys. los angeles is still living in the past unfortunately, cant wait til 2010 hits, for some positive and unknown reason, im kinda excited, ive never been so excited on a new year since the new millenium started.
HAPPY NEW YEAR WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This had to hit 200 to be in the top 5. Just not right otherwise.
These are not the droids we are looking for. Move Along.