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, Sting’s heel turn, Brooke Hogan’s ridiculous push (again), or your favorite color, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2010 is kicking off and, as always, it’s interesting to see the trends that are dominating the show’s programming. While enthusiast gamers and writers are interested in things like PlayStation Arc (of the Covenant?) and OnLive, there are more people here that are interested in newer, burgeoning markets — mobile gaming and social gaming.
Mobile gaming has been a big part of GDC for several years, but it’s bigger than ever in 2010. Obviously the iPhone market is enormous and potentially lucrative, but Google and Palm are at the show, pushing Android and WebOS gaming, respectively.
Social games like FarmVille and Mafia Wars have been immensely popular. At this year’s GDC, the next generation of social games are being discussed and shown off. Developers are working on improving the visual quality and overall experience of social games. In many ways, they’re more attractive to developers — cheaper to make, easier access to consumers, etc.
Gamers like you and me are most interested in the latest console games and technology, but these trends in gaming can’t be ignored. They’re already huge and getting bigger all the time. Today I wanted to see which trends you think are the most important. Do you see social games getting bigger and getting console-level graphics? Do you think mobile games will become bigger and more like PSP titles? Leave a comment and let me know (please)! Or do you prefer to bury your head in the sand and stay safe in the traditional console world?
I'll stick with consoles
Probably some 3D info. Link here for pricing on models releasing imminently.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0922582320100…
I'm sticking with consoles. If you think about it mobile and social games are like the wii. They are reaching an audience that's probably never played or had an interest in playing a game but now they are whether they are tending their farms or their mafia games. As long as social networks are hot the social game developers cannot ignore it. Mobile gaming is getting better and better. I've just downloaded earthworm jim and i'm wishing that developers would make the controls more consistent. My controls react better playing CoD: Zombie game than Earthworm Jim.
I'm sticking with consoles as well. As far as game changers go, from the reviews that I've read it seems that God of War III is a real game changer.
Btw, the buzz on Natal has been pretty negative so far. That surprised me a bit.
@R-Pad
Negative from who? (Devs, journalists, etc..)
@R-Pad
Natal seems like the hardest of the three to develop for. The Wii and Arc won't change hardware for each person that uses it. The game will receive the same info no matter who uses it.
I'm still waiting for one of these three companies (or a combination) to invent the Holodeck.
-M
@RRODisHere The lag issue was brought up several times. I have no experience with the device, so I don't know how big a deal it is.
@ Anyone who has Gears of War 2;
I happened upon a code to download the Flashback Map Pack for free, but I already have this map pack. I don't want to go through the hassle of trying to sell it (not like anyone would buy it at this late in the game's life, anyway). Plus I don't think it's worth much, so I'd rather give it away to someone here. Consider this unofficial RPAD.TV swag that is not officially sanctioned by RPAD.TV.
Anyway, if you want the code for Gears of War 2 Flashback map pack, just let me know you want it and I'll give you the code. If not, I'll just ask someone on a GoW2 message board, but I'd rather give it to someone that visits this site. First one to ask gets it, not that I expect a high demand.
-M
@ICeman
I would like to have that code please.
I think more subscription and micro transactions will be showcased on those social games. Cash cow. pun intended.
I see traditional games getting more social. Microsoft has already made that their directive.
My favorite news of the day:
The Steelers just got Antwaan Randle El back!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10068/1041369-66.stm?cmpid=latest.xml
To make this news even better, we dropped Limas “Hands Of Stone” Sweed.
I got into to Social games heavily recently but then I realized they are just addictive and not any Fun at all so I have closed up shop.
I never did like any of the games I have had on any phone including my iPhone. All of the games just seem so cheap and hard to use and see.
I am currently infatuated with the size and quality of PSP games. The have come a long way since I owned my first PSP. The new Minis are pretty fun also. I know they are like cell phone games but they seem to have better quality and better controls. Also I like being able to play them on my PS3 & PSP.
@N8R
My favorite news today is that the next Tiger Woods game will use the Sony Sex Toy of Doom. I’ll leave why to everyone imagination…
Ill stick to consoles for right now, and my DS. though Steam on Mac makes me happy and when we get some bills paid im going back to a Windows Laptop JUST for Star Trek online and a better music organizer (I tunes simply blows). Cellular gaming needs to get bumped up a bit more for my liking,though I still have a Palm Pre (and thats not changing anytime soon)
@Sandrock323 Developers and the press.
@R-Pad
That’s not good if the devs aren’t liking it. Then again, I haven’t heard to many speak good about the Wii either. Maybe they hate motion controls as much as we do.
@topic
I think that social games like farmville and mafia wars are definitely going to stay with social platforms. Mostly the internet, and perhaps there will be a transition to having them available on mobile devices as well, sort of like xbox games are going to be with the new windows mobile 7 platform- available to play back and forth between console and mobile device. I think that a mobile transition makes the most sense because as long as it is not specific to one mobile OS, there is a huge install base. Anyone who plays farmville on facebook most likely has a cell phone (in my opinion, no stats that I know of to back that up). I don't see people buying a console system or anything extra to play their social games. The games need to be brought to the platforms that social gamers already have and use on a constant basis. I stress use on a constant basis only for the point that casual gamers did buy the Wii, but I get the impression that many Wii's are sitting around gathering dust because there is not the constant use factor. Other than the internet, cell phones or mobile devices are the only other platform that I can think of that have a constant use, and that most people have access to.
Also, I think that the majority of these games are going to survive on in game purchases and transactions. It is easier to get a customer to pay for something once they are already hooked on the game and the game suggests that they buy something to enhance their gameplay. A similar comparison to this is how some games on XBLA let you play the game and once you do something that would earn an achievement, the option to buy the game and keep the achievement comes up, or you can opt out of the purchase and lose that achievement. The only thing is you really aren't losing anything, but that is how it feels to the consumer. I know that that works because that is the only reason I own Shadow Complex.
@ Smartguy
E-mail me at icemanmx@aol.com and I will give it to you. Type "Request for GoW2 map code" in the subject line or "From Smartguy" or something that will let me know it's you. Free maps, a (chick) magnet, a Lombardi trophy. Geez, let me know when you win the Louisiana state lottery. I'll fly you around in a helicopter.
@ Bsukenyan;
Tell me about it. I hate how it feels that sometimes these companies are "nickel and diming" you with sub-par maps that come out almost right after the games come out. On the other hand, I'm sure the hardcore gamers that enjoy those games love the change in scenery every now and then. For me, it's more about asking yourself at what point is enough (maps) enough?
-M
@Sandrock323 We? I like motion controls just fine.
You do bring up a good point, one that I was already thinking. It doesn’t matter if developers and journalists don’t like it if consumers are into it. One thing to keep in mind is that the people I spoke to are third-party developers that can work with both Natal and Arc. In general, the devs seem much more impressed with Arc.
isn't there an MMO out that lets you purchase items for real world cash? (besides second life). More of a hardcore game I believe it is. I could be thinking of that Huxley game though. I'm not a fan on microtransactions at all. My girlfriend bought Rockband tracks shortly after the game released. It's just against my core principles. Can't do it.
LOST: I'm not sure I cared for tonight's episode. It was too much fluff and not enough substance. Like last week's eventhough the temple got messed up. It seems like the writers are stretching it out based on ad sales.
@Sandrock323 None of the developers I spoke with mentioned that it was particularly difficult to create for. They just seemed disappointed with its capabilities. As tech geeks, I expected them to be more attracted to the Arc’s impressive fidelity, but I didn’t think they’d dislike Natal at all. Naturally, I expect a different story from first-party developers that have more access to the system.
@iceman
I understand that the companies want to make money off of new content, but like you said it is these maps that come out almost right after the game comes out. To me it just got old to have to pay for map packs, especially on Halo 3, I just want to play certain battle types (team slayer) but that type is only available on a map pack that costs an extra $10, and I already got a different pack that cost a few less than that just to be able to play on some pretty common maps. That is part of the reason why I don't really play Halo 3 anymore since I am done with the campaign. Overall that is part of the reason I don't keep a constant Live membership, the membership itself is an expensive luxury for me which makes it frustrating to get nickel and dimed just to be able to really get a lot of use out of the membership.
@Slicky
Social Games – “It sucks!”
@smartguy
I know that one such game where people buy and sell a lot of in game items on eBay is Ultima Online, I'm sure there are plenty of other games that do that as well (WoW, Everquest) but I am not positive on those, Ultima Online I am sure of though.
Thanks for eveything guys and gals! Pretty sure this is my first drunk comment. Hung out with a beautiful person that worked on Bioshock 2, caught up with Chris Taylor, and went to an ATVI party with pole dancers. Pictures tomorrow!
@Sandrock
I think it’s the fact that Natal has no buttons so that hampers what devs can do with it. It seems to me that only shovelware can be made to be played with no buttons. Add to that the fact that Natal has pretty bad lag will also be an issue for devs. If you think the Wii has shovelware just wait until you see these Natal games that require no buttons to play.
@RROD
I was thinking the same thing. Sad thing is that Microsoft and Sony want it.
@iceman
yeah I might have wanted it if I still had that game, it just didn’t interest me in the long run. It kind of felt repetitive with the different map packs that you have to download, kind of like Halo 3. I like the games, but a couple new maps just aren’t worth the money or time for me.
@ Ray
a Red Bull and a Gatorade after a good night of drinking makes the day better.
@topic: I admit it….I'm addicted to Mafia Wars on Facebook. I'm well aware of how inferior it is, but on those slow days at work it gives me something to do for roughly 15 minutes.
@smartguy
I agree with your review of Lost, the only thing it showed was that Ben actually thought of someone else instead of making his power play. I'm going to have to re-watch it because i wasn't paying attention to the conversation Ben was having with his dad about the Dharma Intiative. Ilana was still vague how the candidates will replace Jacob. If jacob still needs to be replaced then why is he showing up still? To show them the way like the Obi-Wan reference Hurley made? Lastly, if candidates that are touched by Jacob can't die, this is what i got from Richard's explanation, why does Locke die?
I know he shook Jin's hand, not sure about Sun.
@smartguy
He shook Jin's hand, which would explain how he's survived death time after time, but i think after when he was leaving he touched them both on their shoulders. I'm going to have re-watch last season's finale again to make sure.
As far as Locke is concerned, I have no idea.
I guess Sayid never actually died? Linus was touched.
I think Jack will be the new evil guy and Linus will be the new Jacob.
@ bad news for fans of 80's culyure
Corey Haim died this morning from an overdose.
@N8R
MIB showed himself to Jack as well via Christian. Idk. I could see Sawyer being the MIB and Jack as Jacob. Show needs to speed up.
@ tokz
You are correct in stating that Lostpaedia has Kate listed on the wheel.
@ Smartguy & tokz
The dichotomy thing may have just been foreshadow for this season. As for who the replacements are… anyone's guess. But I think Jack is a front runner for sure.
I also enjoyed how w found out that Richard showed up on the Black Rock. I'm actually kicking myself for not putting that together when evil Locke said "It's good to see you out of those chains." I just thought Richard was older than that.
@n8r
I think the dichotomy has always been there between Locke and Jack. Locke being a Man of Faith and Jack, being a Man of Science. Locke always believed there was a bigger purpose for him on the island and he did those spiritual things to get the island to talk to him. Jack, just wanted off the island and never wanted to believe in Fate, which is why he probably got sick and his appendix had to be removed. I also thought Richard was older than the Black Rock until like the 3 or 4th time i saw the season premiere and heard Smokey Locke say that to Richard.
@ tokz
The dichotomy is deeper than that even. Whenever one of them would wear a light colored shirt, the other would have a dark colored shirt. All the way up until Locke's death. Now, it's not Locke anymore.
This is some good spin by Verizon:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/03/09/verizon_sees_wi_fi_only_ipad_as_opportunity_to_sell_3g_data_plans.html
Lost needs to find a better way to explain things soon. i don’t like saying being touched, it makes it sound like someone’s being violated. i.e. Ben was touched by Jacob.
I can’t believe Widmore found the island again! It’s like just when you think it’s close to being over and getting explained; the Lost writers throw another wrench at your brain.
@ Lost
Jacob put his hands on both Jin and Sun’s shoulders at the same time during the wedding.
Kate was touched by Jacob when she was a child (intended), but her name wasn’t on the grotto wall or the lighthouse. I don’t think it’s a matter of folks that got touched can’t die, it’s a matter of they couldn’t kill themselves. Locke didn’t commit suicide as intended and Jack lit the dynamite.
@ Smartguy
I think it’s Jack as Jacob and as Locke as (obvious) MIB. They really have been playing out the dichotomy between them since the first season.
@N8R
I think Kate’s name was on the lighthouse wheel. according to lostpedia it was 51, but i remember seeing it. I’m going to agree with smartguy and really think that’s it going to be Sawyer and Jack that end up as the new Jacob and MIB.