I stopped by Razer’s BlizzCon 2010 booth to get the skinny on its upcoming StarCraft II mouse, keyboard, and headset, as well as the Naga Epic MMO mouse (perfect for World of Warcraft!). Razer USA president Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff gave me the 411 on these hot products. With the customary Razer quality and precision, these gaming peripherals are fantastic for RTS and MMO fans. Check out the video and let me know if you’re interested in any of these babies (please)!
Author: RPadTV
https://rpad.tv
LittleBigPlanet 2 Sackbots Trailer
The latest trailer for LittleBigPlanet 2 shows off the new “sackbots” feature. As you’r expect from Media Molecule, the trailer is charming and creative. I’m bummed that the game got pushed to 2011, but I’m confident that it’ll be worth the wait. Check out the clip and let me know what you think (please)!.
Did You Know That the T-Mobile G2 is the Sequel to the G1?
According to eWeek, the T-Mobile G2 is the follow-up to the T-Mobile G1. Take a look at this fine piece of investigative journalism:
T-Mobile, meanwhile, has just launched the G2, which is clearly intended to be the next step from the highly successful G1 phone.
Really? The G2 is the “next step from” the G1?!? What gave that away? The name?!?
LeBron James’ New Nike Commercial = More Dickishness?
LeBron’s latest Nike commercial (posted above) is a slick piece of advertising (The Don Johnson moment was particularly hilarious). However, I think it sends the wrong message. Since his ill advised “The Decision” program, James has become the most hated man in the NBA. To me, this commercial just adds to the sense that James is a prick that’s unsure of himself. He might as well sing a “Whataya Want From Me?” duet with Adam Lambert.
Perhaps I’ve taken too many swigs of Haterade. Let me know what you think of LeBron’s Nike commercial when you have a chance.
Coffee Talk #237: What’s Your Halloween Costume?
Today’s Coffee Talk is super simple. I just want to know what you, your family, and your loved ones are wearing for Halloween. Part of it is because I think it’ll be cool to compare and contrast everyone’s costumes. Part of it is…
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, the coffee grinder I want, the coffee grinder of my dreams, or this one time…at band camp, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Today’s Coffee Talk is super simple. I just want to know what you, your family, and your loved ones are wearing for Halloween. Part of it is because I think it’ll be cool to compare and contrast everyone’s costumes. Part of it is that I’m still undecided on what to wear and maybe I’ll steal one of your ideas. Ha!
I suppose it’s time for a Halloween confession too. I remember seeing someone in Greenwich Village dressed as golfer Payne Stewart for Halloween ’99. He was wearing knickers and a sweater vest, just like Stewart wore on the golf course. He was also zombified and had a propeller sticking out of his chest. The costume totally cracked me up — and still does to this very day — but I felt so guilty for laughing considering that he died on October 25, 1999.
Anyway, tell me all about your Halloween costume (please)!
What Are You Playing This Weekend?
After two weekends on the road, I’m psyched to stay home and play some games! Since it’s Halloween weekend, Double Fine’s Costume Quest seems like an appropriate choice. I’m enjoying this “RPG lite” so far. The graphics are charming and the writing is excellent. In fact, the writing is almost as good as WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, which is my other weekend game.
How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?
Diablo III Preview: Hands On with the Demon Hunter
I had an absolute blast playing Diablo III at BlizzCon 2010. This action-RPG offers the excitement I love about the genre and the ridiculous polish I love about Blizzard games. Diablo III is shaping up to be one of the smoothest, deepest, and smartest experiences in the genre. At BlizzCon 2010 I spent several hours (more than I should have, to be honest) playing the single-player game with the new “demon hunter” class. This is easily going to be my favorite class.
Before I give you more details on the demon hunter, let me give you an idea of the kinds of action-RPG characters I enjoy. In Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance I loved playing as the sorceress and exploiting her ridiculously powerful ball lightning attack. In Marvel action-RPGs like X-Men Legends and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, I use characters like Cyclops, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, and Spider-Woman — characters with awesome projectile attacks. Diablo III’s demon hunter fits into my play style perfectly.
The demon hunter plays like a projectile-hurling rogue with a bit of magic thrown in. She’s armed with dual crossbows that fire all sorts of ranged attacks. The projectiles can be imbued with various magical properties, which allow for exploding shots, slow shots, and more. The demon hunter can set traps and has the ability to jump across large distances with her “vault” ability. Obviously she’s not meant to be a hand-to-hand combatant.
Mixing and matching the demon hunter’s attacks was lots of fun. Hitting enemies with slow shots to decrease their speed, setting traps, and vaulting away as the traps blew the enemies to high heaven was one of my favorite tactics. Other times it was just fun to run-and-gun through levels. Firing off spread shots and exploding shots then jumping away for some mana recovery time was a joy. The demon hunter’s style and abilities give the action a sense of chaos; sure, my goals included killing enemies and snagging loot, but controlling the chaos added a layer of gameplay that’s not necessarily there for the other characters.
I was pretty high on Diablo III before BlizzCon. It’s Blizzard. It’s Diablo. Of course the game is going to be great. That said, playing as the demon hunter took my expectations to another level. I want to play this game (NOW! ) and I want to play as the demon hunter.
[nggallery id=25]
Apple Poised to Cut Carriers Out of the iPhone Experience?
Stacey Higginbotham (no relation to Michael Hickenbottom) at GigaOm snagged a fantastic scoop on Apple working with Gemalto on future iPhone SIM-card technology. The two companies are working on making the iPhone experience easier for customers while keeping carrier involvement to a minimum. Here are the details:
It’s rumored that Apple and Gemalto have created a SIM card, which is typically a chip that carries subscriber identification information for the carriers, that will be integrated into the iPhone itself. Then customers will then be able to choose their carrier at time of purchase at the Apple web site or retail store, or buy the phone and get their handset up and running through a download at the App Store as opposed to visiting a carrier store or calling the carrier. Either way, it reduces the role of the carrier in the iPhone purchase.
Before you get too excited, keep in mind that this is aimed (initially anyway) at European customers. Unlike the American market, the mobile frequencies used in most European countries are the same. Furthermore, there’s a lot more country hopping in Europe, so it would be super convenient for customers to be able to change carriers through a simple iTunes download.
The tech has all sorts of implications. Apple is very proud of the experience it offers through the Apple Store. As far as retail experiences go, it beats the crap out of an AT&T store. This technology makes carrier stores unnecessary at best and a minor nuisance at worst. Although the tech is being aimed at the European market, there are radio chips that can handle various types (GSM and CDMA) and frequencies of mobile signals, so it’s a possibility for America as well.
Lastly, the technology has the chance to help Apple succeed where Google wussed out with the Nexus One. Although Apple is making a killing through AT&T, the structure of that relationship will change as it moves to other carriers. I’m sure Apple is concerned about the various (crappy) experiences offered by the “big four’s” retail stores. This technology would eliminate their involvement or keep it to a minimum.
I really hope this technology comes to America. The carriers have way too much stroke here and disruption is overdue. The technology being worked on by Apple and Gemalto has a chance to drastically change the market and, hopefully, make it more competitive. Or perhaps I’m being wishfully naive. What do you think?
Nintendo Continues Celebrating with Super Mario All-Stars
Continuing to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo has announced that Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition for Wii will land on December 12, 2010. I know that many of you have bought these games five times over, but this $29.99 set will tempt you to buy them again. Here are the contents of the compilation as per the press release:
The games included in the Super Mario All-Stars collection are Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3. Each game features the enhanced graphics and updated sound from the Super NES Super Mario All-Stars collection, and all four can be played on the Wii system using one of several controllers: the Wii Remote controller, Classic Controller, Classic Controller Pro or the Nintendo GameCube controller.
Also included is a Super Mario History soundtrack CD, a compilation of memorable music from the Mario franchise. Containing classic theme songs and fun sound effects from the original Super Mario Bros. game all the way up to this year’s acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy 2 game, this special disc also marks the first official release of the “Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme,” widely recognized as one of the most famous pieces of video game music in history.
Rounding out the Super Mario All-Stars collection is a 32-page Super Mario History booklet featuring interviews, behind-the-scenes details and rare concept art. Fans from every generation can enjoy firsthand insights into the beginnings of Mario, illustrated with candid photos and never-before-seen design sketches. Together with the game software and soundtrack, it’s the ultimate tribute to a unique game series.
I’m going to enjoy playing these games again, but I’m super looking forward to the CD and booklet. Any of you interested in this package? Or are you through buying the same Nintendo games multiple times?
Sly Cooper Collection Video Has Me Drooling
Sony Computer Entertainment America has released a teaser video for The Sly Collection for PS3, a compilation of the three excellent Sly Cooper games for PS2 converted to high definition. I’m a big fan of developer Sucker Punch and these excellent games, so this video has me drooling for this compilation.
The Sly Collection lands on November 9, 2010. Please check out the video above and let me know what you think. Any of you dying to relive the glory days of Sly Cooper?