Category: Coffee Talk

Coffee Talk #188: Has Technology Ever Gotten You Out of a Jam?

Last night I was at Ralph’s buying some groceries and the Motorola Droid X helped me save $5. You see, I love taking advantage of promotions. Ralph’s currently has this deal that lets you save $5 for buying 10 participating items. I diligently found sale items that were eligible for the promotion. Getting an additional $5 off items that are already on sale is awesome. As I was walking out the grocery, I noticed that two of the items didn’t register for the promotion and I didn’t get my $5 savings.

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, if the media is out to get Dez Bryant, spicy BBQ sauce recommendations, or the desktop vs. laptop argument, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Last night I was at Ralph’s buying some groceries and the Motorola Droid X helped me save $5. You see, I love taking advantage of promotions. Ralph’s currently has this deal that lets you save $5 for buying 10 participating items. I diligently found sale items that were eligible for the promotion. Getting an additional $5 off items that are already on sale is awesome. As I was walking out the grocery, I noticed that two of the items didn’t register for the promotion and I didn’t get my $5 savings.

Naturally I turned around and went to the service desk. Next I was directed to a manager. As she was checking out customers, I explained my situation and showed her my receipt. She insisted that the two tubes of toothpaste I selected were not part of the promotion and that I needed to buy two more items. Annoyed, I went back to the toothpaste aisle, snapped a picture of the toothpaste that showed it was part of the promotion and returned to the manager. For some reason, this wasn’t enough proof for her and she went to check it out for herself (as if I could doctor photos on a phone in two minutes). After seeing she was wrong (and stupid), she gave my my $5.

So yay for the Droid X for saving me $5!!! Too bad it couldn’t get back the 15 minutes I wasted on the situation. I missed a train home and my ice cream got a little melty. Ha! Today I’d like to know if you have any stories of technology getting you out of a jam. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. I’m just curious to see if gadgets or tech have helped you catch a break or get out of a silly situation.

Coffee Talk #187: The Limbo Length Argument

My friends were arguing about Limbo for Xbox Live over the weekend. They all agreed that it’s a clever game with a fantastic art style, but they differed on whether it’s worth 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15). I haven’t played the game yet, so I was a curious and impartial observer (like Switzerland…but without the chocolate and yodeling). It was a fun argument to watch because both sides were sure they were right. One argued that it’s a unique experience that’s so different from anything else on Xbox Live. The other argued that it was simply too expensive for a three-hour game with low replay value.

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, Dan Haren getting hurt in his first start for the Angels (*snicker*), Mel Gibson’s latest hit, or whether I should buy a $75 bag of coffee, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

My friends were arguing about Limbo for Xbox Live over the weekend. They all agreed that it’s a clever game with a fantastic art style, but they differed on whether it’s worth 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15). I haven’t played the game yet, so I was a curious and impartial observer (like Switzerland…but without the chocolate and yodeling). It was a fun argument to watch because both sides were sure they were right. One argued that it’s a unique experience that’s so different from anything else on Xbox Live. The other argued that it was simply too expensive for a three-hour game with low replay value.

When you’re arguing with your friends about similar gaming issues or considering purchasing a game, which side are you on? Does game length factor into your purchasing decision? Or do you value originality over hours? Certainly this isn’t a black-and-white issue in all cases,  I’m sure you lean towards one way. I’m curious to hear which way that is! Shout it out in the comment section (please)!

Coffee Talk #186: Make Your Own Limited Edition Console

The Halo: Reach special edition Xbox 360 has me thinking about limited edition consoles again. Specifically, I was wondering about the kind of consoles you ladies and gents can dream up. If you could design your own special edition console, what game would it be for? What would it look like?

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, Intelligentsia’s Edelweiss Finagro Estate Tanazania, if North Korea will unleash bombs, or the Angeles snagging Danny Haren, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The Halo: Reach special edition Xbox 360 has me thinking about limited edition consoles again. Specifically, I was wondering about the kind of consoles you ladies and gents can dream up. If you could design your own special edition console, what game would it be for? What would it look like?

As for me, the white Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 3 is just about perfect for me. I love the Final Fantasy franchise, I love white, I love pink, and I love subtle Japanese design. I don’t think I could come up with a better console on my own. I’m pretty sure someone pulled this design out of my dreams.

Now it’s your turn! Bust out your inner Jony Ive and design your own limited edition console in the comments section!

Coffee Talk #185: Your Favorite News From Comic-Con 2010

I’ve been doing a piss poor job of keeping up with Comic-Con 2010 news. Part of it is because I’ve been busy with another project and part of it is because I’m jealous of all my friends at the show, causing me to ignore its existence. I’m digging that Joss Whedon will be directing The Avengers movie, but I’m dying to hear more details about Green Lantern (even though I’m convinced that his costume was inspired by a rotten piece of salmon nigiri). A bunch of my friends have been raving about the Tron Legacy trailer, while others are hyped on DC Universe Online (videos of both are below)!

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, Microsoft posting extremely impressive quarterlies, A-Rod reaching 600 home runs, or where CP3 will end up, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’ve been doing a piss poor job of keeping up with Comic-Con 2010 news. Part of it is because I’ve been busy with another project and part of it is because I’m jealous of all my friends at the show, causing me to ignore its existence. I’m digging that Joss Whedon will be directing The Avengers movie, but I’m dying to hear more details about Green Lantern (even though I’m convinced that his costume was inspired by a rotten piece of salmon nigiri). A bunch of my friends have been raving about the Tron Legacy trailer, while others are hyped on DC Universe Online (videos of both are below)!

What Comic-Con 2010 news has you excited? I’m going to live through you guys today and get hyped about the show through transitive properties. Ha!

Coffee Talk #184: Games That Aren’t As Good as You Thought

RPadholic Big Blak posted some interesting and uncommon thoughts on Final Fantasy VII. He loves the game, but admits that he overrated it because of nostalgia. My problem with most “FFVII apologists” is that they can’t admit that. Some games are remembered fondly simply because they were played at the right time and at the right place.

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, Amazon selling more digital books than paper books, where Shaq will play next season, or the best soy latte that you ever had, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

RPadholic Big Blak posted some interesting and uncommon thoughts on Final Fantasy VII. He loves the game, but admits that he overrated it because of nostalgia. My problem with most “FFVII apologists” is that they can’t admit that. Some games are remembered fondly simply because they were played at the right time and at the right place.

I remember opening up Joe Montana II on Christmas Eve 1991. I called up my friend Alex and he drove to my house. For one night, it was the perfect game to Alex and me. Looking through the retroscope, that game kind of sucked.

Are there any games that aren’t as good as you thought they were? Maybe there’s a game you thought was incredible, but now realize was merely good. Maybe there’s a title that you really enjoyed five years ago, but today you can’t fathom why you played so much of it. Let’s ruin some of our childhood memories and admit that some of the games we played aren’t nearly as good as we thought they were at the time.

Coffee Talk #183: Make Your Own “Dark” EA Game

EA recently announced a slew of interesting games, including Maxis’ Darkspore. While this action-RPG looks pretty cool, a lot of my journalist friends were ripping on its name. You can imagine some of the jokes, right? They came up with stuff like Dark Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Dark Hasbro Family Game Night, Dark Sims, etc.

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, Apple’s crazy strong Q3 results, Magic and Jordan calling out LeBron’s decision, or your favorite hamburger, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

EA recently announced a slew of interesting games, including Maxis’ Darkspore. While this action-RPG looks pretty cool, a lot of my journalist friends were ripping on its name. You can imagine some of the jokes, right? They came up with stuff like Dark Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Dark Hasbro Family Game Night, Dark Sims, etc.

My challenge for you today is to come up with your own “Dark” EA game. Shoot off some names and concepts in the comments section (please). I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Coffee Talk #182: Your Biggest 2010 Gaming Disappointment

We’ve already discussed our favorite games from the first half of 2010. Today I want you to join me in the bitter barn so that we can talk about games that have disappointed us this year. Yeah, I usually try to keep things positive, but disappointing games are a reality. It’s like a television show once told me: “You take the good. You take the bad. You take them both and there you have the facts of life.” Though in this case it would be the facts of gaming.

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, SNL’s Jason Sudeikis hooking up with women out of his league, the bizarre Pacquiao/Mayweather negotiations, or the hotness of Joss Stone, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

We’ve already discussed our favorite games from the first half of 2010. Today I want you to join me in the bitter barn so that we can talk about games that have disappointed us this year. Yeah, I usually try to keep things positive, but disappointing games are a reality. It’s like a television show once told me: “You take the good. You take the bad. You take them both and there you have the facts of life.” Though in this case it would be the facts of gaming.

Most of the games I played this year were pretty much what I expected them to be. The one game that I found disappointing was Crackdown 2. My expectations were pretty high. I enjoyed the first one and was excited for the sequel after I saw it in April. Then I started helping my friend with his review. I enjoyed the multiplayer but was very disappointed in the single-player experience. It bummed me out to the point where I haven’t been able to start playing on my Xbox 360. I’m sure I’ll get to it again one day, but for now there are better games to play.

Now it’s your turn! What 2010 games were you disappointed in?

Coffee Talk #181: Final Fantasy Fight!

Last Friday, a few of you got into the old Final Fantasy VII vs. Final Fantasy VIII argument. You’ve already shared your thoughts on your favorite Final Fantasy games, so today’s Coffee Talk is all about blasting the FF games you think are overrated while defending the honor of your champion.

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, Floyd Mayweather not signing a deal to fight Manny Pacquiao in November, the proper response to Oosthuizen, or the ridiculous phenomenon of icing (Smirnoff), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Last Friday, a few of you got into the old Final Fantasy VII vs. Final Fantasy VIII argument. You’ve already shared your thoughts on your favorite Final Fantasy games, so today’s Coffee Talk is all about blasting the FF games you think are overrated while defending the honor of your champion.

As for me, I don’t see any other choice than FFVII. While I agree that it’s the most important game in the series and quite possibly the most important RPG in videogame history, I also think it’s immensely overrated from a gameplay standpoint. Looking at it solely as game, it’s good but not great. A baby dolphin dies every time someone claims that it’s the best game in the series — that’s the punishment doled out on Earth for people being wrong.

Anyway, I’m hoping a few of you continue the Final Fantasy fight you started on Friday. Have at it!

Coffee Talk #180: Your Favorite Videogame Intros

Earlier in the week we talked about some of our favorite videogame endings. Today let’s talk about our favorite intros! There are so many games that hook you in with brilliant opening sequences, leaving you with a feeling of, “Damn I want to play this game!” It’s an awesome thing. So many gamers point to the opening of Final Fantasy VII as one of the best ever. While I agree that it’s good (though overrated like most everything else in that game), this extremely underrated Final Fantasy III is better and needs some love. Check it out:

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, Verizon selling out of the Motorola Droid X, John Daly getting his act together, or Green Lantern’s movie costume resembling salmon, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Earlier in the week we talked about some of our favorite videogame endings. Today let’s talk about our favorite intros! There are so many games that hook you in with brilliant opening sequences, leaving you with a feeling of, “Damn I want to play this game!” It’s an awesome thing. So many gamers point to the opening of Final Fantasy VII as one of the best ever. While I agree that it’s good (though overrated like most everything else in that game), this extremely underrated Final Fantasy III is better and needs some love. Check it out:

Anyway, what are some of you favorite game intros? How did they make you feel? Shout it out in the comments section (please)!

Coffee Talk #179: Your Apple iPhone 4 Presser Predictions

Apple is holding a press conference on Friday morning regarding the iPhone 4. The company has already sold millions of iPhone 4 units, but it can’t escape the negative attention it has been getting due to the phone’s reception issues. Earlier in the week Consumer Reports rescinded its iPhone 4 recommendation based off of the reception problems and Apple killed any discussion of the findings in its official forums. The issue has become so mainstream that it has been discussed in shows like Countdown with Keith Olbermann and the Late Show with David Letterman.

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, Drew Brees killing at the ESPYs, Mark Ruffalo possibly replacing Ed Norton as the Hulk, or Wladimir Klitschko getting the shaft from HBO, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Apple is holding a press conference on Friday morning regarding the iPhone 4. The company has already sold millions of iPhone 4 units, but it can’t escape the negative attention it has been getting due to the phone’s reception issues. Earlier in the week Consumer Reports rescinded its iPhone 4 recommendation based off of the reception problems and Apple killed any discussion of the findings in its official forums. The issue has become so mainstream that it has been discussed on shows like Countdown with Keith Olbermann and the Late Show with David Letterman.

Most tech writers have guessed that Apple will address the issue once and for all at Friday’s presser, but what exactly will the company do? A recall would incredibly damaging and expensive. Giving Apple Store credit for a free bumper would cost a helluva lot less, but still an admission of guilt. Perhaps the reception problem will be addressed and followed up with a big announcement that will help people overlook the situation. Before I get to your predictions, I want to leave you with the hilarious words of Fake Steve Jobs:

We will never, ever, ever do a recall. No way. The stain of a few gripers we can deal with. The stain of a recall is something that takes years — years — to overcome. In our business it would be fatal. We would never recover.

So, no. We’ll keep shipping the f***ed-up phones, and we’ll continue to insist that they are the best phones in the world with the best antenna that has ever been invented for any mobile device. We’ll keep running syrupy ads showing deaf mutes waving at each other over FaceTime.

That last line killed me. I had to share it with you.

Anyway, what do you think Apple will do this Friday? Do you think its reputation will take a long-term hit? How about its stock price? Predict away (please)!