Category: Coffee Talk

Coffee Talk #128: Predicting the Rest of This Gen’s Console Wars

In preparation for my interview with EEDAR Jesse Divnich, I wanted you ladies and gents to play analyst for a second. This console generation is roughly halfway over, depending on how long you believe this gen will last. The Nintendo Wii has slaughtered the competition. The Xbox 360 has done very well. The PlayStation 3 had been picking up steam since August 2009. How do you think the rest of this generation will play 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, Big Ben’s suspension, Crystal Bowersox almost quitting American Idol, or RIM being stuck in 2002, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Reminder: please submit your questions for EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich here. He’s cool, smart, and awesome. You should ask him some questions.

In preparation for my interview with EEDAR Jesse Divnich, I wanted you ladies and gents to play analyst for a second. This console generation is roughly halfway over, depending on how long you believe this gen will last. The Nintendo Wii has slaughtered the competition. The Xbox 360 has done very well. The PlayStation 3 had been picking up steam since August 2009. How do you think the rest of this generation will play out?

Will Nintendo be able to sustain its ridiculous momentum? If not, will it still be able to edge out the others? Will Natal give Xbox 360 a boost in the casual market? Will the PlayStation 3 be able to do the same with PS Move? Do you think Sony can catch Microsoft?

Let your opinions fly (please) and predict the rest of this generation’s console wars!

Coffee Talk #127: What Magazines Do You Read?

To be completely honest, this edition of Coffee Talk is 30% self serving. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Amazon currently has some great deals on magazines — including some “buy-one-year-get-two-years deals. If there’s anything there that interests you, a subscription would really help out the site. That said, I’m also genuinely curious to learn what kind of magazines you ladies and gents read.

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, Mosley/Mayweather 24/7, your batting average being higher than Mark Teixeira’s, or losing iPhone prototypes at a bar, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

To be completely honest, this edition of Coffee Talk is 30% self serving. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Amazon currently has some great deals on magazines — including some “buy-one-year-get-two-years deals. If there’s anything there that interests you, a subscription would really help out the site. That said, I’m also genuinely curious to learn what kind of magazines you ladies and gents read.

I subscribe to a bunch of magazines…but don’t read most of them since the Internet keeps me filled with info. I have ESPN: The Magazine, mainly for “Insider” access. I read Entertainment Weekly to keep up with pop culture. The books I receive, but usually don’t get to include Tennis, Interview, GQ, and The Atlantic. All of those subs are Internet specials that cost a few dollars. The sole gaming magazine I receive is Game Informer; EIC Andy was nice enough to put me on the comp list and I’m friends with a bunch of those guys, so it’s nice to read their work.

Now it’s your turn! What magazines do you read regularly?

Coffee Talk #126: Would You Pass on a Console Due to Child Labor?

The National Labor Committee (NLC) posted an interesting report on a Chinese factory that makes several Microsoft products — including Xbox 360 controllers and remotes. As you can imagine, the factory’s conditions were deemed horrid. Children as young as 16 allegedly work shifts exceeding 15 hours in an extremely small space without air conditioning. The workers allegedly sleep 14 to a room and can only take sponge baths.

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, Sergio Martinez achieving boxing greatness at 35, the disgusting tale of Edwin Valero, or the first round of the NBA playoffs, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The National Labor Committee (NLC) posted an interesting report on a Chinese factory that makes several Microsoft products — including Xbox 360 controllers and remotes. As you can imagine, the factory’s conditions were deemed horrid. Children as young as 16 allegedly work shifts exceeding 15 hours in an extremely small space without air conditioning. The workers allegedly sleep 14 to a room and can only take sponge baths.

Microsoft corporate vice president Brian Tobey claimed that Microsoft inspects the factory regularly. He recently stated on the company’s corporate blog that, “We take the allegations raised this week quite seriously. Another comprehensive on-site audit of the facility will be conducted next week, with a specific goal of investigating the allegations raised in the NLC report. In addition, we will have monitors on site pending the results of the inspection.”

There are loads of products we buy and use that are manufactured under harsh conditions like the ones pointed out by the NLC. My question for you today is this: If you were aware that a gaming product you want was built in a factory that exploited teenagers and had inhumane working conditions, would you still buy it?

Coffee Talk #125: Your Asian Gaming Vacation

Thanks for keeping the site going while I’m away. My trip is almost over and things will be back on a regular schedule soon. For now, I wanted to ask what you’d do if you had one week in Asia. For the sake of context, I’m going to assume you’ll want to include some gamer-related activities in your Asian vacation. Would you want to checked out the Internet cafes in Taiwan? Visit game companies in Japan? Or maybe catch a professional StarCraft match at a stadium in Korea?

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, JR’s excellent chipotle ketchup, Gilbert Arenas’ adventures in a halfway house, or Tiger Woods’ return to golf, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Thanks for keeping the site going while I’m away. My trip is almost over and things will be back on a regular schedule soon. For now, I wanted to ask what you’d do if you had one week in Asia. For the sake of context, I’m going to assume you’ll want to include some gamer-related activities in your Asian vacation. Would you want to checked out the Internet cafes in Taiwan? Visit game companies in Japan? Or maybe catch a professional StarCraft match at a stadium in Korea?

There are so many different and diverse gaming activities in Asia. In some countries, consoles are king. In other countries, online gaming at Internet shops is where it’s at. Professional gaming in Korea is one of the most unique phenomenons I’ve ever come across; pro gamers have corporate sponsors, have their own baseball cards, and are pretty big celebrities in the country. So if I had to pick, I’d love to watch a professional train for a tournament and watch him/her compete in it.

Now it’s your turn! What would you do during your Asian gaming vacation?

Coffee Talk #124: Gamer vs. Jet Lag

Technically, it’s coffee time where I am so the column name still applies. Ha! As expected, jet lag is totally kicking my ass. I didn’t believe in jet lag for the first 25 years of my life. I thought it was a sissy excuse for tired people. Then I did a quick work trip to Tokyo and was disoriented for several days after I returned. For all of you younglings reading this, it only gets worse as you get older.

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, Jim Carrey’s next girlfriend, Fusion Garage’s JooJoo tablet, or the Yankees and Red Sox taking 12 hours to complete three games, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Technically, it’s coffee time where I am so the column name still applies. Ha! As expected, jet lag is totally kicking my ass. I didn’t believe in jet lag for the first 25 years of my life. I thought it was a sissy excuse for tired people. Then I did a quick work trip to Tokyo and was disoriented for several days after I returned. For all of you younglings reading this, it only gets worse as you get older.

Anyway, gaming has been great with trying to deal with jet lag. Some people just stare at the ceiling until they fall asleep. I find EV training in Pokemon productive and repetitive, which usually helps me catch some Z’s. This trip I’ve been playing the hell out of Civilization Revolution for iPhone. Yes, I’ve played the game essentially the same way for over a thousand times, but I still love it. The repetition is soothing and it helps me relax.

When you guys and gals deal with jet lag or insomnia, what do you do? Is there a certain game you play? Maybe a graphic novel you bring with you on the road? How about web browsing on your phone? Let me know (please)! Maybe I’ll incorporate your techniques into my jet-lag fighting regimen.

Coffee Talk #123: Pick Your Japanese Limited Edition Console

Yesterday’s Coffee Talk was pretty fun, so let’s stick with the Japanese theme. It’s applicable since I’m typing this from Japan. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been jealous of the awesome limited edition consoles Japanese gamers have access to. There’s some truly amazing stuff released in Japan and I wish the American console companies would try to match these fine goods (though I understand why they don’t).

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, Suntory time, last night’s American Idol (I was flying, so spoilar it for me please), or your iPhone 4 predictions, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Yesterday’s Coffee Talk was pretty fun, so let’s stick with the Japanese theme. It’s applicable since I’m typing this from Japan. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been jealous of the awesome limited edition consoles Japanese gamers have access to. There’s some truly amazing stuff released in Japan and I wish the American console companies would try to match these fine goods (though I understand why they don’t).

I’m currently drooling over the white FFXIII PS3 with a pink Lightning paint job. It’s completely awesome and I want it now! If I can afford it and it’s still available during TGS, I’ll try to pick one up in September — that’s one of my dreams for 2010. You see, I’ve never had a Japanese limited edition home console. However, I have picked up a few limited edition portable systems at Tokyo’s Pokemon Center. I fondly remember my Celebi Game Boy Advance and my Torchic Game Boy Advance SP.

Today I wanted to see if you have a limited edition dream console. It doesn’t matter if it’s a portable or home system. I just want to know what Japanese limited edition goods make you drool. Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

Coffee Talk #122: If You Could Visit One Developer in Japan….

Since I’m making a brief stop in Japan, I wanted to ask you ladies and gents a question about the Land of the Rising Sun: If you could visit any Japanese game developer, which one would it be and why?

There are so many great ones to choose from! Would you stay in Tokyo and visit Kojima Productions? Maybe you’d go to Kyoto and pay homage to Nintendo? Perhaps you’d want to visit Capcom in Osaka?

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, Mark Buehrle’s ridiculous play, Jack Swagger as your World Heavyweight Champion, or the iPad selling 300,000 at launch, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Since I’m making a brief stop in Japan, I wanted to ask you ladies and gents a question about the Land of the Rising Sun: If you could visit any Japanese game developer, which one would it be and why?

There are so many great ones to choose from! Would you stay in Tokyo and visit Kojima Productions? Maybe you’d go to Kyoto and pay homage to Nintendo? Perhaps you’d want to visit Capcom in Osaka?

So yeah! Let’s play this game. Which Japanese developer would you visit? What would you want to see? What kind of questions would you ask?

(Btw, the header image is of the Yokohama skyline from when I visited Yuke’s last September.)

Coffee Talk #121: Sazh and Me

I’m totally fascinated by Sazh from Final Fantasy XIII. He’s one of the most interesting videogame characters I’ve encountered in years. He’s different and real and way cooler than I was expecting him to be. Before I get to why I dig Sazh, let’s take a look at how my thoughts on the character have changed.

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 Yankees’ bullpen sucking, the sad fighter Roy Jones, Jr. has become, or Reona Rewis, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m totally fascinated by Sazh from Final Fantasy XIII. He’s one of the most interesting videogame characters I’ve encountered in years. He’s different and real and way cooler than I was expecting him to be. Before I get to why I dig Sazh, let’s take a look at how my thoughts on the character have changed.

  • Saw the Japanese scans of Sazh. I thought it was stupid for a chocobo to live in his hair.
  • Heard the initial English voice acting for Sazh at E3 2009. He sounded like Robert Downey, Jr. in Tropic Thunder.
  • Saw the game in Tokyo in September 2009. The Tropic Thunder factor was still a mystery.
  • Finally played the final game in March 2010. I was glad that Sazh didn’t sound like Robert Downey, Jr. in Tropic Thunder. That would have been ridiculous. I was also disappointed that Sazh didn’t sound like Robert Downey, Jr. from Tropic Thunder. The unintentional comedy would have destroyed millions of PlayStation 3 consoles in English-speaking countries.

Seriously though, Sazh is very different from your typical videogame protagonist — especially for a Japanese RPG. He’s old for a hero. He’s also a single father. That aspect of the Sazh was the most interesting and atypical. Without spoilarizing things, it’s just powerful and moving to see how things play out between Sazh and his son Dajh. In a genre full of angst-filled teen and tween characters, Sazh was refreshing.

Plus, Tetsuya Nomura allegedly based Sazh’s design on Lionel Richie. I totally want to see him sing the words, “Hello! Is it me you’re looking for?”

Anyway, let me know what you think of Sazh. For that matter, let me know about any recent videogame characters that stood out to you.

Coffee Talk #120: What Bands Should Get Their Own Music Game?

My friend and I were talking about Green Day: Rock Band the other day. While we both like Green Day to a certain extent, we’re both puzzled as to why they have their own Rock Band game. Certainly there are better and more deserving bands, no? Perhaps it has everything to do with the band appealing to people in their ’30s and below, but shouldn’t bands like Queen and The Rolling Stones have their own Rock Band games before Green Day?

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 start of a new MLB season (go Yankees!), cute Didi Benami getting booted over the incredibly lame Tim Urban, and tomorrow’s Apple iPad launch, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

My friend and I were talking about Green Day: Rock Band the other day. While we both like Green Day to a certain extent, we’re both puzzled as to why they have their own Rock Band game. Certainly there are better and more deserving bands, no? Perhaps it has everything to do with the band appealing to people in their ’30s and below, but shouldn’t bands like Queen and The Rolling Stones have their own Rock Band games before Green Day?

To be fair, Queen does have their own Singstar game, but this conversation was focused on the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises. In that context you have Aerosmith, Metallica, Van Halen, and, of course, The Beatles. And coming soon…Green Day! Really?!?

With Green Day breaking down barriers to music games, I wanted to see what bands and artists you think should get their own Guitar Hero or Rock Band game. And no, The Monkees: Rock Band is not an acceptable answer.

Coffee Talk #119: Thanks for the Memories! Off to Cambridge!

Well, after six months of running RPad.tv, I’m going to have to scale it back. I wanted to thank everyone for all their support! I’ll still update the site, but it’s going to be less frequent because…I’ve accepted a new job at the M.I.T.!!! I’m going to be teaching a class on videogame criticism at this most venerable institution starting in September 2010. Naturally, I have to move, prepare my course, find my TAs, 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, the site’s new logo, Bobby Kotick buying a kitten, and Steve Jobs admitting the iPad was just an elaborate joke, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Well, after six months of running RPad.tv, I’m going to have to scale it back. I wanted to thank everyone for all their support! I’ll still update the site, but it’s going to be less frequent because…I’ve accepted a new job at the M.I.T.!!! I’m going to be teaching a class on videogame criticism at this most venerable institution starting in September 2010. Naturally, I have to move,  prepare my course, find my TAs, etc.

Oddly enough, this site was a big part of how I got the job. So thanks for commenting and making it fun/awesome!!!

Update April 2: Yes, this was an April Fools’ Day post.