This weekend is going to be tough for my “hardcore” games. I really want to play Alan Wake, but it will probably have to wait a few days. Most of my attention will be going to my HTC Evo 4G — it’s needy like that. I also need two more victories in Scrabble for Hasbro Family Game Night to get another Achievement. So yeah! That’s what I’ll be doing this weekend — enjoying my new phone and winning Scrabble games.
How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?
At today’s Google I/O 2010 keynote, the company showed off a beta of its upcoming Chrome Store. Set to launch some time this year, the store brings a variety of apps — including games — to consumers through a web browser and the power of HTML5. Think of it as a centralized place to find, download, buy, review, and discuss web apps (or an App Store rip-off, whichever you prefer).
On the gaming front, Plants vs. Zombies was shown…because we all need to buy a third version of that game (and we will). More impressive was a version of LEGO: Star Wars. Think about it for a second…(done thinking?) — this is a full 3D game running on your web browser. Sure, we’re not talking about Final Fantasy XIII graphics or anything, but this could be a huge step in advancement of web games. With the Chrome Store’s potential reach, the capabilities of HTML5, and the growing anti-Facebook sentiment, casual games through the Chrome Store could be a hot.
Naturally, I’d love to hear your thoughts on Google’s Chrome Store. Think it has a chance to topple Facebook as the king of casual games?
I want to give 1C a big hug for announcing Theater of War 2: Korea. I’m just thrilled that there’s a war game that’s not based on World War II. I’m so frickin’ sick of that war! If you added up all the gameplay hours spent in WWII, it would be more than 7,943 times longer than the actual war (by my completely unscientific estimate). Here’s the deal from press release:
Replay the events of the first hot war of the Cold War era, the Korean War, also known as the Forgotten War. Players will be involved in two campaigns, both set in the 1950’s: the North Korean (June 25 – August 20) and the American (September 15 – October 8).
Sure it’s an RTS for the PC (not my usual bag), but I just love this game for not using WWII as a setting. Hallelujah!!! Now if someone made a game based on this French Banana War Eddie Izzard keeps speaking about….
It looks like EA’s Online Pass — described by RPadholic smartguy as “Just a money grab” — is a trendsetter. Ubi Soft will likely implement a similar ploy, which strongly discourages used-game sales. During a recent earnings call Ubi CFO Alain Martinez said:
We are looking very carefully at what is being done by EA regarding what we call the “$10 solution,” and we will probably follow that line at sometime in the future.
It’s funny that this morning I was thinking about how games will get more expensive. I can easily see several publishers adopting their own version of EA’s Online Pass. I understand how it benefits developers and I’m all for that. However, it just makes more money for publishers and makes things more expensive for consumers. That last part…just sucks.
3D stereoscopic gaming has been getting a ton of press attention since CES 2010 (January). I was really skeptical about the tech until I experienced it in person at GDC 2010 (March). That said, I still think it’s unfeasible — at least for a few years — for a variety of reasons. Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada doesn’t think it’s going to take off either. Translating an article from Impress Watch, Andriasang quoted Wada as saying:
I’d be happy if it would revitalize the market. However, while it will likely become a big topic, I don’t believe it will form a market. Whether naked eye or with glasses, the method is unstable.
I’m excited to see more 3D games at E3 2010, but I still don’t think 3D on consoles will take off in a big way — not for a few years.
What do you think of Wada’s stance? Do you agree or disagree? Back in February you shared your opinions on 3D gaming in Coffee Talk. Has anything changed for you since then?
Source via Andriasang
Attention Blizzard fanboys and fangirls — tickets for BlizzCon 2010 go on sale starting June 2. Sadly, the event is still in Anaheim (aka Anaslime) and not in Las Vegas. Here’s a snippet from the official announcement.
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that tickets for its fifth BlizzCon gaming convention will go on sale in two batches on Wednesday, June 2 and Saturday, June 5, 2010. BlizzCon is a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft game universes. The event will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on October 22 and 23. Live coverage of the event will be available as a DirecTV Pay Per View package and as a multi-channel Internet stream, allowing viewers online to switch between coverage of multiple panels and activities during the show.
If you’re thinking about going, please let me know. It would be great to see you there!
It used to be that you needed a console, a controller, and cartridge/disc to enjoy a game. While the prices of consoles and games haven’t gone up too much over the years, you have to spend more money than ever to play games. On the hardware side you have accessories, on the software side you have DLC, and on the services side you have Xbox Live Gold. All of that stuff adds up!
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, Monday Night Raw rocking Toronto, your American Idol pick, or Nick Johnson lasting an entire month before requiring surgery, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
It used to be that you needed a console, a controller, and cartridge/disc to enjoy a game. While the prices of consoles and games haven’t gone up too much over the years, you have to spend more money than ever to play games. On the hardware side you have accessories, on the software side you have DLC, and on the services side you have Xbox Live Gold. All of that stuff adds up!
While I’m surprised that Sony has taken this long to offer a premium version of PlayStation Network (rumored to be debuting at E3 2010), I’m impressed by EA’s ingenuity when it comes to making games more expensive. The EA Online Pass makes used and rented games more expensive by requiring a code to access all online content and features. I understand that company’s issue with the used-game market, but from a consumer’s perspective the company has pissed on two ways gamers can save money.
What’s left? How can publishers, console manufacturers, etc. get more of our money? It looks like all the bases are covered, but I’m sure someone, somewhere (probably Bobby Kotick *snicker*) will find a new way to part gamers with cash. What do you think it will be? How can gaming get more expensive?
There’s only one game that exists to me right now: Scrabble on Hasbro Family Game Night
How about you guys and gals? Any Mac users out there giving Steam a whirl? Or is it going to be another weekend of Just Dance
I’ve been questioning my taste in movies for the last year or so. I think it started when I saw Semi-Pro on cable. I really enjoy Will Ferrell movies, but this one got panned so I didn’t see it in theaters. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it on cable. It wasn’t a great movie, but it certainly entertained me. It was the same exact thing with Forgetting Sarah Marshall — totally enjoyed it, despite the poor reviews. Next it was Role Models, I Love You, Man, and Land of the Lost.
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, Ken Griffey, Jr. sleeping in the clubhouse, whether Lebron James should ditch Cleveland, or Howard the Duck, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
I’ve been questioning my taste in movies for the last year or so. I think it started when I saw Semi-Pro
Initially I was worried that getting older has made me lower my standards, but I don’t think that’s the case. I realize that some of these movies aren’t the best; I just happen to find a lot of the writing and scenes entertaining. Perhaps I’m just drawn to Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Jason Segel. I don’t know and really, I don’t care anymore. I accept that I enjoy these movies and I’m comfortable with it.
Today I want to know what movies, games, music, etc. you enjoy, even though you know they’re not the best. Let’s celebrate mediocrity on this fine Thursday!!!
Yesterday I told you about a recurring BioWare dream that I’ve had for the last ten years. For the last three years or so, I’ve been having this other dream about BioWare. I’m living in southern Thailand — probably Phuket or Koh Phangan — and telecommuting as a BioWare community manager. Life and work are pretty much perfect. It’s such a lovely dream. *sigh*
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, Lost, Lebron James’ ailing elbow, or your favorite island, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Yesterday I told you about a recurring BioWare dream that I’ve had for the last ten years. I’ve been having this other dream about BioWare for the last three years or so. I’m living in southern Thailand — probably Phuket or Koh Phangan — and telecommuting as a BioWare community manager. Life and work are pretty much perfect. It’s such a lovely dream. *sigh*
Don’t get me wrong — I love writing and interacting with an audience. What I’m doing now is absolutely what I want to be doing (though making money would be nice). The only other job that I really want (off the top of my head) is working as a community manager for a developer I love. Hell, I’d work for a developer I midly disliked if I could telecommute from Thailand. Ha!
I was wondering if you have a dream job in the gaming business. Is there a certain company or game designer that you dream of working for? RPadholic bsukenyan has mentioned that he’s interested in becoming a gaming analyst, but I’m not sure about the rest of you. Kindly share your videogame dream job(s) in the comments section!
