Here’s a video of gaming industry legend Bing Gordon talking about being honored with the lifetime achievement award by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Gordon worked at Electronic Arts from 1982 to 2008 — including 10 years as chief creative officer — helping grow the company to the juggernaut that it is today. He’s currently on the board of directors for Amazon, Ngmoco, and Zynga. Although he’s on the business side of games, he has helped the business grow creatively as well as financially — an exceedingly rare thing with executives these days.
Cerny Games Mark Cerny, Blizzard’s Paul Sams and Frank Pearce, the AIAS’ Martin Rae, and Microsoft’s Don Mattrick share their thoughts on Gordon.
Thanks RPadholics N8R (filming, editing) and Big Blak (music) for their help with this one!
During a break on my Orlando work trip, I shot some quick footage of Billy Mitchell’s King of Kong Arcade, nestled in Orlando International Airport (MCO). It’s a small arcade with some games and a merchandise stand…and not a single Donkey Kong cabinet in sight. Despite its size, I’m thrilled that there’s an arcade in a major airport. I miss them.
Anyway, check out the clip and let me know what you think (please!).
The rumors were true! Amazon has kicked off unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows for its Amazon Prime customers. In addition to free two-day shipping and $3.99 next-day shipping on goods shipped and sold by Amazon, Prime customers now have access to “5,000 movies and TV programs”.
I strongly encourage you to consider Amazon Prime. I’ve been a customer since launch and love the service. You get great shipping rates and a decent library of videos to stream…and any purchases you make through this site help keep it going a bit longer. Honestly and selfishly, I think it’s a great value at $79. Plus, it’s cool to get free two-day shipping on really heavy items.
During my weekend work trip that took me from LAX to SFO to ORD to MCO to LAX, I brought several mobile devices with me for a video feature. This caused visions of my next phone to dance in my head. As much as I love my…
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, Justin Bieber’s new haircut, Nonito Donaire’s brutal knockout of Fernando Montiel, or overnight trips to Orlando, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
During my weekend work trip that took me from LAX to SFO to ORD to MCO to LAX, I brought several mobile devices with me for a video feature. This caused visions of my next phone to dance in my head. As much as I love my T-Mobile G2, I’ve been dreaming about a new phone since CES 2011. Taking bits and pieces from each device, I’ve imagined my 2011 dream phone. It would be something like this.
Dual Core Processor: The power of dual core is awesome, but the real kicker is efficiency. Dual core chips offer improved performance and battery life.
Four-Inch Screen or Larger: After using an Evo 4G, Droid X, Fascinate, and Epic 4G last year, the 3.7-inch on my G2 took some getting used to. I’m fine with it now, but I miss the extra real estate from those larger screens. I want my next phone to have a screen that’s at least four inches. It can be Super LCD or Super AMOLED — there are pros and cons to both technologies. What I’d really like is the killer pixel density of the iPhone 4. The real estate of a large screen coupled with the readability of Retina Display sounds brilliant.
LTE: You’ll see some numbers in my upcoming 4G shootout video feature, but for now I’ll tell you that I was floored by the performance of Verizon’s LTE network. Sure, I expect those numbers to go down as more LTE phones become available, but even slightly decreased numbers beat the crap out of the test results I got on Sprint’s WiMax and T-Mobile’s HSPA+ networks.
Heavy Metal: I want my next phone to have a body that’s primarily metal and glass. I hate plastic. The plastic Samsung Fascinate felt flimsy compared to the mostly metal Droid X and G2. Compared to the beautifully constructed iPhone 4, it felt like a toy. I wish more phone manufacturers did a better job at ripping off the industrial design of the iPhone or Nokia’s high-end phones.
Dockable: Motorola’s Atrix 4G is one of the most unique phones on the market due to its laptop docking option. It’s just smart and clever. I’d love to see more phones do this. I don’t see that happening, but it’s my stupid dream so I’ll throw out any feature I want.
Operating System…Undecided: I love Google Android from a productivity standpoint. The Gmail and Google Voice integration are close to perfect. Those apps are so important for my work that Android is the best mobile operating system for me, in terms of getting stuff done. The gaming and entertainment options are still a frickin’ joke compared to what iOS offers. I’m getting tired of waiting and Google has improved its iOS products a great deal…though not quite enough. If iOS 5 is more interesting than the next major release of Android then there’s a good chance that I’ll switch to an iPhone as my primary device.
WebOS and Windows Phone 7 have some great features, but I don’t see developers flocking to either platform. A Windows Phone 7 on Nokia hardware with Nokia’s (terribly underrated, terribly explained, and terribly named) Ovi Internet services is potentially awesome, but I’m not yet convinced that these two companies will bring out the best in each other. Right now I’d say there’s a 45 percent chance of me sticking with Android, a 40 percent chance of me going with iOS, and a 15 percent chance that a NokiSoft 7 device will win me over. Then again, I’m still pissed at Google for canceling my AdSense account and, more recently, a PR snub. Maybe I’ll switch to iOS out of spite (unfortunately, I’d still use all of Google’s apps).
Anyway, those are some of the ingredients to my 2011 dream phone. Now tell me about yours (please)! If you could buy a new phone in 2011, what features would it have?
RPadholic bsukenyan was kind enough to send over some photos from the Indianapolis leg of the Pokemon Black/White mall tour. There’s some fun stuff here. Check ’em out, enjoy, and give props to bsukenyan (please)!
RPadholic bsukenyan was kind enough to send over some photos from the Indianapolis leg of the Pokemon Black/White mall tour. There’s some fun stuff here. Check ’em out, enjoy, and give props to bsukenyan (please)!
Way too many journalists have spent hundreds of words “informing” their readers that the Dead Island trailer has nothing to do with the game’s quality. Do they really think that their readers are that stupid? I know you’re smart enough to…
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 nightmare of Albert Pujols signing with the Red Sox in 2012, $99 iPhone cases, or Britney’s new video, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
The Dead Island trailer has been getting a lot of attention this week. Some of it is deserved — it’s truly a unique and haunting piece. Some of it isn’t — way too many journalists have spent hundreds of words “informing” their readers that the trailer has nothing to do with the game’s quality. I’ve been arguing with a lot of writers about this. Do they really think that their readers are that stupid?!? To me, game trailers are like movie trailers — marketing tools that are not indicative of the overall quality of the final product. I know that you’re all smart enough to know that.
Yet for some reason, dozens of writers from dozens of enthusiast sites felt the need to write hundreds of words on the “issue”. As I debated the topic with real journalists (not verbal entertainers like me), one of the few reasonable responses was that game trailers aren’t like movie trailers. You don’t get a sense of a title’s gameplay from a trailer the same way you get a sense of a movie from a trailer. Sometimes that’s true and sometimes that’s not. The Dead Island trailer is pure movie and doesn’t offer any sense of what the game is like. Certainly it’s responsible to tell readers that the trailer isn’t gameplay (like I did here), but pounding on the matter for hundreds of words seems excessive and patronizing.
Lastly, I was disappointed that the enthusiast press was far more interested in covering the “controversy” of the Dead Island trailer than writing about the amazing people honored at the Interactive Achievement Awards last week. It saddens me that the majority of them were more interested in reactionary stories about a game few people will remember in five years than writing about Bill Budge, Bing Gordon, Dr. Ray Muzyka, and Dr. Greg Zeschuk — people that have changed the gaming business forever.
Of course I want to check myself through you guys and dolls. Do you need someone to explain to you — in hundreds of words — that a game trailer doesn’t reflect a game’s quality? Does it bother you that most popular enthusiast gaming sites prefer knee-jerk reaction pieces instead of meaningful features about people that made gaming what it is today? Aside from not wanting to insult excellent journalists like “Dancing” Dean Takahashi, do you think I call myself a verbal entertainer because I don’t want to be lumped in with hacks that call themselves journalists?
All-Star Superman has Kal-El tackling tremendous challenges, including the most daunting one of all — death. In the comics, Morrison used Superman’s powers to reestablish the fact that he’s the greatest hero in the DC Universe. He also did a masterful job at making him seem vulnerable, human, and interesting. That’s so hard to do with a character that’s mostly invulnerable and unbeatable, yet Morrison pulled it off in a way that feels natural and effortless.
Watching Superman deal with his impending doom is even more compelling than watching him accomplish marvelous feats. It’s great watching him reveal his identity to Lois Lane and spend a day courting her. It’s fun watching the various facets of Kal-El. There’s the heroic and beloved Superman. There’s the bumbling and clumsy Clark Kent facade. And, perhaps most importantly, there’s also the earnest, respectful, and kind-hearted Clark Kent that was the product of a wholesome upbringing in Smallville. Morrison makes all three facets of the character distinct, yet harmonious.
Obviously it was impossible to include the events of all 12 issues in a 75-minute movie, but this a great adaptation that’s true to the tone of the source. Throughout the movie I felt amazed by Superman’s heroics, touched by his interactions with the woman he loves and his mortal enemy, and moved by the way he dealt with death. Sure, there were some details and arcs that were left out, but I was more than satisfied with Dwayne McDuffie’s adaptation of Morrison’s books.
The same goes for the animated interpretation of Frank Quitely’s art. Quitely’s illustrations are so distinct and unique. The animators did a good job at recreating the tone of his art. Again, a lot of details and intricacies were left out, but that was completely expected. A stricter translation could have been done, but that would have required a lot more time and money.
While the story and art are not quite as great as the comics, they’re very good and truly brought to life by Christopher Drake’s excellent score. I’ve enjoyed his work in past DC animated features, but this is his best yet. His music helps deliver the bright sense of optimism you’re supposed to get from watching Superman and imagining you’re in Metropolis. More importantly, the music helps replace some of what was lost in translation from print to animation.
As an added bonus, there are commentary tracks, a couple of Superman: The Animated Series episodes, and a feature on the upcoming Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. As a huge Green Lantern mark, I was thrilled to learn more about this upcoming animated movie. As far as teaser features go, it worked. I’m totally amped for Emerald Knights.
I highly recommend All-Star Superman. It’s not quite as good as Batman: Under the Red Hood, but it’s very close. If you have any questions about the movie, leave ’em in the comments section and I’ll answer ’em.
With THQ set to release a Voltron videogame, it seems like every beloved cartoon from the ’80s has made its way to the realm of interactive entertainment. Are there any ’80s cartoons that you adored that haven’t made their way to a videogame console?
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, Joba Chamberlain becoming Joba the Hutt, if Nokia is destined to be just another handset maker, or if this is Albert Pujols last year as a Cardinal, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
With THQ set to release a Voltron videogame, it seems like every beloved cartoon from the ’80s has made its way to the realm of interactive entertainment. Are there any ’80s cartoons that you adored that haven’t made their way to a videogame console? Perhaps there’s an ’80s franchise that has mostly sucked in gaming and you’d love to see it get one more chance.
As for me, I’d love for Robotech to get another shot — specifically The New Generation. I was absolutely mesmerized by the third Robotech war as a kid and think it would make a brilliant game. I see the diverse action of the cartoon recreated in a diverse game; there would be third-person shooter action with guns, motorcyle levels with cyclones, and aerial missions with veritechs. A combination of awesome vehicles, diverse action, and Ulpio Minucci’s brilliant soundtrack would be a dream come true for me.
Now it’s your turn. What’s your ’80s cartoon dream game like?
What’s some of your favorite videogame music? I’m not just talking about soundtracks. If “Pac Man Fever” floats your boat then let’s talk about it! As for me…
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 best potato chips, thoughts of CC Sabathia leaving the Yankees next year, or Lindsay Lohan getting sexier as she becomes more messed up, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
What’s some of your favorite videogame music? I’m not just talking about soundtracks. If “Pac Man Fever” floats your boat then let’s talk about it! As for me, the soundtrack to Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite score. Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata did a phenomenal job composing music that was moving and memorable. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs ever since I heard FFT’s music.
Naturally, I love Mortal Kombat The Album by The Immortals. The songs are just awesomely ridiculous. I have fond memories of listening to the soundtrack in college with my friend Wil. It’s just fun screaming, “Johnny Cage is not afraid to die!!!” If you haven’t heard these songs then I highly recommend clicking the link above and listening to the samples. These tracks will change your life…especially Sub-Zero’s song.
Now it’s your turn! What’s some of your favorite videogame music?
Here’s a really fun and informative interview with Epic Games president Dr. Michael Capps. Not only is he an incredibly sharp man, but he’s also a super fun guy to hang out with. I’ve always been impressed with how nimbly Epic has evolved from PC to consoles to mobile. Capps addresses that issue, as well how Infinity Blade caused Apple execs to curse in excitement, Bulletstorm, his mother’s reaction to his shower scene in the “Bulletpoints” marketing campaign, Kotaku’s Brian Crescente looking like that guy from Deuce Bigalow/The Scorpion King, me punching Cliff Bleszinski in the face, and more!
Special thanks to RPadholic smartguy for his question about Bulletpoints!