Category: Today’s Specials

Will Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Make You Buy a 3DTV?

You go on an airplane to San Francisco and Sony unveils a teaser video for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Hmph. This will surely be one of the biggest games for the PlayStation 3, but I think it might be a game changer. I’ll get to that later. First, here are some details from Naughty Dog community strategist Arne Meyer:

Drake’s Deception features the return of famed fortune hunter Nathan Drake and follows him through a gripping, action-packed storyline that will take you all over the world. In his search for the fabled “Atlantis of the Sands,” Nathan Drake and longtime friend and mentor Victor Sullivan set off on a daring trek into the heart of the Arabian Desert. But when terrible secrets of this lost city are uncovered, their journey becomes a desperate bid for survival that will force Drake to confront his deepest fears.

Throughout Uncharted 3, you’ll be taken to spectacular new locations around the globe that will showcase all of the work we’ve taken on to take acclaimed physics, particle and visual effects to a new level.

What’s interesting is the initial reaction from many videogame journalists I know. A few of them have said that this is the game that might make them buy a 3D television. What do you think? Will Uncharted 3 help Sony push its 3D TV agenda? Or will it “just” be another awesome game from Naughty Dog?

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Coffee Talk #263: Are Single Player Only Games Doomed?

In a recent interview with Develop EA Games president Frank Gibeau said, “Fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you’re out. I think that model is finished. Online is where the innovation, and the action, is at.”

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, Carl Crawford on the Red Sox, congressional democrats turning on President Obama, or where the hell Eliza Dushku is, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

In a recent interview with Develop, EA Games president Frank Gibeau said, “Fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you’re out. I think that model is finished. Online is where the innovation, and the action, is at.” It certainly seems like most games have multiplayer or cooperative features — even games that don’t necessarily need them — but are pure single-player games doomed as Gibeau suggests?

While I don’t see pure single-player games being “finished”, I can see them becoming the minority. That would be kind of weird for me; I grew up playing loads of single-player games and my favorite genre, RPGs, is (mostly) a solitary experience. That said, there are a lot of younger gamers that grew up playing mostly multiplayer games. Perhaps the notion of a pure single-player game is dated.

What are you thoughts on the matter? Are single-player games finished? Will everything have a multiplayer or cooperative facet? Or will there be a robust single-player space in the future? Anyone else remember 2009 as being the year of games with unnecessary cooperative modes?

Remembering John Lennon Oct-9 1940 – Dec-8 1980

I remembering hearing about John Lennon’s death the day after it happened. I was still a small boy, so I was fast asleep when he was murdered on December 8, 1980. It was all over the news the next day. I remember watching NBC news as I was eating dinner with my family. We had a small black-and-white television in the kitchen. Of course I didn’t really have a concept of mortality at that age, but I loved The Beatles from the numerous times my dad would play Rubber Soul and Magical Mystery Tour on the record player. I just wondered why anyone would shoot this wonderful man.

Although I’ve come to love Lennon’s song writing and music, I was more inspired by what he did socially. He took his fame and used it to make powerful anti-war statements. Similar to how Muhammad Ali — one of my other favorite people that ever existed — leveraged his fame in the sports world, Lennon made people think whether you agreed with him or not. He was an amazing man on so many levels.

Let’s talk about what John Lennon meant to you. Did you he influence your taste in music or your social stances?

Google Unveils Chrome OS, Cr-48 Chrome Notebook

At a recent press conference, Google showed off its upcoming Chrome OS and the Cr-48 Chrome laptop. Based on Chrome browser technology, Chrome OS is a Linux-based operating system that’s lightweight and leverages the cloud. Although it can do a number of things offline, Chrome OS is meant to be used with an Internet connection. Chrome OS notebooks will hit in the middle of 2011, with initial offerings by Acer and Samsung.

One very smart and very cool aspect of Chrome OS notebooks is that they’ll come with free Internet access through Verizon. Users get 100MB a month on Verizon 3G for two years. Sure, that’s not a ton of data, but it should tide users over until they can access a WiFi or wired network. Additional access packages are available for purchase. It’s nice to see Google and Verizon using the crack cocaine model — first one’s free! *joke*

As an avid Google user, I’m pretty high on Chrome OS. On paper, Chrome OS notebooks will be cheap yet highly functional. Users will not be required to pay for expensive Windows and Microsoft Office software. Instead, they’ll rely on products like Google Docs and the relatively inexpensive (or free) software on the Chrome Web Store.

While some are questioning why Google is supporting two mobile operating systems (Android and Chrome), I believe there’s room for both. Android is meant for phones and will be optimized for tablets in version 3.0 (Honeycomb). Chrome is meant for the netbook market and has an opportunity to reinvigorate that lagging space. Chrome OS products seem ideal as a second computer and/or for casual users (soccer moms).

To work the kinks out of Chrome OS, Google has launched a pilot program featuring the Cr-48 Chrome notebook. Sadly, this laptop will not be be available for purchase, but you can apply to be a beta tester. Internet geeks are already in love with the Cr-48’s so-understated-it’s-cool looks. Hell, I’m drooling over the Cr-48 and hope I get accepted into the pilot program.

Anyway, this was just a cursory glance at Chrome OS and the Cr-48. Let’s talk it up! Let me know what you think of these products and if you have any questions about them.

Coffee Talk #262: My Favorite Interview

RPadholic bsukenyan asked me, “Favorite person you interviewed?” That’s an easy answer! It was DICE 2005 in Las Vegas. I headed up to Activision’s private suite with my coworker Ryan. With each step I took, I got more and more…

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 Cliff Lee bonanza, Katy Perry changing her last name, or remembering Elizabeth Edwards, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

RPadholic bsukenyan asked me, “Favorite person you interviewed?” That’s an easy answer! It was DICE 2005 in Las Vegas. I headed up to Activision’s private suite with my coworker Ryan. With each step I took, I got more and more chills. Remember how excited you got when Hulk Hogan “Hulked Up”? That’s exactly what I felt like right before I interviewed Stan Lee.

This was the only time I’ve ever marked out during an interview. I’m cool with game developers, musicians, movie stars, television peeps, WWE Superstars, etc. Meeting a living legend like Stan Lee…wow. That’s something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. It was an amazing honor and I was so incredibly grateful that my career led me to a Stan Lee interview.

Out of curiosity, have you ever marked out when meeting someone famous? Who would make you absolutely lose it?

Coffee Talk #261: Has Apple Doomed the 3DS and PSP2?

In a recent episode of Pach Atttack starring Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter (I’ll give you a few moments to soak that all in), your favorite videogame analyst and mine (not really) said that Apple’s iOS is the future of mobile 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, if the NY Knicks have finally gotten past years or mediocrity, Verve Roasters’ Ethiopia Nigusie Lemma, or your holiday shopping, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

In a recent episode of Pach Atttack starring Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter (I’ll give you a few moments to soak that all in), your favorite videogame analyst and mine (not really) said that Apple’s iOS is the future of mobile gaming. In fact, he felt so strongly about the iPod Touch that he doesn’t see a bright future for Nintendo’s and Sony’s next portable systems. Check it out:

I think the ubiquity of the iPod Touch is cutting into the handheld market, I think the PSP was dead on arrival and I think the PSP2 is going to be dead on arrival. It looks to me like young kids are just as happy playing with an iPod Touch or a Nano. The Touch is cool, it plays games, plays music, they’re going to put a camera in it and you’re going to get all kinds of cool stuff.

The 3DS will prolong the handheld market for the game manufacturers, but ultimately, I think handhelds are in trouble. After the 3DS has had its little rush I think the handhelds will continue to decline.

What do you think of Pachter’s stance? Is he on the money? Or is he just talking out of his ass to get more attention? Will the multifunction wizardry of the iPod Touch beat out the sheer power of the PSP2 and the 3D wonder of the 3DS? Can’t we live in a world where all of them do reasonably well? Share your feelings like a Care Bear (please)!

Google Announces Samsung Nexus S (With Videos!)

Google has officially announced the Samsung Nexus S, which will be available online and in Best Buy stores on December 16, 2010. This unlocked phone will be the champion product for Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Unlike the previous Google flagship phone — the HTC Nexus One — the Nexus S doesn’t blow the competition away in terms of specs. The Nexus S features:

  • 1GHz Hummingbird processor
  • 16GB of internal storage
  • 4-inch Super AMOLED WVGA touchscreen with curved Contour Display tech
  • 5-megapixel camera
  • Front-facing VGA camera for video chat
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Software-based noise cancellation
  • NFC support
  • Anti-fingerprint coating on the display

It looks like a great phone, but it’s not much better than what’s already available. While I’m envious of the front-facing camera and larger screen, the Nexus S doesn’t bring enough to the table to make me want to give up my HTC G2 (especially with T-Mobile’s WiFi calling and HSPA+ network speed).

Check out the additional video and let me know what you think of the Nexus S (please)!

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

The holiday rush has slowed down, but there are still some big games left in 2010. I usually don’t include PC games in the mix, but World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is too huge to ignore. Tying into the movie, TRON: Evolution hits every platform known to man…and robot. Technically, this game comes out next week, but Super Mario All-Stars hits Sunday with all sorts of excellent bonus goodies.

Any of you guys and dolls picking up new games this week?

Coffee Talk #260: Why Does This Happen in Games in 2010?

When I first started playing Splatterhouse, I was amused by the game’s load times. “Really? How quaint,” I thought. As I started playing more of the game and the fights got harder, I went from amused 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, Jayson Werth going to the Washington Nationals, your favorite deli meat, or skipping videogame Christmas parties because you’re feeling antisocial (sorry guys!), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

When I first started playing Splatterhouse, I was amused by the game’s load times. “Really? How quaint,” I thought. As I started playing more of the game and the fights got harder, I went from amused to pissed off. In addition to the expected level load times, you have to wait 15 to 20 seconds each time you die. This seems like a small amount of time, but when you keep dying in a particularly challenging fight…well, it completely sucks.

I’m amazed that things like this still happen in 2010. This was understandable 15 years ago when disc-based console-gaming first became the norm. These days? It’s more than a little ridiculous. You shouldn’t have to install a game on your hard drive so that playing conditions are acceptable. You should be able to play off of a disc and have a reasonably smooth experience. It’s…confounding.

Even though technology has grown by leaps and bounds, there are still some glitches and annoyances that plague the gaming world. What are some things that bug you about gaming that shouldn’t be happening in 2010?

Sony Ericcson Z1 (PSP Android Phone) Video Shows Controls

Here’s a nice “spy” video of the Sony Ericcson Z1 — the PlayStation Portable phone powered by Google Android. This video is much better than the one I posted earlier in the week. The user slides out the controls, revealing a d-pad and face buttons. You can also spot a PlayStation app in the menus. Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!