Category: Today’s Specials

PadCast: The One with SwitchGames’ Jason Crawford

Today’s RPad.tv “PadCast” features SwitchGames founder Jason Crawford. In addition to getting an update on Crawford’s burgeoning peer-to-peer game-trading service and community, we…kind of go all over the place. Things start off with an update on SwitchGames and move on to your excellent questions, where Crawford reveals how digital distribution will affect his business. From there we chat about the Apple tablet, what James Cameron and Rivers Cuomo have in common, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and more!

It’s long, but I think it’s a fun and informative conversation. As always, huge props to N8R for putting the video together. Please check it out and let me know what you think (please)!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s not big week in terms of the number of games coming out, but it’s frickin’ huge for enthusiast gamers! On Xbox 360 there’s BioWare’s Mass Effect 2, which a bunch of you were looking forward to. The PlayStation 3 has MAG, if you’re interested in getting your multiplayer groove on in mind-shattering numbers. Wii fans have Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars and No More Heroes 2 to look forward to. As for the handheld systems? I didn’t notice anything worth mentioning or making fun of.

Are you buying any of these games this week? (If so, feel free to use those handy Amazon links above! *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*)

Coffee Talk #72: What Game Remakes Do You Dream Of?

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, your pick for the Superbowl, the huge infrastructure gap between AT&T and Verizon, or whether Allen Iverson deserves to be in the NBA All-Star game, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Tetsuya Nomura’s comments on the rumored Final Fantasy VII remake added fuel to the fire of a story that’s never going to die. Millions of gamers want it. Square Enix would be stupid not to do it. All three console manufacturers would love it on their system. People are going to keep speculating on a new FFVII until it’s finally made. The whole thing made me wonder about the games you want to see remade.

As for me, FFVII is on the top of my list, but not for the reasons most people want it. Although I enjoy the world now that it was fleshed out by Advent Children and Crisis Core, I still don’t think VII is one of the best Final Fantasy games. It’s arguably the most important, but I had more fun with IV, V, VI, and X. I want the game to be remade because the videogame world will go absolutely apesh|t for it. It’ll be huge! I’ll have loads of fun writing about it and discussing it with y’all. While I’d certainly be interested in playing a remade and improved version of FFVII, I’m far more interested in the game for the chaos and excitement it would cause.

Today I wanted to see what games you wanted remade. Any blasts from the past that you want modernized? Maybe it’s a game that fell short at the time but would excel with current technology. Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

Tetsuya Nomura Says “No” to Final Fantasy VII Remake

In a recent interview with Famitsu, Square Enix’s Tetsuya Nomura (the James Brown of videogame development) said “no” to a Final Fantasy VII remake…for now. Andriasang translated the following Nomura comment:

Fans are looking forward to an oft rumored remake of FFVII, but I don’t believe this will happen for the time being. However, it’s possible that he will appear in other titles as a guest character.

Millions of fans around the world would love this game and I think it’s only a matter of time until it gets made. Nomura is the key to making it happen. At this time he’s way too busy and he doesn’t appear to be interested. I maintain that it would be the perfect launch title for the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation Portable 2. FFVII remake = insane system seller.

How many of you would buy a FFVII remake?

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Coffee Talk #71: Your Favorite Videogame Heroines

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 Supreme Court’s alarming decision on campaign contributions by corporations, what the Apple tablet means for gaming, or Brees vs. Favre, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

For decades, videogames have been largely enjoyed by males. While I’m thankful that more and more ladies have been enjoying games, there’s no denying that games have been a “guy thing” for a long time. Despite that — or maybe because of that? — the business has had its fair share of outstanding heroines. From Ms. Pac-Man to Samus Aran to Lara Croft, gaming is full of women that kick ass.

My favorite gaming heroine is Yuna from Final Fantasy Fantasy X. I found her to be more thoughtful and realistic than most videogame characters. Her stilted and unsure speech was absolutely charming and unique. She’s not the typical blow-you-up-with-guns character, but if you crossed her path she’d wipe you out with a summon. I loved how she gained confidence throughout the game’s tale and blossomed into a wonderful hero. Of course it helped that she starred in an excellent game (let’s ignore FFX-2 for a moment).

Today I wanted to see who your favorite videogame heroine was. Do you prefer gun-toting ladies like Joanna Dark? Or maybe the emotional powers of Princess Peach? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

Conan O’Brien Gets $45-Million in Severance, Free in September

The latest late-night drama is over, as NBC has settled with Conan O’Brien over The Tonight Show. The ousted host will be free to pursue other opportunities after September 1, 2010. According to E!, “His severance deal is said to be worth roughly $45 million, and will include a $33 million payout both for NBC’s breach of his contract and 12 million thanks-for-playing bucks for his most senior staff members.”

I’m happy that Conan’s staff will be getting some money. Having moved from New York to Los Angeles less than a year ago, they were always the real victims in this whole affair. Hopefully O’Brien will share some of his loot with his junior staff too, since it will tough to find work until this Fall. On a side note, I’ve always wanted one of these giant severance packages. Too bad I’ve never had a job that’s important enough to warrant one (*cough* Bernie Stolar *cough*).

Where do you think Conan O’Brien will end up? Fox? Comedy Central?

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Coffee Talk #70: What Influences Your Game Purchasing?

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 democrats totally blowing it in Massachusetts, Apple giving Google the boot for Bing, or your pick for the WWE Royal Rumble, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

There are very few videogames that surprise me. I’ve been playing games for decades and writing about them for almost 15 years. For the most part, I know what games will interest me. I know what I like and I know what I will enjoy. I don’t need to read game reviews to help me make a purchasing decision. Having said all that, Darksiders threw me for a loop. I was mildly interested in the game because of Joe Mad’s involvement (remember, I’m a comic-book geek too!), but I was pretty sure it wasn’t a “must have” for me. A friend’s opinion changed all of that.

One of my industry friends is super hardcore into games and I respect his opinion. Lately he was raving about Darksiders on Twitter. He’s a fairly enthusiastic fellow, so his praise wasn’t surprising. He did surprise me with several well-reasoned tweets that equated Darksiders with classic Zelda games. Whoa. A game with unique and modern graphics that has the gameplay sensibilities of old-school Zelda?!? In the immortal words of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “Gimme a hell yeah!!!” My friend’s opinion and insight totally sold me on the game, kicking it up to the “must have” category.

I wanted to see what influences your purchasing decisions. Do you rely on reviews from outlets and writers you like? Do you do your own research? Or are friends your biggest influence? What’s the one factor that can change your mind on a game that you’re borderline on?

Today’s Poll: Which Motion Controller Will You Buy in 2010?

It’s going to a potentially big year for motion controls on consoles. The Wii has done filthy numbers, largely thanks to the unique experience it offers through motion. Microsoft is getting in the game with Project Natal, while Sony plans to do the same with PlayStation Arc. It might be too soon to tell, but I wanted to see if any of you were planning on picking up any or all of these motion controllers. Let the polling begin!

[poll id=”20″]

Coffee Talk #69: Sony’s Sex Toy of Doom and You

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, Bret Favre doing “Pants on the Ground”, what late night show you’ll be hosting in five years, or the excellent Boxing After Dark (B.A.D.) show on HBO this Saturday, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Sony’s sex toy of doom (or motion controller, if you will) for PlayStation 3 has been getting a lot of press lately. Yesterday there were a strong rumor that its official name will be PlayStation Arc. Today Sony has announced that the product will be delayed until Fall 2010. I think the delay is actually a good thing — a very good thing. My sources have raved about the hardware, but few of them have told me about software that would compelling for enthusiast gamers.

A few of you have brought up games you’d like to see on the PlayStation Arc (of the Covenant?). Boom Blox was an interesting pick, but I don’t think that’s enough. Sony needs something new and original for its motion controller to succeed. Today I wanted to ask you — as an enthusiast gamer — what kind of games would make you buy one.

Sony’s motion controller is a potentially huge product that could greatly broaden the appeal of the PlayStation 3. The big conditional is that without compelling software, it could be a monumental flop. Game developers are going to determine the fate of this thing, no doubt.

What would make the best hero software for Sony’s motion controller? Do you want the standard sports package, like Wii Sports, but with more fidelity? Do you want something more hardcore, like a first-person shooter? Would a motion-controlled Resistance work for you? Maybe you want something totally fresh and original? Or will you be unimpressed no matter what Sony does with this product?

Coffee Talk #68: What Kind of Television Do You Play Games On (DLP vs LCD TVs)?

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, WWE doing a brilliant job hyping The Royal Rumble, the “I’m with Coco” campaign, or the Haiti tragedy possibly leading to Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Televisions play a vital role in gaming (duh). Pressing buttons on a controller isn’t that much fun unless dazzling graphics and thrilling sounds accompany the input. The advent of high-definition gaming has made TVs more important than ever. Getting the most out of your $60 games and $500 consoles requires a quality television. Today I wanted to see what kind of TV you use for games.

As for me, I’m a DLP (digital light processing) guy. The market is currently dominated by LCD (liquid crystal display) models, but I prefer DLP for several reasons. To me, most LCDs are too bright. DLPs produce truer color that’s more balanced. After several years, LCDs go bad and have to be ditched. DLPs can last three to four times longer, though they require a bulb change every few years. If you’re in the market for a large TV (60-inches and up), DLP offers a much better value and a picture that’s every bit as good. If you move around every few years then I highly suggest that you go with DLP; the screens are much more durable than LCDs. My biggest pet peeve with LCDs is motion blur, which can ruin fast-paced games, as well as sports and action movies (a lot of newer models are much better at dealing with this, to be fair).

Now don’t take this as me bashing on LCDs. They’re much better for rooms that get a lot of natural light. The viewing angle of LCDs beats the pants off of DLPs. A lot of people love that they’re so thin that they can be wall mounted. Some people prefer the brighter image that LCDs offer.

Like I mentioned earlier, I want to know what kind of TV you use for games. Any chance you’re in the market for a new set in 2010? If so, what televisions and technologies are you looking at?