Category: Videogames

Coffee Talk #78: Your Game Developer Dream Date

I’ve “known” a lot of you long enough that I have a pretty good idea of what games you like and don’t like. However, I’m not so sure about your favorite game designers and developers. So let’s play a game! If you could have dinner with one famous game designer, who would it be and why? What questions would you ask him or her?

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 season premiere of Lost, if Adrien Grenier should change his name to Vincent Chase, or why pinch-to-zoom is a must-have feature, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’ve “known” a lot of you long enough that I have a pretty good idea of what games you like and don’t like. However, I’m not so sure about your favorite game designers and developers. So let’s play a game! If you could have dinner with one famous game designer, who would it be and why? What questions would you ask him or her?

As for me, it would be Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto. I’ve had one-on-one interviews with him in the past, but that was in the late ’90s. My recent encounters with the legend have been in group settings. I want more! I’d love to hang out with Miyamoto over a slow dinner, followed by dessert and coffee. I’d love to pick his brain, to see how he gets his amazing ideas. I’d even enjoy observing his use of ordinary objects like a fork or a coffee cup. His perspective is just so different. Remember, this is the guy that came up with Nintendogs and Pikmin after getting a pet and taking up gardening, respectively. Maybe he could come up with a marvelously entertaining game base on my morning ritual of grinding beans and making coffee in a French press.

So yeah! Who is your developer dream date? In addition to who it would be and what questions you’d ask, let everyone know what the setting would be. Also, I reserve the right to punch anyone that selects Cliffy B (I’m kidding. He’s awesome!).

Dragon Age: Origins Awakening Character Reveal: Anders

[Updated with video!] BioWare has unveiled new information on a brand new character that will debut in the Dragon Age: Origins Awakening expansion pack (due out in March!). His name is Anders and he’s an apostate (illegal mage). A flippant fellow, Anders seems to heavy a healthy hate for blood mages and the chantry. My initial thought is that he’s Alistair with magic, but I’m sure there’s more to him than that. I can’t wait to learn more about him!

Let me know what you think of Anders when you have a moment.

Fret Nice Combines Platform Gaming with Guitar Controllers

Coming this Thursday on Sony’s PlayStation Network is Fret Nice from Tecmo, a cute platformer that’s played with a guitar controller. The game is so novel that it deserves its own post (complete with video!). Here’s what Tecmo producer Ray Murakawa had to say about the game’s origins:

The game actually started as a degree thesis project and as that aimed at looking into the concept of adding an unorthodox game controller into an ordinary game genre such as the 2D platformer to see what benefits could be drawn from the new way of controlling the game. Although the game has since evolved to being not so much about the academic side of things, the guitar controller and what it can be used for in its new context has always been the essence of Fret Nice’s design.

I’m probably going to download it this week simply because it’s cool and different. Any of you interested?

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Trauma Team Walkthrough #3: Orthopedics

Please check out this Trauma Team walkthrough, which goes over the orthopedic procedures in this upcoming Nintendo Wii game. I wish this doctor was around when I first hurt my knee. Ha! Here’s a detailed description from Atlus:

This latest video follows the exploits of orthopedic surgeon Hank Freebird, tasked with repairing the various bones and joints that make up the human skeletal system. In addition to the new entry in the video walkthrough series, the publisher also confirmed that the game’s release date would be held back for further observation, now slated to release on May 18th.

GameFly Says FFXIII for Xbox 360 is on Three Discs

Loads of gamers have been wondering if Square Enix would meet its goal of shipping Final Fantasy XIII for Xbox 360 on no more than three discs. According to rental service GameFly, that’s the case. The site’s description noted:

This is a three disc game, but it only counts as one disc against your rental plan.

So there you have it! If you’re planning to play the game on Xbox 360 then expect at least two disc-swapping interruptions.

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Coffee Talk #77: The Superman 64 Award–Nominees Wanted!

You guys had fun talking about the Razzie Award nominees yesterday. In the spirit of the Razzies, N8R called for a poll for the worst game of the decade. Ladies and gentlemen…I present to you…the Superman 64 Award!!! (Trophy by N8R!)

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 Super Bowl commercial you’re looking forward to the most, Edge turning tweener, or this excellent Final Fantasy VII mash-up album, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

You guys had fun talking about the Razzie Award nominees yesterday. In the spirit of the Razzies, N8R called for a poll for the worst game of the decade. Ladies and gentlemen…I present to you…the Superman 64 Award!!! (Trophy by N8R!)

Named after the worst game I ever played in my life, this piece of crap from Titus was so wretched that it gave me nightmares for years. If you guys and gals want to vote over the worst game released from 2000 to 2009, I can’t think of a better title than Superman 64 to “inspire” you.

A few of you started sending in nominations yesterday. Let’s keep things neat and consolidate them here. If there are any games you want to nominate for the Superman 64 Award for Worst Game of the Decade, please leave ’em in the comments sections.

Nobuo Uematsu Meets Jay-Z in Vinyl Fantasy 7: Download Now!

I’ve been listening to Team Teamwork’s Vinyl Fantasy 7 mash-ups for the last couple of hours. This pay-what-you-want download features some unforgettable Final Fantasy VII tracks mixed with hip-hop artists like Jay-Z, Outkast, Ghostface Killah, and more.

Some of it is really cool (I loved “Those Who Fight” with M.O.P. and “Jenova” with Skyzoo + Wale). Some of it didn’t work for me (hip-hop with the Gold Saucer and Costa Del Sol themes?!?). Sadly, Aerith’s theme wasn’t mashed up. FFVII fanboys around the world would have went nuts and I would have been terribly amused.

The download is available in a bunch of formats, including MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, and ALAC. It’s definitely worth downloading and if you can throw a few bucks at Team Teamwork that’s cool too. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Vinyl Fantasy 7, so give it a download and a listen.

Here’s the complete track list:

  1. Kool Keith + Tom Waits – Spacious Thoughts (The Prelude) 04:07
  2. Jay-Z – Lucifer (Mako Reactor) 03:17
  3. M.O.P. – Ante Up (Battle!) 03:42
  4. MF DOOM – Air (Barrett’s Theme) 02:35
  5. Outkast + Raekwon – Royal Flush (Sailing from Junon) 03:34
  6. Skyzoo + Wale – Lyrically Inclined (Jenova) 03:18
  7. Gucci Mane – Stoopid (Costa Del Sol) 04:10
  8. Clipse – Fast Life (Sephiroth’s Reunion) 03:52
  9. Dorrough – Ice Cream Paintjob (Gold Saucer) 04:07
  10. Murs – Me and this Jawn (Mideel) 03:02
  11. Slum Village – Get Dis Money (One-Winged Angel) 03:11
  12. Ghostface Killah – Save Me Dear (City of the Ancients) 02:34

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PadCast: Tarver Games’ Chris Cross Talks iPad Game Design

Last week I chatted with Tarver Games president and co-founder Chris Cross for an RPad.tv PadCast. Cross gave me an update on what’s going on with his excellent iPhone game Ghosts Attack and his upcoming project Brickman. Naturally, I was interested to hear his thoughts on the Apple iPad as a game designer. The always entertaining Cross revealed some cool insights that will give you an idea of how iPad games will be different from their counterparts for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Check it out!

Coffee Talk #76: Game Delays and Hypocrisy

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, Roger Federer showing his greatness once again, the “surprise” winner of the WWE Royal Rumble, or Steve Jobs talking trash, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

New Coffee: Cup of Excellence El Salvador: Finca Malacara roasted by Intelligentsia

Renowned game designer Hideo Kojima recently made some sharp comments on videogame delays in light of Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker’s delay. Here’s the translation, courtesy of Andriasang:

I always preach to the staff, ‘You must not have a delay after a release date has been announced. There is no greater crime as a game developer.’ Official announcement of a release date is nothing less than a promise to fans and business partners. In other words, a release date change is like betraying the expectations of everyone.

I find his stance admirable and I’m glad that a high-profile developer made such a strong statement. For the most part, I hate game delays. I understand that there are resource and budget issues that can result in delays, but more often than not the cause is poor management.

Having said that, I have to admit that I’m totally hypocritical on the issue. I will ding the vast majority of developers and publishers for delaying their games (with the exception of manipulating release dates to keep shareholders happy). There are some companies that are immune to my criticism. I’m sure this will shock many of you, but I can’t help giving BioWare a pass for delaying its games. The good reason is that I know I’ll greatly enjoy the final product. The bad reason is that Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk are two of my favorite people in the business. It’s not exactly fair, but at least I can admit.

Today I wanted to how much videogame delays bother you. Are they an inevitable part of a creative endeavor? Or do you agree with Kojima that it’s breaking a promise to fans? Do you make exceptions for top developers like BioWare and Blizzard? Or are you consistent with your stance on delays?

Dragon Age: Origins Return to Ostagar Available, Really!

The Return to Ostagar DLC for the fabulous Dragon Age: Origins is available (again) on Xbox Live. Hopefully the bugs have been worked out. If you’re not sure about this DLC then be sure to read my (not a) review!

I double checked a few of my saves to see if applying the accompanying patch does anything. All my achievements and specializations look normal. So go ahead and download, kill some darkspawn, and collect new loot if you’re so inclined!