Marvel’s merc with a mouth — the glorious Deadpool — leads the week in a game called…uh, Deadpool. As a huge mark for the character, I’m super looking forward to this one. Fans of beautiful, sword-slashing games will definitely want to pick up Muramasa Rebirth, an enhanced version of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. If you have the urge to get your motor runnin’ and long to get out on the highway then you should check out Ride to Hell Retribution.
Hopefully, some of you have the good taste to be Deadpool fanboys. So how about it? Any of you picking up new games this week?
I’ve had some time to recover from E3 2013 and my Mom has been staying with me for the last few days. She’s headed to Orange County to visit her brother tomorrow, so that means it’s time for some unpacking (probably not) and heavy gaming (most definitely). I’d love to play something on my consoles, but I’ve yet to unpack my games. [Note to self: Don’t move the week before E3 ever again.] The good news is that my friend from Insomniac sent me a copy of Fuse and I have lots of games on my iPad. It looks like it’ll be Fuse and Civilization: Revolution for me.
I stopped by Bethesda’s E3 2013 booth to chat with MachineGames gameplay designer Sabine Rösgren to talk about Wolfenstein: The New Order. The game is set in an alternate version of the ’60s where the Nazis won World War II. Naturally, it’s up to William “B.J.” Blazkowicz to save the day. Wolfenstein: The New Order combines gameplay elements from the old-school Wolfenstein games with modern touches like laser weapons and giant robots. Check out the video above for more details from Rösgren. And yes, I totally bombed this interview because I instantly had a major, major crush on Sabine. Bethesda needs to warn people before they have to interview dreamy Swedish women that sound like Bjork.
I was going to save this Coffee Talk for tomorrow, but RPadholic smartguy requested that I post it today, so here it is! At E3 2013, Microsoft caused several fanboy heart attacks (not actual heart attacks) by unveiling Killer Instinct for Xbox One. The game is an updated version of Rare’s beloved fighter from the ’90s. In addition to new graphics, new moves, and new fighters, the game is also introducing a new business model (for console fighting games, anyway). Instead of a traditional flat price, the new Killer Instinct will use a…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 on-again-off-again talks between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers, fine visitors from Korean e-cig companies, or Bryan Danielson’s injury, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
I was going to save this Coffee Talk for tomorrow, but RPadholic smartguy requested that I post it today, so here it is! At E3 2013, Microsoft caused several fanboy heart attacks (not actual heart attacks) by unveiling Killer Instinct for Xbox One. The game is an updated version of Rare’s beloved fighter from the ’90s. In addition to new graphics, new moves, and new fighters, the game is also introducing a new business model (for console fighting games, anyway). Instead of a traditional flat price, the new Killer Instinct will use a free-to-play model that many mobile and social games use.
Gamers will be able to download Killer Instinct for free and play to their heart’s content. However, only one character will be available for free. Players will be able to purchase individual characters or pay a flat fee for access to all characters, including those that will be added to the game post-launch. This business model has been lucrative for many mobile and social games, but will it fly with a console fighting game?
What’s your take on the Killer Instinct business model? Are you interested in experiencing games this way? Do you think Microsoft will be successful using a mobile-game tactic on consoles? Or is it too foreign for console gamers? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Nvidia made quite a splash when it announced its Shield portable gaming system at CES 2013. At E3 2013, I interviewed James Wang from Nvidia product marketing to get more details on the system and got some hands-on time with the console. Shield will be the first Tegra 4 device on the market, according to the company. Nvidia’s latest and greatest mobile chip should take mobile gaming to the next level. In addition to being able to run Android games, Shield allows gamers to stream PC games (GeForce GTX 650 or higher required). Of course it runs non-gaming apps as well, which is handy for people that want to update their Facebook status with one of the most menacing Android devices ever created.
Shield sports a solid gamepad that will feel familiar to most gamers. The buttons and sticks are solid, but I needed a few minutes to get used to the flat feel of the system. It was very much a mental thing on my part; I know that portable gaming systems are supposed to be flat, but Shield’s shape and color scheme reminded me of Xbox 360 so I was thinking curves. Of course I need to spend more time with the controller and use it with a variety of games before I can judge it, but my initial feeling was like, not love.
While Shield has a lot of power and a lot of features, it also has a lot of competitors — traditional handheld systems, Android phones and tablets, and several other Android-based consoles. It’s certainly unique, but I’m not sure what the demand will be for a $349 portable Android gaming system. That’s where you come in! As always, I want to hear your thoughts on Nvidia Shield, now that you have more info on it and have seen more footage of the system. Share your feelings like a Care Bear in the comments section when you have a chance (please).
At E3 2013, I spent some time with Sunflex vice president of business development Nicki Repenning to talk about the UNU tablet. At a glance, this seven-inch tablet is one of the most unique and diverse Android devices I’ve seen. In addition to being able to use it as a standard tablet, UNU comes with software and accessories that help you use it as a smart TV or videogame console.
On the smart TV side, it uses docks and an air-mouse controller. The controller is particularly novel. It features motion controls for menu navigation and for casual games (think Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja). The back of the controller has a QWERTY keyboard for a familiar and comfortable typing experience. One dock and controller are included in the standard UNU tablet bundle, which will retail for $199.
For hardcore Android gamers, there’s a $249 bundle that includes a full-sized gamepad, a travel pouch, and everything in the standard bundle. The controller has a good feel, thought not as impressive as the Nyko PlayPad Pro 2 that I tried at E3 2013. The gamepad makes sense for Android users that play a lot of traditional games ported to Android.
On paper, UNU looks like an inexpensive Android tablet that does many things very well. However, I want to spend more time with Sunflex’s custom UI and learn the exact chipset under the hood before I pass judgement. Hopefully I’ll get to do so before the product’s late-summer release. I’m intrigued by UNU, but I want to see more!
How about you guys and gals? Any of you interested in the UNU tablet?
[Thanks again to Rich Brown for his great camera work in this video!]
At E3 2013, I spent some time with Sunflex vice president of business development Nicki Repenning to talk about the UNU tablet. At a glance, this seven-inch tablet is one of the most unique and diverse Android devices I’ve seen. In addition to being able to use it as a standard tablet, UNU comes with software and accessories that help you use it as a smart TV or videogame console.
On the smart TV side, it uses docks and an air-mouse controller. The controller is particularly novel. It features motion controls for menu navigation and for casual games (think Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja). The back of the controller has a QWERTY keyboard for a familiar and comfortable typing experience. One dock and controller are included in the standard UNU tablet bundle, which will retail for $199.
For hardcore Android gamers, there’s a $249 bundle that includes a full-sized gamepad, a travel pouch, and everything in the standard bundle. The controller has a good feel, thought not as impressive as the Nyko PlayPad Pro 2 that I tried at E3 2013. The gamepad makes sense for Android users that play a lot of traditional games ported to Android.
On paper, UNU looks like an inexpensive Android tablet that does many things very well. However, I want to spend more time with Sunflex’s custom UI and learn the exact chipset under the hood before I pass judgement. Hopefully I’ll get to do so before the product’s late-summer release. I’m intrigued by UNU, but I want to see more!
How about you guys and gals? Any of you interested in the UNU tablet?
[Thanks again to Rich Brown for his great camera work in this video!]
Colleague: No, I mean it feels and looks too much like Halo.
Me: There are a lot elements in the game that are nothing like Halo, but I guess there are some visual similarities. But so what?
Colleague: I’m just tired of them doing the same thing game after game.
At E3 2013, I also had at least ten conversations that went something like this…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, Samsung and Jay-Z teaming up for (allegedly) $20-million, LeAnn Rimes’ crew visiting my favorite vape shop, or Rob Van Dam returning to WWE, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
At E3 2013, I had at least ten conversations that went something like this:
Colleague: *excited* It looks like an Insomniac game!
Me: It should. It’s being made by Insomniac.
Colleague: No, I mean it looks like what I expect from them. Resistance didn’t look and feel like an Insomniac game. This is more like it!
Me: I guess the tone feels more like what the company has done prior to Resistance, but I don’t mind when developers try different things.
Colleague: Yeah, but this is what I love about Insomniac.
In one case, people are criticizing Bungie for (supposedly) going to the well again. In the other case, people are lauding Insomniac for (supposedly) going to the well again. It’s funny, isn’t it? I’m not sure what the deal is — it’s like you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. Destiny is pretty ambitious, but some people are down on it because it has some artistic and tonal similarities to other Bungie games. Sunset Overdrive is also ambitious, and it’s getting praised because it has some artistic and tonal similarities to other Insomniac games. In my head, this kind of inconsistency is causing game developers to sing Adam Lambert’s “Whataya Want From Me?” on an hourly basis.
There’s something comforting about creators — of any kind, not just game developers — using familiar elements. There’s also something exciting about creators trying something new. The results of both approaches can be good or bad. I get that. What I don’t get is the inconsistent pigeonholing game journalists and gamers are doing with these two titles. Why is it good for one developer to use a similar style and bad for another?
Don’t get me wrong. I respect the hell out of Bungie and I’m a huge Insomniac mark. I just think it’s unfair that Bungie is getting dinged and Insomniac is getting praised for the same reason.
Perhaps you can explain it to me. Are these judgements just? Are they inconsistent? Leave your thoughts on the matter in the comments section (please!).
As expected, E3 2013 was a super-exciting show (new consoles always add extra excitement), but it was even more exciting than I thought it would be. Sony kicked things off with a bang, there were loads of great games to see, and independent developers brought a different (and refreshing) type of energy to the mix. Since everyone else is doing it (and it adds lots of search traffic), I’m listing my top 10 games of E3 2013. Keep in mind that there was a ton of stuff I didn’t see and these silly lists are subjective. After that are some random thoughts and a photo gallery.
Top 10 Games of E3 2013
Titanfall — Giant robots are frickin’ cool, but I was surprised by how much fun it was playing as a pilot. Mixing up the two types of action made for a unique experience. The animation of the mech inserting the pilot still scares me though. That looks painful.
Knack — As a fan of super-cute platformers, clever gameplay, and Mark Cerny, this game worked for me on so many levels. The brief portion I played was crazy good — much headier than most platformers out there, but still very accessible.
Beyond: Two Souls — A few of my friends have soured on this game, but I’m still a Quantic Dream mark and I can’t wait to play the whole thing.
Destiny — I thought I would be dazzled by the graphics and okay with the gameplay. After seeing the demo, I was surprised by how much I want to play this one.
Transistor — From the excellent Supergiant Games comes another sweet action-RPG that combines modern flourishes with old-school sensibilities.
Below — From the excellent Capybara Games comes another visually and aurally distinct game with old-school sensibilities.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons — I’ve been high on this game since I saw it in October and was glad to see several friends of mine digging it too.
inFamous: Second Son — I really enjoyed the first two inFamous games and am a big fan of Sucker Punch. I love where this sequel is going and have high hopes for it.
Disney Infinity — While it has some similarities to the wonderful Skylanders franchise, this game is more ambitious and has several unique features. I love being able to share adventures with characters from Disney movies, Pixar movies, Pirates of the Caribbean, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Wreck It Ralph, etc.
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare — The sights and sounds in this game are utterly charming, but don’t overlook the gameplay. It’s like a goofy version of Team Fortress.
Random Thoughts
– It was fun catching up with Keiichi Yano from iNiS. I knew he studied jazz at USC (before going off to make excellent games like Gitaroo Man, Ouendan, and Elite Beat Agents. I didn’t know that he played saxophone. It was awesome to hear that he’s watched YouTube videos of my brother playing sax. I wish I had one of my brother’s CDs to give him at the show, but I’ll find a way to get him one.
– I’ve had some great times over the years with longtime Konami producer and current Namco Bandai producer Jason Enos. Seeing that he’s literally half the man he used to be was impressive. My man lost 171 pounds! It’s inspiring. I’m so happy for him.
– Of course it was awesome seeing my former sidekick Zoe Flower. I’m so proud of her and the work she’s doing on LEGO Friends. It was also fun meeting and getting to know her “boss” at Hellbent Games, Chris Mair. While she kicked all sorts of ass with her game at E3 2013, it started out as a strange experience for her. She’s spent most of her E3s roaming around the halls and looking at games (sometimes dressed as a zombie). Having to stay in one place for most of the show was a very different experience. On the first day of the show, she was like a freshly caged animal wanting to bust out. Ha!
– Michael Pachter throws the best E3 parties. I want to be his intern.
– I was happy to catch up with Cliff Bleszinski. I always knew he would be huge and I’m delighted for his success. We have a…colorful history and it’s great that we can still hang after all these years. I’m also thrilled that John Vignocchi and Adam Boyes have blown up. Johnny V is the executive producer on Disney Infinity and Adam Boyes is a vice president at Sony Computer Entertainment. I caught up a bit with John at Pachter-palooza and saw Adam on stage at the Sony presser (so weird). And to think, it was like 10 years ago that the three of us were cruising around Vegas in a limousine like idiots.
– While the new consoles were exciting and the games were tremendous, my favorite part of any E3 is catching up with old friends and business colleagues. I believe this was the nineteenth E3 and I’ve attended 18 of them. You kind of forget how long you’ve known people and how long we’ve all been part of this amazing business (though I maintain that game “journalists” are barely a part of the industry). Catching up, reconnecting, and all that good stuff was tremendous. I want to list all the people I was happy to catch up with, but that would take a long time and I’d moronically forget to include someone (and feel horrible about it later).
– The fine people at 47 Communications throw a Sunday party called B4. The show is obviously called E3. A respected videogame producer has dubbed the post-E3 endup at the Figueroa Hotel “F This.” That totally cracked me up.
