Coffee Talk #268: Your Favorite Game of 2010

It’s time for you to declare your favorite game of the year! I’ve dragged three of my friends into the mix — three friends that happen to be some of the best editors in the videogame business.

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 Milwaukee Brewers making some noise with the Greinke trade, WWE Edge as your new World Heavyweight Champion, or your favorite Christmas dish, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

It’s time for you to declare your favorite game of the year! I’ve dragged three of my friends into the mix — three friends that happen to be some of the best editors in the videogame business. 1Up’s Sam Kennedy, Gamasutra’s Christian Nutt, and GameFly Media’s (Shacknews) Garnett Lee share their personal game-of-the-year choices in the video above.

Kindly check out the video and share your favorite game of 2010!

Coffee Wars: Coava Kone vs. Chemex Paper Filters

For the last month I’ve been using Coava Coffee Roasters’ Kone filter with my trusty Chemex coffee pot. Coffee lovers rave about the bright and clean taste produced by Chemex paper filters, so I was curious to see what the Kone would bring to the table. To my surprise, I now prefer Kone coffee over paper-filtered coffee. The Kone produces a cup that’s richer than coffee produced by paper filters and brighter than coffee brewed from a French press or Sowden Softbrew. Your taste may vary, but for me the Kone hit a brilliant sweet spot.

Although $50 seems like a lot for a stainless steel filter, daily drinkers will save money in the long run over buying paper filters. Furthermore, the Kone was engineered in Oregon and is manufactured in Connecticut from Ohio steel. Most of the stuff in my kitchen (sadly) has a “Made in China” stamp on it, so I feel proud and patriotic when brewing coffee with the Kone. (Perhaps I should play John Williams’ Superman theme when I use the Kone.)

The Kone also sports some very cool tech. It has been meticulously engineered to provide superior extraction over paper filters and has thousands of photochemically etched holes. It makes me feel proud as a geek and an American.

Check out the video above for more details on the Kone and to see it in action. If you have any questions about my experience with this fine product, please ask away in the comments section. Congrats to Coava for making an environmentally friendly coffee filter that boosts the American economy!

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Today’s Poll: Who Does Scott Pilgrim Belong With?

I finally got around to seeing Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I loved the comics and really liked the movie. Obviously loads of details were cut and left out in the transition to film, but I was surprised by how I reacted to Scott’s love interests in the different mediums. In the comics, Ramona Flowers is way more likable and her relationship with Scott is more developed. In the movie, I was completely charmed by Ellen Wong’s portrayal of Knives Chau. In fact, I preferred the alternate ending (posted above) where Scott ends up with Knives.

Anyway, if you’ve seen the movie and/or read the books, please let me know who you think is best for Scott.

[poll id=”90″]

Shawn Michaels Reveals His Future with the WWE

“The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels has posted a video that reveals his longterm plans with World Wrestling Entertainment. While he has made it clear that he has no plans to return as a regular in-ring performer, he appears eager to help the WWE move forward in various ways.

With his close friend Triple H doing more behind-the-scenes work, perhaps Michaels will contribute to the creative side of the business. Or perhaps he’ll take the ambassador role that Ric Flair had before he bailed to TNA. Whatever he does, I’m just happy that HBK will still be working with the company.

Sony Boasts Nearly 50 Games with PlayStation Move Support

Sony announced that nearly 50 games have PlayStation Move support, with lots more to come. Here’s the list for your motion-tastic pleasure.

Sony has announced that nearly 50 games have PlayStation Move support, with lots more to come. Here’s the list for your motion-tastic pleasure.

Supported Games

  • Auditorium
  • Beat Sketcher
  • Brunswick Pro Bowling
  • Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011
  • Create
  • Dance Dance Revolution
  • EyePet
  • The Fight: Lights Out
  • Funky Lab Rat
  • Get Fit With Mel B
  • Heavy Rain (via PSN software update)
  • High Velocity Bowling (via PSN software update)
  • Hustle Kings* (via PSN software update)
  • John Daly’s ProStroke Golf
  • Kung Fu Rider
  • MAG (via PSN software update)
  • NBA 2K11
  • Planet Minigolf (via PSN software update)
  • Racquet Sports
  • Rapala Pro Bass Fishing 2010
  • Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (via PSN software update)
  • R.U.S.E.
  • Sackboy’s Prehistoric Moves
  • Singstar Dance
  • The Sly Collection
  • Sports Champions
  • Start the Party
  • Swords & Soldiers* (via PSN software update)
  • The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest
  • The Shoot
  • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (via PSN software update)
  • Time Crisis: Razing Storm
  • Toy Story 3: The Video Game (side modes via PSN software update)
  • TRON: Evolution
  • Tumble
  • TV Superstars

Upcoming Games

  • echochrome II
  • Dead Space Extraction
  • de Blob 2
  • Dungeon Defenders
  • Dungeon Hunter: Alliance
  • PlayStation Move Heroes
  • Killzone 3
  • LittleBigPlanet 2
  • Michael Jackson: The Experience
  • Modern Combat: Domination
  • No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise
  • SOCOM 4
  • Sorcery
  • Top Darts
  • Under Siege
  • Virtua Tennis 4
  • Yoostar 2
  • Zumba Fitness

Any of you digging any of these games with Move?

Source

Bulletstorm Epic Edition Includes Gears of War 3 Beta

Electronic Arts has announced that the “Epic Edition” of Bulletstorm will include early access to the highly anticipated beta for Gears of War 3. Here’s a clip from the official press release:

Epic Games and EA are blowing out the launch of Bulletstorm with access to the public beta for Gears of War 3, the spectacular conclusion to one of the most memorable and celebrated sagas in video games. Players that purchase the Epic Edition are guaranteed early access to the Gears of War 3 beta. Pre-order now to reserve a copy of the Epic Edition which will be available on Feb. 22, 2011 for MSRP $59.99, only for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, while supplies last.

Well, I guess the Xbox 360 version of Bulletstorm will trounce the PlayStation 3 version. Ha! Seriously though, will any of you buy the  Epic Edition to get Gears 3 beta privileges? Pretty tempting, hey? (Also, pre-order from Amazon using the link above!)

BioWare’s Muzyka and Zeschuk Entering AIAS Hall of Fame

It was excellent waking up to the news that BioWare’s Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk will be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences hall of fame in 2011. BioWare is one of the best developers in the business and the AIAS is one of the most respected organizations in the industry. Ray and Greg are also two of the nicest, most incredible people I’ve met and the AIAS is my favorite professional groups in gaming.

The induction will take place during the Interactive Achievement Awards at DICE 2011. Here’s what AIAS president Martin Rae had to say:

The Doctors — Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk — have produced some of the most wildly successful and accomplished games, and these will resonate among gamers for a very long time. The range of their talents is endless, from game design and production to being accomplished in business and corporate leadership, and their original backgrounds as physicians. They truly embody what it means to be a Hall of Fame recipient and the AIAS is looking forward to including them into our esteemed list of inductees.

The docs are just talented, hard working, and shockingly nice people. If my right knee wasn’t damaged, I’d be jumping up and down over their pending induction. As some of you will recall, during DICE 2010 I actually asked Greg who he’d choose to induct him into the hall of fame. Epic Games president Dr. Mike “Busta” Capps will be handling the honors…but I really think they should let me do it. I’m going to go work on that now.

Coffee Talk #267: Your Favorite Music of 2010

It’s time for more of your 2010 favorites! This time around it’s music…because you can’t stop the music.

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, following Scarlett Johansson to Jamaica to console her, dreaming about the MacBook Air, or Paul Pierce giving Nate Robinson a back body drop, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

It’s time for more of your 2010 favorites! This time around it’s music…because you can’t stop the music. This’ll actually be really good for me too since I shy away from modern music. All the indie-pop bands I loved in 2001 have broken up and the only new music I’ve listened to a lot this year is Infant Sorrow. Hopefully some of you will inspire me to buy some new tunes!

Now give it a go (please)! What was some of your favorite music in 2010?

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

After having lunch with my friend (ex-EGM) Shane, I’ve been inspired to finish Final Fantasy XIII this weekend. Last time I played, I was pretty close to the end, but I’m probably going to jump back a few chapters so that I’m not completely lost in the story. All this L’Cie/fal’Cie stuff can get confusing. To prepare for my play sessions, I’m blasting Reona Rewis all day.

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

WWE Champion The Miz Talks Games on Jimmy Fallon

Here’s an excellent clip of WWE Champion The Miz on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In addition to talking about wrestling and The Real World, The Miz throws some videogame talk in the mix. Obviously he’s on the cover of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 (best writing ever!!!), but did you know that a young Mike Mizanin competed in the Nintendo World Championship regionals in Cleveland, Ohio?

And yes, one of the reasons I wanted to post this clip is because I know that some of you really hate The Miz. Ha!