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
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?
Stephen Colbert Busts Out iPad at the Grammy Awards
Stephen Colbert is awesome and funny…and apparently on the cutting edge of technology since he busted out an Apple iPad at the Grammy Awards two months before it goes on sale. Check out this video of the cute clip that boosted Colbert’s geek cred by a factor of (at least) five.
Dragon Age: Origins Return to Ostagar Available, Really!
The Return to Ostagar DLC for the fabulous Dragon Age: Origins
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!
Is the iPad the Wii of Personal Computing?
Woobius CTO Daniel Tenner believes that Apple’s iPad is the personal computer for “everyone else”. Similar to how a lot of casual gamers don’t need or want the cutting edge capabilities of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, there are consumers that will be satisfied with the novelty and modest power of the iPad. Yes, Tenner believes the iPad is the Wii of personal computing and told TechCrunch:
A better comparison is with the Nintendo Wii. While Sony and Microsoft competed in the cut-throat market of consoles for gamers, the Wii also created a new product category: consoles for everyone else. It worked pretty well for them — it turns out that there’s a lot more non-gamers than gamers, and making a device that appeals to 95% of the population sells better than making one that appeals to only 5%.
A lot of us have been looking at the iPad through nerd-tinted lenses and haven’t thought about what the iPad means to “normal” people. Tenner’s point is interesting, but I’m not sure I buy the comparison. I’m not yet convinced that the iPad has created a new product category. I shall give this more thought (because that’s what geeks do!).
What do you think? Is the iPad the Wii of personal computing?
Next Year’s NFL Bets: The Icons
A few of you have been talking about the wagers you’re going to make for next year’s NFL season. In the spirit of friendly competition and gambling, I have a few icons that the losers will rock. Perhaps I’ll do a poll later, but for now here are Adam Lambert, Bobby Kotick, Jem, My Little Pony, and Rainbow Brite!
Hmmmm, maybe we should start betting on other things just to see these on the site. Quick, someone make a bet on the Australian Open men’s final!
Brand New Pokemon Games Coming in 2010 (to Japan)
North American and European Pokemon fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the HeartGold
The official site has just updated with some details stating that a brand new Pokémon game series, perhaps a fifth generation is scheduled for release on the Nintendo DS in 2010 in Japan. Further details on this game series have yet to be announced but the site has stated that it will be an RPG and the press release hinted that new Pokémon were in it. Will this series be a brand new series or the beginning of the fifth generation?
I absolutely love the Pokemon RPGs, but haven’t cared too much about the spin-offs, with the exception of Pokemon Snap. I’m totally ready for a new Pokemon journey with new critters and further gameplay enhancements.
How about you? You ready for a new Pokemon RPG? Are you are all Pokemon-ed out?
Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata Hates the iPad and 3D Gaming
Even though the Nintendo DS has sold a ridiculous amount of systems, a lot of analysts feel that the company should watch out for the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad. As for Apple’s newest device, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata wasn’t impressed by Steve Jobs’ latest announcement saying, “It was a bigger iPod Touch.” Well…yeah, but that doesn’t mean it won’t sell. That said, a lot of Nintendo DS owners are younger gamers that shouldn’t be messing around with a $500 tablet; I don’t think there will be a ton of overlap.
In the immortal words of Ginsu, “But wait, there’s more!” Iwata also brushed off 3D televisions in the context of gaming. A lot of mainstream outlets went nuts over 3D TV at CES 2010. Iwata doesn’t see what all the fuss is about, “I have doubts whether people will be wearing glasses to play games at home. How is that going to look to other people?” I’m totally with him here. I have no interest in donning goggles for 3D games.
What do you make of Iwata’s comments? Is he just brushing everything off because Nintendo is outselling the world? Or do you agree with his points?
Get Your God of War “Kratos Fury” Slurpees at 7-Eleven
In addition to handing out nifty posters for God of War III pre-orders, 7-Eleven and Sony Computer Entertainment of America will be teaming up next month for God of War “Kratos Fury” Slurpees in Kratos cups. Hopefully they don’t actually taste like Kratos. Here’s a bit from the press release:
Starting on February 1 through March 31 God of War fans can collect all four exclusive Kratos-themed cups at their local, participating 7-Eleven while quenching their thirst with Kratos Fury, a blackberry and lime-flavored Slurpee beverage created by Mountain Dew and 7-Eleven specifically for the Kratos Slurpee program. With each Slurpee purchase fans can collect codes that can be redeemed at www.Slurpee.com for God of War and Slurpee-themed content in advance of the general public release.
I rarely go to 7-Eleven, but I’m sure as hell going next week for some Kratos Fury! Who’s coming with me?!?
What Are You Playing This Weekend?
Where the hell did the week go?!? Between the release of excellent games like Mass Effect 2
In a bit of mixed news, I realized that my save file for Mass Effect is in a debug system somewhere in San Francisco. I’m not even sure if it would work on a retail Xbox 360 anyway. What does this mean? It means I’m going to play the first one over again before I start the sequel. This is probably not the most efficient use of my time, but this is how I need to experience these games. It’s BioWare, ergo I must.
You know the drill! Let everyone know what you’re playing this weekend.