My gaming goals are pretty diverse this weekend. I’m going to give WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010
I also picked up Tekken 6
Of course I’m going to be spending the bulk of the weekend playing Dragon Age: Origins
As always, let me and your fellow RPadholics know what you’re playing this weekend!
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, how badly you wish you were at the Canyon of Champions today, Nigel McGuiness’ corny lines on TNA Wrestling, or the sleep vs. Dragon Age: Origins debate Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
Up until a few years ago, I felt that Bluetooth headsets were exclusively for wankers. It was just impossible not to look like a complete tool when using one. My stance has softened after the sensible banning of mobile phone use while driving and the PlayStation 3’s inclusion of Bluetooth. One of the things I like about the PS3 is that it allows you to use any Bluetooth headset you want, rather than a proprietary one
One line of Bluetooth headsets that I’ve had extremely positive results with is Aliph’s Jawbone
For now, I wanted to ask you if you use a Bluetooth headset with your PlayStation 3 or mobile phone. What model do you use? What are your priorities when selecting a Bluetooth headset? Price? Style? Features? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!
Square Enix has announced that Dissidia Final Fantasy
Previously released for the PSP system, Dissidia Final Fantasy now arrives on the latest handheld offering from Sony Computer Entertainment. Combining fighting game elements with RPG-based character development, Dissidia Final Fantasy does what no other Final Fantasy title has done before, bringing to reality an all-star cast of fan-favorite Final Fantasy characters.
The game has its flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Final Fantasy fans will totally mark out when Cecil from FFIV is hanging out with Tidus from FFX and Cloud from FFVII. It’s just cool. I recommend giving it a whirl if you’re looking for a fast-paced fighter with some RPG elements.
Now that it’s available as a digital download, any of you giving this game a shot?
Capcom community ace and fighting game guru Seth Killian has revealed that bonus rounds will return in the upcoming Super Street Fighter. The man known at S-kill said:
Yep, bonus stage action is back in Super Street Fighter IV. Innocently parked cars, we’re officially putting you on notice to watch your backs.
This is awesome. I’m totally down with dragon punching cars again. Hopefully there are some new stages to spruce things up too. Hmmm, maybe Capcom can do some crossover and have the world warriors beat up some Monster Hunter critters in a speed challenge….
Electronic Arts has announced details on the $69.99 Mass Effect 2 Collector’s Edition
Available on January 26 in North America (Jan 29 in EU) alongside the standard edition, the Collectors’ Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover “Art of Mass Effect 2” book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors’ Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armor that can only be obtained by purchasing this version.
I’m pretty sure I’ll still be playing Dragon Age: Origins
During a recent investor Q&A session, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shared some of his design goals for the next Legend of Zelda game for Wii. As you know, the game will likely be significantly different from its predecessors due to its use of Wii MotionPlus. While some of you are down on the game and down on Miyamoto, I’m pretty sure the next Zelda for Wii will be great. Anyway, here’s what the game-design legend had to say:
Of course we are preparing gorgeous graphics for the sake of users’ anticipation for a grand role-playing adventure. But what I believe is very important is the realistic, actual feeling players have experienced themselves; the feeling to have really been on an adventure, to have explored the unknown terrains, to have solved the puzzle through trial and errors, to have themselves grown through various experiences! In that sense, a personal sense of creativity is becoming important among us. We have assembled one of the most creative team for the recent Zelda for DS, and we want to be as creative as possible for upcoming Wii Zelda.
A lot of Miyamoto’s design philosophies reminded me of my exchange with Rpadholic “LarcenousLaugh” in yesterday’s Coffee Talk. Miyamoto’s games aren’t about heavy-handed storytelling; they’re about the experience. While many modern games have been successful with strong storytelling, Miyamoto’s games succeed with their transparency, allowing gamers to feel like they’re the star of their videogame adventure. Some players might think this style is old fashioned, but I think it still works today.
As always, I want to know your opinion on Miyamoto’s style and what you expect from the next Zelda Wii. Do you prefer heavy-handed storytelling (Kojima games) or do you like transparency (Miyamoto games)?
Gamers that are still deciding which version of Tekken 6
According to Gemaga, it takes over thirty seconds (33 seconds, to be exact) to change a character and change a stage running the actual game disc on the PS3, compared with the 11 seconds it takes to start a fight on the Xbox 360 using the game disc.
If you’re serious about fighting games, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re playing on a pad then PS3 is the way to go. If you have sticks for both systems, 1/3 the load time makes the 360 version awfully appealing. It’s interesting that the difference is so substantial. What do you guys and gals think?
Epic Games has launched the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), based on Unreal Engine 3 technology. The company already has the dominant engine this console generation. Releasing a free version should help it expand its reach and get a hold of the booming indie-games market. Today’s press release stated:
Epic Games, Inc. announces the launch of the Unreal Development Kit (UDK), a free edition of Unreal Engine 3 that provides community access to the award-winning toolset like never before. This software release is available to anyone interested in using 3D game engine technology, including game developers, students, hobbyists, researchers, creators of 3D visualizations and simulations, and digital filmmakers. Anyone can start working with the industry-leading Unreal Engine 3 toolset by downloading UDK at www.udk.com, where detailed product features, technical documentation, commercial licensing terms, support resources and more are also available.
This is a huge move for the company, but it’s personally disappointing to me. You see, it used to be an annual goal of mine to get Epic Games president Mike Capps drunk, so that I could get his signature for an Unreal Engine license on a cocktail napkin. A free version of the engine makes my game less fun.
Are any of you aspiring game designers going to give UDK a shot?
Everyone knows that Modern Warfare 2
By all indicators, we anticipate Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be the biggest entertainment launch of 2009, as well as the biggest video game launch in GameStop’s history.
I’m a little surprised by this. Maybe I underestimated the game due to a lack of interest, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it to be GameStop’s biggest launch ever. Will Modern Warfare 2 really be bigger for the company than Halo
If you like Jay-Z, Twitter, and Dark Void then you definitely want to get crackin’ on Capcom’s latest promotion. The company has a chance for you to catch Jay-Z in concert this weekend. All you have to do is follow Dark Void’s Twitter page. Here are the official deets:
We scored tickets to the highly coveted Jay-Z concert, featuring N.E.R.D., Wale and J. Cole, at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus for this Sunday November 8, 2009, beginning at 6:30PM. So, what does this mean for the Dark Void Community? Well, we’re offering this pair to one lucky Community member!
We’re hosting the contest on our official Twitter page: http://twitter.com/DarkVoidGame. To enter, all you need to do is follow our profile and re-tweet the following message:
“I wanna take @[Twitter Friend] to Jay-Z in LA! Make me a winner @DarkVoidGame. Rules: http://tinyurl.com/JayZinLA”
If you enter, feel free to take me with you. Ha! My Twitter page is here. Jay-Z would be fun, but I’d love to see N.E.R.D.
