PC Gaming Archives - Page 49 of 93

Coffee Talk #307: The RPad.tv Videogame Book Club

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, MacBook Pro refresh rumors, the NY Knicks finally landing Carmelo Anthony, or the myth that the Knicks are now a playoff threat, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I need to read more. That is to say, I need to read more books. I devour thousands of Internet words every day, with comic-book sessions thrown in a few times a week. Reading some books would be good for my writing and sanity. I have a bunch of biographies, political books, and sports books on my Kindle, but I feel like reading a videogame book. That’s where you come in! I’d love to hear your videogame book recommendations, as well as any videogame books that you’re interested in.

As a BioWare and R.A. Salvatore nerd, I really enjoyed the Dragon Age books. I’ve heard good things about the Halo books and Mass Effect books too, but I’m not in a sci-fi mood at the moment.

Have you enjoyed any videogame books? Are you even interested in videogame books? Do you find it odd that there are works of linear entertainment based off of interactive entertainment? I’m looking forward to any book recommendations you have!

Coffee Talk #305: The Dead Island Trailer Controversy

Way too many journalists have spent hundreds of words “informing” their readers that the Dead Island trailer has nothing to do with the game’s quality. Do they really think that their readers are that stupid? I know you’re smart enough to…

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 nightmare of Albert Pujols signing with the Red Sox in 2012, $99 iPhone cases, or Britney’s new video, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The Dead Island trailer has been getting a lot of attention this week. Some of it is deserved — it’s truly a unique and haunting piece. Some of it isn’t — way too many journalists have spent hundreds of words “informing” their readers that the trailer has nothing to do with the game’s quality. I’ve been arguing with a lot of writers about this. Do they really think that their readers are that stupid?!? To me, game trailers are like movie trailers — marketing tools that are not indicative of the overall quality of the final product. I know that you’re all smart enough to know that.

Yet for some reason, dozens of writers from dozens of enthusiast sites felt the need to write hundreds of words on the “issue”. As I debated the topic with real journalists (not verbal entertainers like me), one of the few reasonable responses was that game trailers aren’t like movie trailers. You don’t get a sense of a title’s gameplay from a trailer the same way you get a sense of a movie from a trailer. Sometimes that’s true and sometimes that’s not. The Dead Island trailer is pure movie and doesn’t offer any sense of what the game is like. Certainly it’s responsible to tell readers that the trailer isn’t gameplay (like I did here), but pounding on the matter for hundreds of words seems excessive and patronizing.

Lastly, I was disappointed that the enthusiast press was far more interested in covering the “controversy” of the Dead Island trailer than writing about the amazing people honored at the Interactive Achievement Awards last week. It saddens me that the majority of them were more interested in reactionary stories about a game few people will remember in five years than writing about Bill Budge, Bing Gordon, Dr. Ray Muzyka, and Dr. Greg Zeschuk — people that have changed the gaming business forever.

Of course I want to check myself through you guys and dolls. Do you need someone to explain to you — in hundreds of words — that a game trailer doesn’t reflect a game’s quality? Does it bother you that most popular enthusiast gaming sites prefer knee-jerk reaction pieces instead of meaningful features about people that made gaming what it is today? Aside from not wanting to insult excellent journalists like “Dancing” Dean Takahashi, do you think I call myself a verbal entertainer because I don’t want to be lumped in with hacks that call themselves journalists?

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I’m flying off for a quick weekend shoot and I’m really hoping that Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together arrives today. That will make flying to Orlando and back a smooth ride. Before I go, I think I’ll pop LittleBigPlanet 2 in my PS3 for a bit. I’ve been neglecting Sackboy and I think he’s pissed off at me.

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

Dead Island Trailer is Disturbingly Beautiful

Check out this trailer for Dead Island. Sure it doesn’t represent the gameplay, but it’s just incredibly well done. It’s disturbing, haunting, and beautiful at the same time — easily one of the best trailers I’ve seen in years. Kindly check it out and share your thoughts.

Batman Arkham City Screens (Is Harley Hot?)

Here’s a fresh batch of screens from Batman Arkham City. The Joker totally creeps me out and I’m strangely attracted to this version of Harley Quinn. Do any of you feel the same way? Or am I just being a freak?

Here’s a fresh batch of screens from Batman Arkham City. The Joker totally creeps me out and I’m strangely attracted to this version of Harley Quinn. Do any of you feel the same way? Or am I just being a freak?

[nggallery id=48]

Pick Which Videogame Art Gets Shown at The Smithsonian

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is hosting an exhibit called “The Art of Video Games” and you get to decide which games make the cut. All you need is a valid email address and a few minutes to vote here. Voting is open until April 7, 2011. Here are more details from the press release:

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is inviting the public to help select the video games that will be included in its upcoming exhibition “The Art of Video Games,” which opens in Washington, D.C. March 16, 2012. The exhibition is the first to explore the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, with a focus on striking visual effects and the creative use of new technologies. Chris Melissinos, founder of Past Pixels and collector of video games and gaming systems, is the curator of the exhibition.

This is a very cool exhibit that will help games get more mainstream exposure and respect. I’m all for it!

If you get a chance to vote, I’d love to know which games you selected. Please let me know!

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Coffee Talk #303: Your Favorite Videogame Music

What’s some of your favorite videogame music? I’m not just talking about soundtracks. If “Pac Man Fever” floats your boat then let’s talk about it! As for me…

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 best potato chips, thoughts of CC Sabathia leaving the Yankees next year, or Lindsay Lohan getting sexier as she becomes more messed up, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

What’s some of your favorite videogame music? I’m not just talking about soundtracks. If “Pac Man Fever” floats your boat then let’s talk about it! As for me, the soundtrack to Final Fantasy Tactics is my favorite score. Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata did a phenomenal job composing music that was moving and memorable. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs ever since I heard FFT’s music.

Naturally, I love Mortal Kombat The Album by The Immortals. The songs are just awesomely ridiculous. I have fond memories of listening to the soundtrack in college with my friend Wil. It’s just fun screaming, “Johnny Cage is not afraid to die!!!” If you haven’t heard these songs then I highly recommend clicking the link above and listening to the samples. These tracks will change your life…especially Sub-Zero’s song.

Now it’s your turn! What’s some of your favorite videogame music?

Coffee Talk #302: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To

As I was mesmerized by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s promo on last night’s Raw, I was thinking, “They don’t make ’em like they used to.” Whether you’re talking about WWE, games, movies, or music, this is true.

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, iPhone 5 rumors, President Obama’s plans for mini nuclear reactors, or the start of MLB spring training, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

As I was mesmerized by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s promo on last night’s Raw, I was thinking, “They don’t make ’em like they used to.” Whether you’re talking about WWE, games, movies, or music, this is true. In this context, I was reminded that there hasn’t been a face with extraordinary mic skills in years. On the heel side, guys like Chris Jericho and The Miz have been outstanding. On the face side there have been good talkers, but I can’t think of a truly great one.

Naturally, I started thinking about games — specifically what I miss about gaming from 10, 15, and 20 years ago. As a fan of Japanese RPGs, I’ve spent thousands of hours of my life in turn-based combat. I absolutely loved those battles. Part of it was depth that wasn’t found in other genres, but part of it was that I enjoyed spending time to think about my next several moves. Sadly, turn-based combat is considered archaic in 2011. Sure, there are some niche titles and portable games that offer this style of gameplay, but it’s never used in mainline games with big budgets. I wish that wasn’t the case.

What do you miss about gaming, music, and movies from “the good old days”? Is there anything that creators don’t make like they used to but wish they did?

DC Universe Online is Super — Super Untradeable

Gamers hoping to buy a used copy of DC Universe Online (PS3) so that they can’t engage in super heroics (or villainy) for a bargain price are SOL. Gamers that tried DCUO and want to get rid of it will have a difficult time doing so. Lazy Gamer discovered that the game is currently worthless in the used market because the disc and account are tied together. Here’s what the site learned from Sony Online Entertainment:

Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disk it cannot be resold/replayed with the second user adding a sub — only the original consumer can use that acct.

Disk and account are one.

That…kind of sucks. That said, my copy was comped, so I wanted to see how you feel about the matter. Is this practice unfair? Or is it a smart way for publishers to counter used-game sales? Are you less interested in DCUO and supporting SOE because of this practice? I can’t wait to see your comments on this one!

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Coffee Talk #301: Charged and Inspired From DICE 2011

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 Cleveland Cavalier’s awesome winning streak, your favorite condiment for steak, or Manny Pacquiao’s Bieber hair, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

For the last two years, actor Jay Mohr has told the attendees of DICE, “I will never be as good at what I do as you are at making games.” You can’t help but get that feeling at DICE. It’s crazy how many talented developers attend the show. It’s impossible not to bump into someone that has helped create a beloved game or a franchise that has sold tens of millions. Being around some of the gaming industry’s top creators at DICE 2011 was inspiring and an excellent way to kick off the year.

DICE was a great reminder how incredible the gaming business is and how lucky I am to be writing verbally entertaining about it (especially after that downer of a column I wrote last week — ha!). Being surrounded by people that have entertained millions and millions of gamers was amazing. What’s even more amazing is that so many of them — Ted Price, Dr. Ray Muzyka, Dr. Greg Zeschuk, Mark Cerny, etc. — are wonderful people too. I know that what I do pales in comparison to what these guys do, but seeing these brilliant creators has me motivated to do better and be nicer.

So yeah! DICE 2011 was amazing and I hope you like the interviews N8R and I worked on. I’m feelin’ groovy and hope you are too. Thanks DICE!!!