Tag: PC Gaming

Coffee Talk #211: Gaming Binds Us Together

Warning: I’m going to get a little sappy on you today. You see, as I was in Asia playing Wordfeud for Android with Big Blak and Slickyfats, I was amazed at how gaming brought us all together. Whether it’s reading the stuff I write, talking it up in the comments section, or playing games together while thousands of miles apart, gaming binds us (like The Force in Star Wars). It’s just a powerful and awesome thing.

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, Felix Hernandez’s case for the AL Cy Young Award, Shelley Malil accidentally stabbing his girlfriend more than 20 times, or when the hell the MacBook Air will be refreshed, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Warning: I’m going to get a little sappy on you today. You see, as I was in Asia playing Wordfeud for Android with Big Blak and Slickyfats, I was amazed at how gaming brought us all together. Whether it’s reading the stuff I write, talking it up in the comments section, or playing games together while thousands of miles apart, gaming binds us (like The Force in Star Wars). It’s just a powerful and awesome thing.

I “met” most of you while I was at G4tv and for various reasons, we just clicked. I’m incredibly honored that you followed me here and spend part of your day with me. Sure, we talk about sports, pop culture, tech, GHM, and Adam Lambert icons, but at the end of the day we were brought together by our love of games. After all the crazy things that have happened to me in the last year, I’m just amazed by it all and super appreciative of your company/support.

Before I get misty, I’d love to hear some of your stories on how gaming introduced you to friends and loved ones. Hopefully it sets us all up for feel-good weekends!

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

After hopping around Asia for a few weeks, adjusting to life in America, and combating jet lag (it’s winning), I’m ready to resume my gaming life! I’ve played a bunch of “Witch Hunt” for Dragon Age: Origins and will likely give it another run or two this weekend. Aside from that, there are a bunch of PSP games I want to play. My copy of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep arrived yesterday and I’m excited to jump into that world again. My PSP Memory Stick has copies of Disgaea Infinite and Cladun waiting to be played too.

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

Dog and Finn Join Dragon Age: Origins “Witch Hunt”

Hot on the heels of Ariane’s introduction, BioWare has revealed that Dog and Finn will be in the mix in the “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins. If you’ve played the game then you know that Dog (or whatever you named him) is a charming and devastating companion. As for Finn, here’s the scoop:

Finn is a young mage from the Circle of Magi in Ferelden. He considers himself the Circle’s best linguist and foremost expert on ancient Tevinter history — even if others might consider him more of a bookworm, a recluse that spends all of his time in the tower’s dark library. Finn is the unlikeliest of adventurers… but it may come to pass that his academic expertise will force him to out of the library and into an adventure where his arcane might is the only thing that stands between him and certain death.

I like him already. He sounds much more interesting than Ariane — almost like that dork wizard Presto from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon. Reluctant adventurers can be loads of fun and I’m looking forward to hearing other characters pick on him in “Witch Hunt”.

Any thoughts on the Dog and Finn?

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What Are You Playing This Weekend?

Aside from Wordfeud for Android with RPadholics Big Blak and SlickyFats, I’m still not playing much of anything in Asia. I will be playing some games on United’s business class IFE on the trip back, but that’s about it. Surprisingly, I don’t miss my consoles too too much. I love traveling, seeing different countries, and experiencing different cultures. My mind has been so busy with Asia, the shoot, and my cold that I haven’t regretted not brining my PSP or DS. Yeah, that sounds blasphemous, but I’m being honest. Ha!

Soooooo, what are you guys and dolls playing this weekend?

Coffee Talk #207: While You Were Out

The title of this edition of Coffee Talk should really be “While I Was Out”, but then it wouldn’t fit in with one of my favorite Mr. Majestic trade paperbacks. Majestros is cool and underrated. You should read his books. Anyway, today’s question is really simple: what was the biggest gaming news while I was away from the site?

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, Kaval winning NXT season two, that giant woman from NXT season three, or if you’re buying a new iPod Touch, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The title of this edition of Coffee Talk should really be “While I Was Out”, but then it wouldn’t fit in with one of my favorite Mr. Majestic trade paperbacks. Majestros is cool and underrated. You should read his books. Anyway, today’s question is really simple: what was the biggest gaming news while I was away from the site?

I’m still in Asia catching up on the industry from afar, but I heard a lot of buzz on the new Xbox 360 controller, Epic’s iPhone game, and Steve Jobs claiming that iOS was bigger than Jesus the PSP/Nintendo DS as a gaming platform. So what happened in the last week that was super huge in your opinion?!? I really want to know…because…well, I missed you all!

Coffee Talk #206: Story More Important Than Graphics?!?

A few days ago, Rpadholic bsukenyan made some interesting statements on the importance of story over graphics in videogames. He wrote:

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 latest Apple iTV rumors, seeing a chicken get its head chopped off, or your prediction for NXT season two’s winner (go Kaval!!!), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

A few days ago, Rpadholic bsukenyan made some interesting statements on the importance of story over graphics in videogames. He wrote:

This idea of “mobile gaming is about to erupt” also supports story over graphics in the classic which is more necessary debate. Story is much more important. I think there are plenty of arguments to be made in favor of story, but for the sake of this topic mobile gaming as the platform works for right now. If graphics were the only thing that made games great then we wouldn’t be having this discussion now, mobile gaming would have already erupted because the graphics are already extremely good.

While story is more important to me as a verbal entertainer and an avid reader of nerd things (comics, R.A. Salvatore, etc.), I completely disagree it’s more important than graphics in the grand scheme of things. In fact, it made me shout out a Brian Fellow, “That’s crazy!!!” Graphics are sexy. Graphics sell consoles. Casual gamers are wowed by the hottest graphics and rarely care about the latest compelling story. The vast majority of people are into visuals, whether it’s games, movies, or members of the opposite sex.

Hopefully bsukenyan forgives me for calling him out (I swear I’m not picking on you), but it’s an interesting debate (even though I know I’m right :P). What’s your stance on videogame graphics vs. story?

Dragon Age: Origins “Witch Hunt” Character Reveal–Ariane

BioWare has revealed information on Ariane, one of three new characters in the upcoming “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age: Origins. Here’s the official word on this Dalish warrior princess:

Ariane is a gifted Dalish warrior, and her clan’s best hunter. When an ancient artifact belonging to the clan’s Keeper is stolen, one with a history tied to the very roots of the elven people, Ariane is charged with the task of reclaiming it. She is determined to carry out her solemn duty, and when her task turns out to intersect with the Warden’s quest to find Morrigan she realizes that there may be far more to the artifact’s disappearance than simple theft.

Hopefully she’s not an angry Dalish woman like Velanna from Awakening. I’m totally over Dalish people whining about the slavery, being ousted from their lands, etc. I’m pretty sure there are better ways to deal with persecution than becoming a nomadic people that wear funky facial tattoos…but that’s just conjecture.

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Morrigan’s Fate Revealed in “Witch Hunt” DLC for Dragon Age

The biggest cliffhanger in the outstanding Dragon Age: Origins will be addressed on September 7, 2010 in the “Witch Hunt” DLC. Along with a new tale than answers a juicy question — what the hell happened to Morrigan? — the game adds three new playable characters. Here’s the official description from BioWare:

The dreaded Archdemon has been slain and the advance of the darkspawn halted by a lone, heroic Grey Warden. The kingdom rejoices, but at least one question remains: what happened to Morrigan? The sorceress joined the Wardens cause, but it is said her true purpose was not revealed until the eve of the last battle. She vanished into the shadows, and while rumors claimed she crossed over the mountains into Orlais no trace of her path could be found. She was never heard from again… until now. Nearly a year has passed since the Archdemon’s death, and word has reached the Wardens that Morrigan has returned to Ferelden. She has been sighted in the southern wilderness where she was first encountered. Is it truly her? If it is, then why has is she here and what secret does she carry with her? The Warden heads into the forest to find out and tie up this last loose end once and for all.

I can’t wait for this DLC!!! Dragon Age: Origins was my favorite game of 2009. In 2010 I’ve been feasting on the DLC and the Awakening expansion pack. I’m pretty sure that “Witch Hunt” will increase my BioWare markdom by at least +100.

“Witch Hunt” will cost 560 BioWare Points on PC, 560 MS Points on Xbox 360, $6.99 on PlayStation 3. Anyone else psyched for this game? How do you think it will play out? Time to write some Morrigan fan fiction!!!

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Coffee Talk #205: Games You Hate Because of Their Writing

The other day we talked about games we loved because of their writing. Now it’s time to enter the bitter barn and drink some Haterade, because we’re going to talk about games we loathed because of their writing! A bad story can ruin an otherwise excellent interactive experience. In my opinion, game writing has been getting better and better. Even games that are essentially mindless exercises in action are using top-quality writers. Still, there are plenty of dark episodes of the past to discuss.

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, Chad Ochocinco’s expensive tweeting, whether Ochocinco should start using foursquare, or the joys of jet lag, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

The other day we talked about games we loved because of their writing. Now it’s time to enter the bitter barn and drink some Haterade, because we’re going to talk about games we loathed because of their writing! A bad story can ruin an otherwise excellent interactive experience. In my opinion, game writing has been getting better and better. Even games that are essentially mindless exercises in action are using top-quality writers. Still, there are plenty of dark episodes of the past to discuss.

As for me, I’m going to cast a vote for Superman 64. Not only was it a crap game that set a new (and horrific) standard for crap games, but the plot somehow made it okay for the Man of Steel to fly through rings like an idiot. That particular activity is just fine for dolphins, seals, and killer whales. Superman jumping through hoops?!? Preposterous, lame, mind-jarringly awful — too many negative descriptors come to mind. I feel worse just for thinking about Superman 64 and it’s stupid story.

Now it’s your turn! What games did you hate based on their writing?

Coffee Talk #203: Games You Love Because of Their Writing

Here’s a Coffee Talk request from RPadholic bsukenyan. He thought it would be a great idea to discuss games we love because of their writing. That’s a fantastic idea! Obviously you’re all huge fans of the last two Smackdown vs. Raw games due to outstanding storylines that are better than what WWE comes up with, but let’s be fair and talk about other games.

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 Hanson brothers vs. the Jonas brothers, the last time Eric Roberts played someone that wasn’t himself, or Entourage’s cocaine/porn angles, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Here’s a Coffee Talk request from RPadholic bsukenyan. He thought it would be a great idea to discuss games we love because of their writing. That’s a fantastic idea! Obviously you’re all huge fans of the last two Smackdown vs. Raw games due to outstanding storylines that are better than what WWE comes up with, but let’s be fair and talk about other games.

Y’all know that I’m a huge BioWare mark. One of the biggest reasons for my BioWare fandom is that the company emphasizes quality writing. From storytelling to characterization, BioWare’s writers are among the best in the business. Take Shale from Dragon Age for example [possible spoilarz ahead!]. Most people would agree that she’s one of the funniest RPG characters in years. In addition to the laughs, the writers got you to care about her plight, which made the search for her past more meangingful. Hell, finding out Shale was a “she” was an excellent twist on its own! Sure, it’s not the Shawn Michaels or Mickie James storylines from Smackdown vs. Raw 2010, but this is outstanding stuff from one of the best storytellers in the business. I’m just amazed that the writers made a moody, pigeon-stomping golem that millions of gamers could enjoy and empathize with.

How about you guys and dolls? What are some games you love based on their excellent writing?