Tag: PC Gaming

Coffee Talk #95: What Videogame Character Do You Want to Be?

Is there a videogame character you wish you were more like? It sounds like a silly question, but there are loads of videogame characters that have laudable traits. It’s not hard to find a character that’s heroic, clever, wise, witty, or caring. If you’re more devil than angel, it’s easy to find characters that are devious, diabolical, and cruel.

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, Americans getting into curling to be contrary, the latest snow storm on the east coast, or Palm taking a beating, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Is there a videogame character you wish you were more like? It sounds like a silly question,  but there are loads of videogame characters that have laudable traits. It’s not hard to find a character that’s heroic, clever, wise, witty, or caring. If you’re more devil than angel, it’s easy to find characters that are devious, diabolical, and cruel.

As for me, I’m going to go with Pokemon’s Ash Ketchum. I’m certain that I’m being influenced by GameStop’s upcoming Pokemon Jirachi promotion, but I think he’s a great pick. He’s kind, caring, and determined. I also miss viewing the world through innocent eyes. Ash accomplishes his goals as a Pokemon trainer while still being a good person and seeing things with child-like wonder. Maybe I’m just feeling tired and jaded this week, but I want to be more like Ash.

So play this game with me (please). I’d love to know what videogame character you’d like to be more like. I’m just hoping none of you pick Kratos.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

I swear it was Monday yesterday. Ha! Funny how that goes…. Anyway, I’ve watched two sets of endings for Heavy Rain and I’m not sure that I care to see the others just yet. Instead, I’m going to spend the weekend trophy hunting, replaying different chapters of the game so that I can rack up rewards on my secondary PSN account (as a few of you know, it’s sorely lacking). Some of the trophies are a snap to get, so I should be able to snag a whole bunch in two days.

When I need a break from Heavy Rain, I’ll be going to my old standby: Civilization Revolution for iPhone. I can’t believe how many hours I’ve gotten out of the game. I’m pretty sure it’s the best gaming value of my life (and I bought it on sale for $2.99!).

As always, I want to know what you’re playing this weekend. Share your weekend playlist with your fellow RPadholics.

Jason Rubin Believes Digital Distribution Will Help Gaming Thrive

Naughty Dog founder and current Monkey Gods chief executive monkey Jason Rubin believes that there’s one thing that will help the gaming industry thrive: more cowbell. Wait, that’s not right. I meant digital distribution. In an interview with Character Arcade Rubin said:

Inefficiencies in distribution tied to the box release are hampering that part of the business. If publishers and developers could recapture the 20 percent stores’ take, plus a substantial part of revenue lost to piracy, rental, and resale, not to mention the cost of shipping pieces of plastic all over the world, then I think that part of the industry would be in a better position financially, without a single extra dollar of cost to gamers. Digital distribution can help with all of those inefficiencies, at the same time as it improves the gamer’s experience.

From a developer’s perspective, I totally see where he’s coming from. From a consumer’s perspective, I know that some of you have issues and concerns about digital distribution. What do you think of Rubin’s take on the matter?

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BioWare Just Says No to Vampires

BioWare has developed several outstanding games that use traditional fantasy and sci-fi settings. It even took gamers on a mystical adventure in ancient China (Jade Empire). The company has considered other backgrounds, but one you won’t be seeing any time soon is horror (or as it’s known these days, vampiric romantic teen angst). BioWare’s Dr. Greg Zeschuk recently told me:

Years ago we talked about horror as a genre setting. We just didn’t feel like it really worked for us. It’s funny how crazy that’s going — the vampire stuff.

I’m mostly relieved, but a little disappointed. I was never into vampires and the Twilight phenomenon currently has me hating the bloodsuckers. If there’s one company that could get me interested in vampires, it’s BioWare. So while I’m glad it appears to be sticking to its bread and butter, I’m curious about what BioWare could do with a vampire game.

Are you happy or disappointed that BioWare isn’t going all Twilight?

Go to Work with Gas Powered Games’ Chris Taylor

The second entry in Gas Powered Games’ Kings and Castles video blog shows you a day in the life of creative director Chris Taylor. Join him on his morning commute and for a tour of the office. Chris Taylor is funny and awesome (even if he did miss our DICE 2010 meeting), so you should watch this video. It’s good, clean fun that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Gas Powered Games.

PadCast: BioWare’s Dr. Greg Zeschuk Talks Games, Social Media, Fitness Titles, and Being Awesome

BioWare’s Dr. Greg Zeschuk completely rules. He truly is one of my favorite people in the business (as is his partner in crime, Dr. Ray Muzyka). After the diabolical Chris Taylor missed our interview session at DICE 2010, Dr. Greg was there to save the day. Naturally I asked him about the crazy three months BioWare has had, with two giant games — Dragon Age: Origins Awakenings and Mass Effect 2 — released in short period of time. The good doctor revealed which characters he used in Dragon Age. I also asked him about BioWare’s efforts to extend its properties through web games, Facebook games, iPhone titles, books, and more.

Since he was a practicing physician before starting up one of the best development houses in the business, I wanted to get Dr. Greg’s view on games like Wii Fit and EA Sports Active. This led to a pretty cool tangent about performing remote operations with Wii-like controls. The interview ends a little abruptly because the press room was being shut down, but it was an absolute pleasure chatting with Dr. Greg and I think you’ll enjoy our chat.

(Yes, it sounds like I’m totally kissing his ass, but I’ve known Greg and Ray for several years. I assure you that my fondness is genuine.)

Today’s Poll: Bobby Kotick vs. Tiger Woods

Last week, Tiger Woods issued a highly…polished statement regarding his adultery. At DICE 2010, Activision’s Bobby Kotick delivered a somewhat apologetic and explanatory speech that some people say was similarly manufactured. Who do you think makes a better sympathetic figure?

[poll id=”27″]

DICE 2010 in Pictures II: Writers, Business Peeps, and Adam Sessler

Yes, I used Adam Sessler’s name in the title to try to pick up some cheap SEO traffic. Sorry (but not). Ha! Anyway, here are some photos of other game writers, some journalists that moved to the business side of gaming, and two sexy girl gamers.

Wired’s Chris Kohler and Electric Playground’s Enzo Zanatta Are Handsome Men

Journos Turned Biz People: Ignition’s Shane Bettenhausen and High Road’s Darren Gladstone

GirlGamer Founder & CEO Mike Prasad and IGN’s Fran Mirabella III

New EGM Brady Fiechter and Former EGM Shane Bettenhausen

I Look Terrible (Drunk) in This Photo, But GirlGamer’s Rachel Horton Looks Lovely

Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo and Rogers & Cowan’s Marina Beck Before the Awards Show

The Excellent People at 1UP: David Ellis and Mr. (Sam) Kennedy…Kennedy

Alex Pham From the L.A. Times Looking Lovely as Always

Adam Sessler and I Have No Idea Why We Aren’t Male Models


DICE 2010 in Pictures: Cool Developers and an Awards Show

Here are some photos I snapped during DICE 2010. You’ll see some of gaming’s top talent, a sexy Italian cameraman, a tap gaming analyst, and a great comedian in this set. Enjoy!

Mark Cerny Was Inducted Into the AIAS Hall of Fame Because He’s Awesome

EAT Sleep Play’s David Jaffe Says “Egg”, I Say “Chicken”

Electric Playground’s Enzo Zanatta and the Legendary Designer/Producer Don Daglow

EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich Was Great to Chat with — I Hope Bsukenyan Enjoys the Interview!

I Want This Flower Art!!!

Epic’s Dr. Mike Capps Didn’t Drunkenly Renew My Unreal Engine License This Year

Jay Mohr Rocked It (Again) As the Host of the Interactive Achievement Awards

Here’s a Shot of Jay From the Screen

Here’s What the Awards Show Looked Like From the Last (Troublemaker) Table

Attack of the Giant Interactive Achievement Award!!!


DICE 2010: Watch Bobby Kotick Be…Kind of Nice

You’ve read my notes on Bobby Kotick’s DICE 2010 presentation, now watch it for yourself! See Activision’s lord and master explain why he doesn’t play games anymore, admit that not buying Harmonix was a mistake, and come off as…kind of fun. After you’ve see Kotick live, I want your opinion on his performance. Half the people I spoke to at DICE thought he was being genuine, while the other half thought his whole schtick was staged. What side are you on?