Tag: Videogames

Nobuo Uematsu Meets Jay-Z in Vinyl Fantasy 7: Download Now!

I’ve been listening to Team Teamwork’s Vinyl Fantasy 7 mash-ups for the last couple of hours. This pay-what-you-want download features some unforgettable Final Fantasy VII tracks mixed with hip-hop artists like Jay-Z, Outkast, Ghostface Killah, and more.

Some of it is really cool (I loved “Those Who Fight” with M.O.P. and “Jenova” with Skyzoo + Wale). Some of it didn’t work for me (hip-hop with the Gold Saucer and Costa Del Sol themes?!?). Sadly, Aerith’s theme wasn’t mashed up. FFVII fanboys around the world would have went nuts and I would have been terribly amused.

The download is available in a bunch of formats, including MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, and ALAC. It’s definitely worth downloading and if you can throw a few bucks at Team Teamwork that’s cool too. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Vinyl Fantasy 7, so give it a download and a listen.

Here’s the complete track list:

  1. Kool Keith + Tom Waits – Spacious Thoughts (The Prelude) 04:07
  2. Jay-Z – Lucifer (Mako Reactor) 03:17
  3. M.O.P. – Ante Up (Battle!) 03:42
  4. MF DOOM – Air (Barrett’s Theme) 02:35
  5. Outkast + Raekwon – Royal Flush (Sailing from Junon) 03:34
  6. Skyzoo + Wale – Lyrically Inclined (Jenova) 03:18
  7. Gucci Mane – Stoopid (Costa Del Sol) 04:10
  8. Clipse – Fast Life (Sephiroth’s Reunion) 03:52
  9. Dorrough – Ice Cream Paintjob (Gold Saucer) 04:07
  10. Murs – Me and this Jawn (Mideel) 03:02
  11. Slum Village – Get Dis Money (One-Winged Angel) 03:11
  12. Ghostface Killah – Save Me Dear (City of the Ancients) 02:34

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PadCast: Tarver Games’ Chris Cross Talks iPad Game Design

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 delay. Here’s the translation, courtesy of Andriasang:

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?

Dragon Age: Origins Return to Ostagar Available, Really!

The Return to Ostagar DLC for the fabulous Dragon Age: Origins is available (again) on Xbox Live. Hopefully the bugs have been worked out. If you’re not sure about this DLC then be sure to read my (not a) review!

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!

Brand New Pokemon Games Coming in 2010 (to Japan)

North American and European Pokemon fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes for Nintendo DS, but it looks like there are even more exciting titles to look forward to — brand new Pokemon games that will be release in 2010! Well, that will be the case in Japan, anyway. The outstanding Serebii.net reported:

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?

Source via Serebii

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?

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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 and the official announcement of the Apple iPad, things have been nuts (in a good way)! This weekend is a great time to bring things back to normal by playing some games. Vandal Hearts is still on my playlist. I love strategy/tactical RPGs. I wish gang fights were turn-based and took place on grids. If they did that and belted out tunes from West Side Story, gang fights would be the most popular spectator sport in America.

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.

White Knight Chronicles Character Creation Video

With all the great games coming out in Q1 2010, I kind of forgot about White Knight Chronicles for PlayStation 3. The game is coming out next week, sandwiched between Mass Effect 2 and Heavy Rain. I want to play it, but I don’t think I’ll have time until (much) later. How about ladies and gents? Is it on your radar? Does this trailer make you want to pick it up?