Hey guys, it's been awhile since I have posted a blog post. I have been busy with interviews, a holiday, and a death in my family but I am back! It has been a crazy six days in the realm of video games. Today, I am going to break down some of the stuff going on!
Nintendo
My twitter feed was blowing up yesterday with Nintendo and EVO. If you unsure yourself with what happened, here is a quick summary from me. Nintendo apparently blocked streaming access of Super Smash Brothers Melee matches during the EVO. Well that changed quickly and Nintendo will now allow streaming of the tournament. From what I gather, one of the biggest outcry from fans was due to the fact they raised money for breast cancer to allow Melee to be played. I think that's a good enough reason to be mad at Nintendo.
Muramasa Rebirth
If I have gathered any news on this Playstation Vita game, it's that people are liking it. This game came out a few weeks ago and has been doing pretty well. Honestly, the lowest score I have seen so far has been a 3.5/5. So that tells me that this upgrade might be worth the purchase. However, good luck finding a physical copy of the game.
Microsoft
In a bold, but sane move, Microsoft has changed their mind on DRM and the constant need to always be online. That's right, used games will now be playable. Honestly, this should have been okay from the start. If companies want to sell games, they need to make them good enough to keep playing. They could also make them affordable for consumers who are not exactly loaded. I mean geez, some of the best games didn't cost a fraction as some of these new AAA games.
Tales of Xillia 2
The best news that I have to give to everyone is that ToX2 will be localized. I am incredibly ecstatic about these turn of events.
That's all for today guys. I will start blogging again since everything has resumed to normal.
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Microsoft. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
New Age Video Games: My Rant
Lately, I find myself playing a lot of older video games and action role-playing games. This ranges from games like Shinning Force I to Phantasy Star Online to Persona 3. These are games that I have beaten multiple times over the last two decades and yet, I am still playing and finishing them with much enthusiasm. I don't really find myself finishing many new games. I honestly think the last game I beat that's new was Fire Emblem: Awakening. That's a problem when most major games will cost you $59.99 for a new copy of what might sit and collect dust on your shelf.
I know why newer games don't hold my interests and I bet this rings true to many gamers. Video games are becoming interactive movies. When I turn on a game and start playing, I don't ask to sit through 30-minutes of cutscenes and asked to press buttons the whole time. That's no fun to me. I want to move my character(s) around the map, battling foes, and winning the hearts of virtual princesses. I don't want to sit there while some stereotypical angry white guy is beating up some baddies for me while I press a button on screen. What am I, 3 years old and learning shapes? It's insulting as a video game enthusiasts to be treated as a child in a digital world.
A great example of this is the beginning of Uncharted 3. When you first start the game, you are lead into a bar scene that goes on for an eternity. Once the actual game play starts, I am moving around and coordinating button presses against the gang. The game even tells me what buttons to press and mash. That's not fun at all. Well, depending on the game, it can be a little fun, but if I wanted to play Dance Dance Revolution, I would of laid down a mat and started jumping up and down like an idiot.
There really is a difference between compelling story telling in a movie and in a video game. Take an example from one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy IX. Not only is there a great story with great scenes, there was an actual game to play. You had to spend time building up your characters equipment, magic, and levels. I didn't just press a bunch of buttons for 40 hours to feel like I sat through an expensive movie. I was part of that game and story. If I wanted to see a scene, it wasn't just given to me, I had to find it or progress through the story to see it. Now, I have to progress through movie scenes to find the actual game. That's the difference. When a game company made a compelling story, the game play was still valued more. What these newer game developers are doing is forgetting that one value. They are valuing the cinematic over the game play. That sucks.
I understand that these games aim for sales to make money. I know these games need to appeal to a large demographic to make sales meet. Why does it have to be at the expense of actual game play? There is a reason why Retro/Indie games are becoming popular now. These developers keep the game part of video games in their products. They are not looking for a blockbuster interactive movie, but know they will make their money delivering an awesome product for me to play.
What happened to the gaming industry? Has it become such a huge machine that it forgot why it exists in the first place? Hopefully, with this new generation of gaming, we can get back to playing actual games.
I know why newer games don't hold my interests and I bet this rings true to many gamers. Video games are becoming interactive movies. When I turn on a game and start playing, I don't ask to sit through 30-minutes of cutscenes and asked to press buttons the whole time. That's no fun to me. I want to move my character(s) around the map, battling foes, and winning the hearts of virtual princesses. I don't want to sit there while some stereotypical angry white guy is beating up some baddies for me while I press a button on screen. What am I, 3 years old and learning shapes? It's insulting as a video game enthusiasts to be treated as a child in a digital world.
A great example of this is the beginning of Uncharted 3. When you first start the game, you are lead into a bar scene that goes on for an eternity. Once the actual game play starts, I am moving around and coordinating button presses against the gang. The game even tells me what buttons to press and mash. That's not fun at all. Well, depending on the game, it can be a little fun, but if I wanted to play Dance Dance Revolution, I would of laid down a mat and started jumping up and down like an idiot.
There really is a difference between compelling story telling in a movie and in a video game. Take an example from one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy IX. Not only is there a great story with great scenes, there was an actual game to play. You had to spend time building up your characters equipment, magic, and levels. I didn't just press a bunch of buttons for 40 hours to feel like I sat through an expensive movie. I was part of that game and story. If I wanted to see a scene, it wasn't just given to me, I had to find it or progress through the story to see it. Now, I have to progress through movie scenes to find the actual game. That's the difference. When a game company made a compelling story, the game play was still valued more. What these newer game developers are doing is forgetting that one value. They are valuing the cinematic over the game play. That sucks.
I understand that these games aim for sales to make money. I know these games need to appeal to a large demographic to make sales meet. Why does it have to be at the expense of actual game play? There is a reason why Retro/Indie games are becoming popular now. These developers keep the game part of video games in their products. They are not looking for a blockbuster interactive movie, but know they will make their money delivering an awesome product for me to play.
What happened to the gaming industry? Has it become such a huge machine that it forgot why it exists in the first place? Hopefully, with this new generation of gaming, we can get back to playing actual games.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Why I am Going with the PS4 First
With the advent of a new generation of consoles coming out, it's time to start throwing our lot with one company in the future. It is not a hidden fact that many of us can't afford to own all three consoles and so we are forced to make a choice. Considering the dominant side genres in my taste range are rpg's and adventure games, I will be casting my dice with Sony first. PlayStation has always been the system to go to if you wanted to play the best of these genres. I can't see this generation being any different in that regard. The Xbox has never really offered exclusives in those genres that would make it worth purchasing in the future. PlayStation is also cheaper than Xbox. That's a big deal when money is tight. I don't know about anyone else, but that is an extra game in my pocket. The Wii U is better priced, but it's not nearly as powerful. I think the biggest deterrent to the new Xbox right now for me the 24 hour check in. People, if you did not know, that takes up bandwidth. You might be paying almost an extra $100.00 a year for that. Yeah, I am poor, so no thank you. It also makes sense for me since I own a PS Vita. Now that Sony is asking the developers to make the games cross play compatible, I will finally get the full use of the Vita that was promised to us by Sony.
So yeah, I am going PS4 first.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Yesterday's E3 Showing: Sony vs. Microsoft
I have got to say, Sony smoked Microsoft. I didn't think it were possible, but I was wrong. Not only did Sony show that it was a more consumer friendly product, it made Microsoft look like the Sega of the past. For the younger viewers of my blog, Sega came out with consoles in the best and the last two did not do well at all. Here's what I thought of the Sony v. Microsoft viewing and why Sony smoked them.
Games
If you did not watch last night, Sony had a better variety of games for their new consoles. Microsoft did, but they looked stupid and were made by companies that generally make bad games. D4 was the only promising game for the new Xbox One and even then, it looked stupid. If it's anything like Deadly Premonition, it's going to suck. Sony came out swinging with a new Killzone, Destiny--a game by the awesome Bungie--, Elder Scrolls Online, and some more. Really, those three were good enough as it stands. Microsoft came swinging with a wiffle ball bat and got smoked.
Hardware
I won't lie, both systems had pretty impressive hardware. Honestly, they are close to modified personal computers for the poor man in terms of raw power. I think Sony might have a bit of an edge, but only time will tell when the systems come out. Also, the PS4 looks so much better than the Xbox One.
DRM
If you are not sure what that is, it's used for used games. Let's be honest, when you have an entire crowd going nuts because you said no to it, you won. Microsoft looked like an Oil Baron in front of Sony and this is one of the biggest reasons. No one likes when you try to screw the consumer. When I can't buy something from a competitor for cheaper, that's price fixing. In the states, that's supposed to be illegal. I say supposed to since the video game industry does it. Have you not noticed that all new games are $59.99 and new systems are about the same price? Anyway, this gives us more choices on how to spend our money and Microsoft dropped the ball.
Cost
Again, Sony knows we aren't made of money. The system will cost $100.00 less than the Xbox One and we can use used games. The games will all probably be the same flat cost on every system, so the only real win is the console cost.
In the end, Sony won the day. They just put a great showing out and that does make me happy. As someone who owns both companies products, I feel like this new generation will have me leaning towards the PS4. I don't think--after this showing--Microsoft will survive in the game department if they don't change their strategy. They will be like the Sega of the past if they don't get it together.
P.S. LET HALO DIE ALREADY. YOU GUYS ARE RUINING A GREAT FRANCHISE WITH ALL THESE INSTALLMENTS. JUST STOP!
-- From a Halo fan
Games
If you did not watch last night, Sony had a better variety of games for their new consoles. Microsoft did, but they looked stupid and were made by companies that generally make bad games. D4 was the only promising game for the new Xbox One and even then, it looked stupid. If it's anything like Deadly Premonition, it's going to suck. Sony came out swinging with a new Killzone, Destiny--a game by the awesome Bungie--, Elder Scrolls Online, and some more. Really, those three were good enough as it stands. Microsoft came swinging with a wiffle ball bat and got smoked.
Hardware
I won't lie, both systems had pretty impressive hardware. Honestly, they are close to modified personal computers for the poor man in terms of raw power. I think Sony might have a bit of an edge, but only time will tell when the systems come out. Also, the PS4 looks so much better than the Xbox One.
DRM
If you are not sure what that is, it's used for used games. Let's be honest, when you have an entire crowd going nuts because you said no to it, you won. Microsoft looked like an Oil Baron in front of Sony and this is one of the biggest reasons. No one likes when you try to screw the consumer. When I can't buy something from a competitor for cheaper, that's price fixing. In the states, that's supposed to be illegal. I say supposed to since the video game industry does it. Have you not noticed that all new games are $59.99 and new systems are about the same price? Anyway, this gives us more choices on how to spend our money and Microsoft dropped the ball.
Cost
Again, Sony knows we aren't made of money. The system will cost $100.00 less than the Xbox One and we can use used games. The games will all probably be the same flat cost on every system, so the only real win is the console cost.
In the end, Sony won the day. They just put a great showing out and that does make me happy. As someone who owns both companies products, I feel like this new generation will have me leaning towards the PS4. I don't think--after this showing--Microsoft will survive in the game department if they don't change their strategy. They will be like the Sega of the past if they don't get it together.
P.S. LET HALO DIE ALREADY. YOU GUYS ARE RUINING A GREAT FRANCHISE WITH ALL THESE INSTALLMENTS. JUST STOP!
-- From a Halo fan
Friday, May 31, 2013
Guest Writer: My Problem with the Industry
My name is Tom Butto, and this is my first post on this blog. Matt has
been kind enough to let me contribute, and I thank him for how wonderful
of a person he is on a daily basis. Matt and I have been friends since
high school, and we have many things in common. We both like sports,
trolling, drinking beer, and of course, video games. You put the both of
us in front of a video game we both like, and we will play that game
for hours upon hours without stopping. That’s how we are; we are bingers,
especially when it comes to video games. We love video games, we love to
play video games, we love to beat each other in Madden or The Show, we
have been playing the same Madden franchise in Madden 2011, and during
the Halo 3 days, we loved to jump in a Hog and trash talk people while
mowing them down with machine gun bullets and some sweet driving. I have
never had a problem with video games, or the video game industry, until
now.
I have a problem because the video game industry is killing itself. Facebook, mobile phone games, free-to-play are threatening the industry because they are as popular as ever, and yet the video game industry and the companies who make the console, I’m looking at Microsoft, seem like they are trying to distance themselves from their consumers. They are becoming greedier as the years go on, and seemingly keep shooting themselves in the foot. With the announcement of the new Xbox One, this was the final straw for me. The system has to be connected to the Internet at all times? Game prices are going to go up? If you borrow a game from a friend, it will cost you five dollars? This is all ridiculous. They want people to only buy new games, and subscribe to Xbox Live, which costs people more money. Either these people who came up with all these ideas for the new Xbox are so disillusioned and detached from society because of how successful the Xbox 360 was, or they simply don’t care. Last time I checked, people are still struggling to make ends meet. People do not have money to have subscriptions to Xbox Live, and pay 70 or 80 dollars for a video game.
Add this to downloadable content getting more and more ridiculous, and I want the video game industry to fail. I want people to stop buying video games and consoles when the new generation of systems comes out. Or at the very least, people stop buying the Xbox One, because the PlayStation 4 seems fine from what I have heard. Maybe if people go on a little unofficial boycott, the suits at these companies will have to change some ideas and actually look like they care about their customers. Because at this rate, you will have to pay an entry fee to get into a video game store, and have to put a strand of your hair in your console so they know your DNA and where you are at all times. Maybe if the industry collapses on itself, real, innovative ideas will come to the forefront. Until then, I will be content playing my Xbox 360, working on the fifth or sixth season of our Madden franchise.
I have a problem because the video game industry is killing itself. Facebook, mobile phone games, free-to-play are threatening the industry because they are as popular as ever, and yet the video game industry and the companies who make the console, I’m looking at Microsoft, seem like they are trying to distance themselves from their consumers. They are becoming greedier as the years go on, and seemingly keep shooting themselves in the foot. With the announcement of the new Xbox One, this was the final straw for me. The system has to be connected to the Internet at all times? Game prices are going to go up? If you borrow a game from a friend, it will cost you five dollars? This is all ridiculous. They want people to only buy new games, and subscribe to Xbox Live, which costs people more money. Either these people who came up with all these ideas for the new Xbox are so disillusioned and detached from society because of how successful the Xbox 360 was, or they simply don’t care. Last time I checked, people are still struggling to make ends meet. People do not have money to have subscriptions to Xbox Live, and pay 70 or 80 dollars for a video game.
Add this to downloadable content getting more and more ridiculous, and I want the video game industry to fail. I want people to stop buying video games and consoles when the new generation of systems comes out. Or at the very least, people stop buying the Xbox One, because the PlayStation 4 seems fine from what I have heard. Maybe if people go on a little unofficial boycott, the suits at these companies will have to change some ideas and actually look like they care about their customers. Because at this rate, you will have to pay an entry fee to get into a video game store, and have to put a strand of your hair in your console so they know your DNA and where you are at all times. Maybe if the industry collapses on itself, real, innovative ideas will come to the forefront. Until then, I will be content playing my Xbox 360, working on the fifth or sixth season of our Madden franchise.
Monday, May 20, 2013
5 Kick Ass Songs in Videogames
It's Monday and I am back from Ocean City, Maryland. It's been over a week since I have had a chance to blog about one of my favorite things, videogames. I thought, what better way to kick back into this blog then to write about some kick ass songs in videogames? Let's be honest, videogames have some of the best music out there. Heck, some songs top charts all the time. For this piece, I am only going with music that plays during the actual game. So here are 5 of the many that I personally enjoy and I hope you enjoy as well!
5. Tales of Symphonia - Fighting of the Spirit
When this Tales game came out on the GameCube in the early 2000's, it was ambitious and awesome. How do you compliment ambitious and awesome? You do so by adding a soundtrack to compliment such greatness. If any Tales song stands the test of time or more beloved, it's this one. Just go look up all the remixes and covers of this song if you don't believe me. This theme originally appeared in Tales of Phantasia and since its debut, has been arranged for other games in the series. It really captures the essence of what an RPG's sound track should include. I posted the best version of this song below, enjoy.
4. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow - Battle Theme
Everyone who had a childhood can hum this tune on a whim. This theme would play anytime you encountered a trainer ready to be clobbered by your insanely powerful Farfetch'd or Mewtwo. These trainers had no idea what you were about to throw at them, but by god, you would sweep them with water gun.
3. Final Fantasy VII - Battle Theme
If there was any game that people cream over like bacon, it's Final Fantasy VII. I do admit that this is my favorite battle theme in any of the Final Fantasy games. It really works on building up a climax and really pumping the adrenaline while killing cacti people and other weird monsters. I decided to post a video below that really demonstrates what a few guitars with videogame music can do, especially with a theme as awesome as this.
2. Halo Theme
Nothing gets you driving more reckless then blasting the Halo theme down the highway. You know it's time to man your make believe gunner's turret when this song starts playing and your friend is swerving out of the way of a newb pistol shot. This song really should have been looped during any match that had any multi-man vehicles in it and an open world to boot, like Valhalla.
1. Guilty Gear X2 - Holy Orders
Yes, this is my number one kick ass song for this post. You don't even know the magnitude of this on a Richter scale. That's all I need to say about this epic tune.
That's it for today guys, enjoy.
5. Tales of Symphonia - Fighting of the Spirit
When this Tales game came out on the GameCube in the early 2000's, it was ambitious and awesome. How do you compliment ambitious and awesome? You do so by adding a soundtrack to compliment such greatness. If any Tales song stands the test of time or more beloved, it's this one. Just go look up all the remixes and covers of this song if you don't believe me. This theme originally appeared in Tales of Phantasia and since its debut, has been arranged for other games in the series. It really captures the essence of what an RPG's sound track should include. I posted the best version of this song below, enjoy.
4. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow - Battle Theme
Everyone who had a childhood can hum this tune on a whim. This theme would play anytime you encountered a trainer ready to be clobbered by your insanely powerful Farfetch'd or Mewtwo. These trainers had no idea what you were about to throw at them, but by god, you would sweep them with water gun.
3. Final Fantasy VII - Battle Theme
If there was any game that people cream over like bacon, it's Final Fantasy VII. I do admit that this is my favorite battle theme in any of the Final Fantasy games. It really works on building up a climax and really pumping the adrenaline while killing cacti people and other weird monsters. I decided to post a video below that really demonstrates what a few guitars with videogame music can do, especially with a theme as awesome as this.
2. Halo Theme
Nothing gets you driving more reckless then blasting the Halo theme down the highway. You know it's time to man your make believe gunner's turret when this song starts playing and your friend is swerving out of the way of a newb pistol shot. This song really should have been looped during any match that had any multi-man vehicles in it and an open world to boot, like Valhalla.
1. Guilty Gear X2 - Holy Orders
Yes, this is my number one kick ass song for this post. You don't even know the magnitude of this on a Richter scale. That's all I need to say about this epic tune.
That's it for today guys, enjoy.
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