Sex and Video Games: A Brilliant Presentation

This is a video I found while reading Leigh Alexander's blog called Sexy Videogameland. This site is not what you may think it is. She's a really good videogame journalist that can actually cause many of us to think. And that's what we need in the world of game journalism if we want to be taken seriously by mainstream culture. So kudos to her.

This video talks about sex and videogames. It's really entertaining and well thought out. So if you have someone around that thinks most games are mindless, society poisoning spawns of Satan, sit them down and have them watch this video. No way a pointless medium of entertainment can create such a well thought out presentation. Enjoy!

Reaching Out

I wanted to take time out to share my thoughts on what it would take to bring a certain game up a few notches. A while ago I downloaded the demo for Folklore on PSN. I thought it was interesting how you absorb enemies and then use them against others. I really liked the art direction and the use of the sixaxis controls. They were only used to yank up the characters IDs (or their essences so to speak) or to beat them down a bit if they struggled. I knew it was a title I was interested in picking up, but I couldn't go out and buy it right away. Me being the type of gamer I am, kept buying other games because they were a cheaper than $60 and got good reviews. That logic goes out the window after you buy a couple titles, but that's beside the point.

When I finally got around to picking up Folklore, I ended up paying about $21 for it. Thanks GameStop coupon! I popped it in and prepared myself for an epic adventure unlike any I've played in a while. It's been almost 3 months later, and I haven't beat it yet. Granted GTA consumed my life like it did many others, but even after finishing GTA's main story, Folklore was next on my list of games to beat. Sad as it is saying this, I just can't find the motivation to finish it. I think I'm in the final realm, but it feels like it's lacking.

The first problem is lack of voice work. There are a few cut scenes in the game where the actors did a decent job of portraying the characters. The rest of the time we have to read through a comic strip like dialog tree. I play a lot of RPG's so reading is not a deal breaker for me. But with a story that's so full of dread and mystery like this one is, I feel that constant voice work is essential to convey emotion. This is even more important given the fact that Folklore lacks action outside the realms themselves. In the real world, you're reduced to running and talking. Sure there are quests available in game as well as on PSN, but that does little to save it.

The items you collect are only used to upgrade the creatures you capture. There are a lot of them mind you. Unless you're fully dedicated to upgrading each one, you may find yourself sticking to the same ones over and over again.

I'm not sure how it ends, so I don't know if a sequel has been set up or not. If there is though, I think a more open experience dealing with different towns and situations would be beneficial to this game. That and voice work all the time. With this generation of consoles, there's no excuse to not have this. So in conclusion, I like Folklore despite my complaints. It's highly original and has potential to make future titles. I hope for the best for both the game, and its Netherworld inhabitants.

Stop the Rock?

There's no question Konami got the ball rolling with rhythm based games. GuitarFreaks was very well received and the Dance Dance Revolution titles soaked up more quarters than anyone can imagine. We were all graced with the presence of Guitar Hero on our home consoles, which ultimately became the "it" game for social gatherings. Nintendo has its claws embedded deep into the casual games market, but there is something about playing music on fake instruments that everyone seems to love. With each new Guitar Hero sequel, the songs got better, the gameplay options increased, and the fun factor was pushed to eleven. Somewhere along the lines, the companies responsible for Guitar Hero had a falling out. As a result, Harmonix went off to form Rock Band, and RedOctane continued with the Guitar Hero franchise. Thus the rivalry began that may claim the consumers as victims.

With each leap in technology, older things become obsolete. We no longer play Guitar Hero with wired controllers. Wireless is now, and the games will support that no matter what. The issue here is the number of plastic instruments we have to buy in order to enjoy the game. When Rock Band was released, everyone was excited about being able to play drums. The drums is what really made Rock Band a formidable opponent. Guitar Hero has the best guitar gameplay, and the best feeling guitar controller. Therefore to get the different highs each game has to offer, you must purchase both. The drums were not sold separately from the beginning, but the real tragedy is the lack of cross compatibility with the guitars. If you own both games, you would have shelled out $100 for Guitar Hero 3 and $170 for Rock Band. On top of that comes the possibility of extra controllers and downloadable content. For a one time deal, one could probably overlook this, but it doesn't stop here.

Recently Guitar Hero World Tour was announced to the public. In order to keep up with Rock Band, Guitar Hero has implemented a mic, drums, and new state of the art guitars. As of right now, I'm not sure if the new guitars will be so different they won't be compatible with Guitar Hero 3. If not, then where will those poor plastic peripherals go? It's hard to believe anyone will go back to the previous iteration when the new one has so much more to offer. The drums are different from Rock Band's kit as well. World Tour features two cymbals that float overhead. It's also completely wireless. It goes without saying you can't use these drums with Rock Band or vice versa. What about DLC? Can we still play the songs we payed for on Guitar Hero 3 on World Tour?

Rock Band hasn't released information regarding a sequel yet. Chances are they are watching the competition closely in order 1up them. If their instruments are entirely different this time, it means more money for more plastic, with the old ones finding a new home in the closet. I fear the market could become oversaturated with fake instruments and high prices. It's rumored that Guitar Hero World Tour will cost $199 for the complete bundle. The Rock Band sequel can't be too much more than that. How much is enough? The fun factor of these games in unquestionably high, but someone needs to make sure the public won't have to spend close to $300 every year just to play these games. This is where third party peripheral makers can really shine. If not, the tour may come to an end.

Quite a Haze Indeed

I like to fancy myself as being a hardcore gamer. Anyone who knows me also knows I love the PlayStation. Ever since the PS1, I've been on the Sony bandwagon. That's not to say all other systems suck. I'm not a fanboy by any stretch of the imagination. I guess it's more of a sentimental thing that I've come to have with the Sony brand. Whenever there's a new game coming over the horizon for the PS3, I usually know a little something about it. We've gotten so much information about Littlebigplanet, Killzone 2, Resistance 2, Motorstorm 2, and MGS 4 it's hard to ignore. The one thing I've always been puzzled about, is the supposed hype for the newly release FPS game Haze.

Haze apparently was supposed to be this monumental PS3 title that was going to blow everyone away. It was delayed more than once because it had to be absolutely perfect before release. Oddly enough, I really didn't hear too much about the game unless it was being delayed. I read a lot of gaming blogs, sites, and press releases several times day, and no one was talking about Haze in detail. If they were, it was one of those stories that was pushed to the bottom of the page so fast, you didn't get chance to read about it. Even so, there are other ways to get the hype machine moving.

To me it seemed like the guys who were in charge in getting the word out about Haze were sitting in a room going,"Man this game is going to be great. It's going to be one of the break out titles for us in the Spring. Let's see what are we forgetting about... Oh crap, promotions!" I never saw a single commercial for this game. Now I understand that not every game gets a tv spot, but this is a PS3 exclusive title. One that was supposed to be great. I saw that TimeShift commercial dozens of times, and that game was just kind of mediocre (yeah I bought it on sale).

What happened? Now it's getting not so hot scores from every major outlet. I just don't know. If there was a case of someone dropping the ball, this is it. Ok, that was a rant I know. I'll try not to do that anymore in the future. I'll stick to a more professional line of delivery from now on. But hey, we all have to vent some way right?

Long Time Coming

Okay, so I know I haven't been writing on this blog like I should have. I kind of stopped once I was offered the chance to write for thatvideogameblog.com which ironically I found on the Videogames Journos site I wrote about in the last post. That being said, I will be more timely in updating my own personal blog. There are many things I want to say about the world of videogames that are more appropriate for my site since it's more opinionated than straight up game journalism. This of course can range from those people who make people wait before they signal their readiness in GTA 4 multiplayer, to the fact that I want a Wii so darn bad, I've dreamt about it. So from now on I strive to write at least one post a day. Even if it's not the five page equivalent to a MS Word document. Enough with the apologies and self reassurance of the relevence of my blog. Lets get right down to it.

Want A Job in Video Game Journalism?

It's not easy getting your foot into the door that leads to the realm of video game journalism. If you're like me, you are looking for a way into the business. I wish I could give pages of helpful advice, but all I can say is that networking is very important. I want to share a site that I recently stumbled upon that allows gamers that are in the business, or aspiring to be, to let their voices be heard. It's called Videogames Journos Network. It's a social networking site where intellectual people meet to discuss gaming. So if you're tired of reading potentially insightful forum topics that get derailed by childish banter, check out this site. A lot of people from the business are members, and I'm sure a dedicated writer will be a very welcome addition to the site.

The Death of Print?

Out with the old, in with the new is how the saying goes. With the recent demise of GFW magazine, some people are speculating on what this means for print media. With the unstoppable reach of the internet these days, some wonder why anybody would even bother with a magazine subscription. Their argument is that all the breaking news can be covered as it happens by online publications. By the time the magazines hit store shelves, a lot of what is included is relatively old news. This is particularly frightening for aspiring video game journalists that want to write for magazines. It's not a good feeling to have when current trends tell you your dream will be snuffed out because it's no longer marketable. Well, I say fear not. GFW may have gone online, but there are reasons for this other than magazines are not worth the paper they're printed on anymore. There may be hope for us yet.
GFW magazine, or Games For Windows, was a publication that in essence, has been around for well over twenty years. It covered PC gaming and really hit some strides since its inception. However, that streak obviously came to an end. Why is this? Are we so wired into the interweb that we can't be bothered with physical media anymore? Maybe. But maybe GFW Magazine went under because of the PC as a gaming platform. In the past, the PC was the place to go for the best graphics and online play. Consoles now have come so far, that many games rival their PC counterparts. GFW's fate is the result of a market that can't find a reason to upgrade to a PC worth thousands of dollars just to play Crisis. Next gen, or current gen (for some who hate the first term) consoles are cheaper, just as reliable (unless you see red rings), and much more portable than high end PC's. Those consoles are what make the news headlines at Christmas. Video game magazines barely touch on PC gaming anymore because the same technology has been adapted to more convenient platforms. I think this is the main culprit for GFW's death. It's not prints problem, it's the content it covers.
All in all, magazines are not on their way out. Think of it like newspapers. It's timeless media. As the times change, print media will have to revolve around the current trends to remain a viable source of information. And there is nothing like picking up a magazine, kicking your feet up, and reading it all the way through. You can't really do that on a PC. Besides, have you ever tried to read a whole book online? It's not very fun. So for all of you who want to get a job in magazine journalism, I say stand tall. Don't take the mags behind the barn and shoot it just yet. You've still got work to do.

Got Mine Before You

A ton of people preorder games. Most notably huge titles like the Halo or GTA series. I, on the other hand, have never preordered a game... until now. Recently I took a trip to Gamestop with a couple friends to preorder GTA IV. Usually, I don't do that kind of thing. I always figured I'd just hang around a 24 hour retail store and snatch up a copy when 12am hit. I didn't want to fight through crowds of people who've been up for 48 hours with nothing in their systems but Mountain Dew Game Fuel. Could this very well be a new thing for me to be apart of in the near future? We'll see on the 28th of April. This Gamestop promises to hold contests and play games to commemorate this occasion. So you know what that means. Pics, pics, and more pics! Shortly after that, look forward to an in depth analysis on GTA IV from my perspective. Stay tuned!

A New Leaf

Something that recently became very apparent to me is that multiplayer games aren't just full of jerks who love to shoot their mouths off through a microphone. Case in point, Team Fortress 2. One of the coolest things about this game is that it requires teamwork. No more deathmatches. Therefore working together is essential to victory. That being said, I'd like to confess my obsession with being the Medic. I've been in too many matches that have been turned in my teams favor because of this class. I used to be Pyro all day, but I cause more headaches by curing. So this is something to think about. Instead of going in head strong and wanting to blow someone to bits, try being supportive by healing. If you're one heck of a Soldier or Spy, stick by it by all means. But, for those who don't know which class you want to be, give Medic a try. It's a great feeling knowing you probably single handedly turned the tide of battle. And besides, if you nail someone with the syringe gun, or hack someone to death with a bone saw, they'll be like, "How did I just get killed by a Medic?" Never to be underestimated, the Medic needs more recognition. If you need more proof, add me on PSN, (Reno187) and watch those control points go down courtesy of the Medic. Schauen Sie ihn an!

In Wii We Trust

Nintendo's primary business is games. Their secondary order of business is... printing money. And lots of it. The Nintendo Wii is a lot like the old guy in old karate movies. He just lays back, seemingly outclassed by more powerful opponents. Then all of a sudden, he takes everybody out in one punch. The Wii is clearly less powerful than Sony and Microsoft's giants. Yet it has been able to outsell them both constantly. Why? I was under the impression that bigger meant better. Multimedia gaming consoles with internet access, downloadable content, and HD graphics are the future. Maybe not. The Wii is so dominant for a few reasons. The most obvious is price. It's about $100 cheaper than a Xbox 360 Premium bundle. However, with recent price drops between the 360 and PS3, this is slowly becoming less of an issue, especially when you factor in the quality of games. The Wii may be a lot cheaper, but what about the games? Truth be told, the only games that are hits on the Wii are from first party publishers. Some examples are Zelda, Paper Mario, Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, and Mario Kart Wii in the future. The third party publishers shell out either mediocre or just plain bad games. The average number of Wii game purchases is about 4 games a year. The reason for this is probably name recognition. Nintendo managed to target people who aren't really gamers, and made them into gamers. And who doesn't know the name Nintendo? Instead of entering a death match for first person shooter superiority, they laid back and got the family together. A lot of people who buy Wii's aren't really that knowledgeable about the video game universe and what makes a great game. They just want to swing that Wiimote and have fun. They aren't so hung up on reviews and scores like hardcore PS3 and 360 gamers. Nintendo sells games to people who won't judge them for bringing out less than stellar games, and will keep coming back for more. Brilliant.

To DLC or Not to DLC

Welcome to the world where no game can be forgotten. Long after the initial quest has been completed, there is chance for replay value in the form of downloadable content. Across the three platforms we have PSN, Xbox Live, and the Wii Virtual Console. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but what about DLC? Some people look at it for a way for developers to continue to suck the pennies from our pockets. Others think it adds to the overall gaming experience and is one of the things that defines this generation of consoles. Well, both are true respectfully. There have been some awesome DLC that are well worth the extra coin. The Xbox 360 gets exclusive episodic content for the upcoming life consuming title GTA IV. As of now, no one knows how much it will cost, but it shouldn't be more than ten bucks. Here's the flip side to this argument. If Rockstar knew that episodic content would be released, then why not take that content and extend the original campaign? I'll wait... This is why some people say that it's all about making money. After all, the video game world is big business. I'm sure a lot of people were upset when they heard that GTA IV wasn't a PS3 exclusive title. It hurts, but the business side of things says that the 360 had a much greater install base than the PS3 at the time of this decision. More consoles means more money.

DLC also gives us smaller, but satisfying add- ons like costumes, different weapons, enemies, and modes. For a game like Warhawk, DLC is absolutely necessary. Being a multiplayer only game, Warhawk depends on the satisfaction of the online community to survive. So far, they've released the Omega Dawn expansion. They did a great job of hyping it up, and priced it at about seven bucks. In April, Operation Broken Mirror will be released, adding new weapons, and fan made paint jobs for the planes. Rockband and Guitar Hero 3 have licenses to print money with all the new songs released every week, and sequels that are sure to soon follow. So DLC does have some sweet spots... and some PAINful ones.

PAIN on PSN was a highly anticipated title. Flinging a guy through the air with a slingshot and watching him smash appeals to our primal human interests. At $9.99, it seemed to be well worth it. In the end, there was one unlocked character with three costumes, one stage, a couple short lived gameplay modes, and an hour of fun. Then DLC came along as characters that costs a dollar a piece. To this day, a half a year after it's released, there has been no new stages and nothing that would make you come back for more hours of fun. Don't get me wrong, it was great at first. But as time went on, I felt abandoned with this game. I think most of us did. Any add on (one add on) or character was just not worth it. I'm sure a new stage will be released, and we'll have to pony up the dough for it. And if history repeats itself, It'll be overpriced.

DLC can be a double edged sword. It can come off as pretentious. It goes to show that the best intentions to make a game last longer can be used as a way to line pockets with mediocre content. It's here to stay, and we'd better enjoy the ride.

Games That Freak You Out

The original Doom on PC back in the day introduced us all to gameplay that made you sleep with the lights on. Doom was in your face with all of it's gore and blood. Not to mention hordes of enemies that got their kicks from charging at you non stop. Other old school PC games like Alone in the Dark, presented a more cerebral frightening experience. There weren't any rocket launchers to save your behind in that one folks. Of course, looking back at it now, the graphics wouldn't be enough to scare someone with panphobia. So with this in mind, what does it take to scare the holy fibers out of gamers these days? The shock value of something crashing through a window a la Resident Evil does cause the occasional jump, but with all the gruesome films we watch these days (Saw or Hostel anyone?), I think we've become a tad bit desensitized. So it's up to game developers to use elements of the past and incorporate them into modern games. First up one the list, is the Resident Evil Series.

Zombies. Need I say more? I don't know about you, but I already know where I'm going in case a zombie outbreak occurs. And it ain't Raccoon City. Resident Evil had shock elements and cerebral elements that made it an instant classic. For instance, guns were the main source of combat. That combat knife took tons of skill and luck to off a zombie. However, you knew that conserving ammo was crucial. Every bullet had to count. Especially those magnum bullets. That alone created a sense of dread and desperation for gamers. The latest entry in the series Resident Evil 4, raised the bar in survival horror games. This time, we had to fight crazy villagers and cultists. In some ways, taking on an army of un- undead, uh, persons is more creepy than zombies. And let's not forget the thrill of body slamming one of those guys right on their parasite infested heads. The locales you visited were very diverse and you felt like no matter where you went, it wasn't safe. So what if you're outside, those people will destroy the only bridge out of town to get to you. Finally, the camera positioning was crucial. The over the shoulder view made Leon seem more like a professional, and made the gamer tilt their heads as if they were in the game. Now that's immersion at it's finest. Next up is Condemed 2: Bloodshot.

Now, I've only played the demo on PSN, and I've never played the original on 360, but I think it's an excellent take on survival horror. Guns aren't very prevalent in this game. You have to use the old method of fisticuffs as your main weapon. As well as various pipes, electrical conduits, bricks, and whatever else you can get your hands on. I like the fact that the main character is obviously messed up in the head. It's kind of how you feel when you play. I think the sound design of the game greatly contributes to this. Every sound puts you on the edge. Even if you bump into a garbage can that falls over, you'll be swinging blindly until you realize it was you. The people you fight on the streets (they look like bums) are downright creepy in speech and appearance. And as you fight, you get the feeling like the blows are very realistic, and in kind, you can't take that much of a beating before you die. These reasons my friends are what make a great survival horror game. I left a bunch out I'm sure, but that's where you come in. Drop me a comment why don't you. And, check out this video from the original Doom. Great memories. More later.

First! An Introduction...

Now, if you're reading this post, I'm assuming you like video games. Even if you don't, hang out for a little while. You may see something you like. This first post is just letting all of you guys know a little bit about this blog. I'm going to create in depth discussions about the world of video games. What does that entail? For example, what's the general impression of a one console future? What's more relevant these days between next gen gameplay, and next gen graphics? Why aren't they making more Battletoads games (just kidding... I think), and countless other things that are sure to come up. Also, I'm not running a dictatorship here, so feel free to comment about your feelings. Even you guys out there who live to bash people anonymously over the web. Bring it on! Alright, that's all for the intro. Now to the real business!