Malik
(9/19/05)
Hideo Kojima is
going to be leaving
the Metal Gear Solid franchise after number 4 is completed.
Interesting. I'm not too sure of if this will be a good thing (I
have to say that MGS was a lot better than MGS2, just because of the
whole no playing as Snake thing, and MGS3...which just seemed wrong
and bad from the first minutes...no radar on a video game with this
style of camera? Sure...), or a bad thing. On one hand, it may help
to bring back some of the feel of the original MGS game. This would
be awesome on it's own. However, the alternative could be revealing
that Kojima is actually the glue that binds this world of Snake
together. Either way, the prospect of online-based MGS games has me
less than excited.
Anyway, to
continue, with a clearer mind, on some of the things that were
frustrating me last week; Burnout 4. I know I said some bad things,
and for a reason. The load times are still present every time you
restart a level...and you will...the AI is so unbalanced. Some
races, the AI will just go into cruise control and seem so damned
stupid that you will never have to fight or battle through the
current track. Other times, you will have an AI that will obliterate
you in the first five seconds of a race. This is not the rubber band
AI of the first three Burnouts. This is a new level of
rubber-banding.
However, to make
the load times more of an issue, this is the first Burnout in which
I've seen a glaring bug in the programming. While most people seem
to have never seen it, I have seen the hell of falling through the
world. If too many enemies surround you, there's a good (or bad)
chance that they will tap you in a way that causes your car to fall
through the ground. After a few seconds, during which you get a
massive boost bonus from the massive air time you are getting, you
will respawn...a ways back from where you went down. The race will
not be able to finish after this moment. I am good...I mean damned
good...and I couldn't even catch the 5th place computer after this
happened, with about 3 minutes of racing left. I'm not sure where I
re-spawned, but I know it took almost a minute to get back to the
place where I made my free-fall of doom.
Combine the AI and
falling problems and you are left with a constant need to reload a
level (also, the fact that getting gold is no longer good enough and
you'll need to re-race tracks to get perfect scores makes more reloading).
This is definitely something that should have, and could have, been
improved over the earlier Burnout games.
I also bitched a
bit about the Revolution controller. Well, I should clarify one
important question I have that has not been addressed. I like to
play for extended time periods. Well, what happens when my wrist
gets worn out before I'm wanting to quit? I'll start to play sloppy.
That doesn't happen too easily with normal controls (it's pretty
difficult to get fatigued pressing buttons), but I know this is a
problem with spatial mice (you'll get fatigued before you are ready
to stop), which use the same technology.
Also, I tend to
get shaky in my hands when I play games (I am a caffeine addict, and
that tends to make a person's hands less than stable). If the
mouse...I mean the Revolution controller is so sensitive as to only
require small flicks of the wrist, what will this do to a gamer like
me? I can tell you right now, while I love video games, nothing can
tempt me to stay away from my beloved coffee. Nothing.
Anyway, beyond the
simple problems that are inherent with spatial mice (which, beyond
how bad the spatial recognition programs are, are the main reasons
that my old IT department didn't keep using them), I can see the
potential good. I would lie if I didn't say I've heard some good
ideas from some of my friends. Bastich and Meat Shield were telling
me of an awesome concept they could see of how a Jedi based Star
Wars game could play out, and it would be pretty sweet. I can also
see that the odds of the Revolution having this strong of creatively
designed games from third party sources is not the type of odds I'd
put any money on. In fact, this will be the real challenge of making
the controller good and fun. Nintendo will make some fun games
(there's no way they would fail at making a few fun games,
especially since they made the technology that will run them). After
all, Nintendo is the company that has shown us how fun the DS can be
(with Kirby, Advance Wars, and if it's your thing, Nintendogs).
However, third party support of the DS has been lame (I'll give a
special exception to Bomberman) and half-assed since no one seems to
understand why the simple technology of dual screens and touch
screens could be found in gaming.
That same complex
will happen with the Revolution. It's not a question of if it will
happen. It will. That wouldn't be too bad, expect Nintendo only
releases so many games a year. That means the Revolution will, I'm
guessing, at the end of it's 4 year lifespan, have about 2 dozen
great Nintendo made games, and maybe a half dozen third party games.
It's how it was with the N64 and GCN (and those had standard
technology behind them), and it's how the DS is looking so far.
Between Nintendo having a hard to get along with philosophy and
unusual technology, game developers just don't work well into their
grand schemes.
If Nintendo can
show the third party world of a good way to handle the technology,
that would be amazing. If they could show that the controller is
more than a gimmick (like how the third party groups see the DS
technology, which is why third party DS games have been so bad with
their forced attempts at using the touch abilities), this could be a
turning point for Nintendo. If Nintendo could also entice developers
to make more than "kiddy" titles and puzzle games, this
could be breath-taking. However, I don't see that happening. I won't
say it's impossible, but I will say that I've seen Nintendo do this
with 3 systems in the last decade (make it a fourth if you reach
back a little more for the Virtual Boy).
Also, to clarify;
I did say what some would find blasphemous. I said the DS has few
good titles and no third party support. I also implied that it's a
waste of money. Why? Because I dare someone to name 5 good games for
it that would hold their interest for over a week. Also, Pictochat
doesn't count, since it's not a game (despite how it can be
entertaining in a crowded area). Also, no naming of games that are
free on the Internet (like Zoo Keeper...which isn't good to begin
with). In fact, to make it more of a challenge, I dare that same
thing, but with no naming of Japanese or European games (I'll
explain), and no naming of games that were released with only minor
differences over 5 years ago (no Mario 64 DS). I say no imports
since I honestly want to know, about now, of a justification for my
purchase of a DS. It's been almost a year and I don't really feel
like I got my money's worth. Maybe Mario Kart and Animal Crossing
can change my mind...but those are only future dreams for now, but
the dust on my DS is a present reality.
Don't worry, in a
few months I may be saying the same thing about the PSP (which is an
awesome system, like the DS is, with too few quality titles)...I'm
not just hating on the big N.
Malik\
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Malik
(9/20/05)
Luckily things are
a little slower today. It's not that I don't want news any more
after the long summer drought...it's more that after the Nintendo
controller deal, I think I need a few minutes (or a day) to just
collect my thoughts on things. Between having a game that I need to
find time to write a review for (Burnout Revenge, that is), looking
for a new day job (I've bitched and complained too much about my
normal job), and the controller, it just feels like sensory
overload.
There is one piece
of minor news today that I'd like to share, however. The founder of
G4, Charles Hirschhorn, is stepping down as CEO in order to be "passing
the baton". I honestly think this may be about the best
possible solution for this channel. While G4 was always way too
kiddy (they made Nintendo almost look like a sleazy underhanded
company in comparison...and that's saying something since Nintendo
has such a wholesome image), and that could be accepted, their
buyout of TechTV left some gaps in that genre of TV. Maybe by
bringing in some new blood, some programming can be brought to G4
that would steer the network away from just making mind-numbing
fluff programs...maybe they could even make some programs that have
content beyond either being kiddy fluff and immature fluff. It's
time to see some shows that represent the TechTV of old (like when
Screen Savers was not just the video game show ATOS).
Anyway, I'm
planning to start working on a review for Burnout Revenge. I've
played the game for about a week now, and I think it's safe to say
that I can see the game for more than just the hype of a new Burnout
game. I'm sick of these reviews that talk of how it's the greatest
racing game ever when it suffers from a few too many problems. I
don't recall Burnout 3 having the fall through the world glitch,
detection issues, and (the worst offender of all in this style of
game) wide tracks that abruptly end, on sharp turns, into narrow
tracks in which all the eliminated sections ended in a wall. This
game just requires, with the track issues, a little too much memory
and a little too little adrenaline based (as in, the stuff where you
drive on instinct, not memory) racing.
It's not like it's
all bad...but it's definitely not perfect. The race modes are fun,
the crash more is more interesting without the multipliers (although
there are some new crash mode issues), and the car selection is
pretty good with having cars that actually have differences to their
handling and abilities...and which all look different. Most of all,
it is a fun game, and that's what really matters at the end. It's
just not near perfect.
Anyway, I have
games to play, reviews to write, jobs to apply for...
Malik
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Malik
(9/21/05)
With the news and
confusion/fan-boy-inspired-hype surrounding the Revolution
controller, it seems like it would be good to have confirmation of
if the use of a spatial mouse could be used for something beyond
giving a PowerPoint presentation to a crowded board room. Well,
confirmation, I guess, is here.
ACID, an Australian
group that works on developing technologies has designed a
TV remote that works off of the same principles as both a spatial
mouse and the Revolution controller. The basic concept for this
remote is to simplify what has been complained about being one of
the most complex aspects of modern life; the growing and expanding
remotes for everything from TVs to DVD players to surround sound
systems.
If this remote
actually happens to catch on with the general TV watching world,
which could be hard until the development price drops below $75 per
unit (makes you wonder how much Nintendo will charge for their
Revolution controller), it could confirm that this technology serves
a real purpose. The basic concept behind this device is to help you
perform common activities while using your remote. I don't know why
you couldn't put your drink down or not talk on the phone while
watching TV, but this will help you handle these "extra"
activities while still keeping your ass firmly planted to the couch
and your eyes glued to the screen.
At least this, as
well as the Revolution controller, will give us that cool sci-fi
feeling of shows like Earth: Final Conflict. In that show, people
would operate a vehicle, for instance, just with a wave of their
hands to handle everything from navigation to communication to
movement. So, I guess even if this technology fails, which is a
definite possibility since I've yet to see a spatial mouse that
doesn't enrage the user, we will always have that cool sci-fi
feel...like what the Virtual Boy gave us. Wait. That's a bad
example...or is it?
I still have one
unvoiced (by me) question about this style of technology. Many
things, especially the Revolution controller, require a sensor to be
placed on the top or the TV being used. Well, how precise does it
have to be. Can we place it about 2 feet above the TV (my
entertainment center may have an issue with anything going directly
on the TV)? What about a wall mounted flat-panel display? You sure
won't be able to place any sensors on something like that. I guess
this is why I remain such a skeptic...I see far too many questions
and limitations. I'll probably change my tune to the classic
"too bad no one made any games for the Revolution" line
after the system comes out. However, until I can spend some quality
time with some actual games, I still see too many limitations and
problems with this technology.
Well, I have been
writing a review of Burnout Revenge for the last couple of days. My
goal is to get it posted before tomorrow. However, that will all
depend on how much time I have to dedicate to my final editing
process. Also, it depends on if by playing Burnout after posting
this daily post I get addicted and can't stop playing, or if I get
frustrated and quit immediately. Burnout Revenge has this effect on
people...you can love the game and play for hours, or you will love
the game but have to quit quickly to prevent yourself from hating
the game.
Malik
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Malik
(9/22/05)
I usually avoid
getting off subject on these posts. I may not always speak video
games, but I always talk of the geek. Well, today I will make a
special exception. Why? Well, in part, I can do whatever the hell I
feel like doing. However, the main part comes down to the state of
things in my area of the world. I don't mean Seattle...this time I'm
speaking about the United States.
With all of the
recent chaos that has been caused by Katrina, and the soon to be disastrous
effect of Rita (which is do to soon hit anywhere from Northern
Mexico to New Orleans), things are not good. When you add to that
the troubling response by the American government, you can't help
but feel strong senses.
These senses can
be almost anything. Many feel sadness, loss, despair, confusion, and
other usually negative emotions. It doesn't have to end there, but
it usually doesn't go much further than these emotions with a big
helping of anger and frustration. Well, I tried to remain more
optimistic.
I knew people who
were effected by the hurricane. One of my friends who I work besides
every day is from New Orleans. His family lives there. Some of the
people he knows are still missing and unaccounted for. Yet, I still
decided to look for the best. It could have been worse. Things
always can be worse, and so I try to keep my anger based in fantasy
(hence, I bitch about games). Many died, but many more survived.
There is great loss, but the effort to rebuild is already obvious.
While things get bad, the wonderful part of human nature is that
people help out, strangers unite to do what they can (just look at
the amazing money, man power, and other forms of relief that have
poured in).
In fact, that is
where I'm getting in this post. I have family that is in the
National Guard Reserves. To be precise, I have a brother who is. He
has just been called to active duty to help with the repair and
rescue mission that is the gulf region of the US. He will soon be
packing his supplies, getting his issued gear, and heading out of
his home area of the US to help people he has never met. This is a
great thing.
However, he is a
student right now. He lives in an apartment complex (The Lenora)
that is ran by his school (The Art Institute of Seattle). I used to
hold this school to some esteem. I have known a good dozen students
at the AIS, and the school had impressed me greatly. The key word is
"had". I cannot say I'm impressed with the actions that I
have just learned of in the last day that the AIS is taking.
Since my brother
is going to be on active duty for a solid month, the Art Institute
of Seattle is kicking him out of his home. While he is helping
people he has never known (and most of these total strangers will
never even know his name or face) in a great example of what does
make America great. Bitch and moan all I may want to about the
US...we still know how to pull together selflessly as a
community. Is this what we should see being done to people
helping to restore homes to the victims of Katrina? Should
those who help to build a safer area for new homes and the return of
old homes be made homeless themselves? Is this even
moral?
I have to say, in
all honestly and bluntness, that this is one of the more f#%@ed up
things I have heard of in regards to the current recovery effort. I
have to say that the actions of the Art Institute of Seattle and
their apartment complex, The Lenora, are nothing short of immoral
and disgusting from my perspective. While thousands and thousands of
individuals around the nation are sacrificing their homes to give
shelter to those with no home to turn to, the AIS is doing nothing
short of showing true selfishness in forcing a good student to leave
his home. Not only does my brother have the important task of
getting ready for active duty, he now has to find a way to settle
all of the affairs included in being evicted from his home.
While some can say
that this isn't too important, since it happens all the time, I have
to point out something. First off, I only mention that this
happens to my brother since it's the only way I would have ever
heard of this. I knew, not because of media coverage, but
rather because I know someone involved. Plus, even if this
wasn't family, it would still be just as much as an outrage.
To help solve the problems of the disaster, people are helping in
the recovery. However, if new problems are placed upon these
helpers, is progress really being made? While the problem may
shrink, it is still being moved around, instead of being
eliminated. While some homes get restored, other homes should
not disappear.
Also, as for
"it happens all the time"...does that mean it's any less
wrong?
Last of all, while
many people would say this is just common business practices (and a
school may not be taken as one, it is still a business)...well, so
is the way that Wal-Mart practices business. It doesn't mean
that it's right for women to have only an approximately 33% chance
of being promoted to a managerial position versus men at Wal-Mart.
It doesn't mean that offering lower wages than the competitors that
they helped to shut down is morally right for Wal-Mart to do.
That is precisely why people complain about their tactics and boycott
their stores, and it's why problems being heaped upon both victims
and recovery personal involved with Katrina should be brought to
light.
As for why I bring
this type of thing up...I know some people may wonder this.
Well, first off, this is not something being actively mentioned or
covered in the media (which is why I won't even touch how this was
completely mishandled by the government). However, this type
of thing is probably happening all over. Well, if it isn't
being covered or being brought to light, then I think it's safe to
say that it should be. Also, while I single out AIS, I only do
it for one reason; The reason I just said. It's not actively
being mentioned in larger circles, so I only know that the AIS doing
this. I may enjoy bitching at things, but only the things that
I KNOW exist. So, I think anyone who knows of this type
of event should express their displeasure, and let it be known that
this crap shouldn't be tolerated.
I don't usually
like to get political or social or whatever, but I had to this
time...
To the Art
Institute of Seattle and The Lenora, and to any other business or
institutions that may doing a similar activity...that is just f#@%ed
up. How can you people who make these decisions sleep at
night?
...and to those
involved in the clean up effort after Katrina (and those who are
trying so hard to ensure that things are handled better after Rita
strikes), you have all my respect, and wishes for health and safety
in your work.
By the way, if you
would like to share your opinions with the Art Institute about this
type of behavior, the contact information for the school can be found
here. Included, if you're not wanting to do much clicking,
is the president's email address of duboiss@aii.edu.
If you know of others doing this type of activity, you should try to
share that knowledge and let it be known.
Malik
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Malik
(9/23/05)
Well, I guess the
competitive edge is heating up in the Microsoft versus Sony battle.
It's probably no coincidence that one of the more anticipated games
for the PS2 for this season, Dragon Warrior 8, along with a FF12
demo, are coming
out the same day as the 360. I believe that Sony probably had a
nice hand in helping Square Enix decide what a good launch date
would be...and what date would be better than the 360 launch
date?
Actually, just
about any date. With the 360, we are not dealing with the same
initial audience as those who will be dying to hold a Dragon Warrior
game. If there's any better explanation than this, I would
know...There are no console style RPGs coming to the 360 for quite
some time. Well, at the very least, the launch titles for the 360
only include one RPG, Oblivion. Well, it's a safe assumption to say
that many people who would long to play a PC style RPG like Oblivion
would not give up on the 360 just because DW8 is coming that same
day. It's like Activision timing the release of a new Tony Hawk game
to coincide with a Madden release date. They both are sports titles,
but the similarities end there. A fan of one game will not obviously
forget about the other just because two unrelated games of the same
general genre are now coinciding on their launch dates.
I guess that may
be where the FF12 demo comes into play. Well, at least that's how
Sony would probably like to think about it. Even if you don't want
DW8 instead of a 360, maybe a FF12 demo will change your mind. No.
It just doesn't work this way. While demos and trailers have helped
some products in the past, they don't help to change minds of one
product versus another. They only help to boost the sale of less
than amazing titles. Tobal no. 1 sold quite well in the US because
it had the FF7 demo included, and Wing Commander did better than it
should have in theaters because it was the first movie to show the
Episode 1 trailer. However, these didn't make people not buy a
certain product...it only helped to influence people to give in to
crap when there was nothing else available.
Beyond that, with
how DW8 is an anticipated RPG for a solid number of people, the demo
inclusion won't do shit for sales. Maybe if some PS2 game that was
direct competition with a 360 game came out on the same day, it
would be a different matter. However, since DW8 is not directly
competing with any 360 titles, all this will do is cause a small
number of people to do what I'll be doing...I reserved the 360 long
ago, and it has me tapped out for the month of November...so, I'll
just have to wait a week or so before I pick up DW8.
Also, when 360
pre-orders are reaching maximum levels, it's safe to say that
this won't pull any more than a couple people from the 360. If a
machine that has to be pre-ordered at least a month in advance
(that's my guess...the allotted 360 will disappear for the remaining
game stores by this time next month...if not much sooner) is going
against a game that could be pre-ordered a week in advance (another
guess...but based on some personal pre-order experience)...well,
let's face it. The system is selling out, and no single game, that
is not in direct competition, is going to make a person change their
minds about a $400+ purchase.
Anyway, to shift
subjects...I have that long overdue Burnout
Revenge review. It took longer than I wanted, but that was due
to me not thinking a few things through. Mainly it was me not
realizing that my video capture would not be cool with a HD source,
and I haven't done a review for an XBox game since before I upgraded
to a HD-TV. I found a way around, despite some major headaches, and
the review is now good to go.
Malik
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