Silly Gamestop!

While looking at the Joystiq this link caught my attention. Just the idea of game stores spoiling a game and possibly a few more to sell pre-orders is absolutely absurd. The most they will do will just make happy gamers mad or quite possibly save 5 bucks for a pre-order.

I have never felt so embarrassed to be a gamer and I actually mean it since now we have stores SPOIL the FUCKING game. Even if it is a predictable ending. Back in the day where we had game stores which didn't involve none of these shadowy hijinks or forced pre-orders or whatever they force people to buy (I think its on this blog an older dated blog on where I go over the whole forced pre-order ordeal).

$5 buck pre-used games which doesn't see the light of day toward the industry, now we go get even sluttier and spoil games. I tired of this and where 2 companies make sneaky marketing tactics to boost sales. Mainly the Europe PS3 release with Microsoft strategically putting their ads all around (not like PS3 sold a lot over there too).

So a big fuck you to the executive or executives who thought of this great idea. Just another example of companies giving into the corporate world of making a dollar. Now I don't blame the employees who work there who enjoy games watching the ending more than once on a 9 to 6 schedule, I just despise the whole Gamestop monopoly...errr....store lifestyle.

Well now for me its fine since I'm not buying games as much now. Occasionally the one or two that look good and that will settle me in for the year playing. But now it's more like, for me, to write down ideas and scripts and such that sound like a brilliant idea.

In other news my friend Andrew had the "day off" (AKA he called out of work) so he trecked down to New York to see Gene Simmons and his skills in Guitar Hero 2 for the 360. He told me he got in Spike TV's GameHead segment, okay so I'm kinda angry since I'm not on TV yet lol. But hey I gotta pay the bills somehow so I'm glad he got to see some rocking out on GH2 for the 360. He also got the chance to sit down with Major Nelson and interviewed him! Plus he signed his GH2 guitar controller. Shit man, I gotta get on this coverage...then again my beauty could explode TVs all over the nation. (hehe ok I take myself too unseriously).

Then I reminded him of my signed GoW2 demo disc and my CaC X-Mas card and he shut up quickly. :)

Well in short,
Gamestop: sucks
Meeting developers and figureheads in the industry: Awesome
Getting signed swag: Even Better
Spoiling endings at game stores: Not fucking cool
Getting on TV: Sexy
Uwe Boll making a 9/11 Postal into: what a douche

ok I didn't get to talk about it, but I have no comment on that shit. Looks like it has NOTHING to do with his failed movies...yes the movie already failed...it took 5 seconds for everyone to find that out. If a horrible tragedy or event has nothing to do with the plot DON'T FUCKING PUT IT IN!!!!

Ok, already vented on him too lol. Ahh I'll give it a rest until my next anger venting "what the fuck is wrong with the industry in my view" or an update I deem fun and worth reading or fun stuff. Take care peeps!

Thanks Cory!

With God of War 2 out and all of us playing (well not me cause I'm typing now lol) and me grabbing one of Cory's signed GoW2 demos, I just have to say thanks to Cory and the crew for making a, what looks like, an amazing game. I know I have said it like a million times on his blog, but I really mean saying that. Now that there is a GoW for the PSP and a strong incentive on a trilogy, it's looking nice to be a Kratos fan.

Grabbed one game over the weekend, Suikoden Tactics, for the PS2 for $15. Not bad for going to Toys R Us. As of right now, I am liking the game. The graphics are a tad blocky and blurry, but the gameplay is pretty cool for a 2005 game. Now I am a total SRPG fan now its not even funny, I just love the deep gameplay and job changes and unit placement on the field instead of the usual encounter in an RPG.

So in conclusion, I hope Suikoden gets better, GoW continues to teach badass 101, and for game to continue the upward incline towards awesomeness.

The Sonic Boom?

Now I love Sonic, been a fan for...well ever since I could walk. Seeing the blue bomber squaring off against Mario was something, of course, you had to have lived in the golden age of gaming. I loved the whole 2-D aspect on where you speed through the level not knowing if you'll hit an enemy and drop your rings and then afater every 3 or 4 stages, you get a chance to fight Dr. Robotnik. Loved Sonic and Tails and Sonic and Knuckles and so on and so forth. The games were just plain fun to fly by without getting mushrooms and dieing when you are as small as a goomba!

Now I'll admit being very wowed over the Dreamcast and its new Sonic game, Sonic Adventures. I rented a Dreamcast back in the days when Blockbuster gave people the chance to. The speed was incredible plus the fact of getting 2 items for each character to make them more improved. Now I hated the fact of Super Saiyan Sonic once he got this one ring, he transforms (for those who don't know Super Saiyan is from Dragonball Z and is basically a transformation where the Saiyan's hair goes from black to blond).

It was ok, but it was just a rip off of it, it felt out of place in my opinion. So Sonic Team makes a few more games, some ok, and some that just plain suck. Now I feel after Sonic Adventure 2, it just got down to desperation from the Sonic Team, nothing but bad game to worse game. Actually not bad games but just cliche games to get their heads back into the hearts of teens and kids.

I haven't played Sonic Adventure 2 yet, but I do know of Shadow the Hedgehog very well after this game...

Ahhh Shadow the Hedgehog how I fucking hate that game. I gave it a fair shot, both demo and rented, and it really sucked on all levels, hell even me and my friends just made fun of the commercials and game itself for being another embarrassment from Sega, no speed, but we got guns for the kiddies and a fucking hedgehog who can't remember his past!





Yes another Sonic game arrives! Now I have seen the game and I believe the Sonic Team wants to go back to the "Speed Kills" style of yesteryear. Now with the new Sonic game arriving for the Wii, I hope that this will not be a disappointment and mediocre game. With the Wiimote, it should prove interesting what they can do to manipulate rolls and spins and shit. Secret Rings, both me and my co-worker believe, will help boost Sonic back up to his original stature in the people's minds and will be a worthy addition to anyone's collection especially those who don't have a lot of games for the Wii. And with the main game, multiplayer, a ton of secrets in-game, this should help Sonic get into the 8.0 review ratings (or 4.0 depending on the magazine).


So it leaves me with one more question...Robotnik or Eggman? Now I believe his real name is Dr. Eggman, but come on folks, Robotnik just sounds a lot more badass...Robotnik forever!!!

Doing some switching around

Yet more fun stuff changing the templates around. I'll get to updating the links in a few.

With finals around the corner for school, I should be able to update a little more frequently than usual. Thankfully school's done for now.

More Fun Jaffe Antics!

Ever since I rented a PS back when Blockbuster did so, I rented out a PS and got Twisted Metal and Resident Evil...two games that really changed my perspective on playing with Nintendo for my whole life. Little did I know that Jaffe made the game (and was in it as Hammerhead). Flash forward to the future and now I am posting on Jaffe's Blog or communicating with him via smart remark comments. I'm just glad that he takes no bullshit or doesn't want a positive image. He's himself and that's what counts.

Catch the drunk Jaffe video here if you haven't...worth a laugh

C-level game designer? I fucking doubt it. This guy has made some very damn good games in my opinion...B-level is what I'm thinking.

And if Jaffe is reading this (if anyone does lol) keep on making these great games and continue to fucking curse at the game media...it makes for cool videos. lol.

United Wii Stand

Seeing as my luck of getting a PS3 was as close as getting into the gaming industry or getting stuck by lightning (whichever happens first), I decided to chance my luck at a Nintendo Wii. So I go to work to see if I can get on line before the magic number 81. Yes, we had 81 Wiis and some little kid cried out the details online, what a bitch. So I'm like, why not go there and wait in the cold for a half an hour to see these crazy campers. I was 8 away from getting a ticket, ok it's not that bad of a number to lose to. So then I get tipped off that a local Toys R Us has 200 Wiis. And faster than you can say "Turboman" I was there. (And no it wasn't as chaotic as Arnold jumping over the tables or whatever that thing is).

Being number 94 in line was great since I got a ticket for the purchase of a Wii :) So it gets to be like crazy behind me, well the line and the amout of people TRYING to get a ticket by running up the poor woman in charge this morning. Luckily, she told everyone to get back to their spots and stay there. (lol). I get one and we all storm in. Kids grabbing display cases of Zelda and other games gave me quite a chuckle.

I met some great devoted fans of Nintendo/Sony today. Complaining about Sony and all the crap that happened to people who get shot, kidnapped, or trampled upon all for a $600 dollar system (yes, we don't count the $500 one...I mean who bought it?). Talking about Twisted Metal, Tomb Raider and other fun games. (I dunno, but was Mario Galaxies supposed to be a launch date game? Cause that's what the Wii was missing...a Mario game.)

So I grab a Wii system, Zelda Wii package (including Triforce CD case, 2 Zelda skins for the Wiimote, Wii stand (better than the one from the package, 2 corner thingys that go in front of the stand), and Zelda: TP. All I needed was Reggie's signature and that would of made my day...but there is always next time at New York's Nintendo center.

All in all, I enjoyed waiting in line, set up my connection quickly right out of the box, and best of all...Zelda!

Jaffe Does Not Pass Go!

It seems like Capcom has finally got their #1 man in Japan. In all seriousness, check out what the game is about and how it plays, looks like a fun mutiplayer game to play when you are tired of Resistance: Fall of Man. Exclusive to the new downloadable material for the PS3 coming out this Friday.

Can you believe it? The PS3 is coming out in a few days along with the Wii. Jeez, I remember when it was a thought back in 2004, but we shall see what the numbers look like for both Wii and PS3 at the end of 2006. With all systems now having internet play and downloadble features, it will be interesting to see if Nintendo can actually make up the fallen ground of the Gamecube and will we see a slight slump for Sony or is this marketing strategy good for the future?

I'll get reviews up one day for both the Wii and PS3. Until then, I eagerly await both systems to release in a few days.

Card Game Review...World of Warcraft TCG

Now as of today, finidng the newly released World of Warcraft card game is quite difficult. In addition, the inflation of the cards has gone up. I bought my starter for $20 and my packs at around 5 bucks each.

Difficulty: 3 out of 5
WoWTCG is very quick to learn and play if you have an extensive card game history. Basically, its just Magic and the Vs. System mashed up into one huge brawl. Health, damage, and cost of cards are indicated very beautifully. The art is simply amazing and they do a very good job at recreating that character or event (Did I mention Todd Mcfarlane does some artwork for the game too?).

Presentation: 5 out of 5
When you first buy the starter it is unlike any other starter. First of all, its in a thick box and comes with 3 oversized hero cards, one 31 card deck, rulebook, 2 boosters, and a place to set 2 of your decks in, 1 deck if you have em in sleeves...and yes it fits very nicely with a little room for the card to breathe. The case comes with a plastic closing case with the UDE logo on it. Everything snaps into place nicely. So now it doubles as a deck holder too! =)

Balance: 4 out of 5
Of course there is the usual power rare cards in the set, but with over 300 cards in the 1st set and a raid box with similiar play to old school D&D, it is pretty much balanced between the classes you can choose from. Plus as an added bonus, you can redeem points to get exclusive in-game items ranging from fireworks to tabards.

Quality: 4 out of 5
The quality of the cards is great. And if you get the rulebook, you can feel its glossy pages. The box looks amazing and really friggin big. I got a warrior deck and I was suprised to get some rare stuff for a hunter (which is what I'm looking to build now).

Replayability: 5 out of 5
No doubt in my mind that you will play this again with a friend or group of friends raiding Onyxia for epic items and other fun treats via Need and Greed roll. Leagues should be established in November and tourneys should be comming up real soon. And also professions will be useable in the next set, so UDE got ahead of themselves.

Buy or Save?
I would see if your friends have any interest or if your local card game store has a league in the works. But if you live on the west or east coast, pick up a big starter and get a friend into it becuase this could very well topple the Vs. System and keep Wizards in competition with the WoWTCG.

PS2 Deadhault

I like the PS,PS2, and PSP (yes I will go that far to say the PSP is good) ever since I stumbled upon it after returning a highly saught after Nintendo 64...complete with green controller. The PS was my machine of choice...after trading in tons of Super Nintendo games and the system, the PS came to 20 bucks...great trade off.

The games back then took FMVs and greenscreens to a whole new level, making the games real and movie-like. Now, am I the only person who enjoys the acting on a greenscreen thing? I mean it sucks and all but having the actor actually there makes the game worth it. Then again, it would be the classic b-movie actor or the new actor who is in the role.

Towards the middle of the PS history, we see more computer generated movies, one classic example is FF7 with its revolutionary graphics for that time. And followed with tons of other games following the example.

At the end of the PS library, the games haulted for the PS2 obviously. But all that was coming out was shitty game after shitty game. "E" rated games and a bunch of crap.

Flash foward to the PS2 era and the same thing is happening. All because of the PS3 and its power. If some low budget game company comes along, you'd be certain that they would pick the PS2 over the PS3 simply becuase the cost of the game would be lesser and you'd still have more than enough room for one killer, kickass game. No fancy graphics or FMVs which will set you back 10 million, plus the game can be marketed for 40 bucks instead of the 60 bucks the PS3 game will be around (I dunno if they have the price of the games but if its still 50, more power to them).

Put some ad power behind it and you got yourself a cheap game with the buying power of those who still have a PS2...which will be, I'd say, 9 out of 10 houses. You would automatically have the fanbase for the game and customers would be happy with the content given it is a good game.

What I'm trying to say is, if you're making a game and the company or director/producer is new, start them off in PS2 land becuase I am pretty sure the power of all next-gen systems would be a little bit too overwhelming for them and it would stop the PS2 Deadhault at the end of the PS2's life and put some hope into the obsolete console.

Cause if we have too many fucking shitty games on the PS3 then we are sure enough that the companies who make these games would go bankrupt or simply look at the PS2 for a means of finding their fanbase. Trust me kids, its not all about the graphics, its about the gameplay and what you get for your money.

ESRB..I'm Sorry but What's the Point?

Now back then MK hit the arcades along with a game on the Sega CD called Night Trap. A very interesting game which I have never played. With Liberman urging a ratings system for games and more violent games being produced it was only a matter of time.


Now the ESRB back then kept a good watch on games. There was no real "M" rated games that was on the top of the ban list. Mainly "K-A" games with cartoon violence. Everything is peachy. Wrong. While console games were cutsy, arcade games were the norm of blood, violence, and other random acts of punishment. Street Fighter, MK2, and a slew of other games I found as a child popping quarters in the arcade. The arcades were a hip area, lines around the building, quarters stacked on the machine...MK2 boards being stolen....yeah you remember those days too.

Around the time of the PS, games became more mature and serious. Thankfully for technology, we now have 3-D games instead of the sidescrolling 2-D action. With the coming of GTA is where we can see a decline of dedication of the ESRB

Now my bitching part. Now on th eback of the box, every FUCKING game has about 2 to 4 things about the games content...the most common is blood+ violence, sexual themes, etc. But with Vice City, the back of the box didnt have "use of drugs" or whatever it had in the game that shot "under the gun". I despise the ESRB for shooting games under the "AO" gun.

AO is the grand rating of all games. Getting games to that platform is where games should be, okay well some games should be. An example would be God of War. The game had its lovely bloodshed and its 1st glimpse in pixelation boobs! But wait...are those boobs AO worthy? nope. I think, as many others would agree, that those boobs are a piece of art rather than a turn on. Remember, not much clothing back then so there's something to ponder.

So why does the ESRB exist if it always gets game under the "M/AO" gun? I feel that the companies pay the ESRB to overlook certain areas so that they can squeeze in the game. The hot coffee issue comes to mind. How could they pass that by...wouldnt they have seen something if the ESRB does go through the program? I dunno how the process works, but I'm sure its around that radical.

But I feel that it has been a failing company with enforcing these games. The yearly report has seen the card go from a C to like a F now (like most of my college grades lol).

But I'm sure if my game gets looked at, I'm sure it'll get a "M" rating. (Did I mention the use of the word "fuck" and "motherfucker" in San Andreas? Too MUCH cursing for it despite it being in the early 90's...I'm sorry the game should have been AO) .

Check your e-mails PSP Fans!

Because you might just have gotten the new beta version invite for Ratchet and Clank for the PSP. I already completed part 1 of the whole beta invte process and I am looking foward to hear back from Sony in a few days.

It sounds like an awesome game, seeing how R&C never ceased to amuse me, plus its all online! Online battling...fun! The first PSP beta for me was Socom which I discussed about several months ago. I missed a beta after that one, frogot what the game is, but now I got on quickly seeing as the PSP beta games are hot tickets for those who own a PSP.

Zodiak Bringing Sexy Back...

And your damn right!

Nothing really going on in my life. I have attempted to post a few times 2 weeks ago, but as soon as I write either school or work get caught up in the process.

I'll try to get to another monthly flaming thingy up soon about the ESRB...yep them. But for now I will collect my thoughts a little more and some more research when I have free time and I'll be ready.

Anywho, take care!

It Started With an Idea...

And then it esclated into a bigger idea. Since I'm a fan of card games and games in general, I decided to have a go at making my own card game. The 1st one I made was the Resident Evil OCG (which stands for Online Card Game for those ppl playing along at home). It was an on/off project, but I finished it just recently. I am proud of the product that I have made along with the effects of cards and whatnot, I made every card balanced in some way and fitting toward that character.

I tried a Final Fantasy card game, but the idea was nicked a long time ago and there is one FF fan-made card game that is on the web, but there is no deck list yet and rule book.

So I invite you to click the Resident Evil OCG link towards the bottom, sign up for the forums, and help make my game community grow. Becuase once we get the ball rolling on this OCG, the forums will be unlocked for everyone to see and expierence. And of course I'll need some mods as well. Could it be you?

And of course I need the magical thing of Promotion. Word of mouth to get this game across various game boards and to get them interested into the game.

So I ask of you, for those interested in ccgs, to come check it out and be apart of my OCG community and help it grow.

E3 for the East Coast?

Was wondering about this for a long time after the demise of E3 and came to a head on Cory's blog.

The whole idea of having a smaller venue definately gives new beginnings for the east coast, AKA the neglected side of the USA. Having both MSG and JJC (Jacobs Javits Center) as venues for a game convention would be great. Nice open space, maybe a tad big, but still nice to roam around.

Now Eric from Cory's blog said that having it in a Holiday Inn would be a great idea as well and I can't agree even more, especially it being only 20 minutes away! So how boring would it be? Well if I had my way with holding something on the east coast, you'd be sure that I bring to hottest booth babes this side of the east coast along with the usual e3 displays and goodies out to the press so they can ebay the sucker and make some dough.

Well, this is sort of my vision for what I want to do but it will be much more different and much better.

On the Paycheck

Quick post here gang. I love my work, I love working in the backroom away from all the grumpy customers, I love the team in the back and it makes for a fun time.



True story...

Can it BE?

Excuse me while I cry in the corner....

Boom Headshot!

For unknow reasons, I can not get onto Dave Jaffe's blog. Did he take it down? Is he reworking the blog? Or is he coming to Blogger?

But besides that, I can say I have finally found work around where I live so I'll be under the payroll yet again. Working at Target has been so much fun, well the managers there make it fun. Plus, besides wearing snazzy red t-shirts, I get to score big with games and other electronics, (such as GoW2 maybe hmmm lol) so I'm happy that I got the job and will leave this keyboard, even if its only for a day or two.

Anyway, dazed off right before Game Head was coming on, so I'll be watching that episode with some stuff from the new RE movie, so catch ya around.

If I Could Be A Superhero...

Okay folks, I'm sort of into English humor. While searching for Mr. Bean, I come across more Rowan Atkinson humor! He has made a movie with other English actors to recreate Spider-Man. The humor transformed it into Spider-Plant Man.

Part 1
Part 2

Pretty funny parody. At the end of part 2, the reporter says, Fathers 4 Justice which is noted for their members to dress up as superheroes and scaling buildings. Just for those who don't know it. Anywho, some parts are not funny, but for the most part it is a funny parody.

I Hope This Isn't Chris's Blood...

Okay, those who don't know. I rant, I never rant on forums so right here is where I rant away on the game industry despite it being good or bad. Anywho, we are talking about blood loss and more blood!

Back in the days when the arcade was filled with people, I remember playing Mortal Kombat for the 1st time. My father at my side encouraged me to play it, so I popped some quarters in and played. The game back then was the most intense and violent games. The amount of blood coming out was a lot, even I knew that it was all just fake and I was very young!

Back in 96', Resident Evil gave new meaning to blood spillage along with the whole horror thing despite its b-movie cheese (see: Barry Burton's lines). In some regions of the world, I believe they changed the blood to green, which would look wierd coming out of the player's character.

Today's game has even more blood! I can't really think of a game with more blood in it since every game has an equal share of blood. But with next-gen approaching, could we see more realistic blood loss? I hope so, but the cartoonish 300 pints of blood loss will always be my favorite. Hell, even the most realistic game ISN'T realistic in terms of blood. But then, what's too much blood?

I wish to see more realistic blood loss in the future along with other gross scenes, dunno if there was any gross scenes in video games, I mean to the point where you fucking hurl and can smell it through the screen. That's why I try to stay true to the #0 law of games IMO, your on Earth, there's gravity and if it isn't Earth, you can have your flashy DBZ fight scenes (see: Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children....yes it isnt a game I know).

So in all, I wish to stay true to more realistic blood and hell, even more blood and sick ways of killing people (see: God of War). I mean, what's the worse that can happen...the ESRB give your game an "AO". Hell, we need to see a LOT more of those, just a game without limits..full frontal nudity,sex scenes, gross things, drug usage for 5 minutes and a long story with cursing a lot of cursing. Okay, GTA: San Andreas has a shit load of the word "FUCK" but even that game should of had a "AO" rating.

If only the ESRB knew about Hot Coffee....

Apparently Firefox cant see this

Okay gang, for some reason Firefox can't see the template, so it's not that tough for me to view the text and all, but yes. I have another template for those lovely IE users out there. Hopefully, the template maker can get around to making it for FF and Opera. (cause I'm hearing problems with Opera as well).

Cory and crew, hard at work making God of War 2, had recorded some stuff for SpikeTv's GameHead and the episode came on last night! If you missed the episode, they have it up, or will have it up, on their site @ spiketv.com

I would go into a rant on how games need more blood, but for now, I shall summon the all-mighty Mr.T!