Holy Crap, a new post (E3 Review)

okay, back to posting after a shocking e3 this year. For starters, I'll talk about all 3 press conferences and my gathered opinion.

First off was the Sony conference. Okay, Sony was about 30 minutes late with the presentation since me and my friend Steve were watching it live. We were tempted by the great music from Sony before the conference was about to start. Music from Madonna to Sean Paul....yes we made fun of the music. So the music dies down and Kaz comes out. Holy shit it's KAZ! lol. The games for the PS3, while beautiful, didn't really capture my creative self (seriously...Afrika...). However, a game called Eight Days looks to have some promise on the PS3. Then comes Gran Tourismo HD, meh still no damage on cars but that Grand Canyon level was a jaw-dropper. Next was the new titles from either new developers or existing developers. Then MGS4.....fucking WOW, it looks great, sadily it's Snake's last game. Now I wonder what the future will have in store for the MGS series. After revealing the Wii controller...errr Sony's new non-boomerang controller with moving it around actually moves the vehicle or character....rip off. And its gets better, the price. It's like a 20Gb hard drive PS3 for $499 and a 60Gb hard drive with HD support is $599. I think I'll pass until it comes down to about $299. I will not pay 500 bucks for a system that casual gamers won't be able to access and only the rich or the crazy fanboys will get.

Nintendo press conference is the next day. Miyamoto-San comes out in his duds and uses the Wii controller to conduct the Zelda Band to conduct the main theme. Pretty cool. But it gets cooler. Reggie Fils-Aime, or as we know as Mr.Reggielution, comes out being the kick ass guy that he is and announces the press conference. So after a showing of Red Steel, a FPS game using guns and swords with the Wii controller, Zelda for the Wii comes on the screen, looks amazing...way better than the PS3 graphics IMO. After that, Miyamoto, Reggie, and Satoru Iwata and a lucky winner from an online contest all play a 4 player game of Wii Tennis. Looks like a fun game, but I wonder how it will play. Unfortunately, there was no price during the conference and I'm left wanting this system. I have never been this excited for a Nintendo system since SNES days.

Microsoft rolls on and continues to promote the Xbox360. Peter Moore comes out with that snazzy green shirt and conducts the press conference at the Chinese Theater. A new web cam will be available for the system as with a pretty cool demo of Gears of War...looks intense and bloody...and we all know bloody games = win. But in true Peter Moore fashion, taking off the top of his suit and rolling up the sleeve, the Halo 2 tat is still on him, but what about his other sleeve? Thinking this guy will get ink posioning someday, he rolls up the other sleeve to show GTA4 for the Xbox360, not bad. I am wondering now, where else will Mr. Moore tat up: his chest, his melon, maybe a Mike Tyson tattoo...who knows! Grandmaster Gates comes out and talks about Micro$oft and the 360. But now Windows Vista and the 360 and a cell phone can access the mini games from Xbox Live Arcade. (did I mention a slew of new games for the Xbox Arcade). As we leave the Xbox conference, a short video of Master Chief comes on....oh snap Halo 3.

Well this concludes the e3 Press conferences, the short version.

Taking a Short Break...

Hi all in blogland! I'll be taking a break from making entries for a little while, I'm gearing up for finals which are coming soon and a well needed vacation plus driving lessons (yes, Steph, I finally passed the exam lol...thank god for stop sign questions lol).


Since I already have a PSP, I'll ask you this: So is it good to grab a PSP now? With the announced release of Tekken: Dark Resurrection, the updated arcade version, and the release of a handful of good games, including Metal Gear Ac!d 2, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirrior, Mega Man Powered Up, Daxter, and the (hopefully) release of the PSP version of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, it's a pretty sweet time to go and grab one before the summer hits. Did I mention Dirge of Cerberus, Tomb Raider: Legend (while a port of the PS2 version, it still looks great). Of course, there are many or a few games that didn't come to mind.

Well, it looks like its back to working on homework, I'll catch you around next blog! =)

New Blog!

Well I found this new blog at http://gameproducer.net/

It's an awesome site with a lot to do about the industry. I am glad I have stumbled onto it along this infomation highway. I'm also hoping that there will be a few more that will be leaving comments (if you guys and gals will regester with Blogger) but it's good that you are viewing too and I thank you.

Fortunate for me I am on the beta of an up and comming game so that's pretty much work for me every night. My game script is comng along very well and I have hit a little road block on what to do before entering the final area. I 'm sure I'll brainstorm it out one of these days.

For the ninja, I'm sure you won't see the update on google, I wonder if it has anything to do with the template? Bah, I'll find out one of these days as well.

Hope to see you next blog, until then be happy and spread the love ;)

So this is why I fail the test...

Driving Exam puts 11 questions NOT in the manual.

Okay what kind of BS does New Jersey thinks it can get away with? I'm sure other states don't have these types of questions. Seriously folks...if you are taking a BASIC drivers licence why the hell do you need to know the stopping power of a TRUCK? SERIOUSLY!

Other than the fact of these 11 questions, I aced the test...but I still failed lol! And while I was taking the test, there were these 2 kids, probally from high school, taking the same thing and were having a hard time. And I think the girl to my right was looking at my screen (or looking at how sexy I am...lol) Needless to say, if you study for a test, every answer should be in the book. NJ MVC fails to provide me with all the info needed to pass this fucking thing and start driving.

Acually, this test makes me NOT want to drive in NJ...

Conan Goes to Finland

I don't know how many people watch it but yesterday, which was friday, Conan went on a special trip to Finland to meet the president and look around Finland. It had to be the Greatest episode of Conan ever!

If you can find it online, I highly suggest that you download it and look at the beauty that is Finland. And yes, its here...Spring BREAK! woot! If I do update next week its becuase I will be drunk and ramble on, if not I'll be fine lol.

Hope you have a happy and safe spring break!

Nintendo, 20 years ago

February 25th, for those who didn't know, marks the year 20 for Nintendo's march on North America with its Nintendo Entertainment System. Boy oh boy, I remember the day of playing my NES, sitting down playing Super Mario Brothers 3 while eating an English Muffin that my grandma made. Yum indeed! The only shock is that I never owned Metroid of Zelda, dunno why but I never had them. I had the Mario games (minus 2), Die Hard (which was cool), some Looney Toons games, and a handful of other awesome games that I frogot about. Okay, I never dove into Mike Tyson's Super Punch Out until I was a bit older and had a comp and I loved that game every second of it! And I'm not the one who plays Sport games seeing as they flood the market via "Roster Update" =p

Just think about how much we have accomplished graphic wise in 20 years. Look at the great improvements we have made. But, even as the technology gets more advanced, these games on the NES will still see play, will still be remembered as the start of the industry that was to be. But as long as there is Nintendo and the loyal fanbase, the NES will forever be in gaming history.

Template up, main pic needs updating...

Still going through the updating a such, leaving more links and cool crap. I will put a white border around the pic (ive done so...or started to lol) I'll get to that tommorow. Would love it for some more comments here and there, but if you don't want to comment it's fine with me =)

Crazy day in the lunchroom today, that's all I have to say about today...Fridays are wacky but this day was awesome...I can't really explain it that much. Lets just say...girl on lap, she's poking the hell out of me... I try not to laugh, I tickle her, she goes down. Yeah, one of those stoner things I say, but fun to see her hit the ground laughing. Unfortunately, failing an exam sucks big time plus a test and ANOTHER suprise test...jeez what a day....now for a good ol' American hamburger...

More of the Same

Hi all.

A few weeks ago, I walk into my Gamestop and see what's new that's coming out for any of the systems. I looked around and saw nothing that hit my eye, nothing that said "buy me NOW!" or anything to that extent. So then I went into the used game section and picked up Timesplitters 2 (which I am shocked I didn't buy it at the time) and I am obsessed over the damn game now.

Recently, a game called Black hit the shelves, hyped up everywhere along with coverage on TV, and I go to Gamefaqs and see that people that don't care for the title. Was it because of its poor exciution or its game was stamped by EA? The industry, from my view, has changed since the good ol' days where nothing was rehashed or reused in any case. Mediocre games are the norm today as the industry preps up for the console war of 06 with PS3 rumored to be shipping in Spring and Nintendo's Revolution closer each day. These crappy games that we are getting today just makes me want to save my dough to either spend on cards or just to keep it in the bank and watch it grow via interest.

This is why I'm pulling for the next-gen game developers to come into the industry, create fresh ideas, and to work closely with the developers of the 20th century and make games a little bit more interesting. Where is that next GTA smash that the industry is looking for? Why do we have to pay $50 just to get a game that will ONLY last a few hours? I am postive that people are writing, people are making these games that will last longer than anything on the market. It's just the only problem with that is the majority is probally in college, earning their degree and getting the training required for the field.

Of course there are more questions, but what David Jaffe said is the idea of shorter games for a cheaper cost. For me and my wallet, it would be a great idea to go out there and buy a $30 game that will last you more than a $50 game. On a professional side, this will, in my opinion, cut the cost of production and time on a game's development drastically so I think the company should have more time to work out the bugs and glitches.

With motovation and my friends that are on my side, I will continue to write the good games and I will continue to get into the industry, even if its only taking baby steps before taking that HUGE leap of faith. (And also, I will be changing some things around the blog...hopefully make it more pretty lol).

Gamer Month (or months)

Let me first say hi to all! Secondly, I feel, for me, that there is a few games worth picking up. First would be the new Command and Conquer: The First Decade box. Around $40, this covers EVERY game up until C&C:Generals Zero Hour. All the games are compadable with windows XP and all are very sexy with online being back, this one is staying on my comp for ages!

Metal Gear Solid 3: Substinence or however the hell ya say that. It's MGS3 done right with a 3rd person view, online play, demo theatre. Kojima-San has outdone himself with this one!

Timesplitters 2. Yes an oldie but goodie. If you can find one of these bad boys, get it quick! This, IMO, is the best FPS game on the PS2 to date, well with the exception of Future Perfect. Got this for $20 bucks and it gives me a reason to still play my PS2. Honestly, it takes a long time to unlock everything with gold trophies and there's a ton of challenges and a mapmaker.

Metal Gear Ac!d. A very much overlooked game that combines Metal Gear and cards, gonna have to beat my friend in competition this week. Ac!d 2 will be coming out when MGS3:Substinence comes out. (on or around that date).

And whatever you do, don't play Shadow the Hedgehog...I will make you save your money...seriously.

Also, in this latest issue of OPM, the man Dave Jaffe has a huge article published in there. If you have it, I'm sure you've read it already. If you do not have a copy, go out there and buy one right now!

B2B - Back 2 Blogger

Alright, I'll be updating reguarly on Blogger from now on until MB gets it's images back on. I'll be posting a new entry once I am done with classes today. And let me say one thing, I love my classes this semester so it's all good! (I'll throw in some industry news in here too =) )

I hate college

Okay, now I'm updating if and when I have time, which is a bit of time here and there. I am glad of my courses and my professors (I'm majoring in Business Management) and it's just a great overall expierence. And my school still hasen't reset my password to the school's systems. grr, I need that password or else I'll look bad in fron of the professor.

So I'm playing Mario Kart the other day and I wonder why the hell don't a majority of these games have a wifi/online feature? Yeah you have a select few for the PS2 and PSP, but X-Box has all its games, if not 95% of the library, online. I'm also scared on the fact that the lines of online games and console games are fading, fast! It's becomming JUST like a PC and it really bugs me. But I do like how Sony calls it an Entertainment system now. I am just a simple man missing his old school days of Mario, Metroid and Zelda. However, I'm happy to see that the .hack// series is going online FINALLY after the outpour of the fanbase to do so. Bandai said they didn't want to do one...they lied. I am so glad that they have done this, I just hope it comes out for the PC as well becuase my PS2 isn't online.

Playstation really needs to step up and get more games online than before, especially on the PSP, all I can play is TM and thats it.

And finally, I got 2 links off my goodbye g4tv.com post...those are my 1st two links ^^! Hope to see you around and looking at these posts. I shall see you later all!

I have lost all respect for my friend...

Okay, I said I was gunna write another blog next year, but this came to me as a shock. My 2 friends are getting married. Now yes, everyone has heard of getting married, but wait......one is my age, 19 and one is 18!! Yes, I'm pretty sure you kinda feeling awkward right about now as I am. And wait, it's FUCKING new years eve! WOW how common! So he called up my girl's cell, I just was tring to get around his fucking laugh and what he was tring to say, I didn't congratulate him at ALL and it felt good.

Now, my best friend whom I have known throughout my life has been going out with a friend who knows my g/f (and yes its a guy + girl relationship you sickos lol). for about 2 years now...which indicates a very healthy relationship. My friend hates beer, he's a wine guy, he like to joke around and such, etc. But with being away from friends and such, he now enjoys beer, still jokes around, but he's a hard nut to crack, he thinks he's God (yes...God)...he just doesn't seem to GET IT. Anywho, heard about this today and I totaly disagree with this shit.

I'm not a man of love, well I don't show it, but...wouldn't we have to go through engagement and other crap BEFORE we know marriage is on. All the respect in the world I had for those two have officialy gone down the shitter which is called life. This ain't no Shakespearean age where young kids die by the age of 30. Is it his "true love" has he found his "soul mate"? I highly doubt this, he has the rest of his time on Earth to find other people who are better...I mean 19 years old for cring out loud, average marriage starts around the 25-30 age. Which gets me to another "marriage" by the age of 20 that my friend was talking about. These people loved each other and guess what 3 weeks later, they filed a divorce and never saw each other again.

What I'm tring to say is, it's really not right to marry at such a young age. Okay, so you get the 75 anniversity bullshit..yadayadaya da, but just the fact of starting life on your own after teenage years just sickens me. Did I mention they are STILL both in college? But anywho, they are starting up after college (which is in like a year or 2....i dunno).

Now, my "best" friend wants me to tag along with his future wife and me (possibly my g/f but I think she has somewhere to go) to go somewhere cool. If he calls my cell, which I know he will, I'll tell him straight out that he's not my friend anymore, that I have lost all the respect in the world for doing this (or in this case will do this), and I don't want him to EVER see me again or talk to me UNLESS they divorce or whatever they do.

Sorry if I go crazy at some times, but that's my truth that I was brought up on. I thought I knew him, but he has changed, she has changed and I have lossed my total fuckin respect for both of them. The pit in my stomach grows everytime I think about it. So if he does call up again, I'll be sure to post it up here and get his shocked reaction to his former friend.

On a friendly note, enjoy the last few hours left in the year of 2006 because I will be sleeping through this shit.

its offical...

I'm off my meds...yay! Done with all of them, glad to be back at 98% well because nobody is 100% well. And with the grim news of Working Designs, famous for bringing the Lunar series here, gone down, a new day dawns on the industry. Another sad thing, or great thing IMO, is Howard Stern leaving the public airwaves in a move to Sirius Radio. I will definately listen to the final broadcast...should be a great event of memories!

Well it's also a good day since I am done with my classes for this semester, so I got nothing to do for a month and a half...fuck yeah! I am glad I'm done with this semester of college.

As I looked in my closet just a second ago, I saw my Karate Fighters action figures on the top shelf. I absolutely loved this game! Basically, take 2 fighters, they duke it out and one flys off the pedistal! Some fucking awesome actions figures.. and I'm still looking at garage sales for these things especially the 2 exclusive Ninjas that were mail-order only (with 2 proofs of purchase)

And if your in the mood to grab a RPG for the PSP, take a gander at "The Legend of Heroes" by Bandai. Looks like old school fun on a new school system. Definately check it out this xmas.

So I will leave ya guys and gals with THIS! basically, if you ever wanted to find out where Zodiak came from or how I thought of the name, here's your result...Ghost Rider. And no my occupation IS NOT like his, lol!

Hope to get to write again before xmas or whatever you celebrate, until that day, take care and treat everyone kindly! lol
-Zodiak

IGF Finalists Announced!

Independent Games Festival has announced their finalists. Winners of these game awards will get a cash prize with the grand prize being $20,000.

Check around the site and see the magic of what the small guys can do!


edit: holy shit, the Dreamcast is rumored to be re-released into the market

Medication...ugh!

Hola all! Another day goes by yet again in life. Had a good time last night talking to Littlest Ninja online. Talking about the game industry, journalism, flipping shit, etc. etc. (oh and Vampires too!). We talked, pretty much, all night. She is an awesome person..err Ninja.

Mr. Jaffe now is introducing video to his blog. Yes an in-depth look into the game industry, check it out because I think a lot of people enjoy it! Tell ya the truth, I can't wait for episode 2!

As for our Japanese fans of the X-box360, sales are going slow according to Gamespot. But then again, this is the Japanese market we are talking about, a place where Sony and Nintendo totaly own, so froget buying your X360 on Ebay and focus on gettin' that passport and fly over to Japan! (While your there, be sure to stop by any Sushi place there because if you like Japan, anime and other stuff, you should be able to eat Sushi for gods sake!)
Well, a month or 2 ago, I went with my girlfriend over to a local sushi place. We had a lot to eat and it was all good and let me just say Eels are very good, especially hot.

Sony Pictures has released, or has for a long time, the official Silent Hill movie site. Take a peek there and see a little teaser for it. I think this movie has potential to be good and if it does, give me the director of this movie and make him create more movies of this calibur. Unfortunately for Dead or Alive, the same can't be said...think Charlie's Angels, but with volleyball! God, why can't anyone who is writing these movies do a damn good job....so that is why we had so many remakes and sequals of movies this year eh?

Well, I'm off to medication land, time to get up on these meds.....ugh!

Quick Update

Just a quick update, Dave Jaffe has put up a blog and his rant on how to get into the industry...

Dave Jaffe's New Sexy Blog


enjoy (and look at his stunning hand made pictures on top lol)

Let's look this over...BIG UPDATE

I'm feeling much better today than on Friday, on top of that, I'm taking horse pills to help with my recovery. Nothing too drastic, caught it in time, so lets continue shall we...

Spike's VGA (Video Game Awards) are coming on December 10th. Now, last year, it was really bad and the year before that was too. Now, I've seen the spoilers of who won and the categories, and let me tell you, this year is much better (but they still have those shitty categories where the game that's not out wins). But in any case, it looks to be promising and hey I'm sure I'll watch it because what else is there to do on a Saturday night besides chilling with friends? I'm watching with my girl, I'm watching with food in hand, it'll be a good night just as long as it doesn't snow or anything.

Luckily for me, it's not as bad outside as it should of been. Jersey was gonna get hit with 5 inches of snow, only a dusting fell. whew! I hate the snow. The only way your getting me to like the snow is by me using a sled and having fun on it or a classic snowball fight.

I'm sure people remember that huge snow storm a few years ago (I love the city when it snows). On the subject of the city, I might go there someday before New Years to hang around and shop my hard earned Xmas money away on stuff. Because we all love spending cash on ourselves! =)

"The [Revolution's] controller still has another secret," stated Miyamoto. "But it's something that we'll reveal next year."

Hmm, what else can the Revolution have under its sleeve? Check out the full article here
And yes Miyamoto-San IS left handed....score one for us southpawers!!!! lol!

Finally, I've been watching Mad Money with Jim Cramer. The guy's a total nut, but I like it because he wants to help people make money on the stock market (one game I won't play..too much of a gamble). But every show he does a lightining round where he throws his chair into the wall! Very entertaining show that will hook you in! Mad Money

Well that's it for this big update, hope you stay tuned for more to come...

Sick :(

Argh, I KNEW this was gonna happen! Felt kinda wierd (what's new) yesterday, throat started to bother me, today I'm paying the price, can talk but not much. But it's been going around in my college for some time, my friend had it, she got rid of it and now it's all over the place). But in a way it gives you a wake up call to say...it's winter! It's fucking winter! (God, I miss summer).

So as I sit here with my coughdrops, talking to my girlfriend and thinking of a use for me today. Well, working on my game script, my card game..ah there's some good stuff there! Or I can just cruise the interweb...ugh hate being in here sick. And I have to go to work tommorow (hope I can squeeze out of there!)

ModBlog doth returned!

Hey all!

Seems that MB is back from it's mood swings, so basically what I'll be doing it archiving my old stuff into this blog! Whoop!

Now onto business, I will always love MMORPGs, but they, the industry, is finally getting a Star Trek MMO!

Oh yes, set those phasers to SEXY! :p


Now you can travel the galaxy shouting KHAAN! or do a warp 9. This game will be interesting to see since we have out Star Wars, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, and many other hot titles on the market today. Now I hope that Star Trek doesn't go the way Star Wars did in the beginning. I hope they put every character in the game from TV shows and movies, they would have to at least to appeal to the audience.

Now that has been said and done, I'm gonna go over to MB and put those into here...somehow, I'm sure I'll find the button to do so..


edit: Just a quick tidbit, those interestined in a writing position for BioWare, creators of Star Wars, Kinghts of the Old Republic, they are holding an interview for a writer. I would go, but Canada ain't my way of spending a living. More info can be found here

Bill of Rights...Game Style!

IGDA, which stands for Independant Game Developers Association, has created a interesting thing, a gamer's Bill of Rights...much like the USA's one!

http://www.igda.org/articles/ezimmerman_bill.php

Check it out, I do like it. Hope this does come out very soon...thoughts? ideas?