Thursday, March 11, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
2010 Games That Im Rooting For.
We're only in the first quarter of the year and I'm excited out of my pants for this years lineup of title heading to a console near u soon. With that said, there's 3 three particular titles that I wanna speak on in this blog, u know them, u luv them, they r, God of War 3, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep and Nier.
Getting Into It.
To start off, let's get in sum Nier. This game has been in development for sum time, leaking shots out ever since last year. What has me excited the most about this title is that Square Enix is backing the developer of the game, Cavia. Many of u should know who square enix is, the rpg king matched by no other, anywho, the protagonist of said game is on a quest to save his daughter, who has contracted a virus, set in the year 2049. A deadly disease begins killing off massive segments of the populace, forcing doctors to release an experimental cure. Can u guess what happens after that? Basically what u might expect, the cure doesn't work but not only does it not work, it backfires and starts mutating ppl into ghostly monsters called Shades, the virus is dubbed the Black Scrawl virus. Thus enter Nier, a man who's daughter has been infected with the early iteration of the virus. In all honesty, this game reminds me of a darker Final Fantasy/Lost Odessy hybrid, but with many familiar rpg traits. Saying Nier is in the same vein as Demon Souls when it comes to combat may not be an understatement, combat appears to be fast, bloody and unapologetic with curse words to boost. Expect NPCs to join ur travels as u pursue ur daughters cure, relying on magic, physical attacks and upgradable weapons. This title is slated for a spring release and all an all honesty, I'm happy to see new blood being transfused into Square, that'll be for both PS3 and 360 console on release.
You know Kingdom Hearts don't you? Of course u do, what manner of question is this! Good, because Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is heading to a PSP near u soon. As in summertime soon. So yea the latest chapter the series has players taking on the role of either Ventus, Aqua or Terra with each character having their own campaign through the story. But waulit, who the heck r these losers? Well if u have played Kingdom Hearts 2 then u may recognize them as the 3 knights at the end of the secret movie. who did battle with master Xehanort. Confused? Don't be be, this title takes place a good decade before the first Kingdom Hearts. To get u up to speed, these three, Terra, Ventus and Square, are apprentices under master Xehanort and master Eraqus. The story sees an exam taking place with Terra and Aqua to appoint them as masters. Master Xehanort sneakily coerced some dark tendancies from Terra. Because of this, Terra is denied master status, Aqua passes, resentment ensues. The adventure picks up with master Eraqus giving Terra a task to help his evil tendencies by sending him on a mission to stop a new threat called the Unversed and track down Xehanort. There r multiplayer factors present but not confirmed, many new features and possibly sum much needed baclstory to these three as well know their apparent end. Bring it to a close Square!!
Lastly there's God of War 3, the best for last I mean. This freakin game owns soooo hard. It's huge, its epic, its Kratos! Nuff said.
Final Thoughts: This is only the first quarter and this is only the first slew of awesome titles due out. I cant wait. Can u? What r. u most excited about in gaming for 2010?
Getting Into It.
To start off, let's get in sum Nier. This game has been in development for sum time, leaking shots out ever since last year. What has me excited the most about this title is that Square Enix is backing the developer of the game, Cavia. Many of u should know who square enix is, the rpg king matched by no other, anywho, the protagonist of said game is on a quest to save his daughter, who has contracted a virus, set in the year 2049. A deadly disease begins killing off massive segments of the populace, forcing doctors to release an experimental cure. Can u guess what happens after that? Basically what u might expect, the cure doesn't work but not only does it not work, it backfires and starts mutating ppl into ghostly monsters called Shades, the virus is dubbed the Black Scrawl virus. Thus enter Nier, a man who's daughter has been infected with the early iteration of the virus. In all honesty, this game reminds me of a darker Final Fantasy/Lost Odessy hybrid, but with many familiar rpg traits. Saying Nier is in the same vein as Demon Souls when it comes to combat may not be an understatement, combat appears to be fast, bloody and unapologetic with curse words to boost. Expect NPCs to join ur travels as u pursue ur daughters cure, relying on magic, physical attacks and upgradable weapons. This title is slated for a spring release and all an all honesty, I'm happy to see new blood being transfused into Square, that'll be for both PS3 and 360 console on release.
You know Kingdom Hearts don't you? Of course u do, what manner of question is this! Good, because Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is heading to a PSP near u soon. As in summertime soon. So yea the latest chapter the series has players taking on the role of either Ventus, Aqua or Terra with each character having their own campaign through the story. But waulit, who the heck r these losers? Well if u have played Kingdom Hearts 2 then u may recognize them as the 3 knights at the end of the secret movie. who did battle with master Xehanort. Confused? Don't be be, this title takes place a good decade before the first Kingdom Hearts. To get u up to speed, these three, Terra, Ventus and Square, are apprentices under master Xehanort and master Eraqus. The story sees an exam taking place with Terra and Aqua to appoint them as masters. Master Xehanort sneakily coerced some dark tendancies from Terra. Because of this, Terra is denied master status, Aqua passes, resentment ensues. The adventure picks up with master Eraqus giving Terra a task to help his evil tendencies by sending him on a mission to stop a new threat called the Unversed and track down Xehanort. There r multiplayer factors present but not confirmed, many new features and possibly sum much needed baclstory to these three as well know their apparent end. Bring it to a close Square!!
Lastly there's God of War 3, the best for last I mean. This freakin game owns soooo hard. It's huge, its epic, its Kratos! Nuff said.
Final Thoughts: This is only the first quarter and this is only the first slew of awesome titles due out. I cant wait. Can u? What r. u most excited about in gaming for 2010?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Whats happening with EA?
Sweet watered down perfume!!! It seems this economy is effecting anyone who's income is under $100,000,000, even the uber big companies like EA r feeling the sting of economic essence. Recently published in a mag that I personally follow, GameInformer, the mega company has had to make sum tough calls this year, and a major decision taking place from now through to next April. According to the article, the company say it will lay off 1500 employees by April of next year (a reported 17% of the payroll), including the closure of several facilities, according to EA CEO John Riccitello.
No matter how u slice that, that's a lot of ppl losing their jobs, designers, programmers, artist. The company is a bit disturbed by its year over year revenues and with these layoffs and closures, they hope to save about $100,000,000 annually. The closure of Saboteur developer Pandemic Studios highlights company wide cuts reportedly affecting developers throughout the internal EA system, including Mythic Entertainment(Warhammer Online), EA Tiburon(Maddened NFL), EA Black Box(Skate), Visceral Games(Dante's Inferno) and more. And as if that wasn't enough, u can guess that quite a few projects r being given the axed. And I don't mean to smell good either.
Over a dozen project got cut, and anything that doesn't add up to being a very high profit contributor and unit seller from this point forward will get the same treatment. But don't fret Medal of honor fans, its still in production. Bare in mind that this isn't first time that EA has had to hemorrhage itself to save itself. Back in 2009 after the release of the November BPS retail numbers, the company did it again, Mirrors Edge and Need for Speed Underground underperformed and were singled out amid a 10% cut in the global workforce, they closed 9 studios and several unannounced projects never saw the light of day.
Final Thought:
It's always a sad day when sumone has to lose their job because of money, when money was apart of the reason they were working from the start. Were does one programmer or character go or even start again after a layoff, being so happy in a prominent company as EA, would they even want to? What do u think?
No matter how u slice that, that's a lot of ppl losing their jobs, designers, programmers, artist. The company is a bit disturbed by its year over year revenues and with these layoffs and closures, they hope to save about $100,000,000 annually. The closure of Saboteur developer Pandemic Studios highlights company wide cuts reportedly affecting developers throughout the internal EA system, including Mythic Entertainment(Warhammer Online), EA Tiburon(Maddened NFL), EA Black Box(Skate), Visceral Games(Dante's Inferno) and more. And as if that wasn't enough, u can guess that quite a few projects r being given the axed. And I don't mean to smell good either.
Over a dozen project got cut, and anything that doesn't add up to being a very high profit contributor and unit seller from this point forward will get the same treatment. But don't fret Medal of honor fans, its still in production. Bare in mind that this isn't first time that EA has had to hemorrhage itself to save itself. Back in 2009 after the release of the November BPS retail numbers, the company did it again, Mirrors Edge and Need for Speed Underground underperformed and were singled out amid a 10% cut in the global workforce, they closed 9 studios and several unannounced projects never saw the light of day.
Final Thought:
It's always a sad day when sumone has to lose their job because of money, when money was apart of the reason they were working from the start. Were does one programmer or character go or even start again after a layoff, being so happy in a prominent company as EA, would they even want to? What do u think?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Most Influential Games of My Time.
Ah memory lane, a quant little place I like to visit whenever I eat nachos and cola, a place filled with good and bad times, loves and losses, countless hours spent trying to beat Dr. Robotnik or the four armed Goro and much more. My case this run through is one that touches on the good times, which revolves around video games, no surprise there. Today I want to list the most influential games that have ever been that have made me the gamer I am today. It took a lot of strolling down memory lane to bring back to memory all the great games I've played and all the glory that was held from the stories that came with them. This list is not in any order by the way, its just a collection of titles.
THE LIST
1.Number uno goes to a game that I used to say that I'd never play. A game that, to me at the time, seemed stupid, redundant. Before I was exposed to a Final Fantasy, I was exposed to the long enduring Pokemon Blue. The GameBoy was as beasty then as it still is today, and it's collection of Pokemon titles has mated and spawned iteration after iteration. But for me, Pokemon Blue set the tone for me to grow attached to rpg's for years to come. The collecting, not just of the Pokemon, but of the items, the journey through the world set on a little 2" x 2.5" screen, the badges, the collecting of all 8 was a sure sign in link up battles that u were a force to be wreckoned with. Try to to see it from a 14 years pov, there was a certain prestige to saying u had all eight badges when it came time to rumble against anyone who had link cables a GameBoy and a copy of blue or red. I miss that.
2.There once was title that came out maaany years ago called The Toxic Avengers, OMG this game was ree diiq you lus. But it was fun ridiculous. Beating mutated enemies as a mutated freak itself using everything from mole to projectiles was bananas at the time, but it translated the combat well for a side scroller.
3.Do you remember True Lies the game? I do. I loved that game so much as a kid. The sales of it may not have helped it but I as happy I got it. The Guvanator was only part of the reason I wanted my mother to buy it for me. The gameplay, while semi-top down, was awesome. Running through a dinner banquet, skiing in the snow, and shooting goons as u go. With a diverse array of weaponry that turned enemies into bloody puddles of "Dang u just got shot the heck up", Its a classic to me still, and the ending is still as corny as it is great, the whole "your fired" shtik just makes me wanna talk in my AhNold voice from this blog on, I think I will.
4.MOOORRTALL KOOOMBAAAT! As if u didn't know this was coming up next or in the near numbers. I'm talking about the one game that revolutionized fighting games as we know it. Sum would say that's debatable, and i agree, it is, but Mortal Kombat itself changed the whole presentation of fighting in a game with its unheard of violence packed uppercuts, its spearheaded throat puncturing, heart ripping, Reptile finding shenanegans. I miss the days of arcady goodness as crowds from all around flooded these wallet killing courtyards testing their might and testing there girlfriends patience. It was a game that spawned a legion of followers that, even as Midway is no more, still love this franchise. I should know, I am one of them.
5.Gram Turismo..... Nuff said. I mean really do I need to add more gas to this already bloated beast of simulated goodness? For anyone who's ever had a PS, a PS2 or even a PS3 and has never heard it or played this game or its series for that matter, let me tell u that your missing out on a gem. A series that was usually felt to be just a little too serious for the casual gamer, Gran Turismo is deserving of a look and play for all. The shear number of cars, the customizing, the competition that the CPU gives players is rivaled by few today.
6.Where's a good plumber when u need one huh? Call Nintendo, they got the right guy for all ur interdimensional goomba and koopa outbreaks. With the game that pushed me off that ledge into the sea of gaming as I know it. Nothing was better than running 2D jumping, stomping, flashing bright colors and offing king koopa at the end to get the girl. To bad the movie made me stop playing mario games for like 10 years after.
7.Let me end this list right with "THE" game that solidified my desire to game everyday for the rest of my natural life is...... Want for it........"cue Jenova theme music", Final Fantasy 7. This game is the epitome of awesome and a time burner, even 13 years later today. The adventure of Cloud Strife and gang is perhaps the most relevant in the entire series. Maybe its the spikey hair, the giant broadsword, the dilussion of being someone else and losing who you are. The tale of a powerful supersoldier turned maniacal powerful supersoldier who is at constant odds with a grunt who is taking on the mantle of another real supersoldier, thus begins a cult classic adored for generations.
Final Thoughts:
I know my list is short, and believe me it was easy to condense. Number 7 was tied between FF7 and Metal Gear Solid. Needless to say however this 7 is the sole reason I play games to this day, I am a gamer of the past 20 years and I've played more than I've listed, but I stick to these as the fuel for burning desire to game. A LOT. Who knows, I may end up posting the rest later in another blog, till then, smell my list and tell me yours.
THE LIST
1.Number uno goes to a game that I used to say that I'd never play. A game that, to me at the time, seemed stupid, redundant. Before I was exposed to a Final Fantasy, I was exposed to the long enduring Pokemon Blue. The GameBoy was as beasty then as it still is today, and it's collection of Pokemon titles has mated and spawned iteration after iteration. But for me, Pokemon Blue set the tone for me to grow attached to rpg's for years to come. The collecting, not just of the Pokemon, but of the items, the journey through the world set on a little 2" x 2.5" screen, the badges, the collecting of all 8 was a sure sign in link up battles that u were a force to be wreckoned with. Try to to see it from a 14 years pov, there was a certain prestige to saying u had all eight badges when it came time to rumble against anyone who had link cables a GameBoy and a copy of blue or red. I miss that.
2.There once was title that came out maaany years ago called The Toxic Avengers, OMG this game was ree diiq you lus. But it was fun ridiculous. Beating mutated enemies as a mutated freak itself using everything from mole to projectiles was bananas at the time, but it translated the combat well for a side scroller.
3.Do you remember True Lies the game? I do. I loved that game so much as a kid. The sales of it may not have helped it but I as happy I got it. The Guvanator was only part of the reason I wanted my mother to buy it for me. The gameplay, while semi-top down, was awesome. Running through a dinner banquet, skiing in the snow, and shooting goons as u go. With a diverse array of weaponry that turned enemies into bloody puddles of "Dang u just got shot the heck up", Its a classic to me still, and the ending is still as corny as it is great, the whole "your fired" shtik just makes me wanna talk in my AhNold voice from this blog on, I think I will.
4.MOOORRTALL KOOOMBAAAT! As if u didn't know this was coming up next or in the near numbers. I'm talking about the one game that revolutionized fighting games as we know it. Sum would say that's debatable, and i agree, it is, but Mortal Kombat itself changed the whole presentation of fighting in a game with its unheard of violence packed uppercuts, its spearheaded throat puncturing, heart ripping, Reptile finding shenanegans. I miss the days of arcady goodness as crowds from all around flooded these wallet killing courtyards testing their might and testing there girlfriends patience. It was a game that spawned a legion of followers that, even as Midway is no more, still love this franchise. I should know, I am one of them.
5.Gram Turismo..... Nuff said. I mean really do I need to add more gas to this already bloated beast of simulated goodness? For anyone who's ever had a PS, a PS2 or even a PS3 and has never heard it or played this game or its series for that matter, let me tell u that your missing out on a gem. A series that was usually felt to be just a little too serious for the casual gamer, Gran Turismo is deserving of a look and play for all. The shear number of cars, the customizing, the competition that the CPU gives players is rivaled by few today.
6.Where's a good plumber when u need one huh? Call Nintendo, they got the right guy for all ur interdimensional goomba and koopa outbreaks. With the game that pushed me off that ledge into the sea of gaming as I know it. Nothing was better than running 2D jumping, stomping, flashing bright colors and offing king koopa at the end to get the girl. To bad the movie made me stop playing mario games for like 10 years after.
7.Let me end this list right with "THE" game that solidified my desire to game everyday for the rest of my natural life is...... Want for it........"cue Jenova theme music", Final Fantasy 7. This game is the epitome of awesome and a time burner, even 13 years later today. The adventure of Cloud Strife and gang is perhaps the most relevant in the entire series. Maybe its the spikey hair, the giant broadsword, the dilussion of being someone else and losing who you are. The tale of a powerful supersoldier turned maniacal powerful supersoldier who is at constant odds with a grunt who is taking on the mantle of another real supersoldier, thus begins a cult classic adored for generations.
Final Thoughts:
I know my list is short, and believe me it was easy to condense. Number 7 was tied between FF7 and Metal Gear Solid. Needless to say however this 7 is the sole reason I play games to this day, I am a gamer of the past 20 years and I've played more than I've listed, but I stick to these as the fuel for burning desire to game. A LOT. Who knows, I may end up posting the rest later in another blog, till then, smell my list and tell me yours.
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