“Hip-Hop Gamer” and “Real Talk”

Ok, my blog may not be the pinnacle of game journalism, but I think I have a somewhat objective point of view when it comes to gaming platforms. Each system has merits and pitfalls, good games and bad games, but if there is one thing that I can’t stand is “fanboy-ism.” Check out the Hip-Hop Gamer’s nice article on Valve.

I can’t use 1st hand knowledge about Killzone2 because I don’t own a Playstation 3. However, the reports I have been reading are here and there, some good, some bad. The overall impression that I get is that it has pretty good graphics and good gun play, but doesn’t do much to break boundaries. With that said lets dissect what Mr. Hip-Hop had to say about Valve.

“He refuse to develop games for the PS3 console because of its hard-to-develop-for cell, or so he says. This means we wont be seeing any PS3 port of Left 4 Dead.”

As a PC Games developer, to get the most bang for their buck, sticking with what you know makes creating good games easier.  Gabe Newell understands economics and doesn’t just make games. The PC and 360 use vary similar architecture, making ports very easy. Making PS3 games would require a significant investment of time and money just to learn the technology. Valve uses a Kaizen philosophy with their games, meaning that they continually test and improve their games until they are “done.” I think that Valve would not be able to the quality games that they want to to make if they had to learn the Cell Architecture.

“Valve hasn’t ever made anything close to the quality of killzone 2 this generation on the so called easy-to-develop-for platform labeled Xbox 360.”

First off, Valve is primarily a PC games company. You should be comparing the PC and PS3. Half-Life was released in 1998. It was stunning because of the games narrative(or lack thereof), the interactivity of game (I.E. puzzles). Half-Life 2 again was lauded for its story and use of puzzles, and stunning graphics for the time. Portal was a quirky game that surprised most critics in 2007 with a great story with fairly limited set pieces and unforgettable characters. Not to mention TF2 and Left 4 Dead, oh yeah Counter-Strike the most played online shooter ever. What has Killzone2 done? Look pretty? I guess. Has Killzone 2 redefined any boundaries, does it make you think when you play it? Do you have any sort of epiphany or catharsis when you play? Do you get emotionally attached to any of the characters? Do you do anything more than shoot monsters and take cover?

“Gabe Newell, as a well respected game developer should welcome the challenge, game development is not always going to be easy and you have to work hard at it to get amazing results as shown in Killzone 2”

Again, this is more of a numbers/money “thing” than it is a challenge to make a game for the PS3. The Game Biz is a tough industry, and if you can’t make back your loses from making a PS3 game, you probably shouldn’t make it. As far as Amazing results, what does that entail? A fully working beta game? Pretty graphics? 1.1million pre orders? That is just telling me that Killzone 2 might be the only shooter, or game for that matter, that is worth a damn on the PS3. Maybe I’m not smoking enough chronic to see the “amazing results.”

I don’t want to say that KZ2 is a bad game, but you can’t tell me that it is some how superior to Half-Life2. I am seeing the COD-syndrome here. Lets take something that sells well, lets rehash the same shit, and put it in a new box to sell it. Valve is guilty of that to some extent, but I sure as hell didn’t pay $60 dollars for Episode 2.

If you get a chance, read the nice comments at the end of Mr. Hip-Hop’s article.

Left 4 Dead Update

Looks like Valve went ahead and put out the patch for L4D. Getting rid of some of the annoying shit that was plaguing the PC verision for a while now. Here is a partial list, hit the jump for the full scoop.

Hunter

• Easier to pounce a Survivor who is meleeing
  
• Increased Minimum damage a Hunter pounce does
  

Smoker

• Fixed Smoker tongue tolerance
  
• Smoker now has to be killed or the tongue destroyed for the tongue to break
  
• Survivors cannot bash someone off the tongue until the Survivor being pulled is paralyzed or hanging
  
• Tongue attacks that fail to paralyze or hang a Survivor will use the shorter ability delay timer
  
• Fixed cases where the ability timer was not using the correct time
  
• Fixed case where you could point at a Survivor but not register a tongue hit
  
• Fixed Smoker tongue not targeting and landing properly through PZ ghosts
  
• Smoker tongue does damage every second while dragging paralyzed Survivors
  

Tank

• Bashable objects now appear with a red glow
  
• Tanks hitting a car with an alarm disables the alarm permanently
  
• Tank frustration timer is only reset by hitting Survivors with rocks or fists
  
• Reduced autoshotgun damage against Tanks
  

Witch

• Witch spawns at the same % through the map for both teams
  
• Avoids spawning within a certain % of the tank
  
• Fixed an exploit where the Witch could be woken up and tricked into attacking Survivors

January Goodness

Well, word on the street is that we are going to be getting a L4D game update this week to removes some bugs/exploits from the PC version of the game. We are also awaiting a content update for L4D for both PC and 360 that will be released at the same time. Although due to Live Marketplace rules, Valve is going to have to charge for content via the 360. The DLC will be free as always on the PC.

Not sure if any of you are 1up.com readers, but it looks like the UGO.com network has gobbled up 1up.com from ZiffDavis. Aparrently about 30 employees were booted that day, including Ryan Scott from the "LAN Party/PC podcast" that I really enjoyed listening to.

Crayon Physics is finally a full game. The tech demo that was released a few months back was able to finish the game, and now look for Crayon physics deluxe for purchase. Here is a link to the download via RockPaperShotgun.com

Remeber, we have a ton of good games on the horizon for the upcoming months including StarCraft 2, Dawn of War 2, and Mirror's Edge.

The DRM Conundrum

Well, it seems big GabeN over at Valve has made some waves in recent days talking about his stance on DRM. Gabe always offers some great talking points! Mr. Newell stands with most gamers' saying that DRM is "dumb." He says that the focus should be to add value to a product, not take it away.

All this comes to light as the hotly anticipated GTA 4 launches on the PC. GTA 4, as reported before, uses the controversial SecuROM copy protection software. However, Rockstar has allowed users to have unlimited machine activations so gamers don't have to worry how many times they can uninstall their game.

To me, this all seems kind of rediculous. DRM is something that should be on the forefront of the PC Gaming Aliance's agenda. Something along the lines of what Stardock's Gamer's Bill of Rights looked like. Since the dawn of the platform, PC Gamers have enjoyed backwards compatability (when Windows will allow it) and could play games 10 or more years old. DRM schemes on SPORE and Mass Effect only stymie the consumers ability to use their product.

Why wouldn't a company allow for unlimited installs? If you have online activation it really doesnt matter. I mean, how successful was EA's attempt to control their digital rights? Well, SPORE was on a torrent days before its official North American release. It's not the average consumer EA needs to worry about. Just pulling numbers out of my ass, I'd say that 99.99% of consumers are not taking their copy of "insert game here", cracking the DRM and puting it up on a torrent for people to download. Whoever these people are, get their hands on it before hand. Using draconian DRM only isolates the gaming public, and shows that EA is on a trend to kill the PC as a platform.

I've never had any problems with DRM before. It's never killed my computer disabled a game. I think it's within a developers rights to try to protect their investments, but not when you infringe on a consumers right to use a product/service thats been paid for. There has to be some middle ground both developers and consumers can agree on. I think we will see this relationship grow with independant devs such as Valve, Id Software, Stardock because they only answer to themselves. Bigger firms such as Microsoft and EA have shareholders and bottomlines to worry about. If the consumer is unhappy with a PC game, so be it. You can't return open box PC games to most retail stores. Either way "insert large corporate developer here" gets your money and doesn't have to give it back. I feel that independant devs are more intouch with their player base and usually keep them in mind when creating games, and for the most part are sympathetic to the gripes and complaints of their community.

As for now, Rockstar's use of SecuROM is just fine with me. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Whole Lotta Lovin' (of Game News)

Thanksgiving is over, we've had our fill of turkey and stuffing, so now its time to unload your wallet at your local Best Buy and come home with all these great gifts to save our economy. Well, for me not so much. I'm working. Anyways, there are a lot of things to cover today. Specifically GTA IV and the PC Gaming Alliance.

Well, a good six months after GTA IV for the console'rs was released, the PC folks are hotly anticipating their chance with Niko and Co. Well, maybe after the news drops, PC gamers might think twice. Rockstar games has decided to include SecuROM on their game. This is the same software that pissed off gamers with the launch of Mass Effect and moreso, Spore. With the bad also comes the good. Developers can choose what modules of the SecuROM they want to use with their game, and for GTA IV it looks like its going to be a one time internet activation and a required CD/DVD to play. All in all, its not too intrusive or obnoxious. It still is SecuROM, but at least its not taken to the rediculous extent that EA used in their games. Along with SecuROM, make sure you have room to install Games for Windows Live.

In other news, the PC Gaming Alliance President, Randy Stude was interviewed by PaperRockShotgun. He has some pretty good news as far as the PC platform is concerned. Definately a good read if you are a PC gamer. This tidbit somewhat quells that trembling in my stomach. At least I know that the PCGA is actually doing something rather than just looking for ways to sell hardware. Mr. Stude also said to expect a industry wide "minimum spec" to be released by GDC '09. In related news, Linux binaries have been found with the Left 4 Dead demo. Giving hope that PC Gaming doesn't just mean Windows gaming. I guess WoW on Mac counts too. Again, Valve is the savior of PC Gaming...I swear.

Also, news from Planet Battlefield about our favorite bastard shooter, BF2. Some news on the Battlefield 2 1.50 patch has surfaced. (It seems I was just bitching about that.) Anyways it looks like DICE is trying to implement some security features to prevent douche bags from stat padding and server exploitation. I'm gonna miss Gulf of Oman with Cartillery. HAH! More info as they get near release. Maybe Wired magizine should add the BF2 1.50 patch to their list of vaporware. While they are at it, BF: Heroes too?

Left 4 Dead

Alright. I'm convinced. This game rocks. I think I've played the demo more than 40 times. I'm still not bored of the game. I think I'm calling it Game of the Year. I guess it might be a bit too early to start saying that, but the AI director is pretty sweet. Every game is different, even though you are playing the same level. I wasn't planning on pre-ordering, but holy crap, its pretty amazing.

I wrote Gabe Newell an email the other day. I was just so impressed by the 5 minute video. Well tha game is the same way. I told him that Valve games are not made, they are crafted.

PROs:
-4 player co-op mode for story mode.
-AI Director: Every game is custom tailored to your performance.
-The game immerses you from the start. Dripping with atmosphere.
-Team work is a must. Lone wolfing will get you a hunter on your back or a smoker around your neck.

CONS:
-Demo's interface is too much like the console. I'd much rather have total steam integration for chatting and game finding.
-AI team will take pills and health before letting players get powerups.
-No Melee weapon! (hehe)
-Users cant effectively draw the attention of a tank from a teammate.


I feel really sorry for the zombie panic source mod, because this blows it out of the water. With a 4 player co-op game, the action is focused and you can't neglect your team.

BOOYA! Sorry to be such a fan boy, but I think this game is going to give PC game a good shot in the arm. I think anyone playing FallOut 3 is going to drop what they are doing and head to L4D. However, on the console side, I think the story is a bit different. The console version of L4D is going to have to be toned down so much because the lack of freedom to move and aim. The controler severely limits reaction times. Fighting the rush of zombitos coming at you from behind is going to be difficult when you turn about as fast as a roast duck on a spit. Also, i think that the console market is flooded with shooters constantly. If you got a gaming PC and activly purchased games, you'd save money by sticking with the PC than the 360. 44 dollars vs a 60 dollar price tag. Not to mention, im getting exclusive access to the demo before the douches in 360-land can even touch celophane.

Well, I shouldn't be celebrating untill I'm out of the city, cause I just crossed the street.

"Groovy"

Zombies: Check; Oh and Rainbows Too

Wow! That pretty much sums up my expirience with it. Today Valve posted the 5 minute intro video to Left 4 Dead. If you thought the "TF2 Meet the:" videos were good, this will blow you out of the water. I don't know who is doing the videos for Valve, but they sure as hell know what they are doing. Its a five minute clip, but the action is just nonstop, and to tell you the truth, builds a lot of tension in that short time. I'm really looking forward to the AI director. Random spawns of baddies in a 4-player co-op environment sounds awesome.

A few of us just picked up Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. We saw it on Steam for a meager 20 bucks. Not a bad price for a console port. It uses the Unreal 3 engine. Runs well on my machine even though its a few generations old. The game is less tactical than other R6 games. You don't have to do the mission planning and way points. In the single player mode its already laid out for you. I think its neat to have online Co-op for the single player story mode. You can jump in and jump out of games online. We've been doing quite a bit of terrorist hunting lately. Pings good, even playing with pals 3/4 of the way across the country. R6V2 uses a similar cover system to that of Gears of War. It makes for interesting fire fights, taking cover, making sure you're out of the line of sight. The AI is questionable at times, but for the most part delivers a solid performance. They try to flank you, ambush you and curse you out. "That's pretty good assholes!" For 20 bucks I can't find any qualms. It's crashed to desktop a few times, and there are some minor sound glitches with a machine gun sound sticking. Other than that, check it out!

Grabbag and Potpouri

Well a couple of topics to cover today. I already got my rant out of the way. Time for some gaming news. We are now post-TGS. All kinds of Wii music announcements and Nintendo shit was made public last week. Nothing too spectacular to talk about there unless you like all the import RPGs.

It looks like "Good Old Games" has gone live with a public beta. You can get access to all the cool games of the late 1990's such as MDK and Citizen Kabuto and newer games like Colin McCre Rally 2005. It looks like its a game tap type setup, except no monthly fee, looks like you pay per game. $5-10 is a reasonable price for an older PC game when a NES game is going for $5 dollars on Wii's Virtual Console.

Rumors abound that Legendary Pictures is looking to purchase Epic Games. Epic's Mark Reign is trying to quell the rumors saying that the speculation is all false. This comes on the heals of the public announcement that Legendary and Epic are teaming up for the Gears of War movie. Reports say CliffyB is looking for a "Clive Owen" type to play the lead roll. Interesting.

MMO news out of LucasArts this week. It seems EA and LucasArts are departing on a MMO adventure of the StarWars kind. The Old Republic looking to be the next step from Bioware's Knight of the Old Republic standard RPG released a few years back. Could be good, could be bad, the recent rash of StarWars licenced games have sucked. (I'll make an exception for Lego StarWars.) The MMO space has a lot to chew on with WoW's 10 million users and growing.

Lord of the Rings Online's new expansion "The Mines of Moria" is due out November 18.

Valve's zombie-survival coop game "Left 4 Dead lands Nov. 18 as well. L4D is looking to be the multiplayer game of the year if it can make it on time.

Finally! Little Big Planet? Anyone play this yet? Looks kinda neat.

Battlefield Heroes Redux

Well folks, I seriously think that the ice is starting to thaw in my brain. That strong dislike for DICE for the BF2-shafting and 2142 debockle. This unrest permeated all that DICE and EA could brainstorm. So my first impressions of BF Heroes was that of a lackluster reception. That was before. Now, after seeing this gem on the official site, I see in a different light. Lets roll down to the basics here.

Battlefield Heroes is a free-to-play 3rd person action game from Swedish developer, Digital Illusions CE. This is the latest iteration of the Battlefield Series. Using a cartoon-like art style, similar to TF2, BFH looks to break ground with its free-to-play browser based game play. The game is slated to run on older machines, thus widening the market for gamers. As seen from the video above, character customization is going to be a big part of the game. Character customization and persistent character data are many of the MMO features DICE has incorporated into their shooters to make gaming addicting.

I think what DICE is trying to do here is bring a little levity to the gaming scene. If you have played an online Battlefield game in the last 4 years, you probably know that by the end of the map that the game has degraded into a redneck beer drinking 4x4 rally with jets and tanks. I think DICE wants to capture the best part of the "stunts" and goofing off element to make the game's cartoony graphics to really bring out the action.

What I liked about TF2 is the fact that the characters have life. Each class has a unique personality, and that quirkiness is used to bring a levity to the game while playing. No matter how awesome or shiteous you are playing, a character will always say something that catches you off guard and make you laugh. Online matches turn into cursing 12-year old homophobic racist shout-offs, it would be nice to see a change with a little less seriousness in games.

All in all, I'm most definately wanting to play this game. I mean after all, its free.

The Casualties of War: UPDATED

Well, the newest TF2 update has been released. New maps, some bug fixes, but no new weapons or game play mode. Hmm...what happened. I guess the fun stuff wasnt quite ready for show time. Either way, it will automatically be downloaded when you restart steam if you haven't already.

[UPDATE NEWS]
I've registered a notable difference in play since the update. I have not scientificly proven this, but I can see it with my eyes. Or maybe its just the warm glow of a hulking CRT. Anyone else?
[UPDATE 939pm PST]
A server update casusing chrashes has been released.

TF2 Getting New Game Modes and Unlockable Weapons

Team Fortress 2 has been, to many, a suprise hit (maybe not). However, Valve's commitment to consistant improvement should be the talk of the community (talking to you Digital Illusions C.E.). The announcement made in late January via the PC Gamer blog, sheds some light as to what will be included with the new update due some time around the end of February. Starting with the Medic, Valve will gradually release unlockable "load-outs" after the player has completed a signifigant amount of new achievements. According to the blog, these unlocks will signifigantly change the way that the class is played. Read the blog for more details. Lets just say that these improvements will allow for a variety new techniques to be used in game.

Along with the unlocks, a new game type and 2 new maps will be included. The new game mode that will be similar to a VIP escort map in the original Counter-Strike. In a series of map fragments (ex. dustbowl and hydro), a team must escort a train car to the opposing teams base.

I don't know about you, but I'm foaming at the mouth over this. The possibilites are endless, adding more playability to an already awesome game.

Portal: A Day in the life of a Turret

Home Sweet Home

Well, I'm back in my office at home, doing officely stuff. It's nice to have my LCD back. Anyways, 3meg service is awesome. I'm enjoying my preload of Portal, and I'm planning on playing at midnight. The Orange Box Officially launches tonight at midnight, Steam Rocks! So many things going on today that I'm just super excited. Im very glad I'm back home. The city really spoils people. Conveniences are very...well...convenient.

Team Awesome

Team Fortress 2 is here! Hurrah! A game that I have been waiting for since QuakeWorld went out of style. The game delivers a frenetic power punch of intense action mixed with morbid humor, creating a game atmosphere unlike any before it. The art direction is what most people notice first. The cell-shaded, cartoon feel doesn't let the player become too serious, allowing the game to stay fun, even if you end up on a team who can't navigate their way out of a paper bag.

What makes the game interesting to me is the fact that the game seems so "fresh" even though it is based on a game play model that existed long before the niceties of modern online gaming. It feels very much like the original, where it almost seems they want you to rocket jump and bunny-hop. They have taken away some of the previous features like grenades, but added some like persistent character stats. It seems that Valve has painstakingly crafted a game that is fun to play over and over again. Its very refreshing to see a developer this dedicated to the PC platform, something you don't see a lot of now-a-days. My deal with BF2 and others is that it seems to take an act of God to win a game. You don't have to fight your own team of noobs to win a game. I just feel that in BF2 and 2142 you have to rely on 31 others to actually do something to win a game. I'm not saying that TF2 doesn't require teamwork, but you don't have to fight an uphill battle to be victorious.

Why is this game worth buying? Well let me put it to you simply: It freakin' rocks! Its got a little bit of something for everyone. With 9 varied and unique classes, the player can choose one that fits his/her style of play. If its the fast pace of a the scout class or the slow moving tank called the Heavy Weapons Guy, TF2 allows for a diverse game play style that is sure to suit any gamer.

Here is why I can't stop talking about this game.
1. Replay ability - doesn't get boring or repetitive
2. Fun Factor - Art Direction and silly giblets never lets the game get to serious
3. Graphics - The Source Engine renders nice pictures even on slower machines
4. Game Time - 1 person can make a difference, don't have to wait for your team of
douche-bag snipers to get TKed.