pill922's GameSpot Friend's Blog Posts pill922's GameSpot Friend's Blog Posts pill922's GameSpot Friend's Blog Posts en-us Copyright (c)1995-2013 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. http://www.gamespot.com 20 Sun, 19 May 2013 22:42:58 -0700 GameSpot pill922's GameSpot Friend's Blog Posts http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/shared/promos/misc/gs_logo.gif http://www.gamespot.com 135 40 Sun, 19 May 2013 08:07:37 -0700 benleslie5 writes: The Box is in another box http://www.gamespot.com/users/benleslie5/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26023737 With Microsoft announcing their new this Tuesday (May 21st) we ask ourselves what's in this box?

mysterybox.png

Most likely they'll announce their new console which is likely the Xbox 720 which I'm guessing which will be the likeliest name or possibly a handheld device maybe. Over the past 10 years Microsoft's Xbox console has done pretty well since 2001 with its launch in the US and then slowly selling more systems across the world soon after in 2002.

Xbox_Console.jpg

Back in 1998 four engineers from Microsofts DirectX, Kevin Bachus, Seamus Blackley, Ted Hase and DirectX team leader Otto Berkes, disassembled some Dell laptop computers to construct a prototype Microsoft Windows-based video game console. They did hope it would compete well with Sonys upcoming Playstation 2 around that time. The original name was going to be called DirectX box but the name was shorten due to many people not likening the name for it and then changed it to Xbox which we all know from today. It was actually the first Microsoft video game console after collaborating with Sega to port Windows CE to port the Sega Dreamcast. Microsoft did delay the console quite a few times during 1999 and 2000 but it made its official release on November 15th 2001 with a solid line up of games in the US including-

  • Halo Combat Evolved
  • Dead or Alive 3
  • Amped
  • Project Gotham Racing
  • Oddworld Munch's Oddysee
  • Fuzion Frenzy

The controller looked a little different from other consoles but they changed the design of the controller soon after 2002 making it feel a little easier to use for playing games. Xbox also let you rip music from CD's and then keeping them saved on your console, meaning that you could play your favourite music while playing games which was actually quite a good idea but that only worked on a selected amount of games. It also played DVD's you put a USB chip in one of the controller ports and then you would be able to watch DVD's with the Xbox remote.

halo-1.jpg

"One of the many reasons, Xbox sold really well over the years"

One of the biggest games that made the Xbox sell really and it was also had online which was called Xbox Live where you could play online with your friends. And one of the biggest sequel launches and over a million players played online which was Halo 2 back in 2004, it may have had a disappointing ending but its multiplayer was the strongest point. Over in Japan it wasn't selling well and wasn't that popular unlike the Playstation 2 but in the US and Europe it was still selling well on its sales.

Xbox360PriceCuts.jpg

During November and December 2005 Microsoft released its second console which was the Xbox 360, still competing with the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii as of from now, the 360 has had some up and down moments on its consoles including its great line up of games like Halo 3 and Call of Duty. But there have been some downhill moments including its Red-Ring of Death and the Xbox Kinect not recognising your voice or moments on a certain amount of games that were released for it. It still had its strong online multiplayer and its DVD/Music which you could still use and a compatibility system which let you play a few Xbox games on a 360 console.

With E3 2013 on its way and of course Microsofts announcement on Tuesday what will be the future for the Xbox? Will it still stay strong with an iron fist or will it slowly go downhill?

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"benleslie5 writes: The Box is in another box" was posted by benleslie5 on Sun, 19 May 2013 08:07:37 -0700
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Fri, 17 May 2013 22:07:29 -0700 JustPlainLucas writes: Let's Pay: Stealing the LPers' Income http://www.gamespot.com/users/JustPlainLucas/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26023558 Content ID matching is a topic that I haven't keep up on, but know it's been around for a while.  Basically, it's something that YouTube does to YouTubers who make income via advertisements on videos that contain content held by copyright owners.  Instead of taking the videos down, they redirect any ad revenue generated away from the content producer and to the copyright holder.  So, anyone who makes a Let's Play video and received income from the ads now loses it to the publisher, provided they claim it.  Nintendo has now laid claims.

http://wiiudaily.com/2013/05/nintendo-lets-play-controversy/

Personally, I feel Let's Players should be left alone.  I don't think copyright law particularly applies to this situation, as I see it differnently than animated music videos or recut films.  For a song artist, they can potentially lose a sale of their song because someone can hear it off of YouTube.  For a movie, someone can watch it off YouTube.  For a game... you can't really play a game off of YouTube.  And honestly, if someone just wants to see the game played without playing, they're still not going to buy the game, regardless if the LPer gets ad revenue or not.

Let's Plays are valuable sources of information.  Not only do they demonstrate a game being played to help out a person struggling through a specific level, but it's also a resource that a consumer can use if they're researching a potential purchase.  Stealing away an LPer's income source for making these videos is akin to charging writers for reviewing their games, or for writing FAQs and strategy guides.

Should Major League Gamers be charged for training on a publisher's video game?  Should a portion of the prize money be allocated to, say, Capcom because someone won a tournament playing Street Fighter X Tekken?  Now, I know what you're thinking.  "No, because they're sponsored." or "No, because it's promotional; they're advertising the game."  Well, Let's Players are also promoting these publishers' games.  The publishers don't have to pay these YouTubers to talk about their games, but instead are stealing their income for doing so.  This is like CBS signing over checks to Square-Enix every time a GameSpot employee talks about Tomb Raider.  

Here's an interesting thought.  Why not Sony charge whoever plays the game that's being shared to them over the PS4?  Why should some guy on the other side of the country be able to play someone else's game for free?  "That's unfair!"  Right, and so is taking ad revenue from LPers, who BOUGHT the game in the first place!  And in case you don't want to read the article I linked, I'll just pluck a quote out of it. 

"Theyre [Let's Plays] a great form of advertising and sadly, the way Nintendo is punishing people for playing their titles is going to do more harm than good, when it comes to exposure for their games. YouTube personalities will be less inclined to make lets play series based on Nintendo games since they get no revenue, which decreases exposure. Word of mouth exposure has always been one of the most premium forms of advertising for games."

Exactly.  The only difference is that these LPers are making a few dollars doing it.  They're taking time out of their day to spend playing YOUR game, which they BOUGHT, and spreading the word.  If you as a publisher are really bothered by that, then how about you pay them instead?  You didn't play the game for them, so how dare you take away what they earned?  

I know this is a grey area, and I can see exactly how copyright law would apply to these situations, but that doesn't mean I think it's right.  I don't like the way it works, and I think it needs to be reformed.  It also sucks for me personally, because I was thinking about doing this in the future.  Now, not so much.  If I really have to agree with this copyright law, then I figure I how about 100 different publishing houses money, because I earn a living shelving their books in my library. 

Bonus Content: Rich's take on Nintendo's claims. 

[ Watch Video ]

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"JustPlainLucas writes: Let's Pay: Stealing the LPers' Income" was posted by JustPlainLucas on Fri, 17 May 2013 22:07:29 -0700
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Fri, 17 May 2013 03:40:45 -0700 kingrich06 writes: 29th Game Completed In 2013 http://www.gamespot.com/users/kingrich06/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26023439 Monsters Love Candy

Rise Of The Guardians (XBox 360)

Hardest and/or Highlight Achievement

Nightmares BewareNightmares Beware Complete all Shadow Stompers missions in each realm.

Completed May 15, 2013

29th Game Completed in 2013

5th Game Completed This Month

262nd XBox 360 Game Completed.

152nd XBox 360 Retail Game Completed.

kingrich06.jpg

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Trueachievements.com ranks this game as my current #182 out of 255 games in terms of getting achievements completed on the 360.

TA Score

1.140

Rise Of The Guardians (XBox 360)

(1000)

Here are my top 10 completed

its listed by trueachievement score , name of game and in brackets actual gamer score

5.153 Game Room (1,000)

2.851 World Series Of Poker 2008 (1,000)

2.620 Outfit (1,000)

2.440 Your Shape Fitness Evolved (1,045)

2.416 Blacksite Area 51 (1,000)

2.400 You're In The Movies (1,000)

2.292 Texas Hold 'Em (200)

2.254 Need For Speed Prostreet (1,000)

2.180 All-Pro Football 2K8 (1,000)

2.163 Race Pro (1,000)

easy but long game

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"kingrich06 writes: 29th Game Completed In 2013" was posted by kingrich06 on Fri, 17 May 2013 03:40:45 -0700
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Sun, 12 May 2013 19:56:46 -0700 dannyodwyer writes: Hello GameSpot US http://www.gamespot.com/users/dannyodwyer/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26022832 Right now I'm sitting in a rented apartment in San Francisco. It's sunny outside, there's baseball on the TV and I'm on a laptop trying my best to sum up what fu7ked up set of events landed me here. I'm also reminding myself of how bad I am at creative writing.

I arrived in San Francisco yesterday where I'm staying for about a month to work alongside the US video team in the run-up to E3. Back in 2005 when I used to stay up until midnight to watch On The Spot, I dreamed of another life where I could work in the GameSpot HQ, and be as good at talking about games as the people inside that 640 x 480 frame. I'm not sure if ever really thought it was a possibility. In fact, I'm sure it was just a pipe dream.

Would you employ this man?
Would you employ this man?

I'm sitting here, thinking about the past five years of work to get here, and the only emotion I have to describe this situation is bafflement. I am fu7king baffled that I am sitting here.

I'm baffled that that super-green, idiot kid managed to get this done. I'm baffled that all those people took a risk with me and gave me opportunities. I'm baffled that my fianc  moved to the UK with me so I could try get a job in the industry, and then allowed me to live in a different country for another two years once I did. I'm baffled that anybody watches my videos at all. That my Irish accent carries, that my opinion of games matters, that my jokes are funny. I'm baffled that my professional heroes, the men and women who inspired me to try this line of work, actually know who the hell I am. And that some of them even like me?!

But the most baffling part is that I'm not even the least bit anxious about tomorrow. I've been waiting years to work with the people inside that building, and sitting here with the baseball on, and the sun outside - it's like some strange version of Christmas Eve. Where on Christmas Day you work like a horse to collaborate with talented people and create amazing videos about video games. I cannot wait.

Before posting this, I just spent a few minutes reading my old blogs and I spotted something. Tomorrow, the first day I walk into that office, is 3 hours shy of being exactly 7 years from my first blog post on GameSpot.

Baffling.

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"dannyodwyer writes: Hello GameSpot US" was posted by dannyodwyer on Sun, 12 May 2013 19:56:46 -0700
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Sun, 12 May 2013 16:04:55 -0700 hart704 writes: What You Missed http://www.gamespot.com/users/hart704/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26022799 Favorite Chrome Extensions
* Much Multiplayer
* Hart & Usagi Podcast #30: Mean Streets of Burnout

Please enjoy the wonders of my kingdom at HartKnight's Archive. Make sure to visit the site to continue enjoying the best no-budget podcast on the Internet, the Hart & Usagi Podcast.

HartKnight's Archive
RSS feed
@HartKnight on Twitter

#HartandUsagiPodcast

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"hart704 writes: What You Missed" was posted by hart704 on Sun, 12 May 2013 16:04:55 -0700
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Sat, 11 May 2013 12:38:48 -0700 Bozanimal writes: Ten Years of Gamespotting http://www.gamespot.com/users/Bozanimal/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26022655 Today marks exactly ten years that I have been a Gamespot registered user. In the time that I have been a member of Gamespot my life has changed. I've gotten married, been through three jobs, three apartments, bought my first house, had three children (triplets, no less), and a vasectomy.

In case 2003 still doesn't sound like it was that long ago, consider that Nintendo's premier platform was the Gamecube, The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker was causing a furor among fans for its cel-shaded graphics, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne was released, and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time single-handedly rebooted the franchise.

zeldaww_0324_screen224.jpg

Zelda: Wind Waker - The amazing graphical prowess of 2003 gaming

A lot of change happens over ten years. The internet didn't really become pevasive on mobile devices until 2010. In fact, I didn't even have a cell phone when I first registered at Gamespot. At the time, therefore, sites like Gamespot were both the primary source of information and news for video game enthusiasts as well as the only real social outlet we had. I registered because Gamespot offered downloads for many PC games, including patches for said games, and a reliable source for downloading was desirable. There were competitors, but every site had its own culture and the heavily moderated Gamespot community ensured that there was a bit more maturity relative to other sites. And no, I'm not saying that the average Gamespotter was mature, just more mature than competing sites.

It wasn't until 2007 I started writing and publishing content to my Gamespot account. I'm not sure why, but I needed an outlet at the time. I had transitioned to a new city, leaving behind familiar surroundings and college friends. It was a bit random at first: Some complaints about Sony here, and a couple humorous blogs there. Then I wrote a blog for consideration by the site Editors for the Gamespot "Soapbox." At the time, this was a much desired emblem, since it was both rare and there were few emblems to be had overall. More importantly, anyone holding the emblem could post directly to the front page of the site simply by categorizing their blog entry as an "Editorial."

SOAPBOX_36250_screen.jpg

I garnered the Soapbox emblem with the Editorial, "I've killed you, and no, I don't feel bad about it." At the time violence and video games were a big topic of conversation, for no particularly good reason. It's still a fun read six years later.

Once I gained the exposure of the Soapbox I started receiving hundreds of views and comments. I started writing in earnest; it was a bit convoluted at first, but eventually I sorted my thoughts into columns of popular topics. I did a "Geek to Chic" series, which were basically tips for nerds not to stand out quite so much. I had a slew of humorous entries, personal finance, and tips on PC building. I tried a "Gamespot Cribs" series, but it never gained traction. An index to some of the better entries follows the end of this blog

There was an elite cadre of user-writers that formed unions around various topics to support blogging to the Soapbox and quality user reviews. I became a moderator for a time at Jody's behest, though that was rescinded after I made a blog entry about a topic deemed a bit too adult for Gamespot (and in retrospect, rightly so). Still, it was without question, Gamespot's peak in terms of user-generated content and participation.

Then Jeff Gerstmann reviewed Kane & Lynch: Dead Men.

gerst9zn.jpg

That singular event resulted in an upheaval of users that rallied behind Gerstmann, relieved from Gamespot due to his critical comments on a game that had been heavily advertised on the site. Gamespot lost many, many great bloggers, union managers, volunteer community managers, and employees after his dismissal, and has never fully recovered.

There were additional missteps from a user standpoint. The launch of Gamespot FUSE to capture and integrate social media with Gamespot was a massive undertaking, but essentially bifurcated the community. You had some users migrating to FUSE, and others that preferred the persistent format of the traditional forums and user blogs. Gamespot abandoned the Soapbox for a time, dropping it from the front page and alienating some of its contributors, most notably GabuEx. Livefyre replaced Gamespots comments system in there somewhere, though this was a good move, in retrospect.

In the past two years Gamespot has made great strides to recapture the magic of 2007. They brought in Synthia Wieres to help Jody Robinson with community management and social media. The Soapbox was rebooted and the staff have interfaced more directly with their community on an ongoing basis. They introduced "Rangers," users that are not moderators so much as site cheerleaders, which has been a very good thing, and which I've been a proud participant. Finally, CBS Interactive picked up Giant Bomb, bringing Jeff Gerstmann and friends back full circle, and reintroducing many old users to their former stomping grounds. I still miss many users, and wrote an homage to said users in 2011 (link), but there have been quite a few great users filling their shoes, as of late.

I've seen friends I've met through Gamespot go on to become hired and subsequently move on from Gamespot, as was the case with Donklejohn. Danny O'Dwyer started off blogging just like yours truly before picking up an actual Gamespot paycheck, and there he's been making entertaining shorts about some of the most random things I've ever seen. It's a far cry from his Bioshock game footage days. It was great to meet several of the staff at PAX East 2012 and put real faces to their digital replicants.

Ar-3SQECMAEUqI2.png

Danny O'Dwyer doing what he does best. I'm just not entirely sure what that is.

It's strange to think of how much time and energy I have allocated to Gamespot in the past decade. Ultimately, though, it has been a rewarding online community filled with wonderful people. I have been frequently absent the past twelve months due to volunteer work, my family, and career monopolizing every free moment of my life, but I do hope to once again contribute to Gamespot in some meaningful way in the coming months.

Thank you, Gamespot staff, for creating a rich and vibrant community. For giving me the opportunity to be heard, to improve your site, and to support its ongoing development. I wish nothing but the best to each and every employee and member over the next ten years.



Index of Editorials
Index of Newbie PC Builder
Index of Personal Finance
Index of Geek to Chic
Index of Advice & Recommendations
Index of Humor

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"Bozanimal writes: Ten Years of Gamespotting" was posted by Bozanimal on Sat, 11 May 2013 12:38:48 -0700
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Fri, 10 May 2013 08:57:46 -0700 gamingqueen writes: A Fitting http://www.gamespot.com/users/gamingqueen/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26022527 By author:

"A Fitting is a Kinect-based art installation that explores the relationship between cultural and personal expectations of body image. The game is an interactive theatrical performance where the player takes the role of a young woman in front of a large mirror, with an audience watching her in its reflection. The audience and the game itself prompts the player to twist, contort and bend his/her body in order to progress. Doing so receives approval from the audience and game, but at the cost of the players discomfort."

Source:

http://www.adittami.com/projects/a-fitting

I came across this while reading an article submitted by the two women who are working on the project on e-feminist.com. The point of the project is to minimize the effect of image conciousness and objectification in popular media, including video games, on girls. 

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"gamingqueen writes: A Fitting" was posted by gamingqueen on Fri, 10 May 2013 08:57:46 -0700
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Fri, 03 May 2013 05:26:51 -0700 pigfish2 writes: Summer at the Movies http://www.gamespot.com/users/pigfish2/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26021724 Hi everyone,

Having seen Iron Man 3 on Wednesday(it was brilliant), I now consider the summer of movies to have begun. When it comes to the cinema I count summer as late April through to September because of how spread out the big films are. Its got me thinking about what films are out this summer and I've realised there are quite a lot I want to see. I thought I'd share the ones I am anticipating with you and hear what you're looking forward to.

I intend to see

  • Star Trek Into Darkness
  • Monsters University
  • Man of Steel
  • Pacific Rim
  • Kick-Ass 2
  • The Wolverine
  • Red 2
  • Elysium
  • Rush
  • The World's End

What films are you looking forward to seeing at the cinema this summer?

Thanks for reading.

Pigfish2

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"pigfish2 writes: Summer at the Movies" was posted by pigfish2 on Fri, 03 May 2013 05:26:51 -0700
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Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:01:11 -0700 edubuccaneer writes: A month from now... http://www.gamespot.com/users/edubuccaneer/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26021306 ... it'll be ten years years since this Gamespot account was made.

Insane.

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"edubuccaneer writes: A month from now..." was posted by edubuccaneer on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:01:11 -0700
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Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:18:01 -0700 tyzwain writes: Risk(y) business http://www.gamespot.com/users/tyzwain/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26020912 RISK_Factions_Logo.jpg

 

 

Risk. It's a board game. I have the board game in my loft (somewhere). So why do I find it better on XBLA?

 

There are a couple of obvious answers, it's far less time to set up, no cheating friends who move pieces when you go to the toilet, and no missing pieces that you find a week after binning it. Apart from that it's the same game I've owned for 10 years. What makes it different?

 

Risk Factions on XBLA offers a poor storyline, with some funny characters and a small campaign mode. But it's online mode where the real fun is. There people quit early, leave games, or take 5 minutes to attack to go toilet.

 

So why do I force myself to play? Is it self-inflicting? Am I the forever optimist? Maybe it's because nobody in real life will play me at Risk, as I tend to win. Whatever the reason, I'm sticking with it...for the mean time.

 

 

 

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"tyzwain writes: Risk(y) business" was posted by tyzwain on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:18:01 -0700
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Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:07:03 -0700 Elk writes: Game and Walk - The Beginning http://www.gamespot.com/users/Elk/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26020616

[ Watch Video ]

Link to Steam group:http://steamcommunity.com/groups/GSFCG

Please leave comments below

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"Elk writes: Game and Walk - The Beginning " was posted by Elk on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:07:03 -0700
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Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:06:14 -0700 TheWesker writes: Oh My God http://www.gamespot.com/users/TheWesker/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26020306 So many games I want to play and I can't DECIDE! AAHHHHH!!!!

Also, my original REAL YouTube is back. http://youtube.com/thewesker

I still post videos there. Boom. Also, I hate when I have a great idea for a blog post but then I forget it. I need to learn to write things down.

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"TheWesker writes: Oh My God" was posted by TheWesker on Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:06:14 -0700
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Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:13:59 -0700 Shame-usBlackley writes: Tough Love http://www.gamespot.com/users/Shame-usBlackley/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26019758 I've always been an outspoken advocate for this hobby. God help the person who blamed society's ills on gaming within my earshot. The person who blames games for everything and sees them as a corruptible influence on kids found no friend or safe quarters with me. I defended the hobby because I knew I was right. I know that in my gut. In my heart. But I also defended it because I loved it. I loved it for all the reasons anyone loves anything. I loved it for all the times it transported me from my boring, mundane (sometimes painful) world to another that I could've only dreamed of taking part in. I loved it because as I grew, it grew with me -- like any great love does. From days as a wide-eyed kid with my Atari, to adoloscence with my Nintendo consoles, to Adulthood  and Sony, the industry aged with me and yet still somehow remained relevant. Over the last few years, however, a dark spot has formed on my love for the hobby, and I fear it will turn malignant if it isn't cut out. 

It's not the games themselves -- I still love sitting down with a game just as much as I did back when I first stuck Defender in my 2600. And I think by and large game developers are just as creative and amazing as they've ever been. I don't think I could ever stop loving this hobby, as I have loved it longer than any other thing in my life. I hear musicians talk about how music made them feel the first time they heard their favorite band, and that's how gaming makes me feel. I hear people talk about the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction they get from climbing a difficult mountain or getting an A in Calculus, and that's how I feel about gaming. Of the problems I am about to speak, love and admiration for the hobby aren't among them. 

However, you can still love something and not like what it's doing. That sums up very much how I feel about where things are going. I see developers shutting doors even after making a game that sells a million copies. Back in the day, they would have been heroes of industry. I hear publishers mentioniong that a game has failed to meet expectations after it sells nearly three and a half million copies in a month, and I wonder who these people are and where they got their expectations from. I see publishers abusing the loyalty of gamers by asking them to buy unreleased, unaccounted for content for nearly half the cost of the game itself, even before it has been released. I have watched the two main players in the industry make proclamations of "10 Year Cycles" all the while refusing to lower the price of overpriced, ancient hardware that is only months away from being replaced. And I have also watched the industry attempt to explain away the sales numbers that have fallen each month for hardware and software. Whether due to bluster or plain self-delusion, they believe that they don't have a problem.

But they do. They really do. 

New rumors of consoles requiring that there be a constant internet connection have surfaced and not been squashed. The insistence on pairing the precision control of a controller with an imprecise motion control mechanism looks set to continue. A recent interview with DICE revealed that one of the companies (Microsoft I would presume) has been trying to bribe them to include Kinect controls in their games. What better illustration of a problem is there than a company trying (and feeling compelled) to bribe game developers to include support for a device that just doesn't work? Sales numbers are going down because the companies have kept the prices so high that the $129 market (which is quite large, by the way) has never turned up to support this generation. Further, people like myself have found their love for the hobby tested by all the microtransactions and season pass asshattery. Can anyone make a compelling case for why you should buy a game on launch day anymore when you can wait a couple of months and pay one third the price and get a bunch of additional content? I tried, and I couldn't. If you can, enlighten me. I'd love to hear it.

Which brings me to the crux of this post: the industry has done the impossible. It has found the place where my disdain for how it is being run has exceeded my love of it, and the last thing I can do -- the only thing I can do to show it how much I love it is to stop supporting its bad habits. My love is about to grow tough. Where it was once unconditional, it will now be very conditional. The relationship is about to become very lopsided in my favor for a change, and brother, that's going to feel pretty good. I have realized that I am strong and that this hobby needs me more than I need it. I purchased over two hundred retail titles this generation, and roughly half that number of downloadable games. Believe you me, I hold the cookies in this relationship, and if I don't start seeing more respect, that money is going to go elsewhere. 

So from now on, I will abide by this simple set of rules:

I will no longer buy games at launch unless the publisher publicly and openly states that there will be no plans for Day One DLC and/or Season Passes. If a game includes those items, I will wait until it is either bargain bin priced ($15 or less sounds about right) where I can buy the extra content for less than the amount they would have gotten from me initially, or until a "Game of the Year" version gets released at a discounted price and with all the additional content. 

I will no longer support any system that emphasizes motion controls. I believe the Wii was a cancer on this hobby largely because it flagrantly disregarded the fact that controls are the single most important aspect to a game. I believe Microsoft has, sadly, gone in the same direction. There is a lot of money in pocket and I want to spend it -- all you have to do is give me what I want. The first and best way to be guaranteed not to get it? By shoving a control mechanism on me that doesn't work.

I will not support any company that demands I connect to the internet to use their device. I am the master of my time. I will be goddamned if anyone is going to tell me how to use it, especially a device that I've paid hundreds of dollars for. 

I will not support any company that implements measures to block used games or intends to tie software to one console. I think it's safe to see why this is such a bad idea after a generation where the North American industry leader had a failure rate of double digits. But it's not just that -- it again goes back to trying to tell me how I can use a device I bought legally. If I want to loan a game to a friend or family member (or conversely, borrow one of theirs), then I should be free to do that. Other industries do just fine with used markets existing, and in many ways, view that as a means of gaining a lifetime customer. Gaming can too. 

I will buy the machine that least resembles a media center and most resembles a game console. This should be self-explanatory, but I don't need Netflix on my console. I have a myriad of other devices for that. And think about that for a minute -- why would a game console manufacturer include all kinds of options that encourage the player to not buy and play games? I want a game console, because that will be the developer's console. 

In closing, I'm not doing this to be a prick. I'm not doing it to make a point. I'm doing it out of love. I feel I owe it to this hobby to not take part in a lot of the dark habits it has taken up. If my money goes towards the good side of gaming (and perhaps other like-minded people too), then perhaps it's not too late to save it. And if it is, at least I can say that I tried. I am afraid of where things are headed. The dark signs are everywhere. Something has to change. We have to go back to the basics of what worked, and let history be our guide. 

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"Shame-usBlackley writes: Tough Love" was posted by Shame-usBlackley on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:13:59 -0700
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Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:24:17 -0700 aaronmullan writes: Composing Mail and Dispersing Blogs http://www.gamespot.com/users/aaronmullan/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26019595 So I haven't blogged in what... four months? WELL IT'S HARD TO BLOG WHEN NOTHING IS HAPPENING. Nothing at all has really happened in the past four months. I'm still wasting away. Still sitting about doing nothing when I have all the free time in the world. I'm still making music with my band and our new EP just came out. The link's below.

I did however write a letter today. Something I don't think I've done since 2003 ish. Before the dawn of the internets anyway. I don't know why I did it, but I did. Who knows if it'll get sent where it's going... that's one thing Email has over normal Mail. You know it's gonna get there.

What's happening with you Gamespotters? I haven't commented in many blogs really, even though I'm here every day. I guess I'll go through a few now. 

Link to the EP

Also, writing is hard.

IT AIN'T NO TYPINGGGG?

I suppose I could link my Twitter too. Be warned as a lot of my tweets are nonsensical. Linktothelank.

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"aaronmullan writes: Composing Mail and Dispersing Blogs" was posted by aaronmullan on Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:24:17 -0700
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Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:33 -0700 shaunmc writes: Here is a picture of Mankey http://www.gamespot.com/users/shaunmc/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26018912 mankey+remake+by+Max+Motta.jpg 

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"shaunmc writes: Here is a picture of Mankey" was posted by shaunmc on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:00:33 -0700
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Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:49:04 -0700 stanhigareda writes: "Booker, are you afraid of God...?" http://www.gamespot.com/users/stanhigareda/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26018903 And that is how this story begins...

After all, I got Bioshock Infinite. If you have been around this blog for enough time, you might understand that Bioshock is among the best games I have ever played. Though the sequel didn't have a great impact on me, it is still an enjoyable experience.

Speaking about Infinite I must say that it has been a long wait, full of dissapointments due delays... but now that I have it, I personally think that it is as good as I expect it. THe story develops right, the graphics are nothing spectacular but the never have to be to make a game great, and battles are really something to consider. Vigors are not as "durable" as plasmids were but they are effiecient.

I will play it during the weekend and let you know my full perception (I just hope I won't finish it during that time, all the good things they say about a great ending might tempt me to do it)

have a great weekend

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"stanhigareda writes: "Booker, are you afraid of God...?"" was posted by stanhigareda on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:49:04 -0700
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Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:28:49 -0700 Jerell_rast writes: Skipped a year http://www.gamespot.com/users/Jerell_rast/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26018161 Awesome huh? So how's everyone doing?

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"Jerell_rast writes: Skipped a year" was posted by Jerell_rast on Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:28:49 -0700
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Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:45:55 -0700 Soulreavercross writes: F*cking game breaking Glitch!...Tomb Raider! http://www.gamespot.com/users/Soulreavercross/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26017425 For 2013 I have completed a few game on the Xbox 360:

DMC: Devil May Cry
Dead Space 3 
Metal Gear Rising 

Tomb Raider was the latest game I've been playing. I was enjoying the game a lot and I do mean A LOT! I haven't enjoyed a third person action game like this in a long time...then all of a sudden bam! I was hit with a f*cking game breaking glitch almost to the end of the game. The glitch hit me at the Chasm Stronghold, where the enemies refused to spawn and I cannot progress. I did quite a bit of searching for a solution and nothing is possible (unless a patch is released). It seemed to affect all console and PC versions of the game. After cursing very loud today and getting in a rage. I am calmly going to toss this game aside and start Crysis 3!...shame this game could have been a firm contender for GOTY 2013 for me

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"Soulreavercross writes: F*cking game breaking Glitch!...Tomb Raider!" was posted by Soulreavercross on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:45:55 -0700
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Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:38:36 -0700 nutcrackr writes: Game impressions for early 2013 http://www.gamespot.com/users/nutcrackr/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-26017381 This will be a shorter blog than last time! Q1 has been fairly busy so far and I've been able to play a few newly released games. Here are my impressions of some 2013 games.

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Dead Space 3 came out in early February and thankfully it is pretty good. It's not quite the atmospheric, tense and well paced experience that both its predecessors managed. But its still an enjoyable game with more action, longer campaign, excellent weapon crafting and co-op. I played the game entirely through with co-op after single player. It introduces some minor changes here and there. Like Carver having visions, or short cut scenes with Clarke and carver. It's very easy to play in co-op and I replayed a some of the chapters many times.

My review of Dead Space 3 (external link)

Awakened just came out, not a bad little DLC although does reuse areas of the main game and doesnt introduce much new. The cult leader fight and last puzzle are fairly good though. It continues the story of Clarke and Carver with quite a bit of dialogue, sadly no Ellie. It's only just over an hour long but good quality. It ends on a big cliffhanger.

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Aliens Colonial Marines is a game I wasn't going to buy. My love for the movie series, especially Aliens, forced my hand. Luckily I got it fairly cheap, because Aliens CM is one of the worst games I've played in a long time. About the only thing I liked about it were the constant references to the movie, Bishop perhaps the standout. Everything else was so below par it would have me shaking my head. Even the shooting is quite poor. It's so disappointing to see an awful game come from an intriguing universe.

Just to give you an example of how bad the game is. One sequence has you unlatching three fuel nozzles from a drop ship on the planet surface. The area is fairly open and of course Aliens come. Once you enter the nozzle animation (press E to unlatch) the aliens will run up behind you and slash at you multiple times. Because you are in the animation you cannot be damaged or killed. So rather than watching your surrounds for aliens and picking a moment to unlatch, you just run to the nozzle and press a button. After you remove each nozzle, you can turn around and see 3 aliens lined up behind you who have been slashing at you.

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Crysis 3 also released in Feb, it took the graphics crown pretty easily. It is simply stunning in places and looks as good in multiplayer. C3 is my least favourite of the series. It's still a decent sci fi shooter, just nothing great or spectacular. I had a lot more problems with AI than before, spawning enemies annoyed me esp with the visor. The bow seems overpowered and other weapons felt imbalanced. There really isnt a good sandbox vehicle experience either. Story wasnt that interesting and it just felt quite underwhelming by the end (aside from graphics). The multiplayer is great fun, as in C2, although I havent played much because I feel like Ive done it all before. Cevat may call it gamer fatigue. I think Crytek could try harder.

My review of Crysis 3 (external link)

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Tomb Raider is a reboot to a franchise I have enjoyed in the past. It changes a lot of things, most notably the combat. It also reduces puzzle and platforming so it's just a fun game to play. There are problems with the survival stuff they introduce early on. More puzzles would have been nice too. Once I ignored the pointless attempts at survival realism, I enjoyed the rest of the game very much. Actually I've been playing more and trying to find all items and having great fun. Love how the game repopulates the area with a few enemies so I can stealth them or just play with the combat. It has certainly brought a fresh new spin to the series while leaving room for improvement.

My review of Tomb Raider on gamespot

Bioshock Infinite in 10 days, looking forward to that! Keep watching the skies!

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"nutcrackr writes: Game impressions for early 2013" was posted by nutcrackr on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 02:38:36 -0700
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