I'll edit this when I can collect some thoughts together.

fin.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 11 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

[ Watch Video ]

I set it to Sinatra's Angel Eyes...creepy...

Take notice of the way the eyes move. The way they dart and twitch. I dare say that not a soul alive could tell that those eye's were not human if you weren't privied to the knowledge already.

The video is more of a recruitment flick then anything else. Quantic Dream seams to be saying "You know that crap you're working on? It doesn't look half as good as this. Come work for us!" Hell if I was a game programmer I'd jump at the chance, but sadly my coding skills are limited to a "Hello World" app I build in java.

Still though dam...I'd move to France to work for them If I got a chance at seeing this game early.

Baguettes and wine for all.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 11 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

I apologize.

I've been taking from this community and not giving back. I read your blogs and watch your videos and have submitted nothing in return except form some random comments here and there. I won't make any excuses; I was wrong. I was wrong to be so selfish. In my haste I never really thought about who I should have been angry at in the first place. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on the community, it should have been directed at C|Net.

As of now all game related postings will be mirrored. It's unfair of me to ask you to visit some external site for the content I produce. Just because I want some of it housed on a neutral space doesn't mean it can't also be here. My other site will still be around, and will still contain blog postings that I believe do not fit with GS' type or attitude.

I was being selfish.

I realise this.

I'm sorry.

fin.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 10 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 2 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Fin.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 8 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

________________________________________________________________

The most interesting portion of the podcast comes at the end where Jeremy Dunham asked Jeff what his plans are for the future. The following is a verbatim transcript of that discussion.

Jeremy: I know everybody wants to know what are you doing next...what's going on?

Jeff: I'm currently talking to some old friends and we're going to see what comes outta that.

Jeff: ...but nothing ready to announce just yet

Jeff: ...but if you want to stay current with me and know what I'm doing when we are ready to start talking jeffgerstmann.net

________________________________________________________________

The plot yet again thickens. "Old friends" could be anybody, but I'm willing to bet Jeff is speaking about 1 or 2 people; specifically Alex and Vince. Alex stated on the Hotspot last night that he won't be going away, and that we will see him around. If you put all these pieces together it seams to fit the mold of what this current rumor is all about.

Suddenly this rumor has not only legs, but a full grown torso.

Back and to the left.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 6 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Apparently "The Dark Knight" had completed shooting and is in post so his death will not affect the movie.

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A of 421 Broome Street in SoHo for an appointment with Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Ledger's bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Ledger unresponsive. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play and said they found pills near his body

The NYPD has officially stated that the pills found next to and around his body were sleeping pills. It is unclear at this time whether or not his death was suicide or an accidental overdose.

More info as it becomes available.....

fin.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 11 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Although it is only a rumor right now I am inclined to belive it. Gerstmann and Navaro were arguably (still is for Alex untill the 24th) Gamespot's most respected and popular editors. Combine their writing skills with Vince Broady's talent on the business side of things and you have the makings of a new Internet juggernaut. Also buried in Sam's article is a remark about an influx of resumes from Gamespot staff. With Gamespot editors attempting to jump ship it would only be natural that some of these departing employees would drop a resume by the offices of Gerstmann and company. The tin foil hat wearer in me predicts a mass exodus of Gamespot talent for a much more respected site.

If this rumor does materialize in to a new web space said site would need to have certain elements nailed down in order to be a success story. First it would need forums, which means coders, and mods. Second a news side would need to be formed, and news should be at a higher priority then it is here at Gamespot. Thirdly a partnership between some video content streaming site would need to be formed. Lastly the editorial staff could use some bulking up. As enthusiastic as Navaro and Gerstmann are about the gaming industry they are not preview writers or game guide creators.

If said site does come to fruition we can also look forward to the GS community leaving in droves.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 19 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

On to gaming. Here's the vlog as promised:

[ Watch Video ]

Since I got the game I've noticed that I have started picking out drumming portions of songs now. I can hear the different beats much better than ever before. I'm thinking about creating a drum tips video from all the stuff I have learned in my research and practice. Let me know if that's something you'd want to see.

I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 2 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Xbox 360 = Returned

After 3 trips to the local Wal-mat and 2 calls to the district manager I secured the return of my broken 360. It's sad that it had to come to this. Had I used the machine for more than 22 days before it crapped out on me I might have had a desire to keep it, but it didn't and I don't. I'm all for letting companies fix their mistakes, but a call to Microsoft informed me that due to current overload in the repair department I would be with out the unit for over 2 months with no compensation for time lost. That is unacceptable. It baffles me how these clearly design flawed units are till on the market. Even after extending the warranty for that particular issue with units so many of you are having other problems. Faulty disc drives, broken hard drives, the stories seam to never to end. These problems are not something that I wish to deal with. I don't need this worry and stress in my life. It' was fun while it lasted, but not fun enough to worry every time the unit was turned on.

__________________________________________________________

In other news:

FOO FIGHTERS!

Last night I attended the single best concert I have ever witnessed. It began with a 30 minute set by Against Me. They were OK. Not necessarily what I would listen to on a regular basis, but decent enough to open a show. More Punk than Rock, but new Punk not old-school. After their set Jimmy Eat World took the stage. Their 40 minute set was a mix of popular songs such as "In the Middle" and "Salt Sweat Sugar". All in all a good performance save for the atrocious lighting used which seamed to be implemented strictly to blind the audience.

At exactly 10pm Foo Fighters took the stage to a nearly sold out Bank Atlantic Center. Opening with a rousing rendition of "The Pretender" followed by "Road to Ruin" and others from their new CD . After thirty minutes Dave Grohl picked up an acoustic guitar and walked the entire legnth of the stage's 100 foot catwalk to the center of the arena where a second stage descended from the rafters. Here on this second stage we were treated to all acoustic versions of "Skin and Bones", "Everlong", and the absolute highlight of the show "My Hero". Imagine if you will 14,000 people singing....no...screaming the lyrics to My Hero all the while being encouraged on by Grohl to be ever louder.

After the thirty minute acoustic set the band ran full steam back to the starting stage to pound out another 30 minutes of hard rock favorites from the band's entire collection including "Monkey Wrench". Once the "final" song was sung the band exited stage left. A minute later the stage's video screen sprang to life displaying images of the band back stage smoking cigarettes through their noses while drinking beer. Quite funny. The encore was another 30 minutes of awesome with "Big Me" and others followed by a ground shaking closer of "Best of you".

Two hours. Two hours of the most solid rock performance I have ever seen. Everything was spot on and the band energy was immense. It was the opening show of the tour, so I'm not sure if they could produce a 2 hour set nightly, but regardless if you are any kind of Foo Fighters fan you absolutely must go see this concert.

_____________________________________________________________

I know I promised a vlog, but my voice is completely shot. I am a gigantic Foo Fighters fan, and when Grohl told the audience to sing as loud as they could I took it as a personal challenge.

I did however buy something game related with the return money, and as soon as I find my voice again I will debut it.

Until then, thanks for reading.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 9 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

22 days....

22 MOTH@$% F@#%@ DAYS.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?

My PS2 is over 6 years old and it still functions like day one. Never, ever, ever will I buy another XBOX. Never, ever, ever will I purchase a Microsoft system. F@#) you M$.

F@#$ you indeed.

Vlog going up later, as words are not a viable medium for my disgust and anger.

@#%&@$^*(^*#%&*(#^&*(#$^*@%^@!$^*#%^&(*$%#$@&

FIN!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 14 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Lets examine the actor(tress) choices.

Lena Headey as Sarah Conner:

In a word: Inadequate.

Lena is a decent enough actress, but does not have the range to play Sarah Conner. She was a poor, poor choice for this series as Sarah Connor is supposed to be a buff take no s*** woman, and Lena looks fragile and unimposing.

VS

Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor:

Take everything I said about Lena and do a 180 degree turn and you get Linda. Firstly, check out her left arm. Notice all that muscle? This woman works out, and a lot at that. Ms. Hamilton is the embodiment of tough as nails. There will never be another actress to step in the role of Sarah Conner that will fill her shoes.

________________________________________________________________

Thomas Dekker as John Connor:

Thomas was a bit player in the first season of Heroes. He didn't do a bad job as "the kid next door" on that show, but the same character seams to have found his was on to Fox with this series. I understand that this is set after the movies time-line wise, but Thomas seams very flippant about almost being murdered on his first day in school. Overall not horrible, yet lacking.

VS

Edward Furlong as John Connor:

The word perfection comes to mind when thinking about Edward in Terminator 2. Mr. Furlong played the part of John exceptionally well. A highly believable miscreant thrown into an impossible situation of acting opposite of Arnie. Nothing but positive things can be said about this performance; nothing at all.

______________________________________________________

Summer Glau as Cameron a.k.a. Terminator:

Finally we come to the worst part about the show, other than the horrible script. Summer has bounced around from show to show, and now lands her-self in the worst possible role in television history. Her performance as a Terminator is laughable at best. When she delivered the famous "come with me if you want to live" line I threw-up in my mouth a little. She is the tiniest girl I have ever seen, and to see her throw around men 3 times her size is the epitome of stupidity. Every "action scene" she is thrown in to further cements her as the worst Terminator ever. Hell even the lady who played a Terminator in the 3rd movie was more convincing, and that's not saying much. It seams that Fox has brought her on the show solely because of her breast, as no less then three times during the pilot did we see her "half boob".

VS

Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator:

Arnold was born to play this character. He's a huge behemoth that you can actually believe is a robot from the future because of his size, and the coldness of his acting. Never displaying any emotion as he hunted down Sarah, or protected John. The roughness he used when protecting John via constantly grabbing him by the jacket and throwing him towards safety highlights his "ones and zeros" attitude. Quite simply, no other actor can capture this role and make it their own. They will always be looked upon as Arnold's replacement.

______________________________________________________

The plot centers around the three taking a time warp to the year 2007(from 1999) on a mission to attack and destroy Skynet. It's a generic story told in the Terminator universe that relies heavily on people already knowing a lot about the Terminator lore, and the plot lines involved. Nothing is really explained about who these people are and why we should care. Luckily for me I do know a metric butt-load about the series, but for anyone new it would be rather difficult to jump right in.

My Prediction: 4 shows then canned.

Besides, there is a far better Terminator series project that is in the works, and this one has (gasp!) a good actor attached.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 21 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Since the early days of video gaming writers have used the interactive medium as a flagship for multiple endings. Usually these story mechanics show themselves half-way though a title with one arbitrary choice deciding which ending you will receive. These ending affecting choices are for the most part black and white, and for all intents and purposes spell out exactly what ending you will get to watch. A simple "save or not" or "kill or let live" choice is an example of this decision practice.

Quite possibly the first instance of a multiple endings in a game is 1986's Bubble Bobble. Different endings were derived depending on how many characters survived to the end. If you beat the game with only one player you get an ending that the game calls "Not the true ending". In order to get the "True Ending" you must beat the game twice with a friend. The actual differences in the endings are minuet. Beating the game with a single player nets you both of the dino girls that have been kidnapped, while a two player run though grants both of the dinos a lady. Surly this game design decision was implemented to extract more quarters out of arcade attendees, but as we all know arcades are dead. There is no instant incentive for the game developer to produce multiple endings for money's sake, so why do they all do it?

Perhaps multiple endings are for marketing. Company "A" can tout that their game has "over 100 hours of game-play". A number resulting from adding up all the play-throughs needed to get every ending possible. Sure 100 hours looks like a long time from the outside, but if you are breaking that up in to five 20 hour chunks the perceived value dwindles. Maybe it's us the gamers. Are we unwilling to buy an RPG with out multiple endings, or a survival horror with a scant one outcome? While these theories are each valid in some form a more convincing conclusion is that video game companies are trapped with-in a design prison of their own making.

Since the inception of our Bubble Bobble friends Bub and Bob game companies have been geared toward the road of many paths. For every game supplying one ending, there are six others with endings so ADD a 10 year old Ritalin junkie would have trouble following them. Each one of these multiple ending titles has a plot deciding action. Did you shoot that monkey? Was the evil prince's life spared? Did you press the buttons fast enough? These are the deciding factors in your electronic tale. And much like the Choose Your Own Adventure books, 4 out of the 5 available endings are garbage.

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 83 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

First Impression:

Pro: Beautifully created environments and character models serve as highlights for the brilliant voice acting of an in-depth story.

Con: Unsatisfiably steep combat learning curve unaided by tutorials and hindered by poor control schemes.

___________________________________________

At about 7 hours in my Shepard is level 20 having just completed the first two missions sending you outside of the first galaxy. The Si-Fi aspect is done up well and is a welcomed departure from the "fantasy worlds" that 95% of all RPGs inhabit. Also, the fact that I have played over 7 hours of a Si-Fi related title and haven't yet to see one Lightsaber makes me extremely happy. There may be numerous similarities to Mass Effect and Star Wars (insert title here) but atleast they had enough since to not make it a complete rip-off. Thirdly, can we please keep all Lightsaber shenanigans in Star Wars games? I know it's a lot to ask, but if you really want to play a Star Wars game I'm sure that Bioware can assist.

My brain has been mush latly. I can seem to put finger to board. The last paragrph was about as much as I could muster with out attempting to break the writing device in a million pecies. So instead of forcing something that just isn't happening, I will share my pre-blog notes.

Mass Effect = Needs better face shooting

Orange Box = Completed

Orange Box video review = 40%

Bioshock Review = 1 paragraph

Writing = Blocked

Words are excrutiang shards of glass puncturing the soles of my feet as I stumble down the road of pain.

See? Driblble, and nothing but!

Watch as I crumble.....

..............................................................

..............................................................................................

Poop joke.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 7 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

[ Watch Video ]

On the subject of videos, today I spent around a hour splicing cables and "Ta Da" I can now capture Xbox 360 footage. Look for 360 footage to peper this page from here until the inevitable RROD.

Now that Orange box is in my hands I can revive a project that I started along time ago. I am planning on doing a mega review of every game in the Orange Box. A review to end all reviews. A 10 minute explosion extravaganza. Since Half-life 2 and episodes 1 & 2 are the same game they will be pushed together in the first 3 minutes. Portal will occupy the space from 3:00 to 6:00 and finally Team Fortress 2. Add in a 1 minute wrap up for good measure

All this coming soon to a blog near you.....

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 10 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Is last year's biggest rumor shaping up to be this year's biggest story? Indeed, but no one can say they didn't expect this to happen. Konami has always shipped non-Sony platform Metal Gear Solid games. The ports would come out around a year later in varying degrees of quality. With work already started on the project it seams that Konami has a head start with the port. Going by the rumor, the Xbox 360 version is slated to be released 12-14 months after the PS3 edition. If EB is accurate on the release date that puts MGS4 in your 360 some time near Q3 of '09.

Even though it is a rumor I am inclined to believe it. The time frames all sound reasonable, although anyone with industry knowledge could have made them up. The source seams pretty confident about the leak, but then again all rumor starters sound like the know what they're talking about, otherwise no on would listen.

In my eyes if this gets confirmed Sony's PS3 dies. Dead in the water, and with no life preservers left it sinks to the bottom of an endless ocean comprised of video gamer's tears. Downward it plummets toward the abyss. Slowly a light shines in the darkness; small at first, but ever growing. Soon this light starts to take shape, as it forms in to a monitor. While the PS3 descends the monitor is brought to life. Displayed on it's screen are the images of it's failure. Of exuberant price points, and exclusives lost it watches as it implodes.

Also, I contend that the 360 version would sell more. First, the installed base is much higher, and second it's a shooter. You know who likes shooters? Xbox 360 owners, that's who. Just take a look at the top 360 games.

Two spots games, two rythem games, and 5 shooters. The PS3 only has 4 shooters.

One could say that this is due to the fact that there are more shooters released on the Xbox 360, but then you would be making my point for me.

Finally, my reason behind this posting is not to incite a system wars debate. If anything lets debate how long it will be until we see the PS4 or the Xbox 540.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 9 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Hello '08, your first quarter looks great!

I've completed Bioshock twice now and loved the entire ride save for the endings. They just seamed like after thoughts. I'm reviewing it, like everyone else in the world, so if you want to read the review it will be posted soon.

Interesting things could be happening really soon regarding some editing I have been doing lately. I spent around 4 hours today editing a video that just might see the light of day. Where it sees this light? Sadly it's a secret for now. I'd rather not play my hand just yet as I'm not 100% sure it is going to happen.

Unfortunately for now I'll have to hold my hand close to my chest.

To everyone I've met this year, and all those I've yet to meet, I truly hope this New Year brings you nothing but joy and happyness.

Live, Love, and Video Games.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 7 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

Bioshock!

I'm....I'm actually playing Bioshock! I've got...some achievements! I'm happy!!! Add me to your friends list!!!!

So the list of games I need to play is as followed:

Bioshock

Orange Box

Assassin's Creed

COD 4

Ace Combat 6

Crackdown

Sadly every single Pro and Elite were sold out at the 5 different Wal-marts I went to. So I picked up an Arcade version until the better versions become available. Wal-mart was unfortunately my only choice in shopping as well over half of the price was on a giftcard. I'm still not entirely sure of the difference between the two different skus save for the Arcade's not having a hard drive. Not having that drive really blows because I can't download the burnout demo. Hopefully xbox 360 stock will replenish in the coming days.

My initial impression is that Bioshock is very, very similar to System Shock 2. The graphics are amazing, but it goes much, much deeper than that. The voice-over log books are great just as they where in SS2. I haven't encountered a Big daddy yet as I only had enough energy to stay up 1 hour last night so I could play. My stress over this purchase had me waking up at 3am yesterday, and with an out of town trip and many hours of driving we returned home at 1am. By 2am the system was set up and I played till 3:10, thus completing my 24 hour stint. It was all worth it; every last second.

Hoping to see your guys and gals online as soon as the better units become available!

In the meantime...

Rapture calls.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 6 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

As I sit here my gut wrenches. See, for a while now I have been saving up some zenny for a new game system. Now, after scrimping and saving, I find my self with a very challenging choice. Do I get Rock Band for the PS2, or a Xbox 360? List time!

______________________________________________________________

Pros:

It's an Xbox 360

Bioshock

Assassin's Creed

Orange Box

Mass Effect

GTA 4

Cons:

It's not Rock Band.

I miss out on a cool experience.

Not enough money to buy a game as well, so I must rent until zenny becomes available.

My girlfriend might hit me....hard.

______________________________________________________________

You hear that? It was my stomach. It hasn't stayed quiet since I learned of the extra cash which could possibly land me a new console. After discussing the decision with the GF it went into overdrive. She really wants to play Rock Band. Lately she had a lot of fun playing Guitar Hero at home, and Rock Band (drums) in a store. The guilt trip trap was sprung before I even knew it was laid. Left and right I was assaulted with "you don't need another game system, you already have one!" and "I always wanted to play drums!". My efforts to explain the difference between a PS2 and the Xbox 360 fell on deaf ears.

Recently she acquired a DS, which she plays religiously. Her Brain Age is a 20, and she rocket speeds most challenges. She has taken over New Super Mario brothers and beats me constantly at the mini-games included. That is where I see her gaming from now until eternity, as the games are low on time involvement and high on portability.

Perhaps the DS was on her mind when the television was turned off tonight, and sleep was eminent. The words "It's OK if you get an Xbox 360" uttered from her mouth. Although, the words were not with out a slight tinge of disappointment.

I shall have to promise big things if I take the road that leads away from rock.

Big things indeed.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 8 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot

American Gladiators.

If you know not of what I speak, please depart this blog hastily, for the next words will be a tribute to the single best game show ever invented.

The year was 1989, a young boy sat in front of his television set for what was sure to be a life altering broadcast. Late on the evening of September 16 this juvenile boy watched in awe as seemingly normal men a women challenged the gods.

As a boy this author was quite impressionable, and the American Gladiators left a large impression. The real beauty of the show wasn't the gladiators them-self's. No, the true genius was that any "John Doe" could take on these beast of man-kind in games of speed and skill. There were certain events where the gladiator's overpowering strength gave them a distinct advantage, but most of the events attempted to level the playing field enough so that the challenger's weight disadvantage was minimized.

Take the ever popular hamster ball game dubbed Atlusphere for instance. Overbearing strength was a non factor in this game. What truly affected a challenger's individual success was speed; something that most gladiator's lacked. Even the mono a mono bouts of Joust, while seemingly all about power, was more about finesse. Many a gladiator where toppled with quick dodging and jabbing routines. Their rippling muscles where a force to be reckoned with if blows connected, but if not, gladiators could fast become off balance due to over swinging. Perhaps the best example of the speed over power games was Assault. Assault pitted a challenger against a platform risen, tennis ball gun firing gladiator. The contestants goal was to hit a target above the gladiator with a projectile weapon. The challenger would scamper from cover to cover, ever advancing toward better and more accurate weapons until he or she hit their target, or was pegged by a tennis ball. Speed and accuracy where kings of this game.

Sure there were the events that stacked the odds for the gladiators. Events like Breakthrough & Conquer which combined football and greco roman wrestling were undoubtedly there to show you how powerful the men and women gladiators where. But for every strength heavy event like Powerball there was a finesse game like Hang Tough. The way this balance was stricken truly made the home viewer feel like even they could step in to this game. The balance allowed growing children to dream of defeating Laser and Tower.

This early ninety's phenomenon leaked out into the video game world as well. There were NES and SNES games released with the likenesses of the Gladiatorian events. Both games where lackluster in exection, but still contained the events that made the show a success.

January 6th, 2008 will usher in a new era of American Gladiators. Along with the new hosts Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali come new events such as Hit & Run and Earthquake. This revival of the best game show to ever grace television has enthused me with cautious optimism. Perhaps if the show is a rousing success a new video game could come to fruition. Imagine if you will a HD version of Joust and Atlusphere. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.

Hopefully the new cast can recapture a moment in time that seamed all but lost.

Fin!

Read and Post Comments (There are currently 6 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot