A series of rantings, commentaries, ventings, and philosophies by Little Socrates. Will (mostly) be about video games.

• 22Dec 09

  A Discussion on the Individuality of Virtual Wives

  The Wall Street Journal wrote an article in 2007 about a man who was more dedicated to his virtual wife in the game "Second Life" than his real wife, who was threatening him with separation. However, the man still claimed "the virtual marriage is only a game." In this case, his virtual wife was a real woman somewhere else in our world, and she took their marriage very seriously.

  Now, in 2009, we have our first widely recognized instance of a marriage between a real person and a truly virtual character; one that isn't an avatar belonging to a human being, but a character designed by the game's developers. Nene Anegasaki is a character in the game Love Plus, and a man only known by his online handle "Sal9000" has married her. Criticisms and ridicule have been fired at him from all over the United States of America, ranging from the obvious ("I'm sure they'll have a very large and healthy family," Technically Incorrect) to the skeptical ("this is most likely little more than the looniest publicity stunt we've seen in some time," Yahoo! Games).

  However, one criticism fired in this week's episode of NoobToob stands out as especially poignant. A viewer pointed out his statement that he was "going to remain faithful" was especially sad because he knew that there was no way Nene could make the same commitment; every time someone else plays Love Plus, Nene will happily fall in love with the person playing the game. This raised the question, "Is your virtual wife a unique entity?" Having done some research on this specific game, it is easier to qualify a claim stating that she is indeed unique.

  Love Plus's main innovation is that the game doesn't end once you've won the girl; while most visual novel dating sims close after the player wins the girl, Love Plus focuses more on what happens after you've won her over. Apparently, the player can "email her, call her via the DS mic, and study together," (VNWiki), and more importantly, the player can set how the girl addresses them, and "over time she changes to match the players' likes and dislikes," (VNWIKI). Thus, with this in mind, it is more feasible that Sal9000 sees Nene as "his Nene," a unique girl who is unlike all the other thousands of copies of her being played throughout Japan.

  The problem with this, of course, is the limits programming could have on this character design, especially on the Nintendo DS. According to VNWiki, Nene only has three personalities; Orange, Green, and Pink, each with two variants as to attitude. While the players' likes and dislikes are liable to be different and therefore lead to her treating them differently, the girl does not in fact change personality outright. Therefore, it is impossible to declare her personality "unique", lending to the argument that she cannot be faithful to him.

  It boils down to a simple argument; are a difference in likes and dislikes enough to differentiate Sal9000's Nene from the thousands of others that have been shipped out? Assuming the event is to be taken seriously and not as a publicity stunt, the answer must be yes. It's hard to believe that by now insults haven't been volleyed toward him, with messages from pranksters along the lines of "I was with your wife last night," and that he hasn't taken them seriously. However, the lack of a follow-up story detailing his divorce from Nene illustrates that he's accepted this. The Nene that other players have been dating are not "his Nene," and therefore don't matter.

  This leads to one more question, raised by Tobin Cozaihr; "If he's on the train and somebody stole his bag with his wife in it, would he buy another copy?," (NoobToob 170). The answer from the church is no; he's married to her by a priest, and so he's married to Nene till death, and until they can prove that she is outright dead (whether it be by virus or a dead cartridge), that specific card's data for Nene would be the girl he is married to. However, it's impossible to say whether or not he can continue with a "reset" of Nene; is it permissible for him to start a new file of Love Plus so long as he remains loyal to Nene? The only response that seems natural is to treat her as an "amnesia patient", but if he restarts the file, does that make it a forced amnesia? If the file is corrupted, does that count as death, or is he allowed to create a new file and "resurrect her" from the dead?

  While it's still hard to believe that Sal9000's wedding is to be taken seriously by the rest of the world, the fact that the commitment even might in the slightest be honest and meaningful makes this discussion interesting, if not necessarily relevant. Sal9000 has had a number of virtual girlfriends before Nene, and it wouldn't be surprising that the pressure implemented from the outside world will cause him to break things off with Nene. However, if this is a publicity stunt, it also makes for an interesting sociological study; the world condemns Sal9000 for his marriage to Nene, and either demonizes the man or declares their pity for his stupidity and loneliness.

  Why is his action necessarily one of destitution or depravity? By performing this outrageous act, he has earned the ire of people worldwide through the Internet, and perhaps that's what he's been seeking all along: the reactions of those to his eccentric action. Perhaps he does it with a bit of a grin, knowing that his marriage should be taken with a grain of salt; maybe he doesn't truly love her, but he does have a strong dedication to the skillfulness displayed in the character's writing. Perhaps it's like Annie Wilkes's obsession with Misery in the Stephen King novel.

  However, whether money or love is the incentive, he is dedicated till death.

  • Posted Dec 22, 2009 8:54 am PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 11Nov 09

  A Thought On How To Improve GameSpot: User Statistics

  I'm currently in a gamer's favorite decision; it's finally time to buy a console from this generation. My brother purchased an Xbox 360 and a PS3, and my family got a collective Wii for Christmas, so I've been able to play as much as I want this generation so far. But next year, I leave for college, and my family's consoles stay here. That would leave me with a PS2, a DS Lite, and a really ghetto four-year-old used PSP with a broken nub and no ability to go online. I currently have about $450, and so I'm deciding between an Xbox 360 and PS3.

  Now, one of the major factors in my decision (along with "which games are exclusive on each console") is "Which multiplatform games are better on which consoles?" Now, in some cases, it's a clear-cut decision (see the image comparisons for Dragon Age: Origins, where the PS3 devours the Xbox 360's washed-out visuals.) However, in others, the decision is harder to make. Are the controls for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare better on the PS3, or on the Xbox 360? Are there significant load time differences? What about the community; how populated is it on each console?

  These differences are what I'm trying to calculate now, and I found it hard to believe that even with a "Games I Own" list for every user on the website, there is not a place on a game's page that lists how many people own the game for each platform it appears on. It could even just be the number of gamers who own the Xbox 360 version for the X360 page, or the number of gamers who own the PS3 version for the PS3 page. It doesn't seem like this would be difficult to illustrate (see the "Users Playing This Game Now" feature on the User Reviews page for any game), and it would provide a larger scope as to what the population for each platform is, especially in the wake of new DLC releases.

  Meanwhile, I very much understand that in many cases, console preference is just that; a matter of preference. However, if there's any significant difference, it should be noted within the review, or even noted when it isn't that noticeable within the review so that we can see that you are comparing the console versions. That would make this sort of decision easier for people like me (who I assume have to be out there somewhere, and are far more prevalent earlier in a generation's life cycle), who sometimes can decide easily which version of a multiplatform game is "better" (or more suited to the player, such as myself with Dead Rising's sequel), but need help on games that they haven't already made themselves familiar with.

  All the same, GameSpot has still been a helpful community website in making my decision, but I just feel like there's a little more that could be done. For the titles that are not easily visible in their difference, I'll be referring to a small council of friends and gamers who can help me finalize my decision. If either of these tools appear in future GameSpot renovations or reviews, I'll be absurdly honored that you took the time to read my review.

  • Posted Nov 11, 2009 8:05 am PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 2Nov 09

  A Beatlemaniac Looks Back on The Beatles: Rock Band

  I've been listening to The Beatles since I was an infant. Along with Disney films and Star Wars, I grew up on the animated film Yellow Submarine, and Abbey Road was the only other album I really enjoyed. Then, after my young childhood, until seventh grade began, I really listened to nothing at all; movies, video games, and books were my hobbies, and music didn't really have a place with me until Jason Mraz released his first album and reintroduced me to the CD player. Then, the only music I listened to was Jason Mraz and The Beatles, and the only three albums by The Beatles I had were the two aforementioned albums and the "1" compilation. I didn't really know anything about any of the above music until much later, I just liked listening to it. Freshman year, my musical tastes blossomed and I started listening to classic rock by some of the best in the business, such as the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, and especially Aerosmith. Over the following three years, I expanded my musical tastes greatly, and consider myself pretty much open to any genre of music, but I'm a real connoisseur when it comes to rock music.

  I held back listening to The Beatles for a while after hearing the announcement of The Beatles: Rock Band. I'd wanted to hold back my rush of Beatlemania until AFTER the game had come out so that I'd be able to enjoy the game and the music to their fullest. Now, I have every album post-Rubber Soul except for Magical Mystery Tour, the "1" compilation, the Red Album, and a copy of With The Beatles. Having been listening to all of this for a month now (I've listened to just about every track except for "Long, Long, Long" and "Hold Me Tight") I'm disappointed with some aspects of the tracklist for the game. I understand why certain decisions were made; they wanted each musical type represented, and it seems to me that they also wanted vocal equality. I'll keep those factors in mind as I analyze the tracklist from musical era to musical era, starting with...

  The Mersey Beat Era

  Tracks:

  "I Saw Her Standing There"-McCartney

  "Boys"-Starr

  "Do You Want To Know A Secret"-Harrison

  "Twist & Shout"-Lennon

  "I Wanna Be Your Man"-Starr

  "I Want To Hold Your Hand"-Lennon (?)

  "Can't Buy Me Love"-McCartney

  "A Hard Day's Night"-Lennon

  "I Feel Fine"-Lennon

  "Eight Days A Week"-McCartney

  "Ticket To Ride"-Lennon

  This is one era where I give them credit on one thing; most of the important singles from this era ARE here, although there certainly are some very notable exceptions ("Love Me Do", "She Loves You", "Help!"). Meanwhile, there are few songs you can fault here, although one stands out to me more than any other. Why on earth is "Boys" on this list? With "Boys" here, Ringo gets more vocal dominance than George, something that's NEVER been true about the band. Plus, the song is a cover, one of two in the game (the other being "Twist & Shout", a song that could NOT be lost), and (sorry to say it), not a very good one. Ringo is already represented during this era with the addition of "I Wanna Be Your Man", so I don't understand why we REALLY need both. Perhaps we could've had one of the above singles: maybe "I'll Follow The Sun": maybe one of the great tracks off "With The Beatles" (see "All My Loving", "It Won't Be Long", or maybe even another cover with "Money"). This is really the most faulty track choice in the game, although this era is pretty well represented. Much better represented, anyways, than...

  The Pre-Psychadelic Era

  Tracks:

  Day Tripper-McCartney

  Drive My Car-McCartney

  I'm Looking Through You-McCartney

  If I Needed Someone-Harrison

  Paperback Writer-McCartney

  Taxman-Harrison

  Yellow Submarine-Starr

  And Your Bird Can Sing-Lennon

  ...what on earth happened here!? Did anyone else notice that McCartney pretty much became the lead singer for The Beatles with their tracklist in this era, and that Harrison stole Lennon's spot as right-hand man? Now, here's the thing; it's very hard to fault most of these songs for their selection. Every McCartney song here is a pure classic, none of which you could've really skipped. However, the same could pretty much be said about most of Lennon's songs from the era, especially Rubber Soul. Day Tripper and Paperback Writer have been requirements since the game was announced, while "I'm Looking Through You" is absolutely gorgeous. As for Harrison, Taxman is one of the harder rock songs in The Beatles' catalog, so I understand its presence. But can someone explain to me why "If I Needed Someone" is there instead of "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" or "In My Life"? Sorry, everybody, it's not THAT good a song, and I almost credit this one to Dhani being so involved in the production.

  Also, gotta throw out there before a bit of bashing, I really wish "We Could Work It Out" was on here. Though sort of simple, it would've been fun still.

  There's only one other song I really can fault in the section, and I hate myself for doing it. We really don't need "Yellow Submarine". I'm thinking it might've been the "give the drunk people something they can all sing together" song (like "Hungry Like The Wolf" in Rock Band 2), but it's just not that good a song. The only other thought that comes to mind is that they decided it was better than "What Goes On" and they wanted a Ringo song for the era, but there are other areas in the game where Ringo has zero songs, so it seems rather silly (especially considering his songs get better after this.) Meanwhile, as for the songs missing, the list pretty much IS the tracklisting for Rubber Soul and Revolver. Big standouts for me are those already mentioned, "Nowhere Man", "You Won't See Me", "Good Day Sunshine", "Love You To" (MAJORLY missing this), and "Doctor Robert." It's a good thing that they're already releasing Rubber Soul as DLC, but if they don't end up releasing Revolver as DLC, I'll be very, very disappointed. I wish they'd expanded this section more, seeing as how it's one of their best, and the same goes for...

  The Psychadelic/Experimental Era

  Tracks:

  -Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-Lennon w/McCartney

  -With A Little Help From My Friends-Starr

  -Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds-Lennon

  -Getting Better-McCartney

  -Good Morning Good Morning-Lennon

  -Hello Goodbye-McCartney

  -I Am The Walrus-Lennon

  -Within You Without You (mixed with Tomorrow Never Knows)-Harrison (and maybe Lennon too).

  -Hey Bulldog-Lennon

  Finally, the vocal balance seems appropriate. Mostly Lennon and McCartney with a track from Harrison and Starr each, we've hit the point where the vocal balance seems appropriate. However, that doesn't mean they've aced it; there's certainly more to be done here, although much will be repaired by the release of Sgt. Pepper's as a full album release. Handpicking songs out of Sgt. Pepper's is like picking presents from under Bill Gates's tree; no matter what, they're gonna be awesome. However, the two they picked just rub me the wrong way. "Getting Better" is a fabulous, fabulous song, but it is dull as dirt on everything but vocals. Meanwhile, "Good Morning Good Morning" is just too weird for this game-I've never played it in a group because everyone's too weirded out by it to even try it. My remaining two picks probably would've gone to "Lovely Rita" and the obvious "A Day In The Life", although I understand why they didn't pick that one (it makes the album THAT much sweeter when we pick it up as DLC.) However, faulting the choices for this era is like yelling at an A+ student for not getting more than 100%. I will say that I'd have liked to see "Penny Lane" or "Strawberry Fields Forever", and the release of "All You Need Is Love" helped too. Again, why this era is shorter than the Mersey Beat section of the game, I'm not sure.

  As for the lonely "Yellow Submarine" track, there were only three more original songs, and it would've been fantastic to have "All Together Now" as the finale.; but it's still doing much better than...

  The White Album

  Tracks:

  -Revolution (single)-Lennon

  -Back In The U.S.S.R.-McCartney

  -Dear Prudence-Lennon

  -While My Guitar Gently Weeps-Harrison

  -Birthday-McCartney

  -Helter Skelter-McCartney

  Seriously? For the biggest selling album by The Beatles, we get FIVE songs? That's LESS than we got off Abbey Road! And while I'll admit that there's not a single track off Abbey Road that wasn't some form of perfect for the game, there are so many good songs on this album that aren't here that it's almost saddening. All five of these songs are fantastic, and they chose the right version of Revolution. When I first looked at the tracks off The White Album, I thought that they'd chosen the "major tracks." Then I started listening to it more.

  Where on earth is "Blackbird"? How about "Martha My Dear"? "Rocky Raccoon"? "I Will"? "Mother Nature's Son"? " Just because these tracks are slower doesn't mean that we don't deserve at least ONE of them! As for the harder rock tracks, how about "Everybody's Got Something To Hide (Except For Me And My Monkey)", "Why Don't We Do It In The Road", or the biggest track missing here, "Happiness Is A Warm Gun?" All of these would be freaking fantastic to play, especially that last one. The worst part is probably the lack of an announcement that they'll be releasing this album as DLC. This album, over even Rubber Soul (which was left drastically bare and only robbed of two of its best), will be sorely missed if it's not released as DLC.

  I also am very much saddened from the absence of the best singles from this era, "Hey Jude" and "Lady Madonna." "Hey Jude" is really the only song other than "All Together Now" that would've satisfied me for the finale, so I'm very disappointed by the choices here.

  I just gotta say, "Happiness is A Warm Gun" really should be on there instead of "Birthday". And "Birthday" is freaking awesome, so I'd probably be fighting for it if it weren't on there. Maybe it could've been on there instead of a track from the next era...

  Abbey Road

  Tracks:

  Come Together-Lennon

  Something-Harrison

  Octopus's Garden-Starr

  I Want You (She's So Heavy)-Lennon

  Here Comes The Sun-Harrison

  The End-McCartney

  In my opinion, this is easily their best album. Every track is literally perfect. And the B-Side medley is pure genius. But their selections? Sort of frustrating. "Come Together" pretty much needed to be in the game, I'll admit that, even if it turned out highly disappointing in comparison to some of the other more fun songs on the game. If it weren't in there, though, frustration would abound most highly from people who were buying the game (Although I think that's probably because every album's opening track (starting with Rubber Soul) was in the game). "Something" is probably the best song on the album (and, in my opinion, might even be the best song by The Beatles), so skipping that is completely absurd, as would be skipping "Here Comes The Sun." These are the two Harrison songs that were requirements from the game's announcement because they're just so damn good. Meanwhile, the same goes for Octopus's Garden, so that we got the good "Ringo composed it" song (and it's surprisingly fun on just about everything except drums.)

  However, the remaining two songs are sort of damning for this era. "The End" is the corny, smartalec response to the question "What's the last song in the game going to be?", although I do appreciate the drum solo for the finale. But without the medley coming before it, "The End" felt sort of underwhelming as a conclusion, especially without my drummer being there. Meanwhile, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" just wasn't as much fun as you would've expected it to be, and grew repetitive fast. I would've gladly dropped "I Want You" for one of the songs from one of the earlier albums. Also, for some reason, they put that in the "Let It Be" section of the game, which makes me wonder why we don't have one more song from the actual album of the...

  Let It Be/Get Back Era

  Tracks:

  -Don't Let Me Down (single)-Lennon

  -Dig A Pony-Lennon

  -I Me Mine-Harrison

  -I've Got A Feeling-McCartney w/Lennon

  -Get Back-McCartney

  Let It Be is a highly underrated album. Trashed at the time of its release for what Phil Spector did with it (frankly, I didn't mind most of what he did with it outside of Across the Universe), trashed now because it's not as good as the previous...five full albums, it's still a fantastic album, and it's only slightly underrepresented here. Playing the game at parties, cries for the song "Let It Be" rings out regularly, so I think they probably should've included that, and my personal opinion for the "needs-to-be-on-here-but-isn't" song is "Two Of Us." I think "Two Of Us" would've been very suitable for the final venue (not the finale), a song of camaraderie that unifies the band during an era where they're pulling away from each other. I personally would've happily traded "I've Got A Feeling" for either of those tracks, as would I with "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Well, that was fun! Overall, I don't know how my tone about the game came out, so I'll repeat here that it's still a fantastic game with a great tracklist. It's just that with The Beatles, sometimes a "great tracklist" just doesn't feel good enough. Meanwhile, there are still small problems with the game I haven't really mentioned (such as the idyllic scenes displaying Ringo drumming for "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "Dear Prudence" even though he'd quit the band during their recording, or the lack of guest musicians Eric Clapton and Billy Preston), but overall, the game was still a fantastic amount of fun and something I'll continue to pull out and play.

  Hopefully, my woes will be fixed by DLC releases; some of them already will be, although I've hoped I've touched on those woes already. Here's where I ask for the audience's opinion. If you think I'm WAY off base on some of these songs, let me know. But if enough people agree with me, maybe we could take it to Harmonix's forums and ask them ourselves why they haven't announced "Hey Jude" yet. Feel free to comment on songs in or out of the game, seeing as how this really is a discussion about The Beatles: Rock Band's track list.

  • Posted Nov 2, 2009 4:27 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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