I’m excited about this one.  “Beyond Good and Evil” was a very good title that deserved a sequel unlike a “Killzone.”  I guess the people won round one.

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Joel “The illmatic” loves his downloadable content but I’m not sure Downloadable content loves me nowadays.  Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have their versions of downloadable content and all of the current generation consoles have lost their way. 

I am starting to have issues with the marriage of downloadable content and micro-transactions.  For instance, a friend told me that my favorite game will deliver downloadable content this week-end. Friday night I checked the content on XBOX LIVE and noticed the content was pointless character skins, concept art and some freakin themes.  Are they really charging for this?

Shouldn’t downloadable content enhance game play?  Elder Scrolls Oblivion took downloadable content to a level unparallel to console gamers.  Oblivion introduced us to new chapters, weapons, ingredients, structures, enemies etc.  Whether you finished Oblivion or not, the game-play was enhanced drastically, “Mass Effect” added new planets and missions and “Bioshock” gave us plasmids and new way to off your enemies.  That is the kind of upgrades gamers should demand. We shouldn’t have to pay for aesthetic content excluded from development strictly for the purpose of micro-transactions. Sixty dollar for every PS3/360 is an outrage especially if the game is called “Beowulf The Game.”

I love most downloadable content and I have nothing against micro-transaction.  I think it’s good for the consumer and the developer but I have a problem with developers holding out on game development to charge of for addition content.  I believe minor skins, themes, style weapons; thing of that nature should be attained through achievements.  The perfect example is Marvel Ultimate Alliance.  Skins and concept art were unlocked as you played the from level to level achieving milestones.  “Marvel Ultimate Alliance” is the perfect mix of downloadable content (new players and achievements) and achievements that included skins and concept art.  All games should model themselves after MUA.

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I love my High Definition television but I’m not into blu ray disc, does this make me crazy?  Many would answer the question,” of course” but I don’t know.  I still believe that Sony jump out on Blu ray way too quick.  Sony’s Blu Ray disc beat Toshiba’s HDDVD but they have absolutely nothing to show for it.  Blu ray disc boasts the capacity of 50 gigabytes dual layer and 25 gigabytes single-layer and 2 times more durable.  Yet movies on Blu ray is about the same price as movies on DVD.  Sony PS3 BR-D games are priced the same as Microsoft 360 and Nintendo Wii games.  Even though BR-D has more capacity and is more durable it is basically priced equally.   Game quality on the PS3 and 360 are virtually indistinguishable and in some cases Microsoft games have outshined PS3 games.  So why tout a brand new format if there are no forseen benefits. This is an old argument that keeps being rehashed over and over again. 

Tech geeks I speak with say it is counter- productive to buy a 1080p LCD TV when 720p resolution looks the same on a 32inch television.  So the combination of the PS3 and HD television aren’t  mutually exclusive, but this an interesting nugget that is left out of tech magazines.  The format war is over but there is no spoils of war for Blu Ray. The crowned media format champion has to dumb down itself instead of surpassing it’s so called predecessor.  Remember “The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” didn’t the DVD version have more content than the Blu ray version.

High Speed Internet and Dial up are perfect  examples of improved  technology.  Fiber optics is a huge leap above telephone lines, you pay more for high speed internet but you immediately see the difference in latency and compatibility. We suppose to get more content on  BR-D but there is no incentive to do more with Blu ray if you will consistently lose money.  Sony knew the stakes.  Sony was fighting Microsoft’s 360 and the Nintendo Wii in the console wars while battling Toshiba in the High Def war.  Sony knew the stakes yet continued bragging about there technology while not expanding on it.  And let’s be honest  the two formats (Blu-ray and DVD) will most likely co-exist for quite some time until 50 inch HDTVs become more widespread.  By the way, has gas prices went down yet.

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What more can you ask for? It’s Saturday, you are playing GTA IV and then you go to BG21 and you notice footage
of Gear of War2. Have a nice day?

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Well we know all the promises for Fable 1 disappeared in a flash before the game’s eventual released. Still it gained love among some rpg faithfuls. Whether this was because the original Xbox were deprived of an extensive rpg catalogue, or Fable stood out to still be a truly wonderful addition to rpg’s as a whole; is a hard question to answer. If you ask your’s truly it Fable to me became a truly engaging experience, and it was one that enjoyed thoroughly. Now with the fall not to far off and E3 around the corner more info has come out in regards to the follow up in the series. Fable 2 so far has gained a dog, a full xbox live arcade game, and a co-op mode. And, there’s still the promise that an even bigger feature will be shown the light at E3. Let’s just hope that they all make it in and become the rpg that Fable was meant to be. Enjoy Peter and the new screens.

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Do it! Go to XboxLive and download “The Bourne Conspiracy” demo. This demo is what the Xbox Marketplace is all about. Matt Damon is know where in sight and the action never stops. Great cinematic cut scenes and quick time events draw you into the world of Bourne. What a great demo! Though the download is 1.24 GB it is well worth the space. Delete your themes,pics,videos and old demos because this is the demo you want. The Bourne Conspiracy is this the longest demo I’ve ever played on Xbox Live, and it also gives me hope that the game will be just as gratifying.

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This generation of video games have been ushered in with a bang. The Big 3 all rolled out their consoles with some lofty promises. Next generation gameplay, unprecedented graphics, bells and whistles that would excite any current and would be gamer. However, this all brung about an even deeper divide between gamers. While a lot of us try to stay clear of the bitter rivalery, it seems like fanboys of every faction tries harder to draw in innocent bystanders to take up their cause and join in on the fight.

Now it seems that the fight has gone from the simple my console is better then your console, to the this game for my console is better then your console, Will these fights ever end???? It’s good to see that gamers are passionate about games, but to go to the extreme and bash another game that is just as good; is a bit ridiculous.

Here are some of the comments that illustrate this point:

“My god, this game looks terrible, I mean did you see those textures ? Rare definitely
has a problem in the graphics dept. I hope the game play will excel to compensate for
those pitiful graphics. Sorry 360 fanboys but Rachet & Clank on PS3 is simply DEAD
GORGEOUS and blows this one out of the water !!!”

“Splinter Cell seriously can’t hold a flame to MGS.
Currently playing MGS1 I’m having a lot more fun with this one game than any game in
the Splinter Cell series and I’ve played them all, this is my first time playing a MGS
game”.

These are just a couple of comments from the many I’ve ran across during this generation. I think that we need to get past this war and see games for being great experiences across all platforms. MGS4.GOW2, LBP, Banjo-Kazooie, will all offer unique and wonderful experiences. None will be greater then the other they all will stand on their own and be worthy of a buy or a rent. Lets stop being the fanboys that bash games, and start appreciating games whether on a Sony or Microsoft console.

Kid Sidious Has Spoken.

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After the debatable (was it gameplay according to sony or was it cg according to press) E3 2007 trailer, Killzone 2 takes another stab at gaining interest some 3yrs later. Now with the game set for a Febuary 09 release date, Sony seems to be ramping up the marketing push for this highly anticipated PS3 title; one in which fans have been clamoring for since the 2006 launch of the PS3.

Now, how does the new trailer stack up to the original bad boy of trailers???? Well watch the original below and be the judge for yourselves.

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I’m scouring the interwebs for some truly crisp gameplay footage of Reistance 2, which is set to burn up the PS3 this fall.  Unfortunately I could only find a link to Ted Price’s demonstration during Sony’s Gamers Day 08(Playstation Day or whatever they’re calling it these days).  Insommiac is putting games on smash right about now, and any fan of gaming should really respect what these guys are doing for the industry.  Enjoy the footage, and I’ll continue to hunt for some better eye candy from this gem.

Resistance: Fall Of Man 2 Demostration

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LittleBigPlanet is preparing to captivate gamers once it drops on the PS3 come October.  There’s few games that have a certain charm to them that makes you realize that the art form behind them is truly unique.  Viva Pinata is one that comes to mind.  I hope that sales for LittleBigPlanet fares better, because it’s games like these that really showcase imaginative thinking at it’s best.  We as gamers are always looking for that experience to keep us engaged in the experience, and LittleBigs seems ready to do take on the task.

[View with PicLens]

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