Just wanted to provide a link to anyone who is interested in a western governments views on the growing scepticism by politicians regarding the game-ing medium. The report was commissioned by the British government, and they hired respected psychologist Dr Tanya Byron to evaluate the effects of the internet, video games and online gaming on impressionable youngsters. I would be really interested to see what all you guys think, even if you only give it a quick glance, as it could have a prefound effect on the industry not only within the UK but also the rest of Europe.

Byron Report

You know download-able content is a funny thing, if its too good too soon after the initial release, people start crying fix fix!! Why wasn't it in the original game? Thankfully Bring down the Sky isn't like that. Its the first of potentially many downloadable packs for Bioware's successful space RPG Mass Effect. For 400 points gamers get for an hour long side quest which involves a brand new race, new architecture and some interesting cues for future DLC and maybe even hints for Mass Effect 2. Overall I would recommend the experience as it did add something significant to the ME Universe and did prove to be interesting and offered some interesting character led dilemmas for the player to navigate through. If you liked Mass Effect than this pack is undoubtedly more of the same and that's fine, its what the game is about sheparding (mind the pun) the player through an interesting universe filled with exceptional characters and well delivered dialogue.

Bring down the Sky however is indicative of a growing problem within the DLC market, lack of experimentation. I know that DLC has to work in the games original framework but it would be so easy and liberating for developers to try something special not just too add a few maps, or new cars or heaven forbid horse armour. But bringing up Oblivion, Bethesda software also gave Xbox Live its best DLC and maybe the most expensive Shivering Isles. It was funny, innovative and added a great new world to explore despite what was admittedly a steep entry price. But Shivering Isles was so different and brilliant to the extent that it complemented the original story line, without feeling like it was treading water.

Originally DLC was put forward as a solution to lengthy development times providing gamers with smaller episodes of game-play, more often. This provides not only the gamer with more content for the experience they love but also offers developers renewed interest from users and perhaps more importantly a cash fix. But it doesn't have to be that way, originality can prevail over the 'more of the same' formula, and like how about planet racing with the ME buggy with other competitors or an planet with more than just 4 buildings that needed purging. A new outpost perhaps with a human colony, that would be great, where you can talk to new npcs with back storys rather than another xenophobic aliens plot.

I hope that the next episode of DLC for Mass Effect feels more like a fully fledged story than what unfortunately feels like a teaser to upcoming episodes, which was only marginally better than other side quests in the game.

Tesco lets slip the UK release date for Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Sooner that I thought :D

Rainbow Six Vegas 2: LiveChat with Phil Therien

At a certain gaming website which shall remain nameless, (I'll give you a clue it begins with Euro), hosted a live webchat with designer Phil Therien who is currently working on Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. It was an interesting discussion with many pressing questions about the game being handled including how the new matchmaking system worked, why four player co-op was dropped to two player, and if there was any sign of a demo on the horizon. That final question was asked by myself within the chat and the answer was no. Its a shame that the developers don't have enough time to formulate a demo, as it seems as though they are busy enough, hitting the release date on March 21st in the UK.

It also was interesting to hear a developer from Ubisoft, studio behind the impressive Ghost Recon series claim that there is no longer any space for hardcore shooters within the market place, at least from a profit making position. This to me seems absolutely crazy in a genre which is getting further and further more stigmatised by arcadey game-play. First person shooters need some developers to go down a different route, and if Vegas is an example of that it can only be a good thing, but if it is further away from the original Rainbow Six's, one shot kill avenue it will be a shame. Not a purchase killer but a shame none the less.

Phil Therien was brave to answer questions despite a moderated atmosphere, it was really nice of the guys of Ubisoft to have faith in the community which has followed Vegas two's development, and it would be fantastic if more of these events were held where individuals get to ask developers questions regarding their games. If nothing else it empowers the individual to feel like they have been involved in the games journey from ideas on a piece of paper to software which you put in your PC, Xbox360 or PlayStation 3. This is a factor which will ultimately effect that individual when he finally sees the game on a shelf, and it will undoubtedly increase the likelihood of him or her buying that game. Not only a genius marketing ploy but also a interesting way of getting the fans more involved with the game, something that is both win for the designer and the gamer.

Ok so imagine me two hours in, I have tried multiple times to transfer files between the Xbox and the PC and have cautiously negotiated subsequent firewalls to make this union possible and I get this message:

"Cannot communicate with Media Centre Pc, please reset your Xbox 360"

Microsoft must die, but not only due to media centre not being able to communicate but the whole affair leaving my lan adaptor drivers so corrupt that they could not longer establish an IP address with my server. At this point it is probably time to point out that I have no idea what I'm doing and I'm following online troubleshooting guides to solve the issue between the two tempremental misfits and their lack of awareness to communicate with each other, even though they are only 2 feet away from each other. This brought to by no means a surpising conclusion, forming a working network using closed source apparatus such as the X360 is actually quite difficult. If you come across any issues, it is actually quite difficult to ascertain what the problem is, and the individual will resort to mindless trial and error in order to solve the problem. Surely in this day and age these systems could give the user some more infomation regarding the problem, so he or she doesn't get so annoyed with the situation that they decide not to bother. Physical media does have its advantages.

Oh well at least my trip to Novatech to hide my lack of technical knowledge went well, have a butchers at my brand new graphics card. Isn't she a beauty:D

Will give you all an update over the next few days about how she handles Crysis and Enemy Territorys, Stalker, Company of Heroes, Race 2007.....

I wouldn't have believed this site if I hadn't stumbled onto it myself, apparently there is a market for customising your Delorean in the Back to the Future car. The engineers don't seem to be making their extremely high quality replica components anymore(see example below), although there is still ebay. As much as I love the Back to the Future movies it is testament to some fans that they achieve such awesome cars, and lets face it what else are you going to do with a car that consistantly falls apart? This site is a must look worth a look for anyone that doubts a fans commitment to a franchise, and to see such beautiful conversions.

Back to the Future Delorean Conversions

I have just got back from Heathrow and I have to admit Washington DC is incredibly impressive with almost wall to wall landmarks and some world class museums, topped by the Holocaust Memorial Museum and National Air and Space Museum. But you don't wanna hear about that, how I almost spent all my time in Johnny Rockets and queuing for entry to the National archive, you wanna hear about the games right? During my travels in Georgetown which, incidentally, really needs a good Gamestation or HMV, I was amazed by the sheer lack of DS games within its large shopping centre and long line of shops. But thankfully Dulles offered up the delightful little game, Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Not only is it quite possibly the most British game in existence, but it is also a great puzzle game punctuated by a great story and some fantastic AMV's which enabled the flight back to England to go much, much quicker, for that I think every commuter can be thankful.

Also had another big surprise when I got back home and checked my emails. A lovely little gift from Sports Interactive, access to the Football Manager Live Beta. I am a huge fan of their offline Football Manager series and feel privileged to be able to test the next generation of the well established series. My first impressions are that it is outstanding and super streamlined, fans of the previous iterations of the series have nothing to worry about, as all of its previous aspects are there and more.

Just a quick note to say I'm off to Washington DC for the next few days as a little mid semester break for me and my girlfriend. Not only is it a great chance to sample some American delights and some world famous sights. However the much more important issue is finding some games that are still unreleased in England. The first title that comes to mind is the new Apollo Justice chapter, the DS title which attempts to kick start the Phoenix Wright franchise. However that seems to be the only title as I cannot think of anymore, on region free consoles at least. It will be good to get away for a few days and hopefully I will find some real gems while on the other side of the Atlantic. Maybe get a chance to see Valves studios, that is if my lovely girlfriend lets me ;).

Heres hoping,