http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-26.php
Dreamfall is one of those rare games that comes along and really captures everything that a good story game should be about. The character acting might be a little weak and the fighting system could use some work, but all-in-all this is easily one of the best games I've played in a long, long time. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books (what?!) in addition to playing games. I know you're out there.
I finally got around to renting it on Wednesday and have been playing it every chance I can get. It's been a long time since I looked forward to playing a video game when I got home from work. I think the last game I enjoyed that much was World of Warcraft right after I got it. I may end up purchasing Dreamfall, but I'm not sure how much replay value it has; that's something to still be determined. It reminds me of KOTOR but with much better voice acting. And the characters seem like real people that you can get attached to.
Ragnar Tornquist, Director of Dreamfall, has been posting a very interesting blogabout the design, production, and marketing that went into Dreamfall.He's now moved on to talking about the game and all the aspects he really enjoys with the game's fans via his blog's comment system. Most importantly, he has recently been alluding to a new title that sounds like it's going to be a great MMO. I'm interested in seeing what is in store, especially if he's doing any of the story writing that will accompany this new title.
PierceLogic Blog
Realm Transfer: All You Need to Know
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-23.php
I'll be honest in saying that the new realm transfer service, which allows you to move a World of Warcraft character from one server to another, should have been something included with the original game and something that should cost no more than five dollars. As it stands, a lot of people (myself included) are happy with this announcement, but the enormous fee per character seems a bit outrageous. I don't plan on moving any of my characters, as I'm quite happy with the Agamaggan server, but at least I now know the option is there.
All of this following the new v1.11 patch release that's supposed to be amazing but I have yet had the chance to take it for a spin. Soon, I assure you, legions of spittle-faced fanboys who can't believe a person can exist without the daily pleasure of WoW for no less than four hours a day. Soon. Bill Hutchens, over at my new favorite gaming blog, had plenty to say about it today.
My attention, similar to most guys my age, quickly wandered and I soon came across this, which has to be one of the best videos I've seen dealing with the Diet Coke and Mentos fad that's been sweeping the internet. The video I linked is a cautionary tale about a woman who decided that she would settle this debate and chalk it up as a myth. It's a good thing she's wrong.
If this is the first you've heard about any of this, then don't be too late discovering the videos yourself, though I imagine by now the fad is in its waning days. You are probably the same people that didn't discover AYBABTU until a few months ago. Hang in there, you'll eventually come across something new.
Maybe.
I'll be honest in saying that the new realm transfer service, which allows you to move a World of Warcraft character from one server to another, should have been something included with the original game and something that should cost no more than five dollars. As it stands, a lot of people (myself included) are happy with this announcement, but the enormous fee per character seems a bit outrageous. I don't plan on moving any of my characters, as I'm quite happy with the Agamaggan server, but at least I now know the option is there.
All of this following the new v1.11 patch release that's supposed to be amazing but I have yet had the chance to take it for a spin. Soon, I assure you, legions of spittle-faced fanboys who can't believe a person can exist without the daily pleasure of WoW for no less than four hours a day. Soon. Bill Hutchens, over at my new favorite gaming blog, had plenty to say about it today.
My attention, similar to most guys my age, quickly wandered and I soon came across this, which has to be one of the best videos I've seen dealing with the Diet Coke and Mentos fad that's been sweeping the internet. The video I linked is a cautionary tale about a woman who decided that she would settle this debate and chalk it up as a myth. It's a good thing she's wrong.
If this is the first you've heard about any of this, then don't be too late discovering the videos yourself, though I imagine by now the fad is in its waning days. You are probably the same people that didn't discover AYBABTU until a few months ago. Hang in there, you'll eventually come across something new.
Maybe.
Shopping for Little People
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-21.php
My wife, Netty, is about ready to pop at any moment. She's well into her ninth month of pregnancy and we're very excited to welcome our new daughter into the world. Hopefully her life will be one full of spending time playing games with dad when she gets old enough. Of course this means I need to start paying attention to game ratings (and I will) whereas the current ESRB system didn't really ever matter to me as by the time it was fully established I was turning 17 and it didn't mean much to anyone. Of course, that was at the beginning of the millennium. I remember games like Ultima Online having a Mature rating and no one even caring in 1997 when I was 14.
As a new parent, though, I'm planning to pay a lot of attention to the ESRB ratings and what my children will be allowed to play and what they won't until they're older. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of protesting on their part, but I'm already prepared to use the line "it's for your own good" liberally. As a gamer I want my kids to play games (and to even whoop up on their dad who is daily becoming slower and less coordinated), but all responsible parents should pay attention to the ESRB. Even as a teen I thought it was a good idea and I'm glad it's stuck around.
Halo multiplayer might be the exception. ;-)
Shopping, as illustrated (literally) in today's comic, is one of the things I've most dreaded about welcoming our new daughter. Fortunately my mother-in-law has often stepped in to take my place on these trips to the mall where hours are spent looking at clothes and toys. I should say how very grateful I am for her courage. During my trips with my wife we've got a few cute dresses at my request, but alas games have gone un-purchased on trips such as these. Netty does, however, let me go to Electronics Boutique each time we go to the mall to at least look at the games even if we don't purchase one. If you don't have an EB in your area I suggest driving to the closest one (at whatever distance that might be) as I highly recommend them.
My wife, Netty, is about ready to pop at any moment. She's well into her ninth month of pregnancy and we're very excited to welcome our new daughter into the world. Hopefully her life will be one full of spending time playing games with dad when she gets old enough. Of course this means I need to start paying attention to game ratings (and I will) whereas the current ESRB system didn't really ever matter to me as by the time it was fully established I was turning 17 and it didn't mean much to anyone. Of course, that was at the beginning of the millennium. I remember games like Ultima Online having a Mature rating and no one even caring in 1997 when I was 14.
As a new parent, though, I'm planning to pay a lot of attention to the ESRB ratings and what my children will be allowed to play and what they won't until they're older. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of protesting on their part, but I'm already prepared to use the line "it's for your own good" liberally. As a gamer I want my kids to play games (and to even whoop up on their dad who is daily becoming slower and less coordinated), but all responsible parents should pay attention to the ESRB. Even as a teen I thought it was a good idea and I'm glad it's stuck around.
Halo multiplayer might be the exception. ;-)
Shopping, as illustrated (literally) in today's comic, is one of the things I've most dreaded about welcoming our new daughter. Fortunately my mother-in-law has often stepped in to take my place on these trips to the mall where hours are spent looking at clothes and toys. I should say how very grateful I am for her courage. During my trips with my wife we've got a few cute dresses at my request, but alas games have gone un-purchased on trips such as these. Netty does, however, let me go to Electronics Boutique each time we go to the mall to at least look at the games even if we don't purchase one. If you don't have an EB in your area I suggest driving to the closest one (at whatever distance that might be) as I highly recommend them.
It's All in the Mind
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-19.php
What makes Project Offset so great is that is probably the most fluid game I've ever seen in my life up until this point. The engine is well designed, the 3D models are well built, and the animation to bring the two together is done extremely well. It is probably one of the games I'm looking forward to more than most games. And it's not for any of the reasons I've just mentioned.
For me, the real excitement comes from the fact that three guys working out of an apartment started Project Offset. This is really how I feel all great game studios should begin. Big game studios lose sight, in my opinion, of what's actually fun and begin to churn out copy after copy of first person shooters where you just go around blasting as many aliens, or mutated bugs, or monsters as possible with a seemingly unlimited supply of bullets.
Offset Software, the folks behind Project Offset, are now a team of 19. And their work so far is amazing (go check out Sneak Peek 2 in their Downloads section). They're starting to really get the recognition they deserve and it's inspiring to anyone who ever even dreamed of starting their own game studio. These guys are making that dream happen. I'm certainly keeping my eye on this game.
What makes Project Offset so great is that is probably the most fluid game I've ever seen in my life up until this point. The engine is well designed, the 3D models are well built, and the animation to bring the two together is done extremely well. It is probably one of the games I'm looking forward to more than most games. And it's not for any of the reasons I've just mentioned.
For me, the real excitement comes from the fact that three guys working out of an apartment started Project Offset. This is really how I feel all great game studios should begin. Big game studios lose sight, in my opinion, of what's actually fun and begin to churn out copy after copy of first person shooters where you just go around blasting as many aliens, or mutated bugs, or monsters as possible with a seemingly unlimited supply of bullets.
Offset Software, the folks behind Project Offset, are now a team of 19. And their work so far is amazing (go check out Sneak Peek 2 in their Downloads section). They're starting to really get the recognition they deserve and it's inspiring to anyone who ever even dreamed of starting their own game studio. These guys are making that dream happen. I'm certainly keeping my eye on this game.
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-16.php
Each time the PlayStation is brought up in conversation it seems as if its price isn't far behind to be mentioned. In fact, it's usually the second sentence. "Eight hundred dollars?!" says one. "Before tax," says the other. The topic then crosses into a dangerous battle of PS3 and 360 fanboyism where neither side comes out the clear victor. Who is to say at this point how great the PlayStation 3 is going to be? I imagine that it will easily be the best gaming console the world has ever seen. But unless the price drops or Sony sends me one for free, I'm not going to be a proud PS3 owner anytime soon. That, and it's coming out almost a year and a half behind the launch of the Xbox 360.
We can think back on the release of the PlayStation 2 a year before the original Xbox came out and it gave the PS2 a considerable advantage over the market that still exists to this day. At the time I worked at Blockbuster Video and it was hard to get anyone to rent Xbox games when they already had a PlayStation 2 much less convince corporate Blockbuster that Xbox games were a good idea. Now the situation is reversed, and it's Sony that is taking a big gamble by coming out much later than its direct competitor coupled with technology that is a risky venture (and the controversy that surrounds it) as well as being priced almost twice as much. Wasn't there a saying about learning from your past?
Of course I wish Sony good luck. It has long been one of my favorite companies to purchase electronics from because they were reliable, well-built, and had a recognizable name. But this time I'm only wishing Sony good luck. They're going to need it.
Each time the PlayStation is brought up in conversation it seems as if its price isn't far behind to be mentioned. In fact, it's usually the second sentence. "Eight hundred dollars?!" says one. "Before tax," says the other. The topic then crosses into a dangerous battle of PS3 and 360 fanboyism where neither side comes out the clear victor. Who is to say at this point how great the PlayStation 3 is going to be? I imagine that it will easily be the best gaming console the world has ever seen. But unless the price drops or Sony sends me one for free, I'm not going to be a proud PS3 owner anytime soon. That, and it's coming out almost a year and a half behind the launch of the Xbox 360.
We can think back on the release of the PlayStation 2 a year before the original Xbox came out and it gave the PS2 a considerable advantage over the market that still exists to this day. At the time I worked at Blockbuster Video and it was hard to get anyone to rent Xbox games when they already had a PlayStation 2 much less convince corporate Blockbuster that Xbox games were a good idea. Now the situation is reversed, and it's Sony that is taking a big gamble by coming out much later than its direct competitor coupled with technology that is a risky venture (and the controversy that surrounds it) as well as being priced almost twice as much. Wasn't there a saying about learning from your past?
Of course I wish Sony good luck. It has long been one of my favorite companies to purchase electronics from because they were reliable, well-built, and had a recognizable name. But this time I'm only wishing Sony good luck. They're going to need it.
On Internet Memes
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-13.php
By now you've likely seen this if you pay any attention to passing internet phenomena known as "Internet Memes". Not only has this new cultural wave swept over me like seaweed on a sand-flee infested beach, but its spin-offs have been like the foam that lingers behind. They're everywhere, clinging to every forum and blog O RLY comes in contact with.
On a lighter note, I would like everyone to know that I've finally signed up to GameSpot. My profile can be found here. Feel free to send me a message, or if you have a Union, to invite me to that as well. I will accept the ones I either enjoy or don't know anything about. I will try to answer all messages I receive there, just as I do with any e-mails I get.
By now you've likely seen this if you pay any attention to passing internet phenomena known as "Internet Memes". Not only has this new cultural wave swept over me like seaweed on a sand-flee infested beach, but its spin-offs have been like the foam that lingers behind. They're everywhere, clinging to every forum and blog O RLY comes in contact with.
On a lighter note, I would like everyone to know that I've finally signed up to GameSpot. My profile can be found here. Feel free to send me a message, or if you have a Union, to invite me to that as well. I will accept the ones I either enjoy or don't know anything about. I will try to answer all messages I receive there, just as I do with any e-mails I get.
And Ty Came Tumbling After
by PierceLogic on Comments
http://www.piercelogic.com/2006/06/2006-06-08.php
Microsoft has opened its virtual doors today and unveiled the public release of Vista Beta 2. Everywhere people shielded their eyes from the blinding light of - gasp - a Windows system that makes a better window than it does a door. Or at least it looks that way due to it's glassy features. Finally Microsoft is playing catch-up to the enormous lead Apple has taken with it's OSX operating system. I would almost say that it has surpassed it, at least visually (and if you prefer a Windows platform opposed to one-button mice and not having to use a weird and unfamiliar taskbar at the top of the screen to close a program instead of just making it "disappear" to some netherworld where it will continue to remain open for weeks until you figure out what the heck is going on).
I'm really looking forward to Windows Vista, that's for sure. And if it's as good as I hope it is I will be shouting from the rooftops how much I love it; or at least I'll post something nice about it in my forums. If it's not all I hope it is, I will just chalk it up to another Microsoft product that was pushed around by exec's in suits during development and never met its true potential. How very... Microsoftish.
Ty downloaded it today and installed it. I'm waiting for him to give me a better idea of how great it is tomorrow. He didn't have much to say about it today.
Microsoft has opened its virtual doors today and unveiled the public release of Vista Beta 2. Everywhere people shielded their eyes from the blinding light of - gasp - a Windows system that makes a better window than it does a door. Or at least it looks that way due to it's glassy features. Finally Microsoft is playing catch-up to the enormous lead Apple has taken with it's OSX operating system. I would almost say that it has surpassed it, at least visually (and if you prefer a Windows platform opposed to one-button mice and not having to use a weird and unfamiliar taskbar at the top of the screen to close a program instead of just making it "disappear" to some netherworld where it will continue to remain open for weeks until you figure out what the heck is going on).
I'm really looking forward to Windows Vista, that's for sure. And if it's as good as I hope it is I will be shouting from the rooftops how much I love it; or at least I'll post something nice about it in my forums. If it's not all I hope it is, I will just chalk it up to another Microsoft product that was pushed around by exec's in suits during development and never met its true potential. How very... Microsoftish.
Ty downloaded it today and installed it. I'm waiting for him to give me a better idea of how great it is tomorrow. He didn't have much to say about it today.
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