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Mark Long, CEO of Meteor Entertainment answers some of my questions about Hawken
Monday, March 12, 2012 |
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POST BY THIS AUTHOR (11)
How can a major game like Uncharted: Golden Abyss benefit from iOS games?
Sunday, March 04, 2012 |
Comments (2)
Death is nothing new to games yet constantly characters die and players don't care. Here's a few examples of how to kill and how not to kill characters.
Saturday, February 18, 2012 |
Comments (6)
Despite all the bad press games get for having such negative influences on people video games have left a positive impression on so many lives. Here's my own tale and a few more.
Thursday, February 16, 2012 |
Comments (25)
Why is it in the tech world it has to be one or the other? Handheld gaming has to compete with mobile devices and every time a handheld struggles the blame is squarely placed on the rise of the mobiles.
Saturday, February 11, 2012 |
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The difference between Portal's success and Sonic's failure hinges on one thing: listening to fans. Why is it so hard for studios to communicate with a fan base who is so willing to talk?
Friday, February 10, 2012 |
Comments (5)
Games either want to hold your hand or leave you without any information at all. How can developers walk this fine line?
Friday, February 03, 2012 |
Comments (11)
Are Online Passes truly needed for the PC, if at all?
Thursday, January 19, 2012 |
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Games are meant to be played. So let's start enjoying them for what they are.
Sunday, January 15, 2012 |
Comments (13)
Rumors are now pointing to either Microsoft or Sony not continuing in the hardware race and I'm here to say why this isn't true.
Saturday, January 14, 2012 |
Comments (2)
Sony spent plenty of money bringing the Vita to life, and they will do everything in their power to make the portable a success.
Thursday, January 12, 2012 |
Comments (4)
COMMENTS BY THIS AUTHOR (46)
"Travis this isn't an Activision move, a quick cash grab, or anything like that on Sony's part. That was simply a developer not quite knowing what to do with the franchise they were working with.
Sony Bend took the most basic route with the use of the touch screen in Uncharted: Golden Abyss. They didn't try anything new or original, they didn't try to evolve the gameplay with it, it was just simply there not adding anything to the gameplay. When you look at how the Uncharted series has evolved on the PS3 and each game gets better than the last just being alright doesn't the job done.
Sony Bend took the most basic route with the use of the touch screen in Uncharted: Golden Abyss. They didn't try anything new or original, they didn't try to evolve the gameplay with it, it was just simply there not adding anything to the gameplay. When you look at how the Uncharted series has evolved on the PS3 and each game gets better than the last just being alright doesn't the job done.
Other features were used rather well such as the gyroscope being used for aiming. That is a very nice touch, a great use of a new feature that truly adds to the gameplay and something I actually wanted to use. Constantly making single swipe gestures in place of a button press was just pointless with Golden Abyss.
I came into Uncharted expecting Uncharted, not a seriously reserved Uncharted that didn't strive to do anything new. The last three entries on the PS3 have been top notch, though I've only played the first two games my expectations were pretty high. Sony Bend was content for a middle of the road experience and in a franchise that provides such amazing gameplay that doesn't get the job done.
This wasn't about making Uncharted something it wasn't meant to be but rather helping give Golden Abyss more of an Uncharted feel. In the PS3 games you're never really reduced to QTEs to beat a boss or unlock new treasure. Naught Dog has put a lot of work into fleshing out the melee system and Sony Bend just doesn't build on that in any way. They throw out that system in favor of something that just isn't engaging and Uncharted has always been about engaging the player and bringing them further into the experience."
Sunday, March 04, 2012
"Everyone keeps assuming this is important to the story line yet the game can be played and beaten without it. So how important is it really? I remember similar things being said about Zaeed when Mass Effect 2 released.
I highly doubt Bioware removed a hugely important chunk of the story line and are hiding it away as DLC.
Also it amazes how no one who actually worked on this game knows so much about when it was ready and everyone just knows it was finished before the game went gold and the code was content locked for finalization.
Perhaps there is a chance that it was a concept that was originally cut then brought back once the team wrapped up Mass Effect 3 development? Or are we so dedicated to the whole idea of getting screwed over that we can't believe that?"
I highly doubt Bioware removed a hugely important chunk of the story line and are hiding it away as DLC.
Also it amazes how no one who actually worked on this game knows so much about when it was ready and everyone just knows it was finished before the game went gold and the code was content locked for finalization.
Perhaps there is a chance that it was a concept that was originally cut then brought back once the team wrapped up Mass Effect 3 development? Or are we so dedicated to the whole idea of getting screwed over that we can't believe that?"
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
"Couldn't agree with this more. It definitely seems like gamers need to realize a few things when it comes to DLC. They need to realize that they aren't entitled to free content because they are fan, bought the previous games, or pre-ordered a game months out.
You're getting what you paid for and this is simply an extension of that product.
Mass Effect 2 was a great experience for me even in the "incomplete state" of not having the DLC or the additional character. For those complaining about the story line changes why not play through the game as is then later on when this goes on sale pick it up then and play through Mass Effect 3 again to see what sort of changes this might bring.
Or we can all stand around kicking and screaming about it. That's a logical decision instead of acting like adults over this."
You're getting what you paid for and this is simply an extension of that product.
Mass Effect 2 was a great experience for me even in the "incomplete state" of not having the DLC or the additional character. For those complaining about the story line changes why not play through the game as is then later on when this goes on sale pick it up then and play through Mass Effect 3 again to see what sort of changes this might bring.
Or we can all stand around kicking and screaming about it. That's a logical decision instead of acting like adults over this."
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
"Nate you make excellent points and the only thing I would like to add to this is that I would never care about Ashley dying after she shot Wrex.
Anyone willing to gun down that cuddly lug deserves to be left for dead next to a nuke."
Anyone willing to gun down that cuddly lug deserves to be left for dead next to a nuke."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"Well hopefully that's the case because I've been wanting to check those out but I haven't had much of a desire to pick a PSP up knowing I would get a Vita.
Hopefully Sony continues to expand that list and just doesn't stop updating it like Microsoft did with Xbox support on the 360."
Hopefully Sony continues to expand that list and just doesn't stop updating it like Microsoft did with Xbox support on the 360."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"I'm still incredibly disappointed to not see Valkyria Chronicles 2 and 3 supported on Vita. I loved the first one on the PS3 yet for some reason Sony seems hell bent on forcing me to buy a PSP to experience the rest of the series... Jerks...
Also I'm disappointed to not have Mod Nation Racers and Little Big Planet on there. I got both of these free with the Welcome Back Program yet both were left out. Kind of odd since they are major first party Sony titles..."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"Never be afraid to admit that you're a gamer as you'll never be alone in that love. Gamers are every where these days and gaming is something that is far more acceptable than it was 20 years ago when I was growing up.
I hope things improve for you man. Keep on gaming and enjoying what you love without shame!
And it was my pleasure to share. I was slightly embarrassed when I first shared this with Ash but afterwards and seeing all the positive reactions I realized I had nothing to be ashamed of."
I hope things improve for you man. Keep on gaming and enjoying what you love without shame!
And it was my pleasure to share. I was slightly embarrassed when I first shared this with Ash but afterwards and seeing all the positive reactions I realized I had nothing to be ashamed of."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"I played Dirge of Cerbersus but it never felt like a game for me. Devil May Cry and other games like that just aren't my cup of tea for some reason. I think it is the hack and slash manner of them that I find to be boring but I can see how others can easily enjoy it.
Japan always gets great products like that though and it is sad how many of these never make the jump overseas for other to enjoy. Still found it to be a really odd choice to take Before Crisis and put it on cell phones like that."
Japan always gets great products like that though and it is sad how many of these never make the jump overseas for other to enjoy. Still found it to be a really odd choice to take Before Crisis and put it on cell phones like that."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"We've all been there before, looking up at the clock and realizing that what we thought was two hours was most of the day. Csikszentmihalyi's Flow translates quite well to gaming and it is easy to see why. Some great food for thought here and makes me a little more self aware to this type of thing.
It always amazes me when I get lost in a game, how everything else melts away and the passage of time becomes so skewed I have no idea how long I've been playing. Minecraft and Skyrim are right at the top of my list right now for games that do this to me!"
It always amazes me when I get lost in a game, how everything else melts away and the passage of time becomes so skewed I have no idea how long I've been playing. Minecraft and Skyrim are right at the top of my list right now for games that do this to me!"
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"I agree with this in many ways, especially on the Mass Effect 2 front. It felt like numerous RPG elements were dropped in favor of a "stream lined" experience which left you with every few options in terms of how you equipped your character and developed them. It was still a great game but not the best RPG because of this.
Also I think that what defines an RPG also has to do with what generation a game released. Today we can have games with multiple branching story lines where the player has control of the overall outcome of their character but go back a generation or two and those options weren't entirely possible.
Something like Final Fantasy 7 is still an RPG even though it lacks a few key components in today's world. The player had control over Cloud could only customize his gear and materia equipped, there was no playing with stats, skills, or job class like before. There wasn't a choice in how the game advanced or the overall outcome either.
It's an interesting subject to debate and I agree with Nate on what it takes to build an RPG and bring those elements forward. With today's games we have the ability to blend and mix genres in ways that we never thought possible before. A first person shooter RPG was unheard of 10 years ago but today? Entirely possible."
Also I think that what defines an RPG also has to do with what generation a game released. Today we can have games with multiple branching story lines where the player has control of the overall outcome of their character but go back a generation or two and those options weren't entirely possible.
Something like Final Fantasy 7 is still an RPG even though it lacks a few key components in today's world. The player had control over Cloud could only customize his gear and materia equipped, there was no playing with stats, skills, or job class like before. There wasn't a choice in how the game advanced or the overall outcome either.
It's an interesting subject to debate and I agree with Nate on what it takes to build an RPG and bring those elements forward. With today's games we have the ability to blend and mix genres in ways that we never thought possible before. A first person shooter RPG was unheard of 10 years ago but today? Entirely possible."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
"Aeris was indeed on the table but I figure Final Fantasy 7 is so heavily covered and is often the go to example that I wanted to avoid it. Also my opinion on the matter is slightly skewed since I never cared for Aeris in the game, I was more about Tifa in my younger years so when she was out of the picture I was fine with it.
I never used Aeris in my party outside of beating Missing Number with her Seal Evil limit break and I hated having to level her to unlock that lol."
I never used Aeris in my party outside of beating Missing Number with her Seal Evil limit break and I hated having to level her to unlock that lol."
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Then there are times where I question if this is something to pin my future on and if I'm correct in wanting to put a huge focus on this. I'm gearing up to return from deployment then a few short months later I'll be separating so I'm at a cross roads on what to do. Going back to school is pretty much what I've decided on but for what? Focus on writing or do I keep this on the back burner writing in my spare time while going to school for something that has more of a guaranteed paycheck?
Guess you could say my biggest fear is putting my heart into something and not having the pay out at the end that I'm looking for. Not expecting to get rich or anything like that but being actually employed somewhere with a steady paycheck.
Articles like this always get me thinking about what would be the best approach and I love having this kind of food for thought instead of just blindly moving forward."