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DAVE THOMSON
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COMMENTS BY THIS AUTHOR (11)
On Jeff Grubb's  News Blips: Netflix rents games as Qwikster, PS3 Call of Duty Elite, and Street Fighter 4 for Android
"I know there is a lot of backlash in the interwebs about this new Netflix split, but I'm excited. Right now we have one DVD and instant from Netflix, plus a one game from GameFly. From the email I received, it seems that games will be a premium charge from qwikster, but I doubt it will be a $15.95/month upcharge. If qwikster delivers games like Netflix delivers DVDs, then I'll be quick to drop GameFly and "consolidate" with Netflix/Qwikster."
Monday, September 19, 2011
On Rus McLaughlin's  ROUNDTABLE'D! Second-hand games = second-class gamers
"Simple rule. If  you don't like it, don't buy it. Vote with your wallet. If a game isn't worth the retail price, which I think the vast majority aren't, don't buy it. 

I also think Clank's statement is absurd. If you are selling a month old game, wait, stack of games for $2.50 you are selling to the wrong venue."

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
On Mike Gingras'  Playing with a budget
"I should have been a little more specific. It takes me that long to get new releases due to a lack of availability with Gamefly. Even when I try to time returns with a release date, titles go right to Low Availability and I end up getting titles low in my Q. I have tried only having one or two games in my Q at a time and after a week and a half of nothing I add in more and get one of those.  Once they ship me a game it can take up to 5 days to get here. I'm in NE Wisconsin right now so distance from a shipping facility may have something to do with it.  Or maybe I just have bad timing.

It used to bother me but now I use it as an excuse to try different games that I may have missed. There have certainly been some that I try for an hour or two and end up sending back."

Monday, September 12, 2011
On Mike Gingras'  Playing with a budget
"If you do sell at gamestop, their edge/power up rewards combined with promotions like trade X number of games and get X % more for them, can increase your credit nicely. By watching these promotions I've managed to get the full Rock Band set, at launch, for $7 and a new 250 Gb Xbox for $40. Cleaning out old games that you'll never play again can help to get into the higher percentage on newer items.

Gamefly is nice as long as you don't mind waiting weeks to months to play high profile games. It can be a great way to check out games in the meantime that you may not have tried otherwise. I recently received Homefront, which I would never have paid full retail price, but I beat it over a weekend and sent it back. As long as you finish a game in three months you are doing better than buying most games new, and even used.

I second RedBox for shorter games, and even as a quick preview before buying."

Sunday, September 11, 2011
On Rob Haines'  Beyond Good and Evil: Has Ubisoft learned a lesson from history?
"I completely missed BG&E the first time around. I recently downloaded the demo on XBLA and proceeded to buy the full game. I've only just finished the factory and besides the camera, the game is a lot of fun. I second Rob's advice to at least give the demo a shot. I think this game will be well enjoyed, even in SD."
Sunday, March 06, 2011
On Aaron Thomas'  Mobcast 66: Nintendo Slipping, Fun Bad Games, Publisher Hype, and More
"Oh, and Mr. Hsu. Play Mass Effect 2.

Best game of (insert time period here).

Just finished it for the third time, on insanity as an adept."

Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Aaron Thomas'  Mobcast 66: Nintendo Slipping, Fun Bad Games, Publisher Hype, and More
"Separate post for timing. I personally don't care when things get announced. If I don't want to pay attention, I don't. I have no problem with what The Old Republic or Last Guardian have done. I know that is not the actual game but the spectacle of it gets me excited (even though I won't be playing either). It's fun to think about what is coming out, fun to see bits here and there.

If I'm interested in a game, a trailer like Bioshock Infinite is enough to get me excited. I loved Bioshock, and from the short trailer, Infinite looks to be on the same level. It's hard to describe, but something about it grabs me. Just knowing that it is in the pipeline is enough.

If a developer shows early they may be able to get some useful feedback, but they also have to be realistic about what it is they are showing. If anyone remembers Dyack vs. MacDonald, if  Dyack would have just admitted that it was an early build and not gotten so bent out of shape he could have deflected the whole thing.

Peter Molyneux is a great example of how to show games. He hypes up with concepts and design goals. If they aren't met it is disappointing  but at least he was aiming big.

Either way, it's never too early if you know what and why you are showing."

Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Aaron Thomas'  Mobcast 66: Nintendo Slipping, Fun Bad Games, Publisher Hype, and More
"I should start off by saying Nintendo is on its last legs for me. Twilight Princess was too easy and just the same old game. I want the next one to be good but I don't want to have to waste the money on a motion plus only to let it sit in a drawer with the rest of the Wii. Mario Galaxy (1 & 2) had no soul and I had to remind myself while I finished them that I had nothing better to do. Nintendo seems to get away with things that any other developer would be crucified for. While the world was in total awe of their E3 conference I was wondering why. I don't hate Nintendo, as much as this may seem like I do, I don't. I'm not a silly fanboy of any kind, I'm just sick of being let down.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Nintendo is doing well and that millions enjoy what they do. It just seems that it's no longer for me. Honestly, it makes me kind of sad."

Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Jeffrey Sandlin's  Limbo is an Insult
"I only played the demo. Both my wife and I think it is a beautiful game, but the price tag along with the trial by death game-play have kept me from purchasing it. Not my cup of tea I guess. I completely understand the frustration that comes with this type of game. I fell victim to a bear trap because I happened to notice some fireflies and stopped paying attention to the ground. Seems like my money will be better spent elsewhere. Go frustration rant!"
Sunday, August 22, 2010
On Brett Bates'  3 Reasons You'll Want Rock Band 3 for Parties
"I'm pretty psyched for Rock Band 3. I'll play guitar and drum on hard for most things while my wife sings (usually on expert) but I also don't care to suffer on expert. I had the same gripes with RB2 and RB3 seems like it should be fun. Kind of thinking the pro mode could be fun for guitar, pricey though.

Anyone else try the endless setlist on RB2 only to hit "Visions" not fun at 4am realizing there is no way to get past that one. That was just punishing."

Tuesday, August 17, 2010
On Mitch Dyer's  The BioShock Backlash: Negative Responses to BioShock Infinite
"Bioshock was one such a great gaming experience. From the moment I arrived in rapture I was hooked, and tense/scared/having fun. I didn't mind the end of Bioshock because the journey was so amazing. About ten minutes into Bioshock 2 I put the controller down and sent the game back, it just felt like it was missing a soul. Irational hooked me the first time and I can't wait to see where Infinite goes. I'm not concerned about the Bioshock name being attached. It could be called "Irational's next game" and I'd still be excited, you play the game, not the name."
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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