Spotlight: God of War, the Essence of Retro, and 75-Hit Combos

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Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Bitmob community tackles history, psychology, and consumerism in this edition of the Spotlight.

Brian Taylor considers the intersection of video games and history, beginning with the destruction of the Colossus of Rhodes in God of War. Michael Lenoch continues the theme (in a very vague sort of way) with a look at what makes a retro game retro.

Andrew Galbraith thought he had fallen out of love with the PlayStation 3, but the recent support and redesign has his heart all a-flutter for the console's future. While Andrew considers what could be, Paul Jeremiah Hayes revisits Metal Gear Online -- and finds an active, hardcore fanbase in Japan.

Tyrell Stewart examines the psychology in competitive Street Fighter matches, explaining that SF champ Daigo doesn't just kick your virtual ass when he lays out a 75-hit combo.Finally, Toby Highfill wraps up the Spotlight with his plea for a revamped ESRB rating system that doesn't put Grand Theft Auto 4 on the same level as Halo 3.


So That's What Happened to the Colossus of Rhodes
By Brian Taylor
Video games tend to take liberties with history for the sake of gameplay and ease of development. Like historians themselves, games tend to pick and choose which parts of history to keep and which to revamp. But what if God of War's Kratos really did destroy the Colossus of Rhodes? Pondering ensues.

 

Trying to Understand What Makes a Game 'Retro'
By Michael Lenoch

Michael take a look back at what he thinks defines a retro game. Memorable characters, an immersive story, and an enthralling atmosphere all contribute to that nostalgic feel. His analysis covers the wave of faux-retro games as well, like the upcoming Mega Man 10.


My PS3 Love Affair, Round Two
By Andrew Galbraith

Andrew quickly became disillusioned with the PS3 earlier in 2009 and sold his 40GB unit in order to purchase as DSi. Now the PS3 is back and slimmer, sexier, and better-supported than ever before. Will this new age of success re-light Andrew's fire?


Where Are My Comrades?! -- My Thoughts on MGO
By Paul Jeremiah Hayes
Metal Gear Online didn't win any awards for its sloppy and crash-prone launch and equally frustrating update system, but Paul returned to the game repeatedly since trying out the beta. The Western servers are fairly quiet these days, so Paul bought the Japanese version and found a hardcore group of gamers playing with a totally different style


75-Hit Combo
By Tyrell Stewart
Fighting game competitions aren't just about beating your opponent into the ground via skillful button pounding -- it's a psychological battle as well. . Tyrell takes a look at how long combos are a calculated exploitation of weakness and hesitation in the knock-out world of Street Fighter tournaments.


Rated M for Misunderstood
By Toby Highfill
One of the saddest sights I've seen is a mature teenager desperately trying to explain the nature of a game to his parents, only to have the "M" rating spat back at him with demoralizing venom. I have nothing against the ratings system, but it is ridiculous how few people truly understand the code, and the degrees of violence and maturity within each letter rank. Toby laments his parents' unwillingness to examine games on a case by case basis.

 
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Comments (6)
Default_picture
January 16, 2010
Congrats everyone who made the spotlight.
Franksmall
January 16, 2010
Great job guys!!!
Default_picture
January 16, 2010
thanks so much for mentioning me in the spotlight, one small gripe though, can you use my full name when you mention me in the article. It's just that I use it for when I have wrote something. again, thanks so much for the spotlight.
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January 16, 2010
Funny, just last night as I was playing God of War 2 on the PS3 collection, I said to my sister-in-law, "I wonder if this is the theme of the God of War series?" The ancient gods and creatures don't exist anymore because Kratos killed them all?
January 16, 2010
Thanks for the spotlight!
Shoe_headshot_-_square
January 17, 2010
Nice job, everyone!

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