Status Update: Of Holidays and Surgery.

So, just a quick update. Jastrick will be on christmas holidays for a bit (though he’ll have access to the net, so he SHOULD be doing posts), and I will be going under the knife tomorrow for open hear surgery. No worries, I’ve had them before, but it does mean posts will be few and far between from me for the next few weeks, at least. Have a Merry Christmas, and keep your thumbs callused.

Peace,

— Persepolian

The most awful/wonderful time of the year.

Hi everybody! I’m back!

My Exams are finally OVER! Ah, the joy of finally returning from the Dead. Now I know what Zombies feel like. Although this next two weeks are going to KICK ASS. My copy of Rock Band comes in Next Thursday (#5 in Line. I’d say I have a 95% chance), I FINALLY get to finish Mass Effect tonight (Haven’t been able to play much due to exams), and then it’s Christmas! Fuck Yeah! I’m about 90% sure I’m getting my PS3 (60GB, best case, 80GB worst case).

 Was a big scare with Rock Band this weekend when Future Shop and Best Buy decided that they were going to hoard their copies until the 28th, but this was very quickly cleared up thanks to Harmonix Staffers on their Forums. Game ships out Monday! w00t!

I have to wonder how stupid some people really are. There’s a store in West Edmonton Mall that has INSANE prices, but this one I believe truly takes the cake. The owner has imported a bunch of Copies of Rock Band from the states. I figured I would stop in to see how much they were in the event that my EB Games doesnt manage to get 5 copies of the game in stock. FIVE. HUNDRED. DOLLARS. DEAR GOD. 

That’s right, Over double the 169.99 MSRP. I have NO idea how this store manages to keep buisness. It IS a tourist trap I guess. Some idiots will probably willingly cough up the $499.99.

One last thing before I go. I photoshopped this in case Rock Band was indeed delayed. But it looks like I don’t have much use for it now. Enjoy (Click Image to Enlarge).

I’m sorry for the general length of this post (or lack thereof), but I’m Exhausted. I’m going to sleep/eat/play Mass Effect.

–Kyle “Jastrick”

Status Report

So, we’re still around. Final exams/assignments and games have made us a little busy, so don’t expect too much writing until next week.

That being said, I wanted to comment on a few things, mostly relating to Gerstmanngate. I was hoping to do a post that discussed media relations with publications, based on a keynote that I heard in Winnipeg two years ago during the Western Prairie Northern Canadian University Press conference (WPNCUP). The speech was by Andrew Potter, who basically summed up his thoughts on “culture jamming”, which he published in a book he co-wrote with Joseph heath called The Rebel Sell.

The speech and book both left me with a lot to think about in terms of how media publications deal with advertisers, and why it may be better for them to have revenue through advertising than it would be to be entirely subscription based.

Unfortunately, I’m a little too tired to write it all out—hence all the linking—but also, I’ve been given something new to synthesize with Potter’s statements. N’Gai’s thesis on the contempt that publishers have for enthusiast press is insightful and reveals a lot more than I ever knew about the profession that I strive to attain.

Peace,

— Persepolian

[update] Playing Telephone: Gerstmann “Lynched” by his own petard

Disclaimer: I’ve never been one to report rumor as fact or support that act in anyway. What is being presented here is a series of facts and ideas about a very important, and probably very complicated, series of events. Whether they are causational or coincidental is up for interpretation, but nothing more.

[UPDATE] Wow. All I can say is, this makes me very happy. Good on you, 1up.

[UPDATE] So, maybe I was a little naive about the whole thing. 1up’s coverage of the issue says that sources are now pointing to Stephen Colvin, former President and CEO of Dennis Publishing—the group responsible for publications like Maxim, Blender and Stuff as the catalyst for the whole thing.

Stephen Colvin, former President and CEO of Dennis Publishing — the group responsible for publications like Maxim, Blender and Stuff — became CNET’s Executive Vice President at the end of October. One of Colvin’s jobs would be to oversee the growth of CNET websites, including GameSpot.

On Valleywag, an alleged GameSpot insider has come forward to deliver an anonymous response to musings on the Internet the last few days. One of his comments supports our belief the recent changes in management could be trickling down to GameSpot editorial:

“I was in the meeting where Josh Larson [Executive Editor replacement for now Electronic Arts employee Greg Kasavin] was trying to explain this firing and the guy had absolutely no response to any of the criticisms we were sending his way. He kept dodging the question, saying that there were “multiple instances of tone” in the reviews that he hadn’t been happy about, but that wasn’t Jeff’s problem since we all vet every review. He also implied that “AAA” titles deserved more attention when they were being reviewed, which sounded to all of us that he was implying that they should get higher scores, especially since those titles are usually more highly advertised on our site.”

So far all of this is still alleged, and we don’t know for sure if this poster is legit. That being said, it doesn’t look good for Gamespot, and it indeed hasn’t since this whole forest fire was sparked. A lot of people, including the illustrious neogaf forums, are following the sentiments of a former editor of mine by boycotting CNet altogether.

This shit is getting tense, and I think it’s coming to a climax pretty soon. I know I am.

All you have to do is ask nicely — Week in Review

Well, it appears that I was wrong after all. My apologies to Microsoft for any ill-intent on my part. Starting next week I will be able to use all features of Xbox Live, WITHOUT parental consent.

Now, lets get onto this:

Space

New Games This Week:

For the first time since the first week of October, Absolutely None.

Space

News Stories this Week:

Full Xbox Live fall update details finally announced.

Pokemon Snap coming to VC….WITH ADDED WII FUNCTIONALITY. The first of a continuing trend, I hope.

Nintendo has no plans for first-party western development……outside Retro.

Metal Gear Solid 4 must sell 1 million copies on day one to make a profit.

Ex-Bioshock developers form new 2K studio…… to make Bioshock 2?

Nintendo and Microsoft Fail Greenpeace survey. Sony passes with flying colors.

Jack Thompson vs Geoff Keighley, Tonight! Only on Gamehead!

Classic Smash Bros Melee stages returning for Brawl.

80+ new BC titles for Xbox 360.

Space

Webcomic of the Week:

Digital Unrest – Space For Rent

 – Kyle”Jastrick”

Playing Telephone: Gerstmann “Lynched” by his own petard

Disclaimer: I’ve never been one to report rumor as fact or support that act in anyway. What is being presented here is a series of facts and ideas about a very important, and probably very complicated, series of events. Whether they are causational or coincidental is up for interpretation, but nothing more.

[UPDATE] So, CNet finally talked to Joystiq about what went down on their end with Gerstmann. While they denied the accusation that Gerstmann was fired due to external pressures from Eidos, CNet Spokesperson Sarah Cain didn’t comment on whether or not that pressure was put on. Eidos is still quiet.

The more this unravels, the more it seems that it was all indeed a series of coincidences. Then again, Cain could be hiding the truth, but we’ll never know that. I have a lot more I want to say on this issue in general, but it’ll have to wait for a separate post, probably till tomorrow.

[UPDATE] Despite CNet’s “response” to the hottest button issue in gaming right now, the dudes over at Penny Arcade may have the most reasonable-sounding story for all of this.

How they heard it was that Gerstamann’s review wasn’t the problem so much as the “tone” of it. Apparently this has been a problem CNet has had with him for a while, and since his apparently scathing (although if that’s considered harsh, no one’s heard a Yahtzee review) commentary about K&L sent Eidos in a frenzy, pulling thousands of space bucks from future advertising revenue, Jeff was–as PA put it–sacrificed.

Not all the info on this matter is entirely external speculation, however. Wired’s gaming blog Game|Life brought up a now-removed forum post by an anonymous CNet Employee stating–in short–that the timing of the Eidos pull out and Gerstmann firing was far more coincidental than people are giving it credit for.
[UPDATE] Well, at least one part of this story has been confirmed. Jeff’s been fired, but no one’s talking about why yet. Well, to be correct, everyone is talking except for the parties directly involved. This story is going to be huge, and I’ll reserve any judgment or commentary until full details are revealed. All I can say is, I wish Gerstmann the best of luck.

Ok, so I’m not a huge fan of rumor mongering, but this story is a) way too huge and b) making way too many rounds for me to ignore. If it’s to be believed—and I by no means suggest that it is—Gamespot would be the second video game site to be accused of such an act in recent months. While part of me finds it a little far fetched, a larger, more cynical part finds it hard to disbelieve.

There are a lot of problems with stories like this, namely that many of the pieces seem clear on their own that it’s hard to be objective about the big picture. Kane & Lynch had insane marketing, and not just on Gamespot. That poor excuse for mishandled software was promoted up so hard my ass was bleeding the “F” word. Then there’s the often refuted but incredibly infectious notion that, with the right money, a game critic will sell out his score to the highest bidder. IGN is often accused of this—one only has to look at the shock they caused when they gave the “accurate and responsive” Lair a 4.9.

Then the objectivity kicks in, though. For one, Gamespot may have had some questionable reviews in their lifetime, but that’s always been more due to a subjective response by players rather than a marketing beef. Not to mention Gerstmann’s never really been one to pander his reviews to anyone, and I don’t see why they’d pick now of all times, and for a game as benign as Kane & Lynch, to can his perhaps jubbly ass.

In either case, I’m going to be really interest to see where this goes. I’ll be watching.

Peace

—Persopolian

Foreign Analysis: Rock Band

I know it’s not my day, but I had something I thought people would like to read. A friend of mine (thanks Jinny) put me onto an article on Slate.com by Sleater-Kinney’s guitarist, Carrie Brownstein. Apparently Brownstein was given a copy of Rock Band by EA after she was asked to help brainstorm some marketing for the game.

An admitted non-gamer, Brownstein gives a humorous and thorough reveal about what she feels are the important differences between a real band and a “Rock Band”. It seems she enjoyed the game but, like most musicians I know, she holds onto the mantra that if you’re going to spend hundreds of dollars and thousands of hours pretending to play music, you might as well learn a real instrument. I don’t see why you can’t do both.

Peace,

—Persopolian

Unable to age, eh? That could be useful…….

Not good at any game except for Halo? Hah! I’m not even any good at that! Seriously though, I kick ass (I can beat Persopolian at most games, so smeh. Let him have his fantasies). All I’m saying is that over time, Assassin’s Creed does get VERY repetitive, and that I’d more enjoyably be playing Mass Effect (which I get to play today for the first time in 4 days. Stupid Homework).

First of all, I’d like to congratulate Nintendo on making 350k Wii sales last week. This is surely a huge leap forward for them. In other news, 25 people are dead after being trampled to death during Black Friday…………

Anyways, onto the point of Today’s post. I have a MAJOR problem with Microsoft’s stance on age, or lack of therein. It seems that Microsoft doesn’t understand the fact taht people do eventually get older. For example, I first got my Xbox Live account back in 2003, when I got my original Xbox. At the time I was 15. I am now 19, and will be 20 within a few months. However, Microsoft, in all their infinite wisdom, has decided that I shall forever be 15, and that certain features on Xbox Live will forever be out of my reach. Xbox Live Messenger? Nope, you need to be over 18 for that. Their new “social networking” system being added in the fall update? Guess what? Also 18+.

Now, this never bothered me that much before these events. Why? because of the Parental Controls, I could Un-block everything. I could make it so I could Add whoever I wanted as a friend, or Download whatever I want. However, due to the geniuses over there in Seattle, I cannot use these new features. I understand that “The Xbox is for Games” and that these features are not necessary, but I feel that I am being ripped off, and not getting my money’s worth.

What really aggrivates me is Microsoft’s stance on the issue, that being that it’s non-existent. I first discovered this back in March, with the advent of the Spring update, and I was assured by Microsoft customer support that it would be fixed in the fall update. The update is now out in under a week, and there has been no word on such a feature. What’s worse, is that when I again contacted Microsoft about the issue, I was told that I should just “create a new account”. Thanks, but I’d rather NOT lose all my Save Games and my Achievements, let alone my around $80-100 of DLC and Xbox Live Arcade Games.

Ah well, there’s still 6 days until the launch of the new update, and there are supposedly many still-unnanounced features that will be revealed between now and then. Here’s hoping…… ah who am I kidding. If you’ll excuse me, this 15-year-old needs to get back to his 9-5 office job.

–Kyle “Jastrick” 

Foreign Analysis: Mass Effect

Kotaku linked to a pretty interesting post over Magical Wasteland at about Mass Effect—or rather, what may have been left out of the game. Some of it seems nitpicky at first, but it’s actually provides some revealing insight into game development. I agree with most of what he suggests here, despite my extreme fondness for the game.

Peace,

—Persopolian

The prodigal son returns

I’d say that I’m sorry for missing my posts last week, but frankly, I’m not. Despite my cohorts desire to take pot-shots at me, I do have the upper hand on him. See, I just finished Mass Effect today. By finished, I mean I completed it beginning to end, devouring every crumb and morsel of side quest I could stuff my optic nerves with, and after a little under 30 hours, it’s finally done—as far as my first run through is concerned, at least. I thought I’d lay out some thoughts. There’s to much to here for a full review to do it all justice, and many of the verdicts I would present would be fairly academic. I mean the game looks, sounds, and plays like immaculate conception—except for the Mako, is the unwanted step child.

I’ve always been one to suggest that video games have the capacity to be incredible storytelling devices. I usually point to Amy Henning—who just worked on Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune—and the Legacy of Kain series as an example. Assassin’s Creed does this as well, in small part, by making its environment fresh, immersive, and drenched in historical accuracy. I enjoyed in thoroughly. Don’t trust Jastrick’s opinion on the matter—he is constantly adapting his “game breaker” criteria to mask his inability to play games that aren’t called Halo.

Mass Effect, I’m proud to say, joins the very small club of games with exceptional stories. Every detail is laid out for the player, whether through dialogue, exposition, or a helpful codex that updates itself with both interesting and benign information for you to absorb. Plenty of games, films, books, and tv shows have attempted to create fully realized universes that are convincing, but most fail. There are few shows like Firefly, for example that proves the authenticity of its universe through the actions of its characters. Mass Effect is similar in this way, because the story, the characters, and every alien race all feel real. They have real concerns, real hatreds, and real loves. Putting aside the irony of the idea that all alien races would have very human emotions, it all works really well. By the end of the game, I couldn’t wait to a) play through a second time, to see how the story and interactions would change depending on my shifted morality, and b) see how the promised downloadable content meant to bridge the this story to its forthcoming sequel would play out.

If there’s one complaint I have with the game, it’s…well, it’s not really a complaint with the game so much as a complaint against Microsoft. I honestly feel that within the next year, they are really going to have to force developers to make games with hard drive as a necessity. There’s just far too much random in-game loading and texture pop in. Seriously, not since Halo 2 have I seen this much texture popping. With the depth and scale of a game like Mass Effect, caching would have been an incredible asset that would have quelled a lot of the frame rate issues that spurt up randomly.

That being said, I’m going back to it.

Peace

—Persepolian