Author Archive
Analyst: DS could end up being the greatest of all-time
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 2, Portable, Sony PSP, Business
Look out, PS2. One analyst says the DS may give you a run for your 115 million units-sold money. “The DS has the potential to be the best-selling interactive entertainment platform ever,” predicted DFC analyst David Cole in a recent report on the expected growth of handheld gaming. But the lil’ DS has a long way to go; it has only sold 40 million units to date. Cole also suggested that handhelds could ultimately outsell consoles by 2011 lead by the dual-screener. But will it happen?
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Why some gamers act like punks during online play
Filed under: Culture, Online, MMO
According to one report, griefer complaints make up 25% of all game-related customer service calls. Said punks sabotage teammates, talk like dirty sailors, hail Hitler, and are in your screen, ruining your game. So what encourages such anti-social behavior? GamePro’s aptly named Vicious Sid talks with a psychiatrist to get some answers.
The gist of griefer existence boils down to rogue leaders looking for attention. They are either a “defiant leader” not knowing where to align their objectives, or a black sheep (also called a “scapegoat leader”) looking to disrupt a game’s cadence or simply annoy. So what should you do next time you encounter one? Be nice or at least patient. That’ll usually diffuse their desire contrary to reacting negatively. Read on for the full analysis.
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Bill Gates can’t play soccer games (or he’s a good faker)
Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sports
During a promotional event celebrating Microsoft’s twentieth anniversary in Mexico, Bill Gates lost to professional Mexican soccer player Rafael Marquez 2-1 in a virtual game of soccer on the 360 (FIFA?). The game was played in front of a crowd of Microsoft employees on three jumbo trons. We bet it was thrilling. And in proper fashion, the two exchanged signed product after the match; Gates giving Marquez a 360 with wired controllers, and Marquez giving Gates a Barcelona camiseta. Yet another example of rich/famous people getting more free stuff.
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Analyst expects PS3 price cut of $100 this October
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Business
In a note to investors today, Goldman Sachs analyst Yuji Fujimori predicted that Sony will drop the price of the PS3 by $100 dollars this October. So how will the price cut be justified? Volume! Kidding, Fujimori cites the reduction of good ole fashion parts; the fewer there are, the cheaper it is to manufacture.
For example, PSX was originally manufactured with 700 components, later reduced to 200. The PS2: 2,000 parts reduced to 600. A smaller cell processor should help reduce costs as well. So for those still sitting on the fence, would a $100 PS3 price drop sway you into buying; or would it take more than that?
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How to tell if you’re obsessed with video games
Filed under: Culture
Just because mainstream press won’t entertain the alternative (”Maybe games don’t ’cause all the world’s problems…”), doesn’t mean we can’t. No, we’re not suggesting that games kill, but you’re foolish if you don’t recognize the addictive power of gaming goodness.
Enter a 1UP feature examining the give-aways that you might be, um, playing games a little too much. The piece also offers advice on how to tame the beast if you have a problem. So, you might be obsessed with video games if…
- You forgo paying the electric bill in favor of buying a new game or wait four days in line for a shiny new box (questionable priorities)
- You read a newly purchased game manual while driving home from the store (lapses in judgment)
- You throw a controller at the TV. In the olden days, you would have also hit reset right before your buddy was about to beat you in Tecmo Bowl. (anger issues)
Click over for the full list of signs. Gamers anonymous starts now… in the comments.
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How do you decide what games to buy?
Filed under: Culture
Amazon’s Game Room has an interesting post exploring all the different factors that go into making a game purchase, outside of game play that is. Items for consideration include genre format, review scores, price,
replay value, ESRB rating (for those with offspring), and loyalty (aka nostalgia or the fondness factor) to name a few. Click over to see the full description of all 12, and for the sake of discussion, which non-game play determinants influence your purchasing power? Be honest.
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Celebrate the PSP’s second b-day with its 10 best games
Filed under: Portable, Sony PSP
In commemoration of the PSP’s second birthday here in the states on Mar 24, GamePro profiles 10 games they say you should either own or add to your library. LocoRoco and Lumines are at the top of the list including some honorable mentions. When the portable isn’t flogging or trying to differentiate itself as a unique platform, it’s busy selling a solid 25 million systems, more than any other non-Nintendo handheld to date.
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Digg consensus says WoW won’t help you score a lover
Filed under: Culture, PC, Online, MMO
We’re not sure if 1,816 comment Diggs rank as the most ever as this Diggster claims, but it sure is a lot. So just what do these 1,816 commenters share in common? They believe playing World of Warcraft won’t help you score a significant other, contrary to what the opening thread alleged (click for full image). “Buried as inaccurate,” is their mantra, sung in one accord.
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Nintendo makes annoying “fun” again; sticking to game specific Wii friend codes?
Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Online
Like the DS before it, it appears Wii will only support title-specific friend codes for online play according to GameSpy PR folk in an interview with Falafelkid from Wii: Definitive Speculation. When asked via email if Wii friend rosters were console specific (read: logical, usable, accessible, you know, fully operational), a representative from Nintendo’s online partner replied by saying, “for the Wii friend lists are game specific.”
Were not just talking certain games that also connect to DS here (i.e. Pokemon Battle Revolution), we’re talking all games. Our team on the inside has yet to penetrate the GameSpy vault to confirm or deny the rumor, but what a rancid, partially substantiated rumor this is. Keep hope alive?
[Thanks to all who sent this in]
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Nintendo.com grows 91% as Playstation.com shrinks 8%
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business
Wii’s recent popularity (likely amplified by the online folk) helped increase Nintendo.com’s unique visitors by 91% over last year, this in stark contrast to Playstation.com’s 8% decrease of total unique visitors according to a Nielsen/NetRatings report released today. Xbox.com saw a 47% traffic increase over last year.
| Site | Feb ‘06 | Feb ‘07 | YOY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo.com | 856 | 1,631 | 91% |
| Xbox.com | 827 | 1,218 | 47% |
| PlayStation.com | 1,105 | 1,016 | -8% |
That’s a good metric showing how both Nintendo’s and Microsoft’s online audiences have grown as PlayStation enthusiasm (at least to its proper website) has dwindled. Web junkies click onward for the full skinny on all that traffic jazz.
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Zelda to make online debut on DS
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Online
Zelda co-creator Eiji Aonuma (pictured) confirmed in an interview with Game Informer on Friday that Phantom Hourglass will feature an online multi-player mode. Without disclosing any deets, Aonuma simply replied “Yes” when asked if the game would support “online battles over the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.” Strangely, GI failed to press the issue for more information. Note to self: If/when Nintendo ever confirms online multiplayer for Wii in an interview with Joystiq, just say “okay” and move on to the next question.
[via TG Daily]
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Black Xbox 360 Premium rumor for $299 will not die
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Business
According to German gaming site Xbox-Archiv, the much rumored black Xbox 360 Premium is in fact coming, despite constant efforts to diffuse its existence and dash gamer hopes.
The site claims a little bird told them the new system is coming this May, at a lower $299 price replacing the useless Core model in the process. Also included are a 120 GB hard drive and HDMI outputs. Spring is the time for price drops, and our golden gut tells us Microsoft will more than likely run with something come this May…
UPDATE: A little clarification - the rumor suggests the current premium will take the place of the Core and its $299 price with the souped up Premium Pro costing $400 or more.
[Thanks to all who sent this in; 360 Fanboy]
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Ten things to make the PS3 worth buying
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3
After coming off probably the first positive week of PS3 news for the better part of a year (has it been that bad?), GameSpot stays optimistic recommending 10 things they believe Sony must do to reach the PS3 tipping point; that pesky phenomenon when something unique becomes common place.
All the predictable arm chair strategy is here: secure more exclusives, fix online fundamentals before going “Home,” drop the freakin’ price, and fix web browsing, because… after all, isn’t that why people should buy the PS3? An unbelievable web browsing experience?
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New games this week
Filed under: Nintendo DS, PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360
Well here there are; new games shipping for the week of March 12, 2007. The PS2 sees perhaps its last AAA bastion, God of War 2. And what a last bastion it’s looking to be. Other highlights include Tiger Woods ‘07 for Wii, College Hoops 2K7 for PS3 just in time for March Madness, a couple of Call of Duty remixes for 360 and PSP, Top Spin 2 on PC, and Mind Quiz DS for you touch generation peeps. Have at ‘em.
PS2
God of War 2
Wii
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
360
Call of Duty 3 Gold Edition
PS3
College Hoops 2K7
Continue reading New games this week
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Poll results: Wii, PS3, 360 playing habits
Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Polls
Last week we asked how much time ‘Stiq Nation spends playing Wii, PS3, and 360. After more than 55,000 votes, the results are in. We’ll point out some obvious trends and let you peeps cover additional angles in the comments below.
First up, the Wii. More than 70% of voters own the console and it appears you either like the Wii as a primary gaming system, or you don’t. Also, those who voted “as much as other systems” did more so on Wii than either the PS3 or 360. Surely that doesn’t mean fewer unbridled fanboys, especially for a Nintendo console…
Continue reading Poll results: Wii, PS3, 360 playing habits
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How to build an $800 gaming PC
Filed under: PC
Extreme Tech shares the skinny on how to build a capable $800 gaming PC (sans monitor of course). The core components on their rig include an Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, 1GB of RAM, a XFX GeForce 7600 GT graphics card, and 160GB hard drive with XP Home edition.
The motherboard offers few upgrade capabilities, and the graphics card won’t handle the most intensive games, but this little booger should get you by for a while if you’re on a strict budget. And as one Diggster points out, don’t waste $50 on the recommended sound card; integrated audio would do just fine in this case.
Ridicule if you must, PC purists.
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New games this week
Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360
Hey ya, gents. Got two highly anticipated games for you this week: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 for Xbox 360 and PC (PS3, PSP versions to follow) and Motorstorm for the PS3. A new Wario game for the DS and Vice City Stories for the PS2 round out the recognizable titles. Click on for the full list of games. International readers can hit the read link for Gamasutra’s full breakdown.
Xbox 360:
- Def Jam: Icon
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
PlayStation 3:
- Def Jam: Icon
- MotorStorm
- NBA Street Homecourt
PlayStation 2:
- Burnout Dominator
- Carol Vorderman’s Sudoku
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Continue reading New games this week
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Critiquing video games: Let’s not get ahead of ourselves
Filed under: Culture
GameDaily has posted another excerpt from the forthcoming Videogame Style Guide examining the difference between reviewing games versus critiquing them and how the latter will ultimately help advance the medium. Author David Thomas explains that reviews merely define what something is, while critique aims to answer what it means. For instance, basic critique aims to share if what’s being reviewed would be liked by others. Do you, would you, or would we collectively like this game?
The gist of Thomas’s argument is that even though game reviews have advanced past mere explanation, our industry will never garner the respect it deserves until game journalists first embrace developed criticism; criticism which attempts to address what a game means beyond that of feelings. “Many writers shy away from these big questions because they feel that bringing up these kinds of issues is pretentious or making a big deal out of a little thing — a videogame,” says Thomas. It is pretentious. Saying video games need developed critique at this stage is like saying b-movies are worthy of profound analysis. Intellectual questions should only be addressed when the medium itself has completely developed.
Until game storylines and their execution fully mature (think of the many embarrassing game dialogs), there’s no need in trying to figure out “what it means” if the authors can’t even share a believable story. Note: I’m not suggesting the interactive experience of games as a whole are b-movie quality, but their storylines and ability to galvanize emotion generally are. On a double note: Current game writers need not be blamed nor ostracized as a majority if not all started out as designers or developers. But they do need assistance in the form of training and/or contributions by professional screenwriters if that’s were we want to take this thing. Our medium’s stories are still underdeveloped. Let’s not jump the gun on their critique.
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Counterpoint: Games don’t cause violence
Filed under: Culture
According to sociologist Karen Sternheimer from the University of Southern California, homicide arrests among teens are down 77% since 1993. That’s the year Doom was introduced: gamers fell in love with the new and aggressively named “first-person shooter” genre, and parents feared it and similar games would teach kids how to kill.
Depending on how accurate Sternheimers figures are, that clearly didn’t happen. We’re not ignorant to the fact that mass media holds a powerful influence on consumers (for better or for worse). But the archaic belief that video games encourage mass killing rather than merely galvanizing an already unstable individual in the minority is just flawed. The number of people playing games is up as crime rates continue to decline. The correlation isn’t there.
So why is it so popular to blame games? Hit the read link for an interesting take (in PDF). The short answer; you blame what you don’t understand.
[via FierceGameBiz]
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Ten clichés in gaming (this list is a bonus one)
A gamer will come across several “familiar roads” during the course of his/her tenure. You are familiar with these roads, be it a similar plot twist, story line, or gameplay mechanic. Though the overuse doesn’t make it wrong or right (what medium doesn’t use familiarity when engaging their audience), it does make the strategies cliché. Game Informer examines 10 of the most popular ones in no particular order. So who are you going to pick? The slow guy that does a lot of damage or the speedy, weak hipster?
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