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25 Jun 04
Hey, Hey, Hey, it's ... Fat Albert. Oops, I mean Friday. It's highlight time again. Today were going over Startopia. A quick recap, Startopia has you as a space station management trainee. You are assigned to various derelict stations (each shaped like a torus) and have to prove you can handle it. In essence it's a combination of a realtime strategy/base building game with some sims like elements. So make money, keep customers happy, keep your crew happy, provide requested facilities and fulfill mission objectives. Easy right?
Startopia's greatest strength is its sense of fun. Sure there's a lot of cliche and caricatures in the game, but it's trying to be over the top. The opening cinematic makes fun of 2001. The strong sense of humor runs through the game. The humor is decidedly British, but for me that's a plus. Everything from characters and character designs to technology to assignments and dialogue is done with a lighthearted flair.
So if British humor (humour?) is not your thing, are there any other redeeming qualities? Why, yes. I'm glad you asked. Startopia is very accommodating to different play styles. You can set up the sandbox mode with different options based on how you want to play. Want to focus on trading? No problem. Combat? You got it. Trying to create the ultimate fun vacation station? Go for it. Want to run the place like a prison? It's there too. Rather spend your time farming and terraforming? You bet. The campaign scenarios take you through most of that as well just one at a time. You can mix and match to your heart's content. You also have significant control over objectives in multiplayer as well.
Finally, I'd say another strength would be the characters' personality. Even though all the aliens of a race tend to look alike, each has particular stats that affect performance and attitude. More talented workers cost more to hire but are more productive. Since workers don't pay to use the base facilities, lazy workers can be more of a drain than they're worth. Characters do gain skills over time. They also like being promoted to reflect either increased skills or just longevity. Unappreciated characters tend to mope, do less work and eventually get depressed enough to resign and leave. Regardless of how you decide to play, good workers are key to your success, so it's important to pay attention to them.
Today's game is also an economy building game. It's Children of the Nile (official site) from Tilted Mill. It's a city building game set in ... you guessed it, Egypt. It brings city building into the 3D era. You are Pharaoh and must lead your people from primitive tribes to a mighty empire. The Tilted Mill team has solid experience so you might want to check this out when arrives for the holiday season.
Jason
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24 Jun 04
So how to wrap up what sort of turned into Xbox 2 week. Actually, it shouldn't be that surprising. E3 is over. The roadmap is out there until the next E3. The new consoles will make their debut in one form or another at next years E3. The Xbox 2 is projected to be the first out of the chute, so it's natural that the focus would fall first on them.
I want to go over what I think the biggest challenge for Microsoft is going to be. They know their core business and it's not games. You could make the same argument about Sony, but they are clearly an entertainment company. Microsoft also has a history of cutting losing divisions. The Xbox is not a money maker yet. So there are always analysts out there looking for any sign that Microsoft might get out of the console game.
Let me state first off, that I want Microsoft to stick around. Initially, I didn't like the Xbox, but it's grown on me. They've been willing to make changes (read original controller). They've brought about some games we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Perhaps most importantly, they provide good competition. I truly believe that competition makes the gamescape better.
Some of the recent rumblings around the Xbox 2 have given some insight into Microsoft. It appears that they want at least one of two things for the Xbox division. One they want to make money (and lots of it) and be a serious competitor to Sony. Two they want serious inroads to the family living room bringing about a Microsoft connected household.
The Xbox 2 clearly takes steps in both these directions. Most of the design decisions you can read about fall into one of those two categories. I don't have a problem with either really. The problem is that if it looks like the Xbox 2 is failing in one or both, any sign of weakness of support will be hailed as Microsoft getting out of the console business.
So Microsoft has to walk this tightrope of trying to meet their own expectations while everyone is oohing and ahhing waiting for them to fall. If they seem too enthusiastic or harsh like yesterday, keep in mind that pressure they are under. Like I said, I hope they stay in.
Today's game is War in the Pacific (official site) from 23 Games. It's a war game. You'll never guess where or when it's set. Ok, it is the pacific theater in WWII. It uses the Uncommon Valor engine and hexes are 60 miles. Given the size of the Pacific, that's a lot of hexes. You should be able to start planning your campaigns soon.
Jason
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23 Jun 04
Wow, the Xbox 2 stories just won't die. Spong.com has some allegedly leaked specs here. It certainly looks interesting. If it's a fake, I personally appreciate the NDA reminder at the beginning. I don't think there's much value in going line by line over the specs.
I do think the tone of the whole document is interesting. In fact, I think it will represent the thinking of the next generation of consoles. As we used to say in the Air Force, flexibility is the key to (Air) power. Flexibility will be the key to the next generation. That also lends credence to the idea of a backwards compatibility add on. Again, I don't like the solution, but I like the mind set.
Clearly not everyone wants a game system that can access your computer's hard drive, but it has some interesting options beyond just media streaming. It also makes me wonder if the Xbox 2 could access an Xbox on the network. Imagine instead of everyone getting rid of their Xbox, they start using it as a dedicated server for Xbox 2 games. Maybe you could even save Xbox 2 games on it.
The thing I don't understand in the specs is the amount of memory. I know it has a plus next to it meaning it could go up. It's clearly identified as unified memory supporting both games and video. Memory is cheap now and likely to get cheaper. The main thing holding the PS2 back is the limited amount of memory. The processor and vector units in the PS2 are capable of doing some amazing things, but devs keep bumping their heads against the memory ceiling. With the Xbox 2 probably coming out first, more memory is a must.
The corollary to that is the storage space on the DVD drive. You'd think that 6 gigs would be enough, but just ask a Gamecube owner who sits through pixelated movies during his games about what it's like having the smallest storage medium. Devs are good at filling up space. If the PS3 goes blue ray with more storage and they hold on to the numerical crown, the Xbox 2 versions could start losing some on multiplatform games. I'm sure Sony will be cheering those devs on.
Today's game is a little different. You know how I like different games. It's Chaos League (official site) from Cyanide Studio. It's a cross between a RTS game and sports game. It bears a resemblance to classics like Grave Yardage and Bloodbowl. You have to lead a team of fantastic creatures down the pitch to score. A demo is available now.
Jason
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22 Jun 04
Microsoft made an interesting rebuttal to the article I linked to yesterday. Here's the story on Team Xbox. What a great statement:
“Recent stories in the press about future Xbox products are nothing more than pulp fiction. Microsoft hasn’t made any announcements regarding the next generation, so it’s far too early to speculate about specifics, including backward compatibility. In fact, this media conjecture is irresponsible. The credibility of any publication willing to compromise fact in favor of a catchy headline must be questioned. Xbox fans are smart enough to distinguish truth from sensational reporting.”
So they could claim anything with that. The Xbox 2 will have 20 processors. Do you deny it? The specs aren't final. Please excuse my pulp fiction. It was irresponsible. I said yesterday I don't like the solution of having backwards compatibility in a media center add on. However, I love the idea from a PR perspective.
Microsoft has made some moves recently that have upset the community. Certain games have been cancelled. Rumors have floated about the Xbox 2. If you can have backwards compatibility and a profit, what a great idea. If the hard drive dies, just replace the media center kit. It'll probably only have a 30 day warranty anyway. People pay for what they want. The feature will be there for the next generation.
The down side, of course, is that few people will buy it. The attach rates for non essential peripherals is very low. Most people who buy it will probably do so to move their Xbox out of their entertainment center. But the real draw of backwards compatibility is creating a large cheap library for new users. That will only happen if it works out of the box.
I certainly understand Microsoft's dilemma. They want to make money on the next generation. It's hard to spend a lot of money on things that might grow the fanbase. On the other hand, you don't want to alienate the supporters you have now even if you know what they claim they want isn't what they really want.
Me, I think Microsoft adds good things to the mix. The competition has helped the industry. I just hope that whatever they choose it allows them to stay in the fight. More opponents makes for a more interesting battle.
In honor of our topic, today's game is an Xbox game. It's Wrath Unleashed (official site) from Lucasarts. It's a action/strategy hybrid. You move your creatures around a strategic game board. When they encounter an enemy, it goes to an action oriented one on one fighting mode. Wrath is available now.
Jason
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21 Jun 04
I talked before about the Xbox 2 not having a hard drive. One potential consequence of that could be no backwards compatibility. In fact, I read this report today that states as much. It's easy to see what Microsoft is doing here. They're removing high failure, high cost part and probably replacing it with a constant revenue stream from memory cards. Hopefully, they'll follow the Nintendo and not the PS2 model (yes, people might actually want bigger memory cards Sony).
Backwards compatibility is an interesting feature. It's one of those sounds great, but rarely used features. The article points out they might lose some of their fanbase if they don't have the feature. Certainly, having access to a larger library at launch could help grow the fanbase.
Still, the only true way to have a great console is to have lots and lots of great games. I certainly hope that if MS drops compatibility they wow us with some awesome games and one of the largest launch libraries ever. I should point out that there have been rumblings about a backwards compatibility/media center add on pack. I don't see that as a real solution, but it could quiet some of the unrest.
Today's game is another java network game. It's Bots'n'Scouts (official site) from the Bots'n'Scouts developers. It's based on the Wizards of the Coast board game, RoboRally. You have to program your robot to run the race in an efficient manner while taking into account the possible actions of other bots and the obstacles on the course itself. You can download a copy now.
Jason
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18 Jun 04
I suppose if I had a really delicate ego, I wouldn't be doing this website. Putting up thoughts and theories for the world to ridicule would probably be too much for some people. I really don't mind the criticism. If you listen, it can make you a better thinker and writer. On the other hand, I'm not sure what to make of it when the comments on what I write are better than what I wrote. Check out Wednesday's comments here. Still, I guess I can take pride in sparking an interesting discussion.
It's Friday so it's back to highlight time. Today I wanted do Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising. I've previously talked about the game as a good bargain bin find. It disappeared all too quickly from store shelves. It's not a lost classic or anything, but it did bring some good features to the table.
Clearly it's first and greatest strength was the voice acting. Every thing was pretty much top notch. You can quibble about some of the 'alien' voices, but the voice actors did a great job. From narration by Tom Baker (of Doctor Who fame) to the Headquarters staff to your crew, everything fit well. The voices were instantly recognizable and the emotion was clear and appropriate.
Tying into that was the next strength. You crew was made up of chips you could put into vehicles. Each chip was a personality captured at the soldier's death. They each had skills and preferences. More importantly the personalities had personality. Patton was a tank commander. He was only happy with the largest tank with the biggest gun. He also had the most skill with such a combination. He would charge bravely into battle. Each comment he made was revealing of his personality. Even the word choices used fit the personality profile. In short, the game created a real personality. Then each real personality would interact with each of the other personalities. Some bickered, some hated each other, some flirted and some were aloof from the others. With all that they still provided good feedback. Even if you were off somewhere else personally piloting an attack craft, you could tell how the battle was going from their perspective from the chatter. It created the most real sense of a battlefield I've heard in a game that I wasn't actually talking to real people.
I'd say the final great strength was the resourcing system. Energy was the only resource you could acquire. You gained it by attaching a recycler unit to a scarab utility vehicle. If you used an AI personality, the scarab would tool around the battle site looking for metal and debris to break down into energy. The great thing about it was that you could also recycle your vehicles. So if a unit got too damaged, you could send it to the scarab or back to the ship to be turned back to energy. You'd lose a little from damage, but not as much as if you lost the unit before it got back. This encouraged you not to meaninglessly sacrifice units. If at all possible, you wanted all your team to survive if just to get them back to the ship to create a fresh vehicle for them.
I'm going to go ahead and give a bonus strength. The game gave you freedom of how you wanted to play. Any time you wanted, you could go into your war room. Whenever you did, the game paused, but you could give orders. So if you wanted to play as almost a turn based game you could. Or you could give order from there and just see how they played out. Or if you wanted you could give all orders directly from the field ala Battlezone. It meant that different players could have a radically different play experience based on the way they wanted to play.
Today's game is also a RTS game. But it doesn't have a name. It's the No Name War (official site) from AMC Creation. It's a Romanian effort that is trying to create a true quality RTS. It also has randomly generated 3D maps, something you don' t see often. They're promising that each of the four races will feel completely different down to the unit level. They're still looking for a publisher so no word on when we might expect the game.
Jason
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