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30 Oct 04
Oh my. It's been a crazy couple of days. My wife went into preterm labor and my son was born 10 weeks early. Fortunately, he's big for 30 weeks. He was born 4 lbs 2 oz and 17 inches long. His name is David. Baby and mother are both doing well. David will be in the neonatal care unit for a few weeks. He's past the period of highest risk, but setbacks are always possible. Prayers and kind thoughts are appreciated. Expect any updates to be sporadic. If you want to help, please use the news submission feature on the news section, write a minireview, or just post in the forum. Thank you.
Jason
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27 Oct 04
Well, Eric (joemama in the Forum) schooled me pretty well last night in Warhammer 40k: DoW. If anyone else wants their turn, let me know. I could make excuses, but the truth of the matter was I didn't play well enough to win and Eric didn't disappoint. We're looking at writing up some of our battles. I'll let you know when we do.
The big news around the net today is that Sony has announced a price point for the PSP. Their first portable system is launching in Japan at a price that converts to around $190. Wow, I actually called one. It's launching on the 12th of December only in Japan with up to 21 launch titles. Sony has confirmed there will be at least 12 launch titles. They're also offering a spiffy "value pack" that includes a memory stick, headphones/remote control, and a carrying case. Battery life has been confirmed at 4-6 hours on a full charge.
It looks like Metal Gear Acid is the cream of the early titles. Though the overall selection looks pretty good for a brand new system. The other announcement today was that level 5 makers of Dragon Quest VIII and the Dark Cloud series is making a new original RPG for the PSP. There's no word on game pricing yet. I'm still expecting around $40 for big titles with some $20 budget titles available. We'll see if I can make it two for two.
Some people have been complaining about the battery life. I'm sure everyone would like it to be longer, but drive base media will always consume more power than cartridge based. The time is pretty comparable to a high end laptop playing games or DVD's. With a spare rechargeable battery, you'll be set for most any gaming session. I still say it's a good time to be a gamer.
Jason
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26 Oct 04
If anyone buys the game of the week, let me know how it is? I always like to support the little guy. Unfortunately (?) my backlog is a little too big to pick that one up right now. Of course, there are always dry spells. It's nice to have a game or two in mind when they roll around.
Early reviews of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas have it pegged as the best game this generation. Strangely so do the early reviews of Halo 2. You'll never guess what people are saying about Half-Life 2. I'm guess there won't be too many strategy games taking overall game of the year awards this year. That's too bad since it's been a pretty good year with more yet to come.
I've been wondering about comparing games. With all the sequels out recently, you don't expect as much innovation, but you do expect more polish. Would you rather have a radical new concept without polish or would you rather have your same game with better graphics, a smoother interface and a new story. Of course, when I think of a radical concept real time strategy game, Sacrifice jumps to mind. Compare its sales with Warcraft 3 or even Ground Control 2, I guess most people are happy with the same only better.
Fortunately for all of us, innovation inspires more innovation. Even when innovative games fail, the community of gamers and developers are exposed to those new ideas. The best of them get rolled into the next generation of the mainline games. So when we see something like Perimeter disappear quickly, we don't have to worry about the concept of flexible unit morphing going away. I'd expect to see it again, perhaps in something like a Starcraft 2 (note, I don't have any inside information, but I'm pretty confident we'll eventually see Starcraft 2).
Jason
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25 Oct 04
Hey everybody. It would be nice if you would throw me a bone here. I know you're playing games out there after the recent influx of quality strategy releases. Could you take a moment and let everyone know what you think about the new games you're playing? Please? That's what the forum is there for. Help a web guy out.
A quick update on the PR war, here's the GTA:SA PR announcement:
Rockstar Games Ships Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for PlayStation(R)2
New York, NY - October 25, 2004 - Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has shipped to retail stores in North America. Developed by Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is available exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be in stores in Europe on October 29th, 2004.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the next installment in the gaming franchise that has sold over 32 million units to date, including over 13 million units of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and over 11 million units of Grand Theft Auto 3.
Nice and understated. I like it.
The Toys 'R Us buy 2 get one free (equal or lesser value) has started at their brick and mortar locations. You might want to go early so they still have what you're looking for. Note this is only for console titles and doesn't include the GBA. They've also instituted a policy against substituting returns. This year there'll be no returning unopened games on 9 Nov to get Halo 2. They are giving you a deal and helping clear out their inventory for the holiday rush. I don't think there's any reason to try and abuse it.
This week's game is an indie offering. It's World Fables (official site, EST site) from EST Games. This is a quirky RTS set in the land of Fables. You'll lead units such as Gingerbread men, little pigs, Red Riding Hood and Humpty Dumpty into all out war. Can you get the Book of Life back from the three Goats? Check out the demo right now.
Jason
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22 Oct 04
I just want to thank the Astros for giving Houston one of the most thrilling runs in the history of baseball. For those of us sure that the season was over in July, you taught us to have faith. Great job guys. I'm one of those guys who feels that you have to root for the team that beat you just to prove that you only lost to the best. So sorry Red Sox nation, Go Cards. Sweep 'em. Oh, and Drayton McLane, if you're reading, do what it takes to sign Beltran. You know it's the right thing to do. He's even hinted that it's not all about the money.
Sorry about that for the non baseball fans out there. Although, have you seen the new look Rockets? Just kidding.
Interesting goings on at Lionhead. It seems that BC has been cancelled or at least suspended. I know people had high hopes for it. That seems to be the problem with Lionhead. The initial concepts are great, but vague. Then they put out all the great ideas they hope to get in the game. Then reality sets in as the project drags on and they release a game that's admired in concept, but isn't as much fun as hoped. That seems to be what happened to Fable (which did break a few sales records).
Gear Live put up an interested related story. Check it out Here.
I still have hopes for The Movies. Lionhead's not trying to invent a new genre there. As long as you get a studio business sim with some light movie making elements, I don't see how they could go wrong. Of course, they haven't been hyping it to the moon either. That helps.
Did you see the shocking news in the news section? Dominions III will drop support for Solaris. I guess dreams don't always come true. Sorry. By the way, if you're a Solaris only gamer, you're way too hard core, but my inner geek admires you.
Speaking of shocking, Computer and Video Games has confirmed that Civilization IV is in development.
Finally, Penny Arcade has started their Child's Play charity drive again. I'll probably put one of their ads on the site. One of the hospitals on the list is the children's hospital here in Houston. If you're unsure where to give, it's a good place and I recommend it.
Jason
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© Talk Strategy 2004
