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2 Sept 05
I must admit it's a weird feeling sitting in the midst of this disaster, but being unscathed. Sure, Houstonians are pouring out a lot of time, money and effort to help those that have sought relief here, but we have homes to go back to each night. It's hard to convey what it's like to try to talk normally to someone who's contemplating never going back to the home they lived in and the city they grew up in.
I've worked relief operations before. I've helped people find shelter. I've helped clean up. I've helped rebuild. I've just never seen anything on this scale before. Living here it's starting to dominate our lives and thinking. But we can't escape the feeling that we're the ones who are blessed. We have homes to open, comforts to provide, love to share and shoulders to cry on. You truly become thankful for all you have when you realize how quickly it can be taken away.
I really didn't mean to go on about this, but it's what we're living here. I hope you can understand. Some things are too big not to talk about. Thanks for your patience. Maybe at times like these we need our escapes more than ever. I'll get back to those next week.
Until then, keep sending in your contest stories. They help keep up my spirits. Have a great weekend.
Jason
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1 Sept 05
Even though I don't want to dwell on it, I'm going to post a Hurricane Katrina update. As you might recall, we live in Houston. I'm sure many of you have read reports of an estimated 25,000 refugees from the Superdome being transported to the Astrodome here. That's just scratching the surface though. With people staying with friends and relatives, people in hotels and others just escaping to Houston, estimates place about 75,000 - 100,000 people from the affected regions in the greater Houston area.
The city here has been divided up into zones with churches and charities each heading up relief efforts in those zones. They're starting with basically a census finding out who and how many people are here. Then they're working to find longer term housing for people who need it, jobs for people, clothing, meals, arranging for school enrollment for kids and communication with loved ones. It's a massive effort and could go on months. Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers.
I was reading an interesting article on Gamasutra. It's about developers and the Playstation 3. It goes to describe how Sony is improving developer support having learned their lesson from the PS2. I was also impressed that they're throwing both the AGEIA and Havok physics engines in the SDK for free. That's great since as I previously mentioned, it's the easiest way to unlock the power of the cell.
I was going to go on a long rant about how this is an opportunity to take games to the next level. Then I realized it's really quite simple. To take games to the next level, hardware manufacturers need to make systems for developers and developers need to make games for gamers. I won't talk about the mental blocks that push things the other way, but the easier the hardware is to use, the more developers can focus on creating the games that gamers want. All the hardware teams claim they've done their part. First, we'll see if that's true. Then, we'll see if developers can hold up their end of the bargain.
Oh, and don't forget about our Contest.
Jason
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31 Aug 05
Well, if we can make it through this week and the holiday weekend, the summer doldrums should be over, and we can look to get back to gaming. To celebrate we're having another contest. It's a small contest since despite my earnest pleas, few have taken advantage of using the site's links for purchases. To those that have, thank you. To those that haven't, please consider using them in the future. To those feeling guilty, did I mention that Gamestop now has a $2000 Xbox 360 bundle? You could be the envy of your neighborhood and a hero on this site. Just something to think about.
Back to the contest. We have three prizes this time. The first place winner will select first, then the second and so on. If there are no prizes remaining that a winner wants, they are free to pass on to the next lucky winner. Unfortunately there's no budget for consolation prizes if there's nothing you want when it gets to you (if you win). There will be a maximum of five winners selected. If there are any prizes left after the fifth winner selects or passes, remaining prizes will go back into the prize vault. I reserve the right to snap up any remaining prizes for review purposes by myself or the person of my choosing.
So, how do you win? It's pretty simple. This site is based on gaming stories. To enter you have to write one. Let's keep entries between 100 and 1000 words long. Please clearly mark the beginning and end of your story. Longer stories may be entered and edited at my discretion. Stories should be based on your gaming experiences. Entries must be sent to contests@talkstrategy.com. Entries should be in English and describe a gaming experience. Previously submitted entries may not be used, but AAR's and stories submitted elsewhere may be. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm CST on Sept 12, 2005.
Entries will not be evaluated on the quality of their content. Each entry will be assigned a number. Winning numbers will be randomly drawn. However, winning entries will be published on this website along with the winner's name. If a winner chooses to pass and not claim a prize, their entry will remain in the pool of non winners. All non winners have the option to have their story published or not on the website.
This contest is taking place in Texas and is void where prohibited. It is not required that you be a registered member of the site to enter the contest. Only one entry per person. You must write your story yourself. If you do have a username on the site, please include it in your entry. Please give your full name with your entry. Please contact me with any questions.
Now for the prizes. Once again they are all PC games. We have one copy of Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich. This is the sequel to the award winning Freedom Force that continues Minuteman's fight "For Freedom." It's a tactical RPG where you can power up the story's main characters or create your own superhero. There are expanded danger room and multiplayer options.
We have one copy of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. This visceral realtime strategy game focuses on action. You lead Space Marines, Chaos Marines, Eldar or Orks into battle. It's a combat oriented RTS that encourages aggressive play. If you haven't played it yet, it's the perfect time to get warmed up before the upcoming release of the expansion, Winter Assault.
Finally, our big prize is a copy of Space Rangers 2. This is the game that Bill Harris has already dubbed the PC game of the year for 2005. I don't know that I can give you a better description than that. It is a RPG, TBS, RTS, arcade shooter and more. You choose your own path through a dynamic and chaotic universe. It does require that you have a DVD drive. It does use Starforce protection. It also comes with the original Space Rangers game.
There you have it. Free games for the taking. Anyone interested?
Jason
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30 Aug 05
I know it's strange, but I got a lot of things on my mind. I'm not going to dwell on the hurricane since there are much better places for information, and I know some people just want to get their minds off it.
I had mentioned my concerns about console tactical shooters hurting PC releases. I still have some, but I feel better now. Why? Well, I finally got around to playing Rainbow Six 3 for the Xbox. Obviously, I put it off since I had the "real" Raven Shield. I knew they said that the Xbox version was different from the PC version, but you know what? It still felt more like Rainbow Six than anything.
Sure, the controls were a little looser (I had one snap head shot [tango down] at 80 yards that surprised even me), but the flow and play felt authentic. I know it's kind of silly, but I really loved the immersion of command communications coming through my headset while ambient sounds were pumped through the surround sound. Heck, the voice commands even worked amazingly well at least when I remember the right words. It's open, flash and clear not open, bang and clear.
Speaking of Microsoft and Xbox, the OS monolith has spilled some beans about improvements for Live for the next generation. Gamasutra has a quick rundown Here. The amazing thing is that all those changes are common sense, if you have a gamer centric viewpoint. Thinking back to yesterday's Player's Bill of Rights, I wonder if it's too much to ask for developers to design with the gamer in mind. I wonder if that conflicts with the whole games as art movement. I'll have to think about it.
I mentioned that we probably won't be giving away any Xbox 360's here. I just wanted to point out that it's a budget thing. If Microsoft wanted to send a review unit and a couple to give away, we'd have a contest in a heartbeat. Just throwing that out there.
Finally, I read last Friday's Penny Arcade column. I was quite amused when Tycho mentioned the absurdity of a celebration of your hobby taking your time away from your hobby. I felt I knew exactly what he meant. Still, I enjoy running this place. Hopefully some of you enjoy visiting.
Jason
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29 Aug 05
It's a linking Monday. I've been doing some work behind the scenes on the site. Since no one appreciates those kind of changes unless it significantly improves their experience (and sometimes if it does), it doesn't let me off the hook for an update. Fortunately, there are a lot of interesting things going on on the web, so I can just play the part of the tour guide.
Before I start, I just want to say our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are suffering from the effects of Nature's fury in the form of Hurricane Katrina. If anyone wants to help, the Red Cross, is looking for donations and volunteers. You can get more information Here.
Since I mentioned PAX last week, let's start there. Gamespot has write ups on attendance and the panel discussions. I particularly liked the controversy panel recommending gamers buy more games. That's controversy for you.
Joystiq has an interesting article on expensive gaming launches. They've also included a table of some console launch prices. Check it out Here.
1UP.com takes on the interesting topic of what's wrong with Halo 2. It certainly raises some interesting design questions. Speaking of design, Gamasutra has a feature up on a Player's Bill of Rights. I liked the statement, "The player's right to save and quit is absolute, and it trumps your right to make the game harder by not letting him do so, and any other excuse you may have. No, I don't care what you think. Shut up and do it." Of course, the author is talking to game designers.
I almost forgot, since we're unlikely to be giving away any XBox 360's, you might want to check out Mountain Dew's contest, Every 10 Minutes.
Finally, don't forget to check out the forum. In addition to the work on the casual guide to Battlefield 2, Torolf has started work on a Space Rangers 2 after action report. Keep an eye on it Here. I was thinking that Space Rangers 2 might make a nice contest prize. Your input is appreciated.
This week's game probably needs an introduction. Not everyone has heard of Hammer and Sickle (official site) from Nival Interactive. It's the sequel to Silent Storm. For some, that's enough information right there. For everyone else, it's a turn based tactical combat RPG. You play a Soviet agent trapped behind enemy lines in the British/American sector of Germany in 1949. While there you uncover a plot that could trigger a new World War, this time with nuclear consequences. Since this is an espionage game, you'll have more non combat options than in Silent Storm. The developers are also promising lasting consequences to you actions that will persist throughout the story arc. Look for Hammer and Sickle in the last quarter of the year.
Jason
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