EpicBattleAxe » Rants

Through the Looking Glass…

Tim — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:55:07 +0000

I have been talking to Brent for quite some time now. And no, that is not the reason why I have joined the EBA-writing crew. We both have an interest in philosophy, how the world works, government and idea’s.

Of course, we drifted towards games during that conversation. And not because we wanted to talk about specific games, but since we found a topic that intertwines games and philosophy. And I don’t mean the philosophy that a developer or a publisher has to put this game up. No, I mean actual philosophy.

Back during my studying days, I was “ordered” to read a piece about philosophy and literature. Sadly, I don’t have the credentials in front of me, so you will have to trust me on this.

In the article that the author wrote, she spoke about fiction, literature. That the way what we read is an example to us. Both on the negative side and on the positive one. While a lot of books try to aspire to the right quality of people, there are also books that look at the most vile of things. Moby Dick, Dante (and I mean the book, not the game) and more.

These “evil” books ask you, in their own way, to look at oneself critically. What would you do in such a situation? In the Devine Comedy Dante comes across a couple, where the woman had cheated on her husband, but with someone she had deeply fallen in love with. She was going to burn in the second Circle of Hell.

Moby Dick shows us the danger of revenge. If you let yourself be consumed by your lust for vengeance, be ready to dig two graves. Ahab went down with his hatred for the great white whale.
All well and good. This is a game-website, I hear you guys and galls shout at me.

Sometimes a good introduction is needed to come to the point. If books can give us an example what we might do, games give us the possibility to undergo the example. To be the one that actually goes down hell with Dante. To be the one to shoot your greatest enemy, or fight your worst nightmare. Instead of just being a written example, you act, which helps you even more to understand, if one dares to see it, what we as human beings can do. But most shooters and most action-adventures are, in a certain way, still the same as the aforementioned great moments of literature. It is still a narrow corridor that you go through.

But there is a new sherrif in town. The choice game.

Mass Effect, Bioshock, Star Wars: the Old Republic, Deus Ex: Human Revolution. All games where you can make your own damn choice. Maybe haphazard, maybe pushed in a certain direction, but there is a choice. You can now reflect, to yourself, what would you do in such a situation. Mind you, it can also be fun to do something entirely the opposite. But it shows a glimpse of our biggest fears and can also show our brightest light. I just plainly mean morals. In these games you are not just undergoing the example, you make the decision; for that will show you the example.

Mass Effect is a very good case-study. Spoiler: near the end of the game, you will have to make the decision between Alenko and Williams. There is no other option. And it will have a dire consequence, that will continue on till the final installment. End Spoiler.

This is our advantage. Even if most play the game only for fun, heck, even if all play the game only for fun, the underlying message, or option will still remain there for those who are willing to see it; that games are a window. They are a window to the most fantastical universes, while at the same time, they are a window to our own world and ways. That is also why games are becoming more and more looked at as if they are art. Just like books and movies, games are a reflection of what we do and who we are.

Thanks for reading, and let me know what YOU think games can show us.

The Milk’s Gone Bad – When Online Passes Expire

"Viking Brent" Adams — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:42:45 +0000

You’re probably thinking to yourself that the sun is going to rise tomorrow and that Online Passes couldn’t get anymore annoying than they already are. You’d think these are simple facts; certainties that can be relied upon with the same dutiful consistency as gravity.

Well, punch yourself in the taint, because you’re wrong. As a recent poster on the NeoGAf forums discovered those pesky bastards have a shelf life. Now the good news is that they have the same deal any reputable milk retailer does: if you buy a product with an expired code, they’ll replace it free-of-charge.

But the point isn’t so much the expense as the frustration and reading this was sort of a last straw moment for me. I’ve tried to be reasonable about Online Passes, I’ve tried to give the industry the benefit of the doubt. But, just as for Fraulein Ravenwood, that time has passed.

So, will tearing open a tainted game, like with milk, and taking an enormous inhale (as I am prone to do) cause your face to turn inside out around your sinus cavity? No.

Unless, you happen to be at the end of your fucking rope with all the nickel-and-dime, two-bit, busch league, shenanigans game companies punish us with because GameStop built an industry around second-hand game sales. Then you might be doing some face-yoga after all.

The point is that this is the icing made of dirt on top of a cake made of boots. Online Passes are far and away the thing that annoys me most about the game industry at the moment; and I don’t even buy used games. What bothers me is that it is so obviously the worst approach to the ‘problem’ of cost vis-a-vis online gaming.

Charge for character customization in online play; the player actually gets something of value for their money without upsetting the balance of play. Give every copy of the game a set amount of online play-time baked in; after, say, six months that disc needs a recharge (DK just read that and thought “re-CHARGE!” to himself).

Attach the online account to a physical copy of the game; if you sell your game to GameStop, your stats, achievements, and leader-board rank get flushed when the next player boots up your old disc. It incentives hanging onto games while ensuring that you only have as many people using online resources as there are discs in circulation.

I might even be able live with Online Passes if anyone were even making an attempt to address how myopic they are. Give -anyone- who plays the game 7 days, free, to evaluate online play before you charge them for the pass. Address the issue of two gamers living under the same roof having to pay for a second pass for -gasp- having different profiles on the same console.

Finally, if charging more is the only thing that makes gaming profitable in a world where GameStop buys and sells small nations with their used-game profits, then charge GameStop more for each wholesale copy they buy. If their business model has put such a strain on yours, then charge them (and any other retailer who does more than 20% of their business in used-sales) for your loss of revenue. Don’t charge me for it.

The company that comes along and address these issues, that gets creative instead of reaching for the pricing-gun, is one I’ll eagerly do business with. I don’t know if its realistic to expect buyer-penalization will grab the attention of the ivory towers, but as indie publishers and developers themselves increasingly have direct access to the marketplace, I’ll certainly be looking to reward those who offer great games and fair practices with my hard-earned cash.

Original story via GameInformer

Thanks to warpixel for dropping the link in the Shoutbox!

The Cake Really is a Lie

"BodyLikeABattleAxe" — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:32:48 +0000

Valve writer Erik Wolpaw has had too much cake, and like any little boy with a sugar-induced tummy ache, he’s letting everyone know.

As one of the primary writers of Portal, Wolpaw told Gamasutra he’s fed up with the amount of three-year-old jokes spawned by his genius literary and gaming talent.

“If you thought you were sick of the memes, I was sick of it way ahead of you,” Wolpaw said. “For instance, cake. I’ve had enough cake jokes.”

Well if that doesn’t just take the cake.

According to Wolpaw, Portal 2 will steer clear of any rehashed Portal jokes, but the game’s icing on the cake will lie in its classic style of humor and inclusion of essential characters.

“The cubes are in there because they’re a gameplay element, and obviously, GLaDOS is back, but there’s a bunch of new gameplay and we want to tell an interesting new story,” he said.

Wolpaw really is the (ice) cream (cake) of the crop when it comes to Valve-style writing, and we can expect plenty of fresh jokes and annoying memes to come out of Portal 2.

“We didn’t jettison everything, but I absolutely do not want to try and resurrect a three-year-old meme. That seems like it would be kind of sad,” Wolpaw said, and to really cake it on, added, “It’s not a good idea.”

It seems that Wolpaw loves hating cake like a fat kid loves cake, though I would personally be surprised if the new Portal doesn’t at least mention any of its classic memes. Like “Who’s on first?,” Portal jokes are a core element of gaming and nerd culture. If you get it, you’re golden. If not, you’d better buy some shampoo, put down the Mountain Dew Code Red and start working out, because you’re not one of us.

As for Wolpaw, he was the man who created the jokes and it is his right to say when they’ve gone too far, but to claim that including a slice of delicious cake in the background of the Aperture Science lab would be “sad” seems overkill. I mean, what does he want for speaking out about his self-hatred? A medal? A cookie? Some cake?

Too bad for him, THE CAKE IS A LIE.

Eat it, Wolpaw.

RANT: Discussing the iPad's Potential

"eba_axeman" Reuben Moretz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:05:06 +0000

Several weeks after the announcement of Apple’s new iPad there has been a lot of talk regarding the presence of the new device and how it will impact the gaming industry (if at all). Some sites have gone so far as to blatantly make fun of the device (not that it doesn’t necessarily warrant it) but after having some time to let it all soak in, I thought it would be good to put things in perspective and see what the EBA Community thinks about the matter. Not to single out Kotaku (even though I will with Example 1 and Example 2), but it seems to me that some of the information being put out there for gamers is not being properly put into perspective. After all, this is Apple, a HUGE company, and while hardcore gamers might not feel the impact directly, publishers and developers dedicating time/resources to the platform means that gamers will most likely be impacted in some shape, way, or form. So, let’s take a couple swigs of the ‘ole spirits and discuss, shall we?

Before we get caught up into the normal gaming platform dance, let’s consider the niche market that the iPad could thrive in. The casual gaming market used to be a joke, especially in the eyes of PC and Console gamers. We have all made fun of those silly little games you could play on your old cell phones – that while fun, are just a temporary fix – hence the term ‘casual’ gaming. The emergence of the iPhone and growing popularity of community and social gaming on the web, most notably Farmville on Facebook, has given rise to an entirely new type of gamer. With millions of subscribers and just under $100 million in profit in 2009, the developer of Farmville, Zynga, stands to make record profits in 2010. With the use of the simplified gaming mechanics of casual, community gaming and the use of micro transactions, these types of games could be just the ‘niche’ market that the iPad could fill. Zynga and Playfish, both power players in these social community games ‘genre’, continue to find ways to bring their increasingly popular titles to their consumers.

So, if it’s direct impact on the gaming economy you’d like to discuss, then don’t sell the iPad short. There may be those that make fun of the device, but the ease of application distribution and micro transactions could quickly elevate an already aggressively expanding market even more into the mainstream ‘gaming’ community. Hell, we may even start to see large scale integration of these casual games into our consoles. Online Farmville on Xbox Live? Sure, laugh! Don’t count it out, either…

With gaming’s infusion into a wide array of devices and across ever increasing demographics, it becomes less about what types of bad ass first person shooters you can make for the iPad and more about how to bring highly profitable, addictive games to the device. You can bet that the major pubs/devs out there are gonna invest in the opportunity and as a result, look to provide experiences that may just make the iPad more relevant than you’d expect.

So, what do you all think? Sound off in the comments section below and as always we’ll keep you posted on all of the latest iPad info right here on EpicBattleAxe.com!

RANT: Discussing the iPad’s Potential

"eba_axeman" Reuben Moretz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:05:06 +0000

So, what do you all think? Sound off in the comments section below and as always we’ll keep you posted on all of the latest iPad info right here on EpicBattleAxe.com!

RANT: Is Mass Effect More "Film" Than "Game"?

"TheAxeWielder" — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:14:18 +0000

Anticipation/hype for BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 is hitting an all-time high right now as we near the game’s release in just a few short weeks. Counting myself among the pumped, I noticed an interesting story over on Joystiq (via IGN) where Mass Effect Project Manager Casey Hudson went on the record stating that work on Mass Effect 3 is already underway and that the storied RPG developer is looking to make a “fairly short turnaround” in terms of the third installment’s release.

Obviously, it’s no surprise that work on ME3 has already commenced and the “short turnaround” thing s can mean pretty much anything, especially when you consider that it’s been over two years between the original Mass Effect and the soon-to-be-released sequel, but here’s my question; Is BioWare rushing this franchise along now that it’s gained notoriety and backing from EA? Is one of gaming’s most valuable IPs being treated more like a “Film” than a “Game”? Honestly, I don’t know, but there’s two ways of looking at this…

First, if you think of Mass Effect like a feature film from the BioWare/EA perspective, then you would certainly WANT to get the third and final installment out relatively quick to capitalize on the hype and generate as much interest/sales as possible. It’s like the Lord of the Rings flicks or something…keep em’ coming…keep milking that IP…Secondly, you can think of this from a different perspective…The Mass Effect franchise as what it is…a GAMING franchise. Unlike films, Mass Effect 2 could be heavily supported by DLC and a consistent stream of content to enhance/grow the world, characters, and story while seeing what gamers respond well to. After all, BioWare has already adopted this model with it’s recently-released Dragon Age franchise. Capitalizing on the opportunity to maintain steady interest while also gathering player feedback, a year or two of DLC could help shape the story/characters for the third and final installment (the plot of which is no doubt already written, but whose extraneous factors could still be refined). This is something you can’t really accomplish in the realm of films and an aspect of the ever important creator/player relationship that makes gaming so unique. The DLC support for the original Mass Effect was pitiful and I’d really like to see fans get what they crave/deserve with the sequel. Hell, new races, worlds, etc. can be introduced and through steady feedback, BioWare can offer some “fan service” by letting its community shape some of the content in the climactic conclusion.

So, there’s no real “news” here, but it’s interesting to discuss. Should BioWare focus on treating the Mass Effect IP like a “film” or a “game”. Obviously, I’m hoping that BioWare will attempt to conjure up new and innovative ways of progressing a valuable franchise like Mass Effect while taking into account the options afforded by the medium itself. I certainly don’t want Mass Effect 3 rushed along simply to get it out within the “hype” window, but I also don’t want to wait 3 full years for a true sequel. What do you all think? What would you like to see from BioWare/Mass Effect. Let us know in the comments below.

RANT: Is Mass Effect More “Film” Than “Game”?

"TheAxeWielder" — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:14:18 +0000

RANT: WHERE’S THE LOVE?!

'The Canasian Sensation' Lucas Archer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:34:49 +0000

My fellow Axeheads, today I am taking time out of my assignment filled week to bring an issue to light that needs to be address…..hate. No I’m not talking about kitten punters or the angry neighbor who yells at kids from his porch. I’m talking about gaming discrimination, the hate that gets spread from forum to forum, from comment box to comment box on every gaming site in existence where certain gamers feel the need to “diss” consoles and games for the sake of professing their love for their favorite console and game. Everyone knows what I’m talking about and it makes every knowledgeable gamer’s blood boil. It’s immature, annoying and creating a rift in the gaming community that should not be there.

The obvious catalyst that sparks this hate is the consoles themselves. I know some people (including me) can only afford one console per generation. Therefore, when console exclusives come out (mainly the good ones) some gamers are quick to express their love for the game by throwing out a comment such as “Only On PS3…Cry 360,PC,XbotTrailers and Microdick…PS3 and Sony 4 Life”. This of course if followed by “lol cry some more!!!but hey… everyone knew a gay game like this couldn’t beat Halo 3… it just rocks, and Uncharted 2 plain sucks, truth hurts, eh ?”. Thus starting a chain reaction that spreads the comment tread like wildfire (examples taken from the comments for the Uncharted 2 review on Gametrailers.com).

The other popular sources of hate are popular games. The obvious example is the newly released Modern Warfare 2 where the hate has been pouring in since all that PC controversy that started a month or so back. People think they’re cool to hate a game that’s popular because they’re going against the trends like a rebel and when one speaks out the rest chime in. Now to be fair people have intelligent arguments on why they dislike MW2. HOWEVER, when a comment such as “ThE CRAppiest game ever. this SUCKED. I want my money back. I would rather watch barney and friends! Short campaign, stupid first person camera… If ur wondering what games I do like, Halo” come up on Metacritic, it makes me face-palm so fast I give myself a bruise.

Comments like these do not help, solve, or prove anything. If you want to make a point about a game it needs to be done in an intelligent matter in order to create real discussion and from that discussion it’s possible the gaming community can evolve. Garbage like this fuels the stereotype that all gamers are basement dwelling nutcases and as the simple truth is that the majority of us are not. We are intelligent human beings who are capable of a real discussion but our voice gets downed under the hateful spew these people spread like chicken pox. All these comments do is create a boundary between console and game owners and separates us by consoles and creed. I only own an Xbox 360 but that doesn’t stop me from staring in awe at Uncharted 2 or God of War III and having a blast when I’m playing Wii Sports on my girlfriend’s Wii. We are all gamers and we are all bound together by the same ones and zeros that create the great the games we all love. We shouldn’t hate the games we don’t get or the games that we don’t like. We should appreciate all games and give suggestions how to improve them in a matter in which developers and publishers will listen. No developer listens to the trolls and spammers but they will listen to intelligent arguments. If we can suppress these hateful gamers it will make the comment treads and forums a much happier place to type.

I look at the forums and comments on EpicBattleAxe and I have to give huge props to all you Axeheads, this is the most intelligent group of gamers I have ever seen on the internet. If you guys disagree with me or anyone one else on the site you supply intellectual evidence to support your arguments, you don’t start throwing your poo at the screen in a hissy fit. That’s why you guys are the perfect group to bring this up with and to share a message of love and respect. There will always be some jerkoff who talks trash every topic on the planet just for the sake of being a sh*t disturber but if this article can cause even one troll to open their eyes and see that certain comments are hurting the video game community, then I believe I’ve done my job.

Spread the love my fellow Axeheads, spread the love.

RANT: Price Of PSP Download Game To Equal Price Of Retail Game

'The Canasian Sensation' Lucas Archer — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:15:06 +0000

Congratulations Sony, it takes a lot of work to set back an entire medium of distributing games but it appears if you don’t, you’re taking good strides to.

It’s common sense that a downloadable game is cheaper than distributing a game by retail, after all publishers don’t have to deal with packaging or shipping cost. So therefore it is expected that downloading a game should be cheaper for the buyer then going to the store and grabbing the box. Sony Computer Entertainment America apparently disagrees and as such Persona and Gran Turismo start off the trend by being priced equally to their downloadable counterparts at $39.99.

Seeing this caused my bullsh*t alarm to go off like a rocket strapped to a gazelle. How is it possible to justify this? A PSP Go owner not only doesn’t get the box with the instruction manual or any other goodies that the publisher or the retail store has thrown in (*cough* Gamestop *cough*) but has to pay the same price as well? With this knowledge it’s hard for a sensible gamer to justify picking up a PSP Go over a PSP 3000.

We’ll use Persona as an example; the retail version of Persona is available from Amazon.com with a 2-disk soundtrack pre-order bonus at a price point of……$36.99! That’s right folks. It is cheaper to buy the retail version than download the damn game and on top of that, the PSP Go owner does not get the damn soundtrack that alone is probably worth at least $15 or more.

It’s crystal clear that Sony is not interested in pushing digital distribution forward and thus moving the entire industry forward oh no! They’re going to keep everything status quo and leave digital distribution an alternative instead of a potential future. Sony had and still has an opportunity to pave future of the video game industry, instead their leaving it at a stalemate by making the PSP Go just an overpriced system with seemingly no advantage other then gamers not getting off their couches to get their games (though the name GO should stress that handhelds are meant to be played outside).

Source

RANT – Game Politics

"Viking Brent" Adams — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:28:46 +0000

While looking through the comments from the last Skirmish of EpicBattleCry, I came across a video Battle Cry posted by CrimsonGorilla. He talks about former LucasArts president Jim Ward, who resigned from that position early last year. Mr. Ward is going into politics and recently announced that he will be seeking election as a Congressional Representative for Arizona’s 5th district.

CrimsonGorilla missed the cutoff for the new Skirmish, as we’d already wrapped recording when he posted his vid, but it got me thinking about the possibility of seeing a Congressman who may actually support the video game industry as opposed to just using it as a punching bag.

Hit the jump to see my video response and check out the EpicBattleAxe YouTube channel for more insight from the EBC crew.