The Full Circle: 360 News Report 04.10.09

Posted by Joe Roche on 04.10.2009

It's the weekend of the Masters, which is the official launch of Spring, celebrate with The Full Circle. This week we'll be talking about Arkham Asylum, Shinobi on XBLA, some new Mass Effect 2 news, the Beatles, and so much more as 411Games Joe Roche brings you around The Full Circle.

As we approach the finish line that is the weekend I must confess that I'm sprinting harder then usual to leave these past five work days behind me. You'll have to excuse me if this issue of The Full Circle isn't going to be nominated for any internet awards but I promise that we'll be firing on all cylinders again next week.

I was going to talk about my week in gaming – but I didn't play a single thing all week. It has just been one of those weeks where my down time has been spent doing things other then playing games, and while that has left me incredibly behind on some things that I must finish (preferably this weekend) it gave me an opportunity to relax which is what I needed. However, in a completely self serving moment if anybody wishes to hear my obnoxious voice check out the Right Now Podcast which is essentially yours truly and a buddy drinking beer and making off color jokes about Jay Cutler. In the end it's been a nice refresher week and I'll be hitting the console hard this weekend - Happy Good Friday everyone, enjoy the Easter holiday.

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Resident Evil Versus Mode Released
Earlier this week Capcom released Resident Evil 5's downloadable Versus Mode add-on, which can be had on the Xbox 360 for 400 Microsoft points ($5). The DLC adds 1-on-1, and 2-on-2 competitive and against the Majinji play to the game.

A lot of people have complained about the "Versus" mode being something that should have been included in the original Resident Evil 5 release but here is a better complaint – 2-on-2? That's what we're supposed to be excited to spend an extra 5 bucks on? I think it's fair to say that Resident Evil 5 came out like a lion (when we first started talking about it at E3), but upon it's release went out like a lamb – and I don't see the release of this DLC doing much to help the game's longevity. Is there anyone out there so in love with Resident Evil 5 that'd they rather play 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 matches when there are boatloads of games just as good (or better) that offer 4-on-4, 5-on-5 or better multiplayer options?



Big Beatles Rock Band Announcement
Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music announced on April 7 that the entire Beatles catalogue will be remastered, and re-released worldwide on Sept. 9, 2009 to coincide with the release of Rock Band Beatles. Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.

OMG! This is the best news ever…Actually I can't fake this, I've made it clear in this space that I honestly don't care about the Beatles, and because of that I honestly don't care about the bundles of new re-mastered material that will release in connection with The Beatles Rock Band. However, I do appreciate that there are boatloads of Beatles fans out there and I'm sure this is going to be good news for all of you. I'll admit that the re-mastered version of "Let It Be" was pretty fantastic, and I did enjoy it for about ten seconds but if you think I'm going to pick up a re-mastered copy of A Hard Day's Night then you haven't been reading this column long enough.


Shinobi Coming to XBLA
It appears that a listing for Sega's classic arcade game Shinobi has shown up on the ESRB database. According to the ESRB's description it appears the game will be released on the XBLA, and will be a rerelease of the original arcade game.

Well it appears you can add Shinobi to the list of Sega games apparently coming to the XBLA in the near future right alongside Outrun Online Arcade and Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram. I guess this is good news for classic Sega arcade gaming fans – although none of these seem to be the titles that will bring Sega back from the depths of economic hell. If I might suggest something to our friends at Sega how about you take a lesson from Capcom, and release a side scrolling Sonic game that people have been dying to get their hands on for years.



Eidos Loves Arkham Asylum
Head of UK Marketing for Eidos Interactive, Jon Brook, said about Arkham Asylum "It's as close to perfect as we've ever come."

Anybody who knows me can attest to the fact that I love a studio standing behind their product. I'm an unabashed Epic Games fan because I love when the artist formerly known as CliffyB sticks up for Gears of War, and I love this statement by Jon Brook. Frankly what's the point of releasing a game if you don't think it's the best game you've ever made? Everything I've seen from Arkham Asylum has made me giddy with fanboy anticipation to get my hands on it. It comes across almost like Metal Gear Batman, which frankly might be the greatest idea ever conceived. I will say that setting the bar at Chili Con Carnage is a lofty goal so I expect Arkham Asylum to kick the most ass possible.


More Blue Non Sex In Mass Effect 2
Bioware co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zuschuk in response to a question pertaining to the trumped up controversy around the 2 minute "sex" scene in the original Mass Effect have said that Mass Effect 2 "will not shy away from emotionally engaging moments provided that they are contextually appropriate."

You can all check off your weekly non important Mass Effect 2 story (following last week's no more elevators piece) from your Full Circle bingo card. I really have nothing to add to this story except that was I the only one who thought that Liara was kinda hot in the original Mass Effect? Oh…that was just me, well alright then…hey, wait where are you guys going?

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The Viewing Room

Pretty cool physics video for Fight Night Round 4 – a game that I am anxiously awaiting.



Here is the opening cinematic for the upcoming "Prototype"



In the spirit of the season – here is the Prince Fielder trailer for "The Bigs 2"



Here is the debut cinematic trailer for "The Secret World" – in a word – shit.

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Reader Rants

Not the best week for the readers but because I'm in a forgiving mood let's take a look at how things started with a name only a mother could love: Guest#7729 who had this gem nhl 09 really? if thats your favorite game perhaps you should find something else to write about. obviously you know jack and shit about video games

I thought about responding but Rod Oracheski and old favorite TWilliams took care of business for me so here they are: "nhl 09 really? if thats your favorite game perhaps you should find something else to write about. obviously you know jack and shit about video games"

Must have missed the SPORTS part there, huh?

And Mr. Williams: "nhl 09 really? if thats your favorite game perhaps you should find something else to write about. obviously you know jack and shit about video games"

Instead of reading through the column having brain farts, you should really slow down and take your time to read and understand every word before you try insulting someone

Oh and before we forget perhaps I should let Ser Drake in on the fun: what a douche...even if it was his favorite game and not just sports game, how does that affect his game knowledge? And weirdly enough...I like the elevators at times because you never knew what the news in the background was going to say or if the characters might interact.

In the words of the former Boston Sports Guy…yep, these are my readers.

Oh and Ser Drake, I actually agree with you on the elevators. I do think they got bothersome at times, especially on the ship but for the most part they never even fazed me, and didn't detract from how much I enjoyed the original Mass Effect.

The unnamed Guest#2457 has some thoughts on elevators in Mass Effect as well: on mass effect....their was nothing wrong with the elevator...would you want a black screen with a picture that says loading on it....or the ability to see your characters riding an elevator with the mass effect current events playing through the speakers...?i mean.. comon loading screens suck...id rather see the game involved during a loading screen...

I think Tito deserves the floor at this point because frankly he sums up my thoughts exactly at the end of the week. Although shout out to Ukraine for following the bit: I come from Ukraine, you no say Ukraine is weak Joe Roche. Ukraine is game to you, how bout I take your little column and SMASH IT

Posted By: Ukraine (Guest) on April 03, 2009 at 07:37 PM

The only thing worse than the Ukraine is people who create a wrestler with a shower cap on their head? seriously, who does that? And then to call them Sir-Pimps-Alot, that is weak my friend.

Posted By: Boo-Kraine (Guest) on April 06, 2009 at 03:44 PM

Ugh, sometimes I can't believe I hang out with these guys.

Oh I'd be remiss if I forgot the one person who followed directions and gave me the game he was looking most forward to seeing at E3 09 it's the always dependable Tubby with Lost Odyssey 2

I am also looking forward to Lost Odyssey 2, if for no other reason then it will get me back into Lost Odyssey 1 so I can actually finish the game instead of slugging through three discs and getting distracted by something which I'm sure I regret playing at this point.

A new name to the comments section throws his hat in the ring this week as Mark Salmela has something to say: "Sorry all – I know this is one of the top six reasons to visit this column each week but I got caught up at work on a project and didn't have time to finish the column."

Yeah, and the best reason to click on this column is to see if you've been fired. It's time to put you and this column of yours out of its misery Joe.

And what a waste of space with no Hot Button this week. That space could have been put to good use by yours truly. I know EXACTLY what I'd talk about.

Hmm…Mark Salmela? Name doesn't ring a bell, but thanks for reading friend. I'd watch out though because threatening my column will get you listed on our 411 Terror List, and trust me you do not want to be the subject of our Target Terror segment.

But for our take us home comment of the week we'll give the floor to this gem from Guest#5593: damn...im gettin real tired of seing people complain and bith about the 411 writers.. if you dont like a specific writer dont click on it..even ive been upset from time to time..i mean i dont always agree with some of the movie reviews..but thats why the post more than 1 review..and remember their opinion goes into a article..stuff like last weeks owen hart conspiricy was disrespectful and wrong..but everything else..not a problem..

Hmm…who knew that Ashish's real name was Guest#5593.

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Hot Button

Today's Topic: Bad Idea Jeans

Remember that old Saturday Night Live commercial sketch about "Bad Idea Jeans?" Well I think someone over at Konami was wearing a pair when they announced Six Days in Fallujah a video game that will capture the real life events of the US led battle for control of Fallujah. The battle, codename Operation Phantom Fury (also Operation Al-Fajr) took place between November 7 and December 23, 2004.

Anthony Crouts, vice-president of marketing for Konami went on record (with the Wall Street Journal) as claiming that it was not the publisher's intent to take a stance on the war. "We just want to bring a compelling entertainment experience."

Of course this announcement has not been met with open arms. Military personnel from the US, and UK, including the father of a Royal Marine who was killed in Iraq have publically decried Konami's decision to publish this game. Like many people who have already commented on the game, I have some strong opinions however they go in two divergent directions. I'll start with the most basic, and my first snap reaction to the backlash against the game.

Really?

Look, I understand that the Iraq War is still on-going. I also understand that many people who lost loved ones over there do not want to see a company like Konami profit off the very thing that took the lives of their friend/parent/child/neighbor/relative. It's understandable to be upset that a game like this would exist, especially one that Konami hopes will be a "compelling entertainment experience."

But let's not pretend like this will be the first video game centered on a particular battle, or a particular war. You don't think many people died storming the beaches of Normandy? Because I've played that level in at least five separate games in the past ten years. Is it because that battle took place so long ago that we've stopped caring about the human tragedy that was associated with the event?

Do you think people in Japan enjoy seeing World War II themed video games? You might not remember this but the end of WWII on the Pacific front came because the side that is usually put forth as the hero in those games set the entire island back fifty years, and wiped families that had been around since the dawn of time off the face of the earth. But let's not mention that because it's out of sight, out of mind.

I don't necessarily believe these things – as a matter of fact I don't, just as I don't think people who've lost relatives in street fights should boycott Jean Claude Van Damme. It's entertainment, and it's been said by smarter people then me, but to rehash history is to remember it. If we just swept the battle for Fallujah under the rug nobody would know about the heroes that were killed during the battle fighting in a war that they may not have even agreed with. That might be overly dramatic as well, but ask a kid today what the largest battle in WWII was and they'll probably tell you Normandy. It's not because they're stupid, it's just because movies and video games have conditioned them to think that way.

But here is the bigger issue – namely that these games and movies that talk about, and show war do so in the name of entertainment. They do not claim to depict the real to life events of the battle. That is where my problem with Konami comes in – why would you put this forth as the story of the real battle, as if it was going to recreate the exact scene as it happened during the push towards Fallujah? You want to know what it was like – read the interview that Dan Rosenthal an actual hero that served in Iraq, is a law student, and edits gameslaw.net had to say to GamePolitics.com.

A "realistic" war game is not going to be fun -- who wants to play a game where you sit around doing nothing, punctuated by raiding the wrong house and tearing apart the home of an irate Iraqi family, or sitting around on a convoy until your vehicle gets hit by an IED and your character dies, with no clear enemy in sight? Who wants to play that? In order to make the game fun (it's a "game" after all), it simply has to sacrifice some amount of realism for fun factor. When you do that with a war game based on a real war, with real people, you run the risk of dishonoring their memories and sacrifices, and I think that this game has a dangerous potential to do that.

I have worries that Konami, whose war game track record includes Boot Camp, Top Gun, Rush'n Attack/Green Beret, and of course, the wonderfully inaccurate Metal Gear series, cannot give the game the level of respect that it deserves. The war in Iraq is an incredibly complex topic; the Middle East is an incredibly complex location, and I have major doubts that a company like Konami understands it enough to honor the memories of the soldiers around the world who have fought and died in Iraq. It's not a great start that the Creative Director at Atomic Games is on the one hand talking about trying to "present the horrors of war" and on the other hand make "entertainment". His own words. Or that the VP of marketing thinks that soldiers weren't "men" before the war.

Will this game recreate what I felt watching one of my close friends die less than 10 feet away from me? Will this game recreate my experience of being shot at by children? Will this game recreate the positive experiences of Iraq, the endless hours spent with community leaders to rebuild schools and hospitals? ...The questioning of the reasons for getting into the war? Probably not. And let's be honest, who would want to play that anyway, even if you could?
But for a developer who claims to want to "tell the stories" of soldiers, there's a lot that they're going to leave out. They're certainly not telling my story. They're not telling the background to the story. They're not talking about how we got into Fallujah in the first place. They're not talking about Scott Helvenston, who was pulled from his car, beaten, lit on fire, and his corpse hung from a bridge, which prompted the first battle of Fallujah. So what stories are they telling? Just another war game?

One of the things COD 4 did really well, is it used war as a backdrop. The real story in COD 4 was the hunt for Zakhaev... It didn't reference the actual Iraq war, and didn't need to get into the politics behind it, and Infinity Ward was able to tell a story without getting bogged down. This issue is unavoidable in Six Days. The game isn't set in some unnamed country, it's in Iraq, and it's not some "unnamed city", it's Fallujah. There's no way for them to avoid that they chose to place this game in a location where 20,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, reportedly over 6,000 civilians were killed, and over 150,000 displaced. Who is going to tell those stories?

One thing I'd like to make clear is that this is NOT an issue of censorship. I will fight to the death to defend Konami's right to make this game... At the same time, I strongly protest their decision to actually do it. I think it is foolish, I think it's inappropriate, and I don't have very high hopes that they're going to do a good job of it. I'd love to be proven wrong. I'd love for this game to be a Medal of Honor, or Call of Duty. Hey, I'd even love for it to be Operation Flashpoint or Armed Assault (two of my favorite games). But I'm not holding out hope.

In closing – what is your feeling on Battle for Fallujah? And war games in general?

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Punching Out

B3yond the Report by I can't be bothered to see who writes this mess

411 Book Review: Dragon Age by Armando Rodriguez

What If? by Greg Bruno

Games Only a Mother Could Love by I think one of the Robbins brothers

Living LIVE by Trace Aber

411 Top 5 by Todd Vote

411 Fact or Fiction by Ramon Aranda

Achievement Unlocked by Rod Oracheski

Reality Check by Alexandra Pusateri

The Release List by Tommy Coloma