411 Games Fact or Fiction 08.30.11: GameStop, Portal, Sonic CD and More
Posted by Adam Larck on 08.30.2011
Was GameStop wrong to pull the free OnLive copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution on PC? Are we interested in getting Sonic CD on XLBA? Will Dark Souls will be harder than Demon Souls? 411’s Derek Robbins and Jeffrey Harris debate these topics and more in this week’s 411 Fact or Fiction: Games!
Welcome back to another week of 411 Games Fact or Fiction. I'm Adam Larck, and I'm keeping entertained with Deus Ex. Also, I went back to Two Worlds II randomly. However, I'm definitely enjoying it again.
As a quick side note, make sure to tune into 411Mania all next week to see who the Games section ranks as the Top 50 game heroes of all time.
This week, we have Jeffrey Harris and Derek Robbins going head-to-head. Let's see how these two do. Time for banner!
1.) GameStop was in the wrong for pulling out the free OnLive copies of Deus Ex: Human Revolution from PC copies.
Derek Robbins - Fiction: I feel dirty for supporting GameStop here, but I honestly don't blame them for doing that. OnLIVE is a competitor and threat to their business model and this is a free voucher for something on there, something that is designed to attract more people to the service. Obviously they can't blackball all games that require Steam support, otherwise they would find themselves running low on PC games to sell, but they can try to not support another threat. I mean, sure, it sucks that they are opening new copies of a game and removing a pack-in, but I don't blame them. It's even hard to get mad at them for opening new games at this point because if you buy a new game from GameStop they fucking do that anyway. Square should have informed the company first, I think.
Jeffrey Harris - Fact: It was inside the package. Unless it is a king cobra that will bite me and kill me if I open it, don't mess with my stuff! If I buy a game and expect extras such as this, don't deprive me of it. That is not your job. This is unsealing and tampering with a product that belongs to the consumer if they buy it. They can't just willy, nilly open it and take out what they don't like. That is unfair. GameStop should apologize and be reprimanded for this. And they should also give the coupons to any consumers that didn't get one when they bought the product for GameStop and expected it. Their excuse makes no sense. If they bought the product from you, what is the problem that it has a coupon inside? If you continue to pull actions such as this, surely it will push consumers more toward the competitor already?
Score: 0 for 1 - GameStop's logic in removing the cards was flawed no matter how you looked at it. Even with how they tried to apologize for it, this maneuver should have never been done in the first place.
2.) The fan-made Portal video is pretty cool.
Derek Robbins - Fact: Well, yeah, it was pretty neat. The ending was interesting. I guess my one complaint is that outside of the portal gun and the fact that this part was obviously designed as a test for the subject, it sure as hell didn't feel Portal related. Very serious nature, humans outside of the main character, just...different. That's not to say it's bad - I answered fact because it is indeed cool. It just doesn't feel very Portal like.
Jeffrey Harris - Fact: For a fan made short film it's pretty impressive. The visuals are neat, and there is something attractive and alluring about the buff chick playing Chell in the video. They seem to get that Chell's not like a sex object. The execution of the portal tech and the portals themselves actually looked really good. Production values also looked really good.
Score: 1 for 2 - I was pretty impressed with the video, and it'd be nice to see some more quality videos for Portal like this, similar to MK Legacy.
3.) It's surprising, but good, that Valve is offering refunds for From Dust on Steam.
Derek Robbins - Fiction: It's not surprising. From Dust for the PC was apparently very broken and I would be more surprised - and let down - if Valve just shrugged its shoulders and said too bad. Really, usually for multiplatform ventures, the PC is the system of choice. So, they make it unplayable on most PCs, have a crap load of glitches, cap the fps at 30, and pretty much say "no" to the advanced features the PC is capable of that consoles are not. Yeah, Ubisoft really dropped the ball here, and the refund was the correct move to make from Valve.
Jeffrey Harris - Fiction: It is hardly surprising. It is called good customer service. They put out a shoddy and unfinished product and they are rectifying that. When a company screws up like this, it is common sense and the right thing to do to provide some sort of compensation. Reliability and integrity in the industry are important things in my opinion. So if they aren't going to right wrongs like this, they don't deserve consumer confidence or really consumers at all. Personally, if it means more delays to fix the problems and bugs, they should do it instead of releasing a subpar product on the shelves.
Score: 2 for 3 - Usually exchanges don't happen on Steam, but it's good that Valve and Ubisoft realized there were major problems and offered the refunds.
Jeffrey Harris - Fiction: Only get it if you are a completist and that big of a fan I suppose. I don't have XBox so I wouldn't buy it anyway. However, Sonic CD is far from my favorite of the Sonic series. Sonic 3 is one of my personal favorites. And why even get Sonic CD on XBLA when Sonic Generations is right around the corner? Sonic Generations looks like it will be 100 times better and that looks like it will be a grand, new installment for the franchise. I mean I'm OK with the idea of Sonic CD being put out there, but I have no interest in indulging from a relic from one of the worst consoles of all time that proved why Nintendo was inferior to SEGA in every way at the time.
Derek Robbins - Fact: Sonic CD is my second favorite Sonic game of all time, only behind Sonic 3 and Knuckles. I'm also a well-known Sonic fan. I really like the good games the blue blur delivers. This is one of the best, so it's a no-brainer. Plus, as an extra bonus to folks like me who own a couple different copies of it already, this version apparently contains the Japanese soundtrack. Listen, I think the US one is excellent - especially Sonic Boom, which just has so much charm - but the Japanese one will add a new flavor to the game for me at least. I just hope the graphics are touched up a little, though I won't get my hopes up. Also, not getting this on XBLA, but on PSN. Should I have said fiction?
Score: 2 for 4 - I never checked this Sonic title out, so I may try a trial of it, but a full buy will depend on the price point.
5.) It's a smart move for Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown to release as a download title instead of competing with MK and SF at retail.
Jeffrey Harris - Fact: I see it as a good experiment. Digital download is the future anyway, so might as well get the jump start now and try some things here. I'm not particularly as big of a fan of the Virtua Fighter series as I am with say Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, or other Capcom fighter. But since Virtua Fighter 5 already came and went, this could be a good way to do a revamp of Virtua Fighter 5. When they are ready to do an amped up Virtua Fighter 6, yes release that version on to the consoles.
Derek Robbins - Fiction: First, let me say that I am so happy this version of Virtua Fighter 5 is coming out over here. I have only heard great things about it and have been salivating for my chance to play it. Virtua Fighter 4 is one of my favorite fighters of all time, and I've also had a lot of fun with 5. That said, the fighting genre is THRIVING right now, which was not the case when VF 4 or 5 were released. This genre probably hasn't seen this much love since the 90's during the original fighting game boom. So, why not take advantage of that? VF 5 has always been a critically acclaimed series, and people discovering this genre for the first time might be interested in trying this one. It is probably the most difficult fighter to get really good at. Plus, fans who are playing loads of SF 4: AE and MK might be looking for something different. Whatever the case, this is a day one download for me. I have been waiting for-fucking-ever for this. This more than makes up for Virtua Fighter 5 R never coming over here. I just wish they made it widely available to those who may be iffy about downloading titles.
Score: 2 for 5 - I think this will get the game quite a few more sales then trying to compete at retail, especially with SF vs. Tekken and Soul Calibur 5 slated for next year.
6.) Dark Souls will be more difficult than Demon Souls.
Jeffrey Harris - Fact: From what I've been reading and according to the game's director it will be more difficult and challenging. So what reason would he have to lie? Going with fact here.
Derek Robbins - Fiction: Nah, Dark Souls has a few things going against it. Don't get me wrong, I still think it will be tough because Demon's Souls calling card is difficulty, but I don't think it will be as hard for a couple of reasons. First, Demon's Souls got quite a bit of attention when it was released, so new players will be picking up the controller to see what the fuss was about with this one. Now you might be thinking: "How many new people can there possibly be?" That leads me to my second point: Multiplatform. Xbox players will be getting their hands on this for the first time, and I believe there will be a desire to keep the game somewhat accessible to people who may otherwise be scared away. No, I'm not saying this game will become a cake-walk, but I am saying I sincerely doubt it will be more difficult than what is pretty well known as a wickedly tough game.
Score: 2 for 6 - The trailers for the second game are already showing some huge enemies. Plus, I think the difficulty will be boosted up a bit more by the ability to summon enemies into random player's games.
Bonus Question) What game are you looking forward to in the next two months, before the November slam gets here.
Jeffrey Harris - Batman: Arkham City: Arkham City with a bullet. After having played it at SDCC and E3, I am going rabid over finally getting to play this. The DLC Batman Beyond Skin has only made me more insane with excitement over finally getting to play the final product on PS3. The open world looks absolutely ridiculously awesome, and the cut scenes, graphics, and story look to be up to the amazing standard set by Asylum. If this is half as good as Asylum I will be pretty satisfied, but from all my interviews with the Rocksteady staff, there is even more to do in this game itself. I can't wait to bust up some more supervillains and play as Catwoman. Bring on Arkham 3 where the open world is the entirety of Gotham City.
Derek Robbins - Star Fox 64 3DS, Disgaea 4, Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi: Well, there are actually quite a few games I am looking forward to in the next couple of months, so I will list three. Keep in mind, these are just games I am interested in and not necessarily the best games available, especially one in particular. 1-) Star Fox 64 3DS - I love Star Fox 64 and I need another 3DS game. Seems like an obvious choice. Kid Icarus gets an honorable mention here. It looks really fun and my main man Masahiro Sakurai is behind it. What's more to want? 2-) Disgaea 4. Hey, I don't care if it's pretty much the same game with sprite graphics and lazy cutscenes. It's a fun time-sink, and sometimes that's all that matters. 3-) Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi: I have been watching Dragon Ball Z lately for something of a nostalgia kick, because really, who didn't have excellent lunchroom conversations centering around the Z fighters? So, this game is coming out, and I am excited to play it. It's supposed to play like the Budokai Tenkaichi series, which I have always been a fan, even more so than the technically mechanically superior Budokai 3. Just because I feel the combat is more faithful to the series. May not be a great game, but I am looking forward to it.
Adam Larck - Rage: I know Arkham City is a sure thing for me, but Rage has intrigued me since it's announcement. It still reminds me of Borderlands, but looks to have a bit more variety and story. Plus, some of those weapons just look awesome to use. I'm not sure if it will be a day one purchase, but I'll definitely be checking it out the week it releases.
The pair finish this week going 2-for-6. What do you think? Agree or disagree with their answers? Let us know. See you in seven!
I see both points as far as the game stop thing goes. If the company knew Game Stop was doin their own service they shouldnt have put that voucher in the package. But then again if they didnt know how were they to know that game stop was gettin into that service. But Game Stop shouldnt be opening the packages anyway.
Posted By: Hugo (Guest) on August 29, 2011 at 11:53 PM
I have enough store credit at Gamestop to get one new game at full price (I'll pick something that comes with a good reserve bonus), then I'm done with them. I'm sick of their shenanigans, and Amazon is a far better value. Amazon makes selling games very easy, pays to ship your game to them, and almost always has better prices than you'll ever get at Gamestop.
Posted By: Jason Douglas (Registered) on August 29, 2011 at 11:54 PM
"I mean I'm OK with the idea of Sonic CD being put out there, but I have no interest in indulging from a relic from one of the worst consoles of all time that proved why Nintendo was inferior to SEGA in every way at the time." - Jeffrey Harris
I think you meant "superior".
Posted By: Guest#8867 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Sonic CD is hands down the best Sonic game ever.
Posted By: slim (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:45 AM
In fact, Sonic CD is not only the best Sonic game but I'd even go as far as to say that it's the best game of the 16-bit era.
Posted By: slim (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:47 AM
"I mean I'm OK with the idea of Sonic CD being put out there, but I have no interest in indulging from a relic from one of the worst consoles of all time that proved why Nintendo was inferior to SEGA in every way at the time." - Jeffrey Harris
I think you meant "superior".
Posted By: Guest#8867 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM
He probably does mean superior, but he was right. No, I'm not saying Nintendo sucked. But while Nintendo was sucking every drop out of the SNES, Sega was trying new things and offering new experiences of gameplay. There was nothing inferior about the Sega CD, except for the third party development. I personally loved the Sega CD and had many great games that I enjoyed on it, nothing that would have been able to have been duplicated on the SNES. I played the hell out of Sewer Shark and Lunar: The Silver Star became the first RPG I enjoyed and finished.
Later, Sega's real problem with system development was they were pioneering the next level, but were always behind when everyone caught up. The Saturn was the first 64-bit system, but the Playstation and N64 were superior machines when they showed up months later. After that, Sega couldn't pull any third party support and the Dreamcast was a last ditch effort that also never caught on.
Posted By: Guest#0703 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:53 AM
seriously no mention of Gears 3 i may not be the biggest fan but i know that game is going to be huge and i played the beta and with the videos ive seen so far the games felt and looks much better than the past two
Posted By: DICK (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 01:00 AM
Disgaea 4! they redid the sprites to be HD spritesm so it's not as lazy as before! I'm getting it to complete my Disgaea collection.
Virtua Fighter 5 was a small game, it was 4 gbs. Far below the 25gb Blu-Ray and 9gb DVD9. Digital distribution makes sense if it's sensibly priced and is small enough to download. Now 4gbs for a retail game is relatively small, but if it's priced above 29.99, it might not get purchased.
Posted By: Guest#6821 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 01:30 AM
How on earth can you support gamestop derek? They have a right to pull the product from shelves. they do NOT have a right to tamper with it and remove contents and sell it as brand new.
Posted By: Guest#4625 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
I honestly don't think Virtua Fighter has been competitive in the US arcade or console market since VF2. Sure, it was quite innovative, for the time. Still, it is a very slow, deliberate game (compared to its' contemporaries) and, frankly, it's not that much fun to me. Being obtusely and *unnecessarily* difficult does not equal fun. (Really, if they would just loosen their death grip on the "tight" control scheme, more people would be interested in learning it. One should not have to train as hard as if they were learning ACTUAL martial arts in order to play and enjoy a video game featuring them.) For some reason, the character design also fails to capture my imagination like, well, pretty much ANY other fighter-- even some of the bad ones. (Ergheiz, anyone?)
THAT SAID, it is still very popular in Japan, and I think releasing it here in the US as a downloadable game is actually a pretty brilliant marketing strategy: It gives the person on the fence about buying it the easiest means to do so. John Q. Gamer doesn't have to stand at Gamecrap with SF4AE, MK9, and VF5 in his hand and decide which one he wants... it's right there in front of him, just waiting to be downloaded. The key, though, is the PRICE. If it's released in the US, downloadable at $29.99 or LESS, it will be successful.
Posted By: taka-arashi (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 01:13 PM
Posted By: taka-arashi (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 01:13 PM
GET OUT OF MY BRAIN! I was going to post something very similar lol
Posted By: Guest#9981 (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 02:07 PM
On Gamestop, this is like if you're grocery store has little cheap toys on a hang tag, so they decide to open every box of kids cereal to take out the little toy that comes with it, then seals up the box and puts it back on the shelf.
Posted By: G-Walla (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Your a moron and an asshole if you think its okay for Gamestop to open a brand new item, take stuff out of it and then sell it to you at the same price. Hmmmm you just bought a brand new dresser from IKEA, I'm gonna open up the box and take out the instructions and all your screws. Still wanna pay full price for it? That's some low down dirty shit, and you know what, I'm gonna laugh my ass off when they are declaring bankruptcy the beginning of next year.
Posted By: FGAMESTOP (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 03:34 PM
GameStop doesn't have a competing streaming service. They PLAN to have one up and running, but they don't have one yet.
They DO have a download service, however. So how is Steam not a competitor but OnLive is?
Posted By: lol (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Sonic CD was NOT the best 16 bit game.
Super Mario World much?
Posted By: jay (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 05:07 PM
First, Gamestop already takes "new" games out of packages for their display copies. Granted, this is obviously not as bad as them opening every single copy of a game to remove the voucher. But Gamestop already "messes" with a lot of the new games.
Second, Virtua Fighter should be a physical copy at a reduced price considering it's essentially an expansion. Consoles could really stand to have physical expansion packs instead of downloads, because these downloads go away in a few years and the content is lost to time. As pointed out in this FoF, fighting games are very popular right now so I'm sure it would sell.
Posted By: Two points (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Now despite obviously preferring sealed copies of games, I see nothing wrong with opening or "messing" with a game in an effort to reduce theft. Why shouldn't they be able to protect their stock and your potential products so display copies don't contain the actual disc?
When I used to work at gamestop however, if ANYTHING was actually taken or missing of the original package (like redeem codes etc.), then we HAD to sell it as used... It seems to go against their own policy with the deus ex thing.
For example, skate 3 came with an online pass that eventually expired a year after release. When this happened, we had to move all our skate 3 stock (despite being unopened and technically new stock) to used....
Posted By: login (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 09:17 PM
I think that Gamestop handled this very poorly. First off they don't actually have their own service up yet right? So how the hell can it compete with them right now? Secondly, the better response would be to tell the games publishers not to do this agian in the future, or they will not carry their titles. If they want to use an online gaming service voucher, work out a deal with Gamestop so copies sold at gamestop use Gamestops service.
The Sega CD was interesting, but also had some problems, what with bieng the first of it's kind. I remember that if you were playing the one my friend had, and someone walked in the room, the vibrations would mess up the games, and make them skip.
Posted By: Minimoose (Guest) on August 30, 2011 at 11:25 PM
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