News from Bitopia 08.03.06
Posted by Caleb Newby on 08.03.2006
Why you should play Suikoden (except 4), Blizzard lays the smacketh down, government doesn't want you kids playing GTA anymore, and much more.
And here we are again. Third week and the column is starting to take shape and get a personality. I've got an idea for another feature to include to spice things up further in upcoming weeks, and I'll keep trying the ol' questions of the week to allow you to have a voice as well as encouraging some feedback. It is a win/win situation here.
The News
A Minnesota law recently passed that would fine minors for purchasing games rated M has been overturned by District Court Judge James Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum stated that state officials didn't provide enough evidence that games are harmful to a child, and restricting games is an infringement on constitutional rights.
Yeah! News from my homestate! You kids better pray that your parents don't get a job and relocate to Minnesota! Well, partially because of this gaming thing, but I was more thinking of other factors, like the inhuman temperature swings (It gets to -40 wind-chill on occasion, and has been in the 100s this summer), crappy sports teams to cheer for (The Vikings? Come on, even the locals mostly hate the team they root for. Wolves not so much as of late. The Wild? Who? Only thing is the Twins), and… well, that's it I guess. Minnesota isn't that bad.
E3 is going to be toned down extensively next year. With major studios putting on their own media days, the return on the investment for the major studios has greatly diminished. Expect a smaller, more intimate environment in 2007.
Credit: Literally, everywhere
I, like others at this site don't feel there is much to be said about this at the moment. Maybe by next week… which is a perfect seg to this week's QUESTION OF THE WEEK located at the end of this column. My opinions are I wonder how the small developer feels about this, but I'll reserve most feelings until I see it.
The Sims 2 is coming out with another expansion pack, this time finally allowing gamers to have pets for their sims in the creatively titled The Sims 2: Pets. This will be an add on for the PC and stand alone for other systems.
Yup, I own The Sims 2, and I like it. At least it's not Nintendo Dogs (Hey-oh!). I am sure this will be a great selling expansion as most everything Sims related is good as gold. Doubtful that I will end up getting it unless it falls onto my lap.
A Midway spokesperson confirmed that Mortal Kombat: Armageddon will be released for the Wii in the first quarter of 2007. This will mark Mortal Kombat's return to a Nintendo system since 2004's Deception.
Also this same spokesperson confirmed that adaptations based on The Ant Bully and Happy Feet will also be developed for the Wii.
Credit: Gamespot.com
Fact or Fiction aside, I can't wait for Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. The last Kombat game was a lot of fun and we still bust it out time to time. I'm glad it will be on the Wii as I really want that console to succeed and every title and little bit helps. The Any Bully and Happy Feet games? Eh, whatever.
Blizzard banned 59,000 accounts in June due to people violating the terms of use contract, specifically, 3rd party programs to farm gold and items. In addition, 22 million in gold was wiped from the servers.
I don't like MMO games at all. I don't want to pay for a game after I bought it. Call me stubborn. That being said, I really like what they have done here and cracked down on these cheaters. As a gamer, I don't want people bending the rules and screwing my experience. And if you have ever played Diablo on Battlenet, you know how utterly stupid the majority of Blizzards gamers seem to be. Which is sad, since they make some good games.
What looks good this week?
Only one game really interests me this week that I saw on the release charts, and that is Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Roll around as a monkey in a large ball. It's like Bubble Boy meets Planet of the Apes.
Flash Game of the Week
Sadly, this week there is no Flash Game of the Week. I didn't waste any time with a flash game so we'll have to wait and see what happens next week.
My best buddy Vince takes a look at consoles that failed. He also does the news report on Tuesdays. If you haven't check out his news report this past week, the interview with Mario is priceless. Funny stuff that confirmed that Mario is a hippie. Dude loves EVERYTHING.
Brad Garoon should be back in full force next week after his move. Let him know if Final Fantasy Tactics or Simpsons Hit and Run should be his next topic.
One game you should know about
Suikoden V. The Suikoden franchise has long been one of my favorites since I discovered the original many years ago. A true RPG, Suikoden also incorporates many hidden characters (there are always 108 to recruit… at least) and side missions. I am currently deep into Suikoden V and totally addicted. This game has one of the best and most compelling stories of any RPG I have played for years. I only wish they had more voice over cut scenes than they do, and the random encounters were a wee less frequent. Those minor issues aside, the recently released Suikoden is a joy to play and discover all the aspects there are to the game… especially playing blind man's bluff against Jeane.
5? Questions with a 411 Celebrity
Maybe by next week I will have this one going. The concept is simple. I am going to have a few gaming related questions for various staff members and each week we will see what their tastes are, what games they are playing, favorite games of all time, stuff like that.
Question of the Week
How do you feel about the E3 ending as we know it? Is it a smart decision for the gaming industry, and more importantly, how will it affect gamers?
Again, if I get some intelligent responses I'll put them in a feedback section in next week's column.
Now what?
That's it, I'm spent. For you MMA people out there wondering why the heck I didn't get The Tap-Out done this week, baring another terribly slow news week it should be up come Monday or Tuesday.
