News From Bitopia 9.28.06
Posted by Caleb Newby on 09.28.2006
Bill Gates wants to thrash, Master Chief still sucks as a character, Doom invades the Xbox, and a trip down memory lane, courtesy of Sierra!
And I'm back. I took last week off as I've just been busy with all sorts of stuff around here. Also, give any feedback you have on the Games Zone here at 411 to me, I'd appreciate hearing what you readers do and don't like and what you'd like to see changed/improved. If you let me know your thoughts I can better try to get you guys what you want.
Now that piece of business is done, let's hit it. Oh, and before you ask, I won my 411 Staff Fantasy Football game this week. By a crushing victory. It's so obvious you care.
The News
Wanna ROCK OUT with Bill Gates?!
And who doesn't. Guitar Hero 2 will be on the Xbox 360, RedOctane announced today. The obvious thing to get excited about is the use of new content via Xbox Live Marketplace to keep the songs new and fresh. The obvious downside? Having to purchase the controllers for a new system.
No two ways about that. It sucks.
More Halo than you can shake a stick at. Too bad Master Chief sucks as a character.
Announced at the Tokyo Game Show is the Xbox 360 exclusive RTS, Halo Wars. I'm sure there are people that are excited about this.
I am not one of them. I've not cared about the RTS genre since Warcraft 3, what can I say? I'll give the game a chance to change my mind for sure. That being said, I still don't care one way or another. But this does lead me to make a point I feel I need to make.
The Halo world is not really all that interesting. Yes, I've played through both games story and I found it rather generic and boring, to be honest. That's not to say that Halo isn't an immensely fun game to play with your buddies, as it obviously is. It's just that I've never found Master Chief or the story to be all that inspiring. It feels way too generic and cookie cutter to me.
Fortunately for people like me, the game doesn't require you to appreciate the story to have fun with it. Hopefully that doesn't change in the near future for the franchise either. Bah humbug.
Speaking of cookie cutter plots… Credit: Gamespot
Announced today by Microsoft, the original DOOM is now available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The game now supports 5.1 surround sound, online mode, as well as split screen for co-op and deathmatch games for up to four players. It costs $10 to purchase.
That's awesome. That's all that needs to be said. That's awesome and you know it.
No witty comment here. Just GTA4 news. Credit: Gamespot
At X06 taking place in Barcelona, it was revealed that Rockstar is working on two downloadable content packs for their upcoming GTA4 title. Promised were "hours of new gameplay" and not something small like "an extra car or character". Gamers should think along the lines of GTA: Liberty City Stories for length and new content.
As long as this doesn't diminish what would have been included originally, then fine by me. I like paying for extras in small chunks so it doesn't seem like I am losing much money until I check my bank statement 3 weeks later. It's more fun that way. I suggest you try it. Sure leads to less worrying.
Sierra announces Assault Heroes and 3-D Ultra Mini Golf Adventures for Xbox Live Arcade Credit: Gamespot
Ok. I didn't care about this announcement. It was an excuse to talk about Sierra. So there was this one game that I always wanted to play but never had the chance to. I think it was called Hunter/Hunted or something like that. I believe the idea was you are either a human or a minotaur running around with rocket launchers and other obvious weaponry trying to kill the other in a side scrolling adventure. The game probably sucked, but dang it, I thought it looked fun as a kid.
In other random Sierra thoughts, those King Quest games sure used to be cool. I remember playing some of those old ones way back in the day and just thought they were the most amazing adventures ever. How spoiled we've become. Yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Born-in-1992.
What looks good this week?
NBA Live. Basketball games are fun to play with friends. But to be honest, I now want to find old copies of King's Quest games and play them again.
How does that not look fun?
A confession and a story
I love The Sims 2. I loved the original Sims as well. I have 3 expansion packs to Sims 2, and I am afraid of lying about it and hiding it any more. I'm sick of feeling judged as I make the purchase at the local Gamestop and can feel the condemnation flow across the counter from the sales rep. Just because he is oh' so hardcore I can't enjoy the Sims?
Let me tell you about this guy. He reminds me slightly of Dwight of The Office fame in style and appearance.
I made the mistake of engaging in small talk with this gentleman once about Civilization IV. It went something like this… *ahem*
Caleb: So… the next Civilization comes out soon.
"Dwight": *nods*
Caleb: Yeah… I'm a pretty big fan. Played them since the original. Hope this latest one builds upon Civ III nicely…
"Dwight": I can't talk about it.
Caleb: Okay…
"Dwight": Look. I'm a playtester. I signed a nondisclosure contract. Do you know what happens to me if I break that?
Caleb: … no.
"Dwight": I get blacklisted from playtesting, which I have been doing since 1985. *pause* You remember the ‘railroad' bug from Civilization II of course, don't you?
Caleb: Errr… *looks confused*
"Dwight": Yeah. That was me. I discovered it. *Realizes I have no clue what I am talking about* You don't know of the railroad bug?! It was where if you take a worker and build a railroad on a square, then take another worker and move him to the square and select him to build, then take another worker and do the same… (Sorry, I sort of faded in and out on the explaination here, so I can't remember what it was supposed to do. I'm sure someone out there knows if you are that curious.) … so you see that was a big deal.
Caleb: Wow. I had no idea.
"Dwight": Sid Meier called me once you know. Wanted my opinion on something for his game.
Caleb: … that's amazing.
"Dwight": Yeah I know. *notices I am buying The Sims* Is that all? Would you like to preorder Civ IV then?
Caleb: Umm… no… this is it. Thanks and good luck with your playtesting.
I proceeded to leave as quickly as possible. That was one of the stranger situations I'd been in that week.
We have you covered when it comes to previews
I'd like to give a tip of the hat to Armando Rodriguez who IS the preview section. Just take a look at all the stuff he covers for you. He might even do requests! Or he might not and will get angry at me for the suggestion. Either way he is putting out previews on games you may or may not be familiar with. Check ‘em out, and maybe even drop him a line about the games. Because really, us writers thrive on feedback. You provide the food to our virtual soul.
Now what?
Changes are afoot for the news reports here at Games. Some familiar faces will still be here (albeit on different days) along with some new faces. So be on the lookout for that.
Also, go to the Sports Zone and check out the 411 Top 10 MMA rankings we put out last week. That thing was a beast to do but was definitely worth it as it turned out to be a great read.
