411 Games Fact or Fiction 10.17.08: FIFA vs. Pro Evo, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Obama

Posted by Sean Garmer on 10.17.2008

411's Rod Oracheski and Ramon Aranda discuss FIFA vs. Pro Evo, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Obama, Dead Space, Rock Revolution, and Starcraft II going multiple.

Hello everyone, I'm back as your host for another week, as Tommy is still in Japan. Today we have two big writers in the Games Zone to impart their thoughts on these six questions. I would like to apologize, these questions were all written before the TGS stuff started, so sorry if they are a little outdated. Anyway, here are the contestants.


In one corner we have a game reviewer and writer of Achievement Unlocked please welcome to the ring, Rod Oracheski

In the other corner is the almighty Games Editor, game reviewer, news-writer, boxing editor, and interim sports editor too, Ramon Aranda

Let's get on with it…


1. Blizzard is doing the smart thing by making Starcraft II into three games?




Rod Oracheski: FACT. For Blizzard? Sure. They get - assuming each is $50 - $150 out of consumers who want the entire Starcraft 2 experience, instead of just $50. For consumers? I'm not sold on that. More Blizzard cutscenes? Great. But at $40-50 a pop, and with a year (or more, it IS Blizzard we're talking about) in between? That seems less palatable.

The game had been talked about as an all-in-one experience, like the first, until this point and suddenly saying they're splitting it up to deliver huge storylines for each faction seems a bit like a moneygrab. A lot of people are giving them a pass on it just because it's Blizzard, and in the end maybe it won't be such a raw deal for gamers...but when you add it to the sudden desire to 'monetize' battle.net, the discovery of hidden 'paid character customization' data files in Wrath of the Lich King, and the merger with Activision (who are never above - or below, depending on your viewpoint - trying to eke out every dollar possible) it starts to look pretty bad.


Ramon Aranda: FACT. But only in the sense that they're doing the smart thing for their wallets. I agree with Rod that if they end up being full on $50 games then it's really bad for consumers. Vice president of game design, Rob Pardo had said that they'll look into what each game will offer. In other words if they release one of the campaigns and that's pretty much all there is, then they'll likely price it down. On the other hand if its a full on expansion with plenty of extras then we can see a full retail price. Otherwise, fans will likely get pretty upset about it though being Starcraft 2, you know it's going to sell either way.

Score: 1 for 1


2. You are ok with EA supporting a political candidate in a video game?


Rod Oracheski: FACT. Mainly because EA isn't really supporting a candidate at all - they're supporting the ability to launch ads within their game. Obama's people were smart enough to realize this would reach a lot of eyeballs, both in-game and on various news sites when it got picked up, so they bought that ad space. Ads for Obama appearing in games like Guitar Hero, Madden, and Burnout Paradise show he's not totally out-of-touch with gamers, and that has to help (along with his stance on Net neutrality) get those voters interested in supporting him.

Ramon Aranda: FACT. Well I suppose Fact but as Rod says, EA is not backing up Obama. They simply sold the advertising space to his firm. The same offer was also made to McCain and his firm declined so you can't blame Obama's team for being all over it. In my opinion it's pretty damn smart and the ads are appearing only in swing states.

Score: 2 for 2


3. Dead Space will be a hit with critics and in sales?




Rod Oracheski: FACT. Definitely. It's a "scary" game coming out just before the scariest time of year. No - not the elections...Halloween. At least it's billed as being scary, I don't think people who made it through The Suffering or Silent Hill have much to worry about here. It's still a great looking new IP that will probably do extremely well. After all, EA knows a thing or two about marketing...


Ramon Aranda: FACT. Damn am I all "fact" this week? Well regardless, the game will likely be a hit. I've put in a decent amount of hours into it already for our review and it's pretty creepy. It's great that EA has jumped on putting together a new IP in this world of sequels and rehashes. The gameplay is pretty solid so far and with reviews looking pretty good so far, not to mention Halloween right around the corner as Rod said, it should do well.

Score: 3 for 3


Hey guys, you might want to switch sides before the evil zombie attacks



4. Too much competition will cause Rock Revolution to be left under the radar?




Ramon Aranda: FACT. Let's be honest, Rock Revolution didn't go over so well at E3 and it hasn't garnered much attention since. The drum set isn't exactly as sexy as the ones for Rock Band or Guitar Hero and the soundtrack leaves a lot to be desired. If RB 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour weren't around then maybe I could see this one having some success but in reality it won't happen. Don't forget Disney has their own little music game coming out too...yet another one that won't get much play.


Rod Oracheski: FACT. I have to say though, that I feel timing, not competition, is the problem - Rock Revolution is late to the party they started. Everyone - and I mean everyone - knows the Rock Band and Guitar Hero brands. It doesn't help that the Rock Revolution gear looks a little shoddy by comparison, the note charts aren't very casual friendly, and the soundtrack sucks but...uhh...yeah. I don't see this one doing well unless the number of "OMG THIS IS THE GAME THAT STARTED IT ALL"
fanboys is way larger than I'd imagine.

Score: 4 for 4


5. If the rumors are true, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 will sell just as well for the Xbox 360 & PS3 as it did on other consoles


Ramon Aranda: FACT. Marvel...hell the name alone helps sell titles even if they're not that great. Ultimate Alliance which was a decent co-op title sold extremely well which has paved the way for an upcoming sequel. You throw in Capcom into the mix and you know you're going to be selling. I don't know how well Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is going to be but I'll tell you that with every MK vs. DC announcement, I hear "they should make Marvel vs. Capcom 2". Nuff said.


Rod Oracheski: FACT. It's a popular fighting franchise based on two popular licenses. Fighting games don't seem to do incredibly well anymore, but there are more than enough MvC fans to make sure this one does well.

Score: 5 for 5


6. This finally be the year that the FIFA series dethrones Konami's Pro Evolution as the #1 Football/Soccer game in the land?



Ramon Aranda: FACT. If what I've seen from FIFA 09 is indication then I certainly see it happening. If we remove the graphical aspect and presentation which has been a notch above PES for a while now then we get into the real meat. The game is much more physical - bigger athletes are more realistic now and have physical advantages over smaller players, through balls are more effective, the AI is smarter and you can play 10 vs. 10 online. Throw in the Live Season which is essentially the same thing as NBA Live's Dynamic DNA and you have every reason to believe that this game is superior.


Rod Oracheski: FACT. I'm not sure why PE has dropped off so much in recent years, or at least stopped advancing and just held steady, but FIFA developers sure don't seem to be sharing the same malaise. Maybe it is time for the PE series to take a year off and do a revamp.

Score: 6 for 6

So we finish this week 6 for 6


Well I don't think I've ever seen this in FOF before, two writers completely agree and they say everything is FACT too. I really hope that doesn't happen again, we need some more disagreement. Anyway, until next week bye bye.