Upcoming Reviews

So I have on my schedule a review of the three “Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri” novels as well as the GURPS ruleset for Alpha Centauri. Stay tuned for those in the next couple of days!

-Gerry

60 for 2012

Can you name your 50 favourites for the following categories? If so, then you have a varied set of interests and aren’t stuck in one particular rut. If you can’t, use the lists to maybe find some new favourites for you!

Tag someone that you want to fill this out as well! Get to know your friends (and maybe significant others’) interests. This way you can go out of your way to impress them by talking about what they love too!

Music:

1) “Sophia” by Cruxshadows
2) “March of Cambreadth” by Heather Alexander
3) “Long Road to Ruin” by Foo Fighters
4) “Stand My Ground” by Within Temptation
5) “Planet Hell” by Nightwish
6) “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid” by Offspring
7) “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay)” by Shinedown
“We Didn’t Start The Flame War” by College Humor
9) “Die for Metal” by Manowar
10) “Solstice Call” by Gaia Consort

Books:

1) “Uhura’s Song” by Janet Kagan
2) Freehold Series by Michael Z. Williamson
3) Aldenata Series, Council Wars Series, Looking Glass Series, and “Von Neumann’s War” by John Ringo
4) “Starship Troopers” by Robert Heinlein
5) “Callahan’s Key” by Spider Robinson
6) Safehold Series and Honor Harrington series by David Weber
7) Monster Hunter International series by Larry Correia
Lt. Leary series by David Drake
9) Ravirn series by Kelly McCullough
10) “The Wiz Biz” by Rick Cook

Games:

1) X-Com Series (X-Com, X-Com: Terror from the Deep, X-Com: Apocolypse)
2) Fallout Series
3) Brutal Legend
4) Mass Effect Series
5) Final Fantasy X (don’t judge me! ;D)
6) Deus Ex (the original and the new one), have yet to play Invisible War)
7) Star Trek Judgement Rites/Star Trek Starfleet Command I and II (tie since they’re Star Trek)
Warhammer 40K SpaceMarine
9) Dawn of War series, both I and II.
10) Starflight

TV:

1) Original Iron Chef
2) Star Trek (all series though DS9 ranks last)
3) Law and Order (original)
4) Diner’s/Drive-Ins/Dives
5) Mythbusters
6) Ghost in the Shell
7) X-Play
Dirty Jobs
9) World’s Dumbest
10) Stargate

Movies:

1) Smokey and the Bandit
2) Hackers
3) Star Trek (ALL of them)
4) The New Guy
5) Perfect Score
6) Bring It On (don’t judge me)
7) Van Wilder
XXX
9) Army of Darkness
10) Eurotrip

Websites:

1) Megacynics (www.megacynics.com)
2) PC Gamer (www.pcgamer.com)
3) 3 Moves Ahead (http://flashofsteel.com/index.php/three-moves-ahead/)
4) Questionable Content (http://www.questionablecontent.net/)
5) Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire (http://dominic-deegan.com/)
6) Two Lumps (http://twolumps.net/)
7) Schlock Mercenary (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/)
Shop Goodwill (http://www.shopgoodwill.com)
9) Zero Punctuation (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation)
10) Twitter (My gaming list on there: https://twitter.com/#!/GerryBM/gaming)

Awesome letter to Spike TV about the VGAs

You need to go check this letter out now and forward it to Spike TV:

http://jasonschreier.com/2011/12/11/spike-vgas/#comments

Honestly, I recommend going to Jason Schreier’s Twitter feed and retweeting it (or the link) to @spike_tv.

Thoughts on the VGAs – In Twitter Form (SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THEM YET!)

These are my thoughts on the VGAs in the same form I’ve posted them on Twitter (except where I combined them, those were thoughts I had to split).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Totally called Skyrim, @SpaceMarine should have gotten best adapted, Thrilled about Bastion, disappointed about Iron Brigade.

Also surprised they did not have a “Best Motion Game” category, “Best Accessory” category, separated handheld/mobile games.

Would really like to see a “Lifetime Developer Award” category as well, if a game wins a category, it shouldn’t be eligible..
for any other categories, excluding Game of the Year. Would have also loved to see “Best Adventure Game” (Telltale’s games?)

Also, why no “Best MMO” category, or “Best New Idea” category? Game wouldn’t have to be excellent, just showcase a new idea.

Going to watch it again tomorrow with fresh eyes but so far those are my only concerns/complaints. LOL, missed the motion cat [Ed. Note: idiot me missed that there was a motion category *sigh*]

Actual Final thought: why isn’t there a “Best Voice Actor” category? Other than Nolan North would most likely win every year?

SW:TOR….the Force is strong with this one!

Last weekend was the weekend I was able to get into the Beta for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Being that I only had two days to play, I chose the Smuggler as my main character. Now, I have always liked Han Solo from the Original Trilogy but I mean, who doesn’t want to be a Force badass? I was sure I’d go with either the Jedi Consular or Jedi Knight…but that was until I saw the opening cinematic.

Holy crap! If they capture only half of the “awesome” they displayed in that opening, the game is going to rock. The Smuggler whips out his dual blasters and is the one who helps the good guys escape the coming darkness. Thus my path was chosen for me. He also has some of the wittier dialog lines and you have the chance to be either a merciless badass or a cynical, “heart of gold” badass.

My only complaints so far are minimal and will probably be addressed by or soon after release. The worst were the graphical glitches on my character’s face during conversations. I had a Cyborg as my main character and it seems the implants on the face don’t quite gel with the rest of the animations so there is some clipping. This took me out of my suspension of disbelief but was not a game breaker. The other issue are the amount of “fetch” quests that you get. While they all seem important to the story, they still reflect most other quests in your traditional MMOs. They were still fun though since it seemed like you played a major part in the story and with the missions being all fully voiced and animated, there was a gravity you do not normally find.

I also loved the fact that at random points a survey would appear for you to fill out that asked you about your experience. They generally asked how much fun you were having, how you felt the rewards were, whether you were playing in a group, the difficulty of a mission, the ETHICAL choices, etc. I love that Bioware cares about whether or not you are enjoying the experience and whether you feel that your choices have weight.

Will I be getting a copy of this game when it releases? Yup! Did a beta actually change my mind about getting a game? Hell yes! Is this something other companies should do? Absolutely!

Star Wars: The Old Republic will hyperdrive onto store shelves on 12/20/2011. If you have pre-ordered a copy, you can start playing on 12/15/2011.

Live Long and Prosper…I mean “May the Force Be With You!”

Skyrim is AMAZING!

Ok, Skyrim came out on 11/11/2011. Today is 11/21/2011. In that time I have played 28 hours worth of the game and I’m not even HALF WAY THROUGH!

I honestly can say that this is going to end up in my top 10 list of games that I have played the heck out of. Those are games that break the 25 hour mark.

MMOs don’t count on this list so the list consists of:

1) Simcity 2000
2) Mass Effect
3) Mass Effect 2
4) Starflight
5) Homeworld
6) Star Trek: Judgement Rites
7) Fallout 1, 2, 3 & New Vegas
Dawn of War II (and its expansions, counts as one game)
9) Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Are we noticing a trend here? Mostly either RPGs or Strategy games. I have a couple shooters on here, and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine is catching up, but a good chunk of the ones on the list are BETHESDA games.

So what I am saying is: GO GET A COPY OF SKYRIM! NOW!

At this point I have hit: Level 20, I can smith Exquisite armor and weapons, I prefer my upgraded Dwarven Warhammer, and switch between Destruction Magic and Two-Handed with Heavy Armor. I also have all three words to Relentless Force! FUS RO DAH!

I’m sure I’ll get tired of Skyrim eventually but so far thanks to the writing, pacing, and never-ending list of things to do, I do not see that happening soon.

Probably my biggest complaint is the repetition of the voice-actors. Its not enough to totally pull me out of the experience but it can be a bit disconcerting. Also there is some texture pop-in but I’m blaming part of that on my system. It is NOWHERE near as bad as RAGE is/was. Heck I’d forgotten about that game until I was just thinking about texture pop-in.

So again I say: GO FORTH AND PROCURE SKYRIM!

More Space Marine DLC is incoming! :D

From THQSledgehammer:
DLC CONTENT COMING TO WARHAMMER®40,000®: SPACE MARINE®

Free multiplayer mode as well as premium content pack announced

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. Nov 2, 2011 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced details of the first downloadable content pack for Warhammer® 40,000®: Space Marine® scheduled to release for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC in December.

The premium add-on pack, which has a suggested cost of 800 Microsoft Points / $9.99, will include a new Exterminatus mode called Chaos Unleashed. In this update to the popular co-op mode players will take on the role of Chaos Space Marine as they take the fight to both the Ork horde and Imperial Guard forces. With brand new boss rounds, new co-op arenas and new enemy units like the Imperial Sanctioned Psyker this mode is a must-have for players looking for a new challenge.

As well as the Chaos Unleashed Mode, the Space Marine add-on pack also includes three new multiplayer maps Habs Ablaze, Station Tertius and Aquila Canyon which can be played in all multiplayer game modes. The pack will also include ten new achievements and trophies.

In addition to the premium add-on content all players of Space Marine will receive a new multiplayer Capture the Flag Mode for free. Playable on all the game’s multiplayer maps, this team based mode challenges players to defend their flag while attempting the capture their opponent’s.

Jim Huntley, Vice President of Global Brand Management commented,
“Space Marine offers a robust multiplayer experience out of the box but the addition of new maps, modes and challenges should keep the community playing for months to come.”

Alongside this add-on content THQ will be releasing a number of new player skins for sale on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network, Playstation® Network and STEAM. Players will be able to purchase unique Salamanders, Alpha Legion, Legion of the Damned and Blood Angel skin packs for a suggested price of 240 Microsoft Points / $2.99 each.

The Space Marine add-on pack is scheduled to be available to purchase on Xbox 360, Playstation®3 and Windows PC in December.

About Space Marine

When wave after wave of savage ORKS descend upon the Forge World GRAIA, it is up to humanity’s greatest warriors to win the planet back.

They are SPACE MARINES, genetically modified, encased in hallowed armor, the equivalent of one hundred lesser men. They live only to defend the Imperium, and to slay its enemies in a war that never ends.

CAPTAIN TITUS, along with his comrades LEANDROS and SIDONUS, lead a detachment of these Space Marines onto the Forge World. There, they quickly discover that the fight against the Orks is not all that requires their attention. An Imperial Inquisitor named DROGAN needs help securing an experimental POWER SOURCE, before the Orks do so themselves.

About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the internet. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine – Copyright © Games Workshop Limited 2011. Space Marine, the Space Marine logo, GW, Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, 40K, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer 40,000 Device, 40,000, the Double-headed Eagle device and all associated marks, logos, places, names, creatures, races and race insignia/devices/logos/symbols, vehicles, locations, weapons, units and unit insignia, characters, products, illustrations and images from the Space Marine game and the Warhammer 40,000 universe are either ®, TM and/or © Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2011, variably registered in the UK and other countries around the world, and used under license. All Rights Reserved.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360 andXbox LIVE, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the release of down-loadable content for the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine video game and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2011 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and particularly the discussion of trends and risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
# # #

Wiki Update & Goodwill Haul

Well I have not updated as much recently because of my work schedule and due to my work on the wiki at http://www.gaminghistoria.info!

Please check out the wiki, sign up, and start filling out info! I have templates set up now for use in creating topics and I would love to see this wiki fill out and provide some great gaming history retention and distribution.

As for my latest Goodwill Haul I managed to get Star Wars: Supremacy & Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II for $5! What a STEAL! Especially for Supremacy which is a little known “turn-based strategy” game released in the late 90s.

So please, check out my wiki! Help a geek sleep at night knowing that the history of our hobby is preserved for the ages!

Company of Heroes for $1.99? I’ll take it! & ST:O too…

So Company of Heroes is on Steam this weekend for $1.99 for the core game and up to $9.99 if you get all of the add-ons as well! If you liked the Dawn of War II series by Relic, check out what helped to inspire some of the mechanics for it.

So I’m updating Star Trek: Online as we speak too. Been a while since I played but I’m a lifer so I’m interested to see whats changed. Time to boldly go and so forth!

Two Steam games to buy

I follwed @troygoodfellow‘s suggestion and purchased “Dungeons of Dredmor” from Steam. At $4.99 its a steal and a lot of fun to play. I do suggest that you uncheck the “Permadeath” option for your first few run-throughs. I went with a “Viking”-type build and was demolishing Diggles with my axe in no time! Its quite addictive and you’ll want to explore each area fully to make sure you didn’t miss out on a shrine or awesome item.

The other game I purchased was a bit more expensive and thus I’d recommend trying the demo first. This game is S.P.A.Z., otherwise known as “Space Pirates and Zombies.” I have not encountered the Zombies yet but the Space and Pirates part is down pat. Its a combo “top-down shooter” with RPG elements and a lot of customization. From designing and building ships to choosing sides in an interstellar conflict, you have plenty to keep you busy.

As I play these more I’ll post a more comprehensive review but so far I’m pleased with the money I spent!