Game Ratings: Part 2

Maybe I'm psychic. Ok. Probably not. Goodness knows that game ratings has been a hot topic for longer than I have been blogging. Of course, I did happen to blog about my opinion on game ratings and my poor brother's situation recently. It seems to happen in my life that shortly after I think about something random or talk about it some new information comes around and so is the case here.

The Federal Communication Commence will be conducting an inquiry after a report that will be delivered to Congress on Aug. 31, 2009. This report and inquiry is based on the usual fear that the media (television, games, etc.) are harmful to the youth of America. This is all leading to the possibility of a universal rating system.

Needless to say, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is not so happy about this idea.

Reached for comment by Kotaku:

"The ESA appreciates the FCC and its important role. However, the ESRB rating system is considered by parents, family advocates, the Federal Trade Commission, and elected officials as the gold standard in providing caregivers with the information they need to make the right choices for their families," said Rich Taylor, senior vice president for communications and industry affairs, at the ESA. "Universal ratings will, in the end, only serve to confuse consumers, violate the Constitution's first amendment, and are a solution in search of a problem."

Confuse consumers? Because two different systems that rate things differently for the same group of people isn't confusing? I am also wondering about this first amendment thing. It isn't like the government would be censoring them. If parents want to find out their opinion they can look it up online. Oh wait! Is this the ESA's way of saying, "Uh-oh! We might lose our jobs!"? I think so.

I do think that a more universal system should be considered. Have you heard the language that is on regular networks now-a-days? Hell! I actually saw a scene full of nipples from The Tudors on my regular cable channel. Ok, it was a Canadian station, but I am not in Canada and The Tudors is not the type of show I expect to see on anything other than Showtime!

I think it is silly that because of the differences in ratings my poor 13 year old brother can see all kinds of crazy stuff in movies and on television but can not play games that are not any worse. Seriously, is Halo 3 any worse than the Section 8 or Terminator movies? Parents that do not play video games tend to assume that the ratings are the same. So, maybe they should be. Sorry ESA, but I think you should probably find a better excuse than saying the public will be confused. Just admit that you are worried about yourselves.

At Least People Are Talking

You may or may not have heard that there is some controversy about the game Shadow Complex. Enough controversy has brewed that some people have boycotted the game altogether. This article is not about that controversy.

If you have been following this controversy, no matter your opinion, you have to admit that it is getting people talking. This is a community that at times can be very harsh towards other gamers and as far as I have noticed, it seems that most of the discussion has been civil. I have to just admit that I am happy that people are talking about an issue that is not game related.

It is my hope that this sort of thing will happen in the future. No, not controversy, but discussion and activism. The gaming community is a very large and diverse group. We spend so much time talking about price drops, DLCs, and release dates that it seems to me that interesting things could happen if some of that energy was placed outside of the gaming world.

"Very Easy Automatic" Mode

You may or may not remember me talking about how game controls can be, at times, hard to learn. This opinion is based on my own personal experience of not playing a game for awhile and having to spend time trying to learn the controls again. Heaven forbid I want to just jump into a new game and accomplish something while the baby is napping!

Now there is a video that shows a feature that will be available for the very easy and easy difficulty levels of the upcoming Bayonetta. With this new feature the player does not really have to hit more than one or two buttons to pull off some of the great feats that Bayonetta is capable of.





I am not sure how I feel about this yet. I am a fan of finding ways to help players learn the game or how to be a better player, but I am not sure this feature is actually going to do that. A baby can sit and push a button or two without actually learning something. (Trust me. I give my son the second controller to play with.) The real question for me will be how much the player will be able to try moves on their own in addition to the automatic play.

Guild Wars 2 Trailer Games Com 09

Guild Wars 2 Trailer Games Com 09
Uploaded by Gameblog. - Watch game reviews, trailers, and walkthrough videos.

When I saw this video I was so excited it was actually pretty pathetic. If you have been reading my blog for awhile it is no surprise that I am a huge fan of Guild Wars. While I was not playing on day one, it was pretty close. I feel that I have been waiting for this game for so long that my excitement was starting to wane. Just last week I tried to see if there was any news on the game and was disappointed to find nothing new! With the release of the trailer came the launch of the new website:

"For generations, war and chaos raged across the land of Tyria. Five great races competed and warred against each other, struggling to tip the balance of power in their favor.

Then the dragons woke.

The all-powerful beasts stirred from their millennial sleep under earth and sea. With their magical breath the dragons spread destruction and created legions of twisted slaves. A deathless dragon named Zhaitan raised the sunken nation of Orr, triggering earthquakes and tidal waves that destroyed entire cities across the Sea of Sorrows.

Zhaitan's undead armies surged from the sea, hungry for the destruction of the five races of Tyria: the charr, a ferocious race of feline warriors; the asura, magical inventors of small size and great intellect; the norn, towering shapeshifters from the frigid northern lands; the sylvari, a mysterious young race of visionary plant folk; and the humans, an embattled but resilient people.

Now heroes from the five races must set aside ancient rivalries and stand together against their common enemies.

Magic, technology, and cold steel will determine the ultimate fate of the world."

The site also has videos, news, and FAQ. While there is currently not much new information to be shared, you better believe I will let you know as soon as I can!

PS3 Slim

When I first heard about the upcoming release of PS3 Slim, and more importantly the price drop, like many others I got really excited. I started thinking about all the games I could be playing and became amazingly giddy. Considering PS3 Slim is the number one best seller in the video game category on Amazon.com, I have to assume I was not the only one. Of course, good things never last.

Shortly after my original excitement I realized that even with a price cut I still do not have that much money to spend. Sure if I was in the market to buy a console, like I was last winter, and I was trying to decide between a PS3 Slim and an Xbox 360 I would probably take the PS3. But I did not have that option and so I took the Xbox and I am very happy with my decision.

Lets think about the real (according to Amazon) cost:

• PS3 Slim:$299
• Second Wireless Controller: $43
• Blu-Ray Disc Remote: $20
• Charge Base: $30
• HDMI Cable: $17
• 3 New/er Games: $150
• 3 Blu-Ray Movies: $60
• Total: $619
  

Hm. Maybe buying a third console is not such a good idea. A recent Forbes article seems to agree with me that this new hardware will not do too much to help Sony's cause. As we all know, times are bad and people are being more careful with their money. I am not sure, other than the initial rush, too many people are going to shell out a lot of money when they already have other consoles. Even people who are looking into purchasing their first console might be holding out for Holiday Season. If current speculation is correct, there will probably be price drops for the Xbox and Wii in the near future as well.

To be honest, I really do want a PS3, there are several games that are exclusive to Sony that I would really love to play. Not to mention the fact that it plays Blu-Ray movies! But lets be real here. Why would I spend that much money just to play a few games that I can not already play? While a Blu-Ray player would be nice it really is not something I can not live without. Would I have bought a PS3 Slim instead of an Xbox 360? Probably, but Sony, you are too little, too late.

I Don't Care About Your Erection!

What does erections have to do with a blog about gaming? I honestly have no idea. So, I have no idea why so many men keep talking about their boners in blogs that are probably mostly read by men. And I have to admit, no matter how horny I am at any given time I really don't want to hear about it either.

So, where is this all coming from? One word, Bayonetta. Other than the E3 coverage, most of the information I had about this game, before today, came from articles like "GC 09: Bayonetta 80% Done, I'm 100% Horny For It." Sure I should have known I had no interest in the article when I read the title, but I gave Jim Sterling's article a glance:

"Erection-inducing action game Bayonetta is almost ready, with producer Yusuke Hashimoto proudly proclaiming that it's 80% done. That's good, because my penis is 100% hard right now, just thinking about this game. Oh yeah, I'm typing this with a massive bonk-on right now, so just sit back and think about that. All throbbin' and everything."

Ew! The sad thing is that this is not the first time I have heard men talking about this game this way. Seeing how I have no desire to think about the "bonk-on" of any of these writers, I have felt no need to continue reading about the fabulous game that Bayonetta will probably be! Seriously, check out the E3 09 trailer (below) and see for yourself. This game looks for better than some lonely guys boner.



So, seriously guys stop talking about how hot the fictional hero is and start doing the actual game some justice!

Masochim For Your Monday

According to Mariam-Webster the second definition for masochism is "pleasure in being abused or dominated : a taste for suffering." After learning of the game I Wanna Be The Guy (aka IWBTG), this game should be featured as the third definition.

I should probably let you know that I have not played this game and I have no intention to ever play. I also do not know if I would want to watch someone play who has not put in at least a few hundred hours. Not only do players have to have amazing concentration and reflexes, but this game demands a great memory. I can't even imagine how many hours go to shear memorization.



So, are you ready to give your sanity to IWBTG? Well, if you are then I have good news for you. The game is actually freeware and can be found here. It is always nice to know that even if you can never get past the first few screens before finally giving up, the only thing you lost is your time and possibly your sanity.

On a side note, only because I have a tendency to hold a grudge, I would LOVE to see Shia Labeouf play this game. Since he is such an awesome gamer and all...

Game Ratings

I recently had a conversation with my nearly 13 year old brother and one of his friends. Both have PS3s and have parents that limit what games they can play by the ESRB ratings. This got me wondering about some of these ratings and whether I agree with my Dad and Stepmom's decision to make judgments purely on these ratings.

The main game that has come up between myself and my brother is Call of Duty: World at War. This game is a very fitting choice for our discussion since my Dad is really into military history, especially WWII. My family even donated money to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Oahu. On any given day you could find my Dad watching a show on The Military Channel or The History Channel or reading a book on the subject. I bring this up because I am not sure that watching a video of a Japanese kamikaze pilot flying into a U.S. ship while it's crew scatters in panic is much better. Sure the video might not be the quality of today's video game graphics, but it is my opinion that the reality of it is far worse than a fictional account.

It also seems to me that video games are still being treated unfairly. Not that this news is new. It has been going on for over ten years. Those who never played a video game before the happy-go-lucky Wii, seem to have this idea that teens playing video games will lead to some horrific school shooting. Guess what, those kids were messed up before they started playing video games.

I also do not understand why just because something has blood it makes it anymore violent or upsetting than something that doesn't. There are some kids movies with scenes I find far more upsetting than shooting aliens/Nazis/zombies in a video game. For instance the Harry Potter movies seem for more upsetting to me than Halo 3. Killing children vs killing aliens. Hm. Sure there isn't blood in HP which means it is PG-13 even though they are killing off poor Harry's friends and father figures. Oh, and the "nearly headless" thing is pretty gross. (By the way, I LOVE Harry Potter. Yes, you can find me at midnight showings with all the other crazy people. I'm the one NOT dressed up though!)

I really do feel that video games are rated harder than movies and television. I mean you can swear on network television. If Disney (ABC) is ok with it than the ESRB might want to rethink things a little. Have you ever watched television in the middle of the day? What would General Hospital be without at least one shoot out a week? And that is on at 3pm after kids get home from school! Obviously, there is no one standard for all media.

I am not saying that we should get rid of ratings. When the time comes, I know I will also be strict about what games my son plays and movies he sees. I also know that there will be a time when ratings should be a guideline and not law when I make decisions for my child. My brother has watched me play Guild Wars since he was 9 or 10 and no one had no problem with it. Is it because they had seen the game play themselves and thought nothing of it instead of seeing an actual rating for it? Yes, I think so. While the game is rated Teen and not mature, when I started playing the difference in my brothers age to the recommended age is the same as he is now from the mature rating. I think it is up to us as parents to know what our children are playing and watching. There is plenty of information out there on games. Parents can look for videos of game play on YouTube or look at screen shots. The staff at GameStop almost always seem more than happy to help people out and give advice. Parents should also considering giving the game a try. Most of what they need to know in a game they would find out fairly quickly. Isn't it generally best to make decisions for yourself and your family anyway? Isn't that why we are parents?

The Oregon Trail

When I was growing up I remember playing a lot of console (NES) and PC games. Sometimes we were even lucky enough to play computer games while in school. These games, of course, were educational in nature. One of the games I have some of the fondest memories of is The Oregon Trail. I have to admit that I was a little too excited for my own good when I saw that a version was available for iPhone.

The Oregon Trail is based in a time of history where Americans believed that the United States was destined to expand westward. In the mid 19th century thousands of immigrants traveled across the continent in hopes of a better life and more opportunities. This journey was by no means easy and was very dangerous. It was these experiences that were the inspiration for the game which became popular in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

If you are a fan of The Oregon Trail then you might remember that at one point there was a Facebook version of the game. Unfortunately, the rights to the game were purchased and the game was turned into some sort of speed dating application. Considering most of the women who were a part of this mass migration were married and a large majority of those women were pregnant or already had at least one child, I do not think speed dating was immensely popular on the trail.

Recently Gameloft released a version of The Oregon Trail for the Apple App Store which I have to admit is fairly entertaining. While the important aspects of the game are the same, Gameloft has added just enough features to make the game new and more fun. While hunting is still an important way to get food, players now also have the opportunity to fish and pick berries as well. Other mini games have also been implemented including a memory style game where players can earn money to buy more supplies.

While on the trail players will have to make important decisions such as how much to buy in supplies and what time of year to leave. The pace of travel is also important. Going to fast can increase the chance of injuries and other problems, while going to slow might mean not making it to Oregon before the weather turns cold. Players will also be faced with the decision to stop and visit native villages as well whether or not to pick up hitch hikers. Of course, any version of the game would not be complete without the decision to try to ford the river. What can I say, I used to be a member of the Facebook group “I tried to ford the river, but my f*ing oxen died!”

While The Oregon Trail for iPhone will not teach you everything there is to know on the subject and its gameplay will probably not change your life, it is a very enjoyable game for such a low cost. It really is a fun way to pass a little extra time that you may have here and there.

Heading to the Farm

I might be a little late to the farm party, but better late than never, right? In order to make up for my late arrival I have started playing both Farmville and Farm Town on Facebook. Both of these games along with many others, such as Mafia Wars and Bejeweled Blitz, have become popular casual games on the social network. Since a person could write a blog on this type of gaming alone, I will stick with the farm theme. At least for now...

Farm Town and Farmville are both based on the same premise. Players are given a small farm and it is up to them to turn a profit and expand. While both games are generally the same, there does seem to be a few slight differences between them:

For the most part, both games have the same items for purchase. There are, however, a few differences in the prices and the harvest rates. For example, Farmville offers two types of seeds that can be harvested in under one day, while Farm Town only has one. Both games offer animals for purchase and give/receive as gifts. While Farm Town offers more animals for purchase they are currently just for decoration. In Farmville animal products can be harvested and sold. Animals are expensive to buy in Farmville and yield a low harvest price. The good news is that friends can send them to you as gifts so you should never have to buy them yourself.

Sending and receiving gifts is only one part of the social aspect of these games. One of the ways that you get money and gain experience in both games is by helping out on the farms of friends. Visiting friends is a fast and easy way to gain the money and experience to expand your own farm. Again, while both games operate in similar ways there is one difference between the two games. In Farm Town you must purchase the tools needed to tend your friends' farms. Each set of tools has five uses, so in the end you will make more money than you will lose. Farmville, however, does not charge players for helping out on a friend's farm.

I know this is getting repetitive, but there really is only minor differences between the games. One of those differences might just be the breaking point for me in the long run. In Farm Town, in order to harvest your crops you must click on the correct tool and then click on the crop. One thing I have noticed is that I have to click on just the right spot making the process much longer. If I do not hit the sweet spot right away I tend to have to try several times before I hit the exact right spot. Not only do you have to find the right spot, but after finding it a menu pops up and players of the option to sell right away or store. I then have to click on another tool to plow after I harvest. Then ANOTHER tool in order to plant new seeds. After that is all done, players must still head off to market in order to sell stored items for more money than they would have gotten if they had sold them immediately. Sure, none of this is that big of a deal, but it really does seem like this process takes a lot longer than it needs to. I say this because this is not the case with Farmville. I have not had a problem finding the right spot to click on in Farmville. Furthermore, while you have the option to click on the separate tools individually you do not have to. Players are also not forced to go to separate screen to sell off their harvests.

Lastly, I personally think that the graphics in Farmville are more enjoyable. The graphics are nicer to look at for longer periods of time. More importantly, when trying to highlight a crop to see how far it has progressed, in Farm Town, the information can easily be hidden behind other items. This is not true in Farmville. Even when items are somewhat hidden I have not had a difficult time trying to click on the items or get information on the.

While I will probably continue to play both games I think it is fairly obvious that Farmville is far superior in my opinion. I find the graphics far more appealing, the interface easier to manage, better rates of harvest, and the animals are not just their for decoration. So, if you are looking for a casual game that is relaxing and just about anyone can, and probably does, play try out one or both of these games. Even if you do not stick with it at least your friends will have one more farm to tend in order to gain experience and money.

(This article was written after playing both games over the course of four days and not all items had been unlocked at the time of this post.)

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

I am sure that you know by now that as part of the Microsoft Dashboard update they will be offering Games on Demand. One of the games that will be available is Bethesda's Oblivion which is also available for PC and PS3. If you are new to gaming you might not have heard of Oblivion since it has been several years since it's release. Even with it being an older game, Oblivion still is a stunning and amazing RPG that is worth a first, second, and even third look if not more.


Character Creation
One of the things I love about Oblivion is how great character creation is. There are so many options that give the player the ability to play the way that they want to play the game. If the player likes to rush in and beat enemies into a bloody pulp then the player can play that way. Players can also take the stealth or magic roles as well. Of course a combination can also be used giving new players a chance to get a feel for all three before committing to one on a second run through of the game.

An important consideration for charactor creation is that how a player builds their character will effect how fast they level. This is important because enemies level with the player. So, if someone is new to the game they can create a character that will level more slowly. This way players have time to get used to combat mechanics and general game play before enemies become overwhelming. On the other hand, if someone wishes to get down and dirty with stronger enemies, it is really easy to create a character that can power level without much work.


The Main Storyline
Following the main quest line gives players a fun and interesting story and hours of gameplay. With the death of the King it is up to players to find the heir to the thrown and save the kingdom from evil. (Yes, I know this sounds like a "been there, done that" type story, but I have only given a very simplified version as not to spoil it for new players.) This is not as simple of a task as it may seem. Or a short one for that matter. The main storyline is long and varied. Unlike some other games, the many hours that a person can spend playing Oblivion do not feel like grinding, but is actually an enjoyable experience given the actual length of time spent playing.


The Guilds
There are four guilds in Oblivion and each have their own storyline that are separate from the main. Depending a player's playing style it might make sense to complete one guilds storyline before another. No matter the character type, players can join all four guilds in any order. While players have the option to skip the guilds altogether, there are specific bonuses to completing all the quests in the individual guilds.

• Mages Guild - In order to join the Mages Guild players must get recommendations from all the guild halls. While at each of the guild halls players will notice that they can purchase spells and alchemy ingredients from the guild members. It is a good idea to take note which types of spells are offered at which guild hall. Some spells are offered at multiple locations, but that is not always the case. Once players have received all their recommendations they will have access to the Arcane University where they will eventually get a staff and have access to higher level spells.
• Fighters Guild - The Fighters Guild works a little differently than the Mages Guild. Requirements for entry are nearly non-existent, but you can only join the guild in specific city halls. The storyline for this guild is also less of a story as players are able to pick up "contracts" from different guild halls, but can get them at a less linear order. Joining the Fighters Guild will give players access to lower level weapons and practice areas which can help in leveling.
• Thieves Guild - Since the Thieves Guild does not have a guild hall players can not simply join without a little work. After the player finds the guild they must also prove themselves worthy in order to get full access. Joining the Thieves Guild will give players the ability to sell stolen items. This is a good source of income as players can only sell stolen items through the fences provided by the guild. It also might be a good idea to sell all items through the fences whether they are stolen or not. Fences will buy just about any item and the more you buy/sell from the same person the more they will like you and the better deals players can get.
• The Dark Brotherhood - Players who like to kill their enemy quietly and get paid for it will like the quests in the Dark Brotherhood. The Brotherhood does have a hideout of sorts, but you must be a member in order to have access. To join this guild a player must take an innocent life. Players who have joined the Brotherhood will fulfill contracts that often offer a bonus if completed a specific way. The Brotherhood also has spells available for purchase that tend to deal in the realms of stealth and cold.

The Arena
Players who wish to participate in The Arena will have two options. Players can either gamble or fight. If a player wishes to gamble they must speak to the gatekeeper, Hundolin, in order to place their bets. Players pick between the blue or yellow team and bets of 25, 50, or 100 gold. While gamblers can not effect the outcome of the battle directly they might find out that the higher the character's luck the more likely they are to win. If a player wants to have direct impact in the battle then they have the option to fight. Winning fights has it's rewards, but just like in the guilds, being on top has its bonuses.


Oblivion is a massive game. While the areas listed gives players more gameplay than just about any other game, it really does not even cover half of what this game has to offer. There are many side quests and a massive map that any adventurer will enjoy. While adventuring the player's compass will direct them towards the many caves, settlement, ruins, inns, farms, and much more. It is possible that players could have more hours of game play exploring these many areas alone than other games offer in total.


The new Games on Demand feature will offer the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion edition, but for a very low price players can purchase the Game of the Year Edition from stores such as Amazon. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion gives players more bang for their buck with one purchase than any game I have personally ever played.

Sims 3: World Adventures

"I really hope that Sims 3 is not just the base product for the ten upcoming expansions packs that will undoubtedly come out in the future."

Yes, I do remember saying that back in June after playing Sims 3 for the first time. Sims 3 did not run well on my laptop and was a huge disappointment for me. The game as a whole really did seem lacking to me. It was as if EA didn't feel the need to give Sims 3 all that it deserved because there would eventually be expansion packs. I am under the personal belief that if you are already planning on an expansion when a game is released, then you did not give the original game (or yourself) justice.

That is not to say that I feel there shouldn't be expansion packs. More ideas are bound to surface and they should be implemented. There are plenty of games that have expansion packs, but the original game was not lacking and fully enjoyable. I feel that expansion packs should be implemented in order to keep players interested and loyal to the game. They should not be used as a long term plan to create a great game.

Why the rant? Over the weekend this was posted in the news section of the Sims 3 website:

"The Adventure is Near…
Take your Sims on the adventure of their lives with The Sims 3 World Adventures. Guide your Sims to acclaimed fortune—or potential doom. Take your Sims to exotic destinations to hunt for hidden treasures. Uncover new skills, experience new personality traits and garner rewards, if your Sims succeed. Explore ancient tombs in the pyramids of Egypt, master martial arts in the Far East, and discover rich culture and famous landmarks of France. Adventure is on the horizon — what will your Sims discover?

FEATURES

• Accept challenges, find treasures, discover what’s lurking in hidden caves and more.
• Explore famous landmarks in China, Egypt, and France.
• Learn new skills like photography and pursue new opportunities.
• Meet new Sims from exotic locations and share their cultures.
• Customize your Sims homes with new styles & artifacts from their adventures.
• Get $10 worth of free SimPoints for The Sims 3 Store, and additional online features to be announced"

I will admit that I like the premise of this expansion pack. Now that The Sims are on the move it only makes sense that they would want to travel around the world. I just hope that traveling to other places around the world will be a little more fun than traveling around town. What can I say? I am not a fan of watching my Sim stand around outside buildings. While I do feel that Sims 3 did not live up to its potential I hope that World Adventures will make up for some of my original disappointment.

New PopCap Ads

If you have spending time on the internet there is a good chance you have seen the ads for the game Evony. These ads have been everywhere, yet I have no clue what the game is actually about. If I only looked at the pictures and did not actually read the ad I would have no clue that it was anything other than a trashy novel. This is mainly true because the team behind the ads use cleavage as it's main, and at time only, selling point. Turns out that I am not only one that thinks these ads are ridiculous! Now PopCap has joined in the fun.




PopCap has brought us some of the best and addictive casual games available. Don't believe me? How many hours have you lost to Zuma, Book Worm, Peggle, or Bejeweled? Now they have come up with new ads for Plants vs. Zombies. These new ads make fun of those horrible Evony ads by adding their own twist. It just goes to show that PopCap is a fun and creative company.