Final Fantasy XI

This is my Third attempt on this game. The furthest I have ever gotten in this game would be a level 12 Elvan Monk. You could see how I lost interest though.
This time is for real, all the other times were for practice. This time, with a group of friends (who better be installing this game right now) I am going to put at least 20 days into this game. And for once I am going to play some end game.
Server: Titan
Name: Mascbuny
I am a red mage looking for a party, someone please party with me...

Video "Gamer" Awards

So last night the 2007 VGAs were aired. Being a Videot, I wasn't too interested. Awards for Most Addictive game "Fueled" By Mountain Dew? Best Individual/Team Sports Games? Couple that with blatant commercialism and you have a gamerz dream. I'm sure they're happy watching the MTV bands, presenters who know nothing about the games they are presenting and half dressed women, but personally I prefer a little more substance. I mean the ads are about the only thing truthful because they do what they're intending to. The awards and the performers are just more ads dressed up in a way to make you think their not. I also realize that someone could go out there and make a video game awards show that was serious and industry relevant, but the mass population would be bored out of their minds. But when I see Halo 3, Bioshock, Madden, Call of Duty 4, and Skate all win awards, I feel it's very hard to keep my mouth shut. I mean don't you gamerz get tired of falling into the same (hot girl + video game = excited) formula? Challenge yourself and want something more for goodness sakes.

I know I'm going to get a lot of the "David is bitter person and only loves Nintendo." And I'll be honest and say there is some of that. But when did playing video games games become cool? When did the geeks, nerds, and socially inept lose the part specifically that was their own? I feel this is very similar to America (dare I say White America) embracing rap music. It all feels very strange and I feel like I've lost a piece of myself. As a member of the minority we got pushed to the edge, out of the "cool" people circle. We embraced being different and even made it cool. Now that its acceptable we're getting lumped in with people who just put on the 1-up shirt. Having a Nintendo and a Sega means they are "old school." Having a Playstation, 360 , and Wii means they have "all" the systems. It's fine for people to have video games. I would never want to keep something that's been a positive influence on my life from someone else's. But just as there is a difference between Coke and Pepsi, there is a difference between a Gamer and a Videot. I just want people to acknowledge that.

Still a Videot,
David

If you need help understanding the terminology between Gamers, Gamerz, Videots, and Vidiots I'll post a helpful guide in the following days.

Also I found it hilarious that Halo 3 won most Addictive game "Fueled" by Mountain Dew. How else could that award have turned out. I mean we saw that Master Chief on Mountain Dew merchandise all fall. But Thank goodness Halo 3 didn't win game of the year.

On Hold With Microsoft Again

Apparently it's okay for Microsoft to make you wait long periods of time on the phone as long as they play the Halo theme song.

More details later.
David

Gift Giving Guide

I'm a little late with this post, but I couldn't remember the password to our flickr account, But finally here it is.

So, my birthday was a few weeks ago and Brad sent me a gift through the mail. It was taking a while so I was getting worried that I gave him the wrong address or that someone took it. Turned out to be a different problem.

[Brad makes me feel special]

So I thought I'd make it help people out not only for buying gifts for me, but for others as well. And of course these are just personal opinions so take them however you like.

For me personally, I like getting gifts that I wouldn't get myself. Everything I really want I've gotten myself, but that doesn't mean there aren't things that I want but just choose not to spend the money on. I find those to be the best gifts because they end up being surprises. I wrote them off as not being possible to get and all of a sudden I'm surprised with them. I've been told and I'd like to think that I'm a pretty good gift giver. I think this has to do with just me listening to people talk, being willing to somethings a little crazy, and a little creativity. I really hope people don't think that money is all gift giving is about.

For example, a few years back, I really wanted an N64 rumble pack. I didn't buy Star Fox 64 or Donkey Kong 64, so I didn't get one of the free ones packed in. It retailed at 24.99 and I just could not warrant that kind of money for just a little rumble add on. For that years' birthday my friends chipped in for N64 games and even a Dreamcast, but my favorite gift was the rumble pack because it was so sudden and unexpected. I'll never forget the gift or the person who gave it to me because they paid that much attention to what I had said during the course of the school year.

With that said, Happy Gift Giving.
David

Oh yeah, by the way, Thanks Brad

Podcast #039 - The Gamer's Show

Here's the new show recorded last night. Nick and I talk about Galaxy and Galaxies, Dracula X Chonicles, the loss of continues, high scores, and extra live, and also we talk about some rumors such as marketing ploys and the Dreamcast 2.

Check the archive for the show. [Podcast Archive]

I'm off to work. Nick'll be there too.
David

Also, Patapon will make me buy a PSP again.

A Devil May Cry 4 Preview Video

1up discusses the latest version they played. Looks awesome.

Video

I can't wait for this game.


Oh and something for David I guess.

Video


-Brad

A Brad Update

Brad who?

Yeah, it's been awhile. It's been a combination of lots of crap, but whatever. Here is some... of what I've been playing lately. Expect impressions or whatnot in the coming week for some of these games.

Mass Effect
Guitar Hero 3
Rock Band - game only =(
Call of Duty 4 - single player
FF12 Revenant Wings
Geometry Wars DS
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Several Puzzle games (working on something here)
Crush
Final Fantasy Tactics
Much more.


I've been watching shows as well:
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Wire
The Office


The outfits Top 5 is postponed for now. Looking for pics takes time and it's a busy gaming season right now. David brought up the idea of Top 5 Video Game Duos and I like it a lot. It doesn't have to be an "official" duo I suppose. Any two characters that have a strong bond in a game should work. Like partners or close friends or whatever. For Example, Cecil and Kain from FFIV could work. I'll post mine up on the blog next week.


I have some other stuff to post, but expect more in the coming days.

Ubisoft, I Have Faith

A couple podcasts ago, David and I discussed my feelings about Assassin' Creed. One thing that I mentioned was a bizarre glitch that basically froze Altair in mid air after playing the game for a couple of minutes. The weird thing was that after resetting the game, I could play for hours on end without any more interruptions. This has really bothered me recently because I hate the idea of having to mess around until the game freezes and then reboot so I can play for real. That just sounds lame doesn't it. Being that I am writing my full review right now, I feel pressured to dock some major points for this glitch. Fortunately however, Ubisoft is currently working on the problem. After only matter of seconds online tonight, I discovered that many people have had this same problem with the PS3 version of the game and some think it has to do with the latest firmware update 2.0.1. However, I didn't have this firmware when the problem started. Luckily Ubisoft is working on a downloadable patch as we speak that will fix this annoying problem sometime soon. I must say that I loved this game and it would be a shame to see one of this years brightest gems in gaming, flop because of a stupid glitch. Knowing that they are working on the problem makes me feel loads better and I can't wait to be able to download the patch and move on with my life. Ubisoft, I have faith.

-Nick

P.S.- Jade Raymond, I don't blame you. Your magnificence could never betray us.

Afrika? Isn't it spelled Africa?

Since the PS3's release, we have been teased or taunted with teaser trailers for this mysterious game called Afrika. I have yet to hear any concrete details concerning the gameplay mechanics. The trailers have been full of beautiful scenery and majestic animals wandering the plains of Africa but what the hell is Afrika??? Could it be a much better, much more mature version of Pokemon Snap, or is it something more? Who knows, but apparently a new 4 minute long trailer has been released which once again leaves us wondering what it is even though it states that the game will be released in the 2nd quarter of 2008. If you want to check it out, look for it on youtube, or game trailers, or gamereports.com. It looks interesting and I want to say that I will pick this up for no other reason besides... its mysterious. Anywho, check it out.

Later,

-Nick

Podcast #038 - The Shitty Games Show

What's going on guys? Show #038 is up. We talk about our holiday picks, the games we're playing such as Imagine Babies, some rumors and theres some discussion topics in there. There's some other stuff in there but just listen to find out.
[Podcast Archive]

Also here's the link for the Review at the end of the show, so you know what we're laughing at.
[Big Rigs Review]


David