• 27Sep 08

  Why PC Gaming Will Always be Around

  A short thought this Saturday (early) evening while enjoying a rum and coke shortly before my egress; PC gaming, why I love it and why it will never die. I love PC gaming for one reason that can be described by one simple word, flexibility. No console can (or will ever) provide the kind of flexibility the PC does and this allows for a very strong and vibrant community full of a lot more substance than most consoles. Of course with this flexibility comes the need for more knowledge and responsibility with your machine and its maintenance. It's not plug and play, and despite how many times Microsoft or Apple will try to tell you otherwise it's just not true.

  PC gaming is not dead and will never die so long as people find the need for a personal computer. Unlike the console market, the success of the PC in general does not rest on gaming. In fact, one could argue from the ass that gaming constitutes only a fraction of total computer usage worldwide. In other words, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all heavily rely on the game market for the success of their platforms while the PC is so much more. Any continued technical evolution in consoles will only place them as limited PCs.

  • Posted Sep 27, 2008 5:19 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 27Sep 08

  Why Online Gaming ****

  Cooperation. I have determined that most gamers are either **** retarded beyond the understanding of my own intellect or flat outignorant... Perhaps both. It would seem unless a game involves people jumping around like monkeys trying to shoot each other in the face, finding online companions can be quite a challenge. I'm very curious whether people are actually like this or if they have some kind of online persona they've devised to piss other people off for some kind of juvenile amusement.

  And I cannot write the rest for fear of unkindly repercussions.

  • Posted Sep 27, 2008 3:20 am GMT
  • Category: People
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• 21Sep 08

  My Thoughts on the Burnout Bikes Update

  Last Thursday (September 18th) the long awaited Bikes update for Burnout Paradise finally made it online for PSN and XBL. I was overjoyed with the new content and played all through the the night (I didn't sleep the next day) I was so stoked. However there are many who have blasted the update for being garbage and disappointing. I'm not sure what they were expecting, but I thought the Bikes update is essential what Criterion has been promoting for the last month or so. I guess some people just over hyped the content for themselves.

  The feature list for the update is nothing to scoff at:
  - Motorcycle license
  - 20 new awards
  - 4 motorcycles
  - 38 against the clock Burning Rides and Midnight Rides (essentially the same thing)
  - New road rules for day and midnight time
  - 70 new Freeburn Challenges (35 regular and 35 timed)
  - Day/night cycle, including sunrise and sunset options
  - Weather (fog and haze)

  Did I mention this was free? The fact it is free shouldn't detract from the quality since the content provided is well worth a fee if Criterion/EA decided to charge one. Of course there are always going to be complainers and people who do not like what is provided (it will always be that way), but many negative reasons given are kind of... well, stupid. That is not to say I do not hold disappoints with the update myself, because I do.

  First of all I think the content provided is far too easy. I've always found regular Freeburn Challenges to be easy, but they simply provide a mostly relaxing activity for people to cooperatively accomplish in the online environment. It's more social and about ripping around with each other having fun. Those are good, but the rest of the content is against the clock and each challenge, road rule, award and event give the player way too much time to complete it. I understand Criterion introduced new vehicles(that handle a great deal different), but it seems all the content provided was aimed at those who have never set foot in Burnout Paradise before. In fact the biggest obstacle in completing the content was getting proper cooperation from the online community. I'm not trying to make a huge complaint, but I would have enjoyed a bit more challenge. However, I completed all the content today and my total time spent playing the update is just under 18 hours. Not bad for an update, period.

  Another problem I have is with the 38 new events, Burning Rides and Midnight Rides. The only difference between the two is the time of day they are available at. Both are straight-up Burning Routes, racing against the clock from point A to B, except now you have way too much time to get there. However there are a couple of these "Rides" that provide a checkpoint system that can take you around the entire city. Perhaps Criterion should have made the Burning Rides point A-B and the Midnight Rides all multiple checkpoints. This brings me to the main question I have, why weren't other events included?

  I know Criterion said the motorcycles would be about speed, and I agree, but surely they could have at least put race events in the game. I'd understand if they didn't have the resources to produce one or more new events suited for motorcycles in an appropriate time frame, but races are something that already exists with cars, are perfectly suited for the high speed nature of motorcycles and would be easy to implement.

  Another question I have is why don't the street lights project any light sources on the roads below? If you look at them they are lit up, but there is no projection. Is this simply a technical hurdle, and oversight or was the time required to implement such a feature on so many street lights not feasible in the time frame they were working under for the Bikes update?

  My complaints are really more like questions, but I did spend 18 hours playing this overall good update and I commend Criterion for doing a good job. I just hope they can make the additions I outlined in a future update. As for the Bikes update, I look it as an introduction to motorcycles in Paradise City and I know full well what is to come for motorcycles in the Island update.

  PS. Cry me a river, the world could use another water supply.

  • Posted Sep 21, 2008 7:05 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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