• 6Apr 12

  Game On!

  So I've gotten into this livestream thing. It's nothing special but if you want to join up and watch feel free to drop by, I will be playing a little bit of everything from BF3 to Shogun 2 to maybe some old classics. You never know what you'll find but I hope that keeps things fresh. Additionally minor announcement as the weather is begining to finally warm up here in Japan I will be taking the camera outside to share the mecca of geek and anime culture with you all: Akihabara. Stay tuned!

  Livestream URL:
  http://www.twitch.tv/cdrmcneil

  Keep on Gamin!
  ~CdrMcNeil

  • Posted Apr 6, 2012 4:39 am GMT
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• 17Mar 12

  Maybe it's not the destination, but the journey that's most important.

  First I haven't finished Mass Effect 3. Between watch and other duties I have not devoted gobs of time to playing it. That said it has been impossible to not notice a whole lot of foaming at the mouth regarding ME3's end. That it's stupid, or a cash in or non-sensical, etc, etc. Perhaps my view will change when I reach the end myself but even if it is a load of horse manure I still don't think I'd feel my time was wasted; and not just with this entry into the series. Despite all the individual nit-picks I've had, the driving sections, scanning, breaking obvious moral grey area questions down into paragon and renegade choices, partially forcing a social agenda (and no I am not referring to the injection of gay love into the series. The choice where you unplug the Batarian terrorist or let him suffer.); I've had a wonderful journey. I've enjoyed the richly detailed and highly original universe; a place I truly could get lost in. We as gamers have a strong sense of entitlement and that's not necessarily a bad thing. We pay a good deal of money, a good deal more on DLC, and we expect to get our money's worth.This however is a tad subjective, if an ending or story point doesn't agree with us is the experience completely destroyed as a result? Did you still have fun while playing? When did games stop being a source of fun and became something almost as divisive and serious as politics? Well perhaps that's a bit of an extreme thought but I still can't help but feel that we tend to nag on very small pieces of a game, when the whole package is enjoyable. Case-in-point, I have played every Call of Duty title. Mostly just the single-player. Is it repetitive, cookie cutter, and mostly mindless. Most assuredly. Did I have FUN? Hell yeah. I guess for me personally it is all about the journey.Fulfilling endings (MGS4 sticks in my mind as a masterpiece of closure)are one of many things that separate great games from good games, but is it always necessary? I seem to recall a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding the ending(s) for Half Life 2 and it's subsequent Episodes. At the same time those were all epic trips that I continue to repeat to this day. So if the ending does prove a complete let down will I be all that upset? Maybe, but in the end it's been a fun ride. Keep on Gamin!

  ~CdrMcNeil

  • Posted Mar 17, 2012 7:09 am GMT
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• 16Mar 12

  Man It's Dusty Around Here!

  So after neglecting Gamespot for years I decide to return. Primarily to share my perspective on the ever evolving and advancing state of games; but also to answer any questions some may have about living in Japan. Hopefully I can address those in NEW VIDEO BLOGS as I finally get back into it. Hope some of the old gang who used to follow me are still around and definetely look forward to sharing with new followers.... should any of my drivel be worth following in the first place.

  ~Keep On Gamin!

  • Posted Mar 16, 2012 10:15 am GMT
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