11/27/2005

News such as this about Call of Duty 2 is why I never got into the multiplayer.  It doesn't even have anti-cheating software built into it right now.

I will continue to feel smug about my no console playing self as I continue to hear about defective Xbox 360s and sparse game selection. But cheer up kiddies, you can apparently fix most of your crashes for your $600 white box with $0.20 of string.  

11/22/2005

Good day to you all. First up, Battlefield 2 is patched up to version 1.12.  This will apparently make regular Battlefield 2 players work with the Special Forces expansion which came out today.  Given the size of the patch for regular BF2 users (a whopping 280 Megs!) the patch must make it where regular BF2 players might get access to the new weapons and so forth but not the maps of Special Forces. 

UPDATE TO GRAPPLING HOOK AND ZIP LINE DESCRIPTION

GRAPPLING HOOK

- The GRAPPLING HOOK is part of the Assault and Anti-tank kits. Throw it using the fire or alternate fire buttons. Press "E" to get on and off of the rope. Use the direction keys to climb the rope. The rope will connect to any static object in the world, which means it will not work on terrain or vehicles. Any Assault or Anti-Tank kit can pick up any grappling hook, even those from other teams, as long as you do not already have one in your kit at the time.

ZIP LINE

- The ZIP LINE is part of the Special Forces and Sniper kits. Use the fire button to shoot the line and use the alternate fire button to check if the target is a viable connection point or not. Once the line is in place, use "E" to get on. You will slide down the line automatically. Any Spec-Ops or Sniper kit can pick up any zip line, even those from the other team, as long as you do not already have one in your kit at the time.

There's the XBox360 coming out or already out or something. Apparently the console is out but there aren't a huge selection of games.  At least the Phantom was comical in it's vaporware-ness.    Personally, if you really feel a need for one of these things that can't send email or browse websites, then wait for Nintendo and Sony to respond.  Just my two cents. 

Madden curse still works! This time it helped my Cowboys. Woo!

11/17/2005

ATI released their X1800 Graphics card but the review on Techspot suggests that the 7800GT or GTX is the way to go still.  Now ATI, I know that you and I have had some good times together and I'll always cherish them, but if you don't get your shit together I'm going to have to leave you and find a nicer, fancier, graphics card.  As much as I don't want to see a one supplier video card market, when I'm dropping $300+ on a video card I DEMAND the maximum performance possible.  So, please, for me, hell for US, get a faster video card out would you?  Now, don't start crying in your Molson's ATI, you're still one of my favorite companies from Canada. 

11/11/2005

What I mentioned the other day about the Matrix game has now been proven to be true.

See it here.  My pet theory is that the W brothers are making a slam against games, gamers, game endings, and any and all criticism about their vision for the Matrix trilogy. Or should I say the Warchowski brother and sister.

11/9/2005

Bizarre ending to upcoming "Path of Neo" apparently.

11/6/2005

This article gets to the heart of gaming journalism, or so it claims.  I attempt to stay above this fray, or at least I like delude myself into thinking I'm above such things.  Truth be told, the Sanitarium doesn't even register on the lowest gaming news site radar.  That's not a complaint that's just the truth of the matter.  I write some crap, people hopefully get a chuckle, but then they move on with their lives. 

However, the developer of Art of War brings up an excellent point: sometimes the journalists are a little TOO cozy with the game developers.  It would be akin to a journalist living or partying with a football star or, god forbid, working for Fox News. 

To me, this paragraph smacks of contradiction:

"Games journalists should consider themselves part of the industry, because that is the total focus of their subject matter and it is the environment they live in. They have a duty to their readers, like any journalist, but they should also take extra care to act responsibly - given that they will need to retain contacts and reputation. Genuinely knowing the market, the products and the people is what should set a games journalist apart. But they are still journalists, not industry liggers. They do not owe anyone anything and they are not owed anything."

Personally I'm of the belief that if you're going to call yourself a journalist then you are supposed to be somewhat distant from those that create the news. In this case games. To say that a game journalist should be part of the industry suggests a less than dispassionate viewpoint.  Yes get your interview and maintain your contacts but if those contacts make a piece of crap game or whatever then call them on it.  Plus, you could read a lot into the part about how a journalist should act responsibly? Does that mean skew the truth to ensure their bosses sell ad space or what?

Quake 4 review today as well. It gets harder to review games like Quake 4 because it seems you either like mindless or nearly mindless shooting you don't. Fortunately, I do. 

11/5/2005

Well unfortunately the Serious Sam 2 Smackdown did not occur this weekend due to people backing out like a bunch of pantywaists.  Regardless, it will occur some day so I can give Sam a proper review devoid of any commentary of single player. To review the single player of Serious Sam, while possible, just will not do. 

After getting back into the EQ2 swing of things, I can honestly say this second go round provides a much more enjoyable experience. They have fixed a group issue where your party wouldn't get nearly enough bonus XP for level advancement which makes leveling much less tedious. I don't mind doing some work but g'damn when I played months ago it could take at least a couple weeks to get anywhere in your level. 

Gates wants to end malaria.  He's offered to have his staff patch it which of course leaves the disease in a BSOD mode. 

Pirate story! This time the captain of the target tried to run over one of the pirate ships thus sending it to Davey Jones' locker.   Didn't work but he deserves recognition for his act of vengeance

11/1/2005

I would NEVER suggest that Quake IV possesses a deep storyline but if you haven't played the game do not read the review on Gamespot seeing as how they give away the plot.  Their rationale being that "well we were told at some gaming conference that maybe .0001% of the gaming world went to last year."  Idiots.  I'll write up a proper review soon.

Speaking of proper reviews, most sites appear to be really screwing up their reviews of Serious Sam 2 by playing that game in single player.  Wrong, wrong, WRONG!! Serious Sam requires, nay DEMANDS, co-op play.  Preferably while consuming beer and salty foods.  This site will have such a review in by next week and it will fulfill said requirements. 

Wikipedia's going to put out a printed edition for less fortunate countries.  However, I hope they don't do the entire book because those starving people in other lands won't be able to lift the books. Now, if the made the books edible, then you'd be onto something. "This part about quantum physics washes down nicely with a cup of Keynesian economics."

You just know that if Pat Buchanan is criticizing the neo-conservatives then something is definitely not right about those fools in charge.