You didn’t think only normal, sweaty palmed, gamers played Super Street Fighter 4 did you? Of course not. I have it on good authority that plenty of celebrities enjoy a little pixel combat from time to time. I bet that you, like me, wonder all the time what characters some of those people you see on the news would play. Well, wonder no more! I took the liberty of sending some monitor cyborgs interviewers to check out a couple of key targets.
Intuitive, As Opposed to Better
June 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I apologize in advance if this seems only tangentially related to gaming but it seems a good time, with Kinect and Move evangelists flailing about, to speak to the topic of alternate UI and control schemes. Whether you love them, or hate them, chances are that when it comes down to discussing Kinect, Move, Wii waggle or voice control you’re missing the point. As a hobbyist developer I feel fairly comfortable in telling you that UI design is brutally difficult, so much so that it’s easy to believe UI stands for Unintuitive Interactions rather than User Interface. I’m not trying to be an apologist here, I’m simply pointing out a truth. [Read more...]
Cautiously Optimistic – Now in 3D!
May 28, 2010 By 5 Comments
As usual, the first people to be publically excited about new innovations in the entertainment space are the manufacturers of said innovations. This year’s electronics shows have borne many 3D gadgets, from the long array of televisions announced at CES to Nintendo’s promise of a 3D handheld this E3. In response to all of this beating of drums the overwhelming gamer response I keep hearing in regards to 3D is a growing chorus of groans. [Read more...]
Versus: Online Multiplayer, Downloading the Right to Play
May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Scott: Last week, completely unbeknownst to one another, two of our community writers inadvertently wrote about the same topic. Equally coincidental, they had some differing viewpoints on it. What I’ve done here is compile them in what I hope is an objective and summarizing look at the issue on hand. This kicks off what I hope will be our first of many “versus” articles here. Enjoy. [Read more...]
Walking the Line: The Industry’s New Obsession With Linearity
March 11, 2010 By 1 Comment
Note: This article was written prior to the release of FFXIII, but Scott’s lazy ass didn’t get around to publishing it until now. I’d like to thank thecabbage for his infinite patience, and now we can easily point out how right or wrong he is. Thank you – the management. 
As reviews pour in for Final Fantasy XIII, one word seems to be cropping up again and again: Linear. Most reviewers seem to suggest linearity as the key component that will divide fans of the series. I’m not sure I buy that though, as no one seemed to criticize Final Fantasy X, although that was remarkably linear. XII was too. The grind-fests of the early NES Final Fantasies were fairly linear too as well. So why is this game being criticized for it now? [Read more...]
Who’s the Daddy? How Parenthood Changes the Gamer
March 3, 2010 By 3 Comments
As we get older, the real world has a defining impact on our gaming vocation. In the same way floating Medusa heads or jumping robotic fish got in the way of our childhood avatars, a job, home and other commitments can conspire to hold us back from spending the time we would like in our adult lives servicing our joystick addiction. The days of a 7th playthrough of our favorite RPG, or choosing full season mode in a sports sim are diminishing. Aren’t they? [Read more...]
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