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So guess who got an iCade for Christmas, yes me... obviously. Guess who was awesome at games when she was much younger and now sucks at the very same games now?
This is a complete oddity, do our brains rewire themselves? Because seriously, playing an Xbox 360 title that utilizes every button and directional stick seems easier than a game the uses one button and a directional stick lol.
I remember back in the day taking a dollar down to the arcade and it would last me all afternoon. Games were 20c a shot and I'd last ages! People would actually stand around and watch me finish games like Dragon's Lair, Space Ace... or get through level upon level of Bosconian, Ladybug or Asteroids. Now it seems those days are far behind me, thank goodness they're not costing 20c a shot anymore... I'd be broke.
How do you go when you're playing some retro classics? Still got them magic?
A friend sent me the following video to ogle this week and I have to say I was gobsmacked. What you'll see at the link is a before and after split screen of the pre-remastered Star Trek the Next Generation and the remastered upcoming bluray release.
I was semi-excited about the release of STNG on bluray in Australia, I've got the full DS9 series on DVD and the thought of a bluray release is really too good to refuse. Now on seeing this video, I'm all in. How about you?!
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Next Level Blu-ray Clip
I've finished "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (a few days ago in fact), so I've had time to soak in its afterglow a little. This was my game of the year. Despite the gamut of games presently available in the crazy pre-christmas launch window, "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception" remains the pinnacle of great game development.
What sets the Uncharted franchise apart is its masterful storytelling, superlative voice acting and motion capture. Sure the formula is the same as the last two titles in the series, right down to the well timed wall breaks and Nathan 'almost' falling to his death, but it's classy and that is something other developers try to grasp, but usually fail at.
If you haven't played an Uncharted title, I implore you to do so, if video games are art, then Uncharted is a masterpiece.
Following the antics of Queensland based prop maker Nerfenstein has been a blaster[er] the last few weeks and her latest prop is definitely one for the Stargate community. The Stargate Lanard is a blaster pistol featuring it's very own stargate.
You can see some images of it here
[ Click here to read more ]
September 20th 2011 02:50
Just a bit of an interest piece for a change, rather than some random piece of news you can see on any gaming blog. Recently my gaming hobby has taken a back seat. Other things have come along that have taken my interests in a new direction. On weekends I would game, through the week, I would write, think about games. Now my lack of interest in the medium has surprised even myself, with numerous games getting a release over the last couple of months that I usually would have purchased.
Sure there are still games I am excited about, not least of all the new Uncharted title. As soon as that comes out I will be playing it, come rain, hail or shine. Point is though, I don't see an interest prior to that. Anyone else lost their love of video gaming?
September 20th 2011 02:34
Fans of Nerf guns aren't just little kids any more, with adults taking to the guns all over the world to have fun playing games like "Humans vs. Zombies" or just all out Nerf Wars. It's safe and it's fun, so why the heck not. As well as Nerf Wars. there's also a fairly healthy community of Nerf Modders, people who modify their weapons, either cosmetically (what they look like), or internally (changing the way they fire and usually the power they have).
I've been checking out these mods recently and I'm posting some here for those that don't know what they are. Want to see a Nerf gun turned into R2D2 from Star Wars, or another turned into a Spaceship carrying dangerous cargo? You need to check out GirlyGamer and Nerfenstein. One and the same person. A science-fiction slant on Nerf guns... who knew!
Oh Jillian Michaels seriously man, can't you come up with your own 'thing' rather than swiping one of gamings most iconic heroes and her 'thing'? I was perusing one of my favorite gaming sites earlier this week when I saw a post they'd put up last week and I thought it was relevant enough to share it here. You see Jillian Michaels new fitness game "Jillian Michaels Fitness Adventure looks VERY much like Tomb Raider, well that is to say Jillian Michaels looks a LOT like Lara Croft. I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone isn't contacting lawyers as I type.
Check out the story, including damning screenshot HERE.
Saw this clip and thought I'd share it here with the orble audience. Harrison Ford is treading the pavement doing promotion for his new film "Cowboys & Aliens", which in itself is something he allegedly hates doing, much preferring being rugged up on his ranch in the middle of nowhere.
Anyway his personal preferences aside, looks like he has a bone to pick with Chewy, if you missed this clip, be sure and check it out, it's pretty funny
[ Click here to read more ]
I realize a game like "Duke Nukem: Forever" has its audience (I'm assuming 12 year old anti-social boys), but seriously how can anyone who loves gaming say this is a good game? The wince-worthy dialogue, the awful graphics, long load times, misogyny and terrible level design are but some of the wonders that await within this game. I 'get' the Duke humor, I've been playing this franchise since it first appeared, but we've moved on, or at least I like to think most gamers have, from the mindset inherent in this title.
It's my belief these sorts of games send out a message to the non-gamer that really undoes the idea of gaming being excepted in the mainstream. "Duke Nukem: Forever" panders to all those things the uneducated non-gamer loves to hold up with a gleeful smile against the gamer... "gaming is so stupid", "gaming is for little boys", "videogames sends kids playing them the wrong message" etc. Those things hurt gaming and in turn we the gamer
[ Click here to read more ]
Science-fiction series "Falling Skies" has finally aired, but did it live up to the pre-air hype? For me it's a no, but that's not surprising given the sheer amount of press this show had before it released. Lord knows having a huge name attached, doesn't necessarily mean a great product, but I can't help but feel that "Falling Skies" fails in some very basic ways.
Firstly, what is it with TV writers in general that they feel this innate urge to place their female characters in carer roles? Kind of annoying. I know if a zombie apocalypse or alien invasion broke out, I wouldn't be sitting around looking after babies and doing the washing, I'd be kicking some ass. I can't be the only woman who feels that way, but we don't get a great go on network TV. Moon Bloodgood is more than capable of taking on a kick ass role, but what is she, she's a teacher, nurse, carer (hopefully that will ramp up into more of an ass kicker as the show goes on
[ Click here to read more ]
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Comment by GeekGrrl
on Video Game Narrative an art form for women?
Games Ramble
Science Fiction Ramble
thanks for all the responses.
@OverExposure
Hey there! First up nice article, let me know if you're interested in having your gaming related stuff on a non-orble gaming site, linking through to the original. You're so right about all those games, awesome narrative and some sweet graphics too!
@EducatedInGames
I should have clarified I think narrative is a 'key component' for the most part, and certainly not always, some of my favorite games from eons ago hold next to no narrative. Limbo was just superb and had a sort of silent narrative, just lovely. I personally prefer to judge things as a whole also and as I've written game reviews for over 2 decades, have a fairly good grasp I like to hope lol. Ellie was a truly awesome game character and as you say those other components in "Dead Space 2" certainly are a major part of the experience, the sound and lighting alone were enough to make you jump. I'm not sure we agree 100% on the "Without a high attention to graphics, gamers would find it hard to immerse themselves into the world". I assume you're referring specifically to "Dead Space 2" and not gaming as a whole? Your last sentence sums things up exactly and I completely agree.
@OrbofInsight
And they wonder why the world is the way it is eh? Nothing like pointing out gender differences ALL the time and slapping you in the face with it 24/7. As you say we're all from Earth... well.. most of you ;p
@NightTimeBrothers
LOL Oh a good plot huh. LOVED "Dead Space 2" and the first for that matter. Onto Bulletstorm now.