Today on the Internet://12
HALO 4 RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCED!!!
[IGN] [Verge] [RoosterTeeth]
November 6th, 2012 *w00t*
The Death of Local Gaming?
I’m a little appalled that I haven’t read/seen more news on this subject. Some big changes could be coming to the videogame community, and it seems like we’re just accepting it!
A lot of info (and rumors) has been released about the next-gen consoles from [Sony] and [Microsoft] over the last few weeks. And while all the shiny specs are pretty to look at; an Xbox with Bluray and AMD 7000 graphics DOES sound sweet. However the list of additions looks more like side effects found in those tv-pill commercials.
- There’s a chance these systems will be online-only.
While this would stop piracy, it’s ridiculous to think that every gamer will have access to a decent connection. Especially for singleplayer campaigns.
- Disc-recognizing software would block games played on other systems.
This is for two reasons; again with the piracy thing, and, to stop the sale of used games. I get it, companies need to make money, but this would kill the industry in my eyes. Swapping games with friends would be over, and once you buy a game…it’s yours for life…what if you end up hating it???
Most importantly this would put an end to local video game shops. I have a friend here in town that runs a fantastic store where I have spent countless hours and dollars growing as a gamer. My childhood was raised in his shop. And after struggling against the arrival of Walmart and a dying economy, he would finally be done in by the studios he loves and supports…hogwash!
Currently I’m not aware of any sort of petitions, but there are ways of contacting developers like Valve or Microsoft and letting them know if you support this or not.
My question to you is; would you play on an online-only anti-used game system?
I WOULD NOT
STAY INFORMED: Take Action Against SOPA/PIPA
“The Internet Blacklist Legislation - known as PROTECT IP Act in the Senate and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House - is a threatening sequel to last year’s COICA Internet censorship bill. Like its predecessor, this legislation invites Internet security risks, threatens online speech, and hampers Internet innovation.”
[wiredforchange.com]
Simply put; companies are still trying to stop our online freedom. If this happens sites like YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter will be shutdown!
Inform yourself, contact politicians in your area, spread the word! Every little bit helps!
[HERE] is a list of companies currently supporting this bill; sadly there are names like Apple, Microsoft, EA Games, and Adidas…names that should know better. Boycott some, contact others.
PS: If you’re Canadian and thinking “this has nothing to do with me” tell your ignorance to shut up and speak up now, before it’s too late to say anything!
![2011 Xbox360 Dashboard Update
I won’t have this for at least another week or two, but what are YOUR thoughts on it?that’s not my gamertag in the picture
From what I’ve heard/seen it’s fantastic; the further integration of Kinect looks fun, and all the new added features will make it a powerhouse system!Partnerships with YouTube, ESPN, UFC, Hulu, Netflix, and Last.fm will further integrate the system into everything you do entertainment wise. And Bing is in there too, but seriously who’s going to use that? Essentially, it’s another step in a potato couch world. Micro$oft doesn’t want you turning off the Xbox, and they surely don’t want you using a competitors system to get your entertainment. What I chuckle at is…computers have been doing all of this since…well forever. Those computers were made my MS. People couldn’t figure out computers, so they jumped on consoles. Now consoles do what computers do…see where I’m going with this?It’ll also be interesting to watch how this plays out with the rumored switch to a newer console in the near future…
Check out all the new features [here]And all the partnerships [here]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvt46fL7eo1qzzuj8o1_500.gif)
2011 Xbox360 Dashboard Update
I won’t have this for at least another week or two, but what are YOUR thoughts on it?
that’s not my gamertag in the picture
From what I’ve heard/seen it’s fantastic; the further integration of Kinect looks fun, and all the new added features will make it a powerhouse system!
Partnerships with YouTube, ESPN, UFC, Hulu, Netflix, and Last.fm will further integrate the system into everything you do entertainment wise. And Bing is in there too, but seriously who’s going to use that? Essentially, it’s another step in a potato couch world. Micro$oft doesn’t want you turning off the Xbox, and they surely don’t want you using a competitors system to get your entertainment.
What I chuckle at is…computers have been doing all of this since…well forever. Those computers were made my MS. People couldn’t figure out computers, so they jumped on consoles. Now consoles do what computers do…see where I’m going with this?
It’ll also be interesting to watch how this plays out with the rumored switch to a newer console in the near future…
Check out all the new features [here]
And all the partnerships [here]
Coffee & Multitasking v.89
R.I.P.
1. NAPSTER [cnn.com]
The music sharing site that started it all is finally shutting down tonight/tomorrow morning, and merging with Rhapsody. A moment of silence please for the website that forever changed the internet, and music industry.
2. GAMEPRO [Joystiq]
One of (if not the) most popular gaming mag’s is calling it quits. The November issue will be it’s last, while the website will be shut down on December 5th.
RUMORS
1. GAME of THRONES [BAdigest]
Seasons 3+4 apparently not only have the green flag, but will also shoot back-to-back!!!
2. XBOX 720 [ign.com]
Here’s a summary of everything IGN knows/has heard about the upcoming system…
3. APPLE 4G [Gizmodo]
Word has it the iPad3 and iPhone5 will have 4G capabilities, sweet, hope it’s true.
“I Think We’re Just Getting Started…”
Welp, that’s it, finished Halo:CE Anniversary.
Sorry for spamming everyone’s feeds all week, I hope I didn’t annoy you too much.
Time to activate all the terminals and find all the skulls!
If you’ve found any new content (easter eggs, hidden items, etc) post them as a pic response!
BUNGIE 20th ANNIVERSARY
While Halo is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary, it’s creator is looking back on the past 20 years…
From Myth to Marathon, MacWorld to the Microsoft merger, E32003 to RoosterTeeth; Bungie has created a gaming legacy. Not many people know that Master Chief was originally supposed to be an NPC for an Apple RTS game. Or that the Xbox360 Dashboard as it is today was first seen inside of Halo2’s multiplayer. What’s even scarier to think of, is that years from now, new gamers might not even associate Bungie with the franchise…
While 343 Ind might have the reigns, Bungie created more than just a gaming franchise. They created a community.
*disclaimer*
mild obscenities - run time 55:07
Picked up my copy of HALO:CE:ANNIVERSARY…
And the nice folks at EB Games (Gamestop for my Murican friends) accidentally sold me a pre-sale copy! Came with
- 2 day Gold Live pass
- Anniversary Mappack DLC
- Master Chief avatar armor
- “grunt funeral” skull (Grunts explode like a plasma grenade when killed)
I didn’t go as “all out” for this release as I have for past releases. For #’s 2+3 I didn’t sleep until the game was finished, for ODST I threw a big LAN party, and for Reach I went to the midnight madness sale. Maybe because this is just a re-release…maybe cause I’m sick…but I’ll be playing as much as possible, picking apart each part of the game as much as possible. If you want to see the difference between the two, just check this out…
Today on the Internet://7
In celebration of tomorrow’s launch of Halo:CE:Anniversary, 343 Ind. has unveiled what they’re calling a “Living Monument”. I signed and uploaded my photo to what seems to be a collection of Halo fans, being stored in a virtual database (those little hexagons) in the form of a Master Chief statue. Honestly it’s not anything special, but if you’re as big of a Halo fan as I am, stuff like this is what makes the Halo community so much fun.
As tradition has it, they’ve released a real-life trailer:
Coffee & Multitasking v.85
1. WALKING DEAD SEASON3 [amc.com]
Two episodes into the sophomore season, highest ratings in cable history, do you really need anymore proof that this is the best show ever?
2. *UPDATED* TOP25 [IGN]
IGN decided to update their files a little bit, and for once I actually agree with the standings.
3. REVIEWS: BF3 [IGN] [Kotaku]
The “MW Killer” made a splash at midnight releases, but did it up the ante after the successful #2?
4. GTAV [Rockstar]
Thus ends the GEARS OF WAR saga…
Just completed campaign on GoW3, wow, what a perfect way to end the series.
I can’t believe it’s been five years since I bought my Xbox360 with GoW1. Five years of earning achievements, playing through the campaign countless times, putting hours and hours into multiplayer with friends…not to mention all the out-of-game fun! My YouTube channel was pretty much born from the retarded action-figure series “Meet Marcus” that I did in my spare time my first year of college. And one of the most popular videos there is a montage of my friend Curb and I playing through all 50 waves of Horde on GoW2.
This has to be one of the greatest story lines I’ve seen in…not just gaming…but movies, tv shows, etc. There are so many layers to so many characters, and so many sides of the story that only reveal themselves the further in you get.
It’s sad to put down the controller knowing the story won’t continue. As the screen faded to black on the final scene I though “dang, I’ll never do this again” like after the first time you saw LOTR or Star Wars.
Well Marcus, Dom, Baird, Cole…it’s been real.
GEARS OF WAR 3: First Impressions
Just finished Act I and figured enough has happened that I can give you my opinion on the game.
Gameplay: Everything feels “heavier” or at least chunkier. GoW is known for it’s brutal, manly, thick skinned and big gunned vibe…and I feel like this game, with all it’s growling, grunting, exploding, and shooting just amplifies that.
Story: Jumping us two years past the sinking of Jacinto just shows how epic things have become. They want you to feel like humanity is at the brink, and by moving (what’s left) of us onto ships, forcing even the army to go on land only to salvage for supplies gives it that feeling of dispair and sorrow. Between the Locusts, Lambents, and Cogs, you can tell that things are falling apart for everyone and you WILL be left with a “last man standing” situation in the end…
Weapons: So good, so powerful! Turrets are now quad-lancers, I just picked up a sawed-off shotgun, but I think my favorite are the retro-lancers with that nasty knife at the end. I’m constantly switching out for something bigger ‘n better to blow baddies up with! OH and the exo-suits…yes…just yes :)
Enemies: The Lambent fricking suck. Suicide enemies in games are always tough, and those GIANT, fat, barfing guys are the worst. Not to mention the Locusts have obviously been beefed up. But it’s a nice change of pace; in the last two games usually around the 3/4 mark I always got kinda bored of doing the same duck/cover/shoot method. At least now you have enemies running, jumping, exploding, shooting, even burrowing…forcing you to rethink the way you play GoW!
I can’t wait to find out who the new “general” enemy is going to be…
Heroes: The COG is dead, Marcus’ father is alive, even Anya has put down the laptop for a lancer. We now have the ability to play different characters in campaign mode, again, giving the game a fresh vibe (much like Bungie did in Halo2).
Ps. I want Dom to snap, really, with that beard he needs to go postal on some grubs!
GoW1 was the first game I bought for my 360 (so many years ago) I like that I’ve stuck with it this far to see the story through to the end…
If you’re a fan of the series you’ll feel rejuvenated, if you’ve never played but are into shooting games with an amazing storyline go pick up #’s 1+2 now!
*EDIT* Can I just add, thank you Epic Games for the 2 page instruction manual…I’m glad someone has finally realized how useless those things are!
HALO FEST
I really wish I could go to this…
Until now I was a little sceptical with how 343 Ind. was going to handle one of the biggest video game franchises of all time, but after seeing this I feel a little reassured (does everyone remember what happend to what’s-their-name after Halo Wars???)
Also check out the special features vid done by IGN, where 343 talks about the story of Halo4!!! [click here]
[post] E3 2011
This years GeekWeek was pretty epic! Micro$oft blew me away, Nintendo got me excited about my childhood favorites again, and Apple has me anticipating a very productive/fun school year.
So now that it’s all over, and we’ll be scrolling through page after page of updates on Kotaku and IGN, I figured I’d share what I’m most excited for this year in geekery!
FAVORITE KEYNOTE: Micro$oft
Not just for the oodles of content, or the grand slam finale, but for really utilizing the tech/games on that massive stage.
FAVORITE TRAILER: Halo 4
I mean c’mon, that was awesome.
FAVORITE UPGRADE: OS X Lion
I can’t wait to start multitasking between my iPad and iMac seamlessly.
FAVORITE TECH: Wii U
If you can purchase just the controller, I’m sold.
FAVORITE GAME: Gears of War 3
Halo would get this if it was coming out this year, and, GoW was the first series I got into on the 360…I’m very eager to finish the battle!
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITES?
