Episode #125 Part Two
The second hour of us peering into our crystal ball to tell the future is now available for your listening and viewing pleasure. Or, your something. Well, it's available anyway, so have a look or a listen and we hope you enjoy it.
And I know, I know, you're getting sick of me asking, but if you haven't done it, seriously, c'mon, fill out the 2008 Gaming Awards! We do this for you guys, so we really need to have you submit your answers for it. This show should be a really fun one.
Also, just for the record, I played my very first PS2 game last night. As you probably know, my wife bought me a PS2 on Black Friday (dun dun dunnnnn) but I had to wait until Christmas to get any games for it. My excellent co-host Drew and his wife bought me Need for Speed Underground, and so, for the first time ever, I turned on my very own PS2 and played my very own PS2 game.
And it was FUN.
So I've got about ten years of catching up to do, I'll see you all later. Much, much later.
-Phil
Boss Got You Down?
I don't imagine that this is just me, but I figured I'd put it to our listeners to see what you guys have to say. Have you ever stopped playing a game because of a really difficult boss battle? If you look in the blog sidebar, you'll notice that it says I'm currently playing Metroid Prime 2. It's said that for months, and it doesn't lie. This game and I have an interesting history.
I originally bought the game for the GameCube probably shortly after it came out. I really enjoyed the first one, so I expected to thoroughly enjoy playing its sequel. I don't remember how long I had it or how long I played it, but I know for a fact that I never finished it, not even close. I do remember that it seemed much darker than the first one, and it was just different enough to make it feel not quite right. But based on what's happening to me now, I'm guessing the reason that I quit playing it was because of a boss battle that I just couldn't get past, so I gave up.
I eventually sold the game along with the rest of my GameCube gear (save for this) and went on with my life. Last year though, after Metroid Prime 3 came out, I kinda got nostalgic and wanted to give Prime 2 a second chance. I mentioned it here and there, but never went out and got it. Last Christmas came around, and my wife surprised me out of nowhere with the game. I hadn't been doing a whole lot of gaming around that time, because we were looking to buy a house, then moving, then doing home repairs, so it was only a few months ago that I started playing it.
And you know what? Once you get past the different feel of it, it's actually another awesome Metroid expierience. So far. This brings me back to my original problem, and the reason I can go for weeks at a time without playing it: the boss battles. Maybe I've just gotten weak, lost my touch, but some of the boss battles that I have come across in this game are downright off-putting. I'll play it a few times, trying to find a good strategy for the boss, and ultimately make very little progress. So I'll check an online guide for some hints, have one of those "ooohhhhhh...." moments, and try again. And again, and again. Still, even after following the tips from a guide I can't manage to do a whole lot better.
So ultimately I'll get annoyed with it and just turn it off after trying three or four or five times. Maybe I'll do it again the next day, but still get nowhere. I know that there are hours upon hours of enjoyable gameplay left in the title, I'm not even halfway through, but it just irks me when I get stuck at a place like this, where either I'm just missing something or the fight is just *too* difficult, and I simply can't get past it.
My question to you guys then, is this: Do you ever have a similar experience? I know we did a Boss Battles episode a while back, and I think we asked a similar question on that episode, but this game has me thinking about it again. Do you guys ever get so annoyed with a boss fight that you'll actually give up on a game? What do you do if you're in a situation like I am? Shout it out in the comments, I'm very curious to see what your guys' thoughts are.
Oh yeah, and *please* fill out the 2008 Gaming Awards if you haven't already.
-Phil
Read More
I originally bought the game for the GameCube probably shortly after it came out. I really enjoyed the first one, so I expected to thoroughly enjoy playing its sequel. I don't remember how long I had it or how long I played it, but I know for a fact that I never finished it, not even close. I do remember that it seemed much darker than the first one, and it was just different enough to make it feel not quite right. But based on what's happening to me now, I'm guessing the reason that I quit playing it was because of a boss battle that I just couldn't get past, so I gave up.
I eventually sold the game along with the rest of my GameCube gear (save for this) and went on with my life. Last year though, after Metroid Prime 3 came out, I kinda got nostalgic and wanted to give Prime 2 a second chance. I mentioned it here and there, but never went out and got it. Last Christmas came around, and my wife surprised me out of nowhere with the game. I hadn't been doing a whole lot of gaming around that time, because we were looking to buy a house, then moving, then doing home repairs, so it was only a few months ago that I started playing it.
And you know what? Once you get past the different feel of it, it's actually another awesome Metroid expierience. So far. This brings me back to my original problem, and the reason I can go for weeks at a time without playing it: the boss battles. Maybe I've just gotten weak, lost my touch, but some of the boss battles that I have come across in this game are downright off-putting. I'll play it a few times, trying to find a good strategy for the boss, and ultimately make very little progress. So I'll check an online guide for some hints, have one of those "ooohhhhhh...." moments, and try again. And again, and again. Still, even after following the tips from a guide I can't manage to do a whole lot better.
So ultimately I'll get annoyed with it and just turn it off after trying three or four or five times. Maybe I'll do it again the next day, but still get nowhere. I know that there are hours upon hours of enjoyable gameplay left in the title, I'm not even halfway through, but it just irks me when I get stuck at a place like this, where either I'm just missing something or the fight is just *too* difficult, and I simply can't get past it.
My question to you guys then, is this: Do you ever have a similar experience? I know we did a Boss Battles episode a while back, and I think we asked a similar question on that episode, but this game has me thinking about it again. Do you guys ever get so annoyed with a boss fight that you'll actually give up on a game? What do you do if you're in a situation like I am? Shout it out in the comments, I'm very curious to see what your guys' thoughts are.
Oh yeah, and *please* fill out the 2008 Gaming Awards if you haven't already.
-Phil
U R Not e
Well, it may have finally happened. We've been talking about doing a video version of Inside The Console for months now, and we decided to just make the push and make it happen. Not everything's totally integrated yet, you won't be able to actually subscribe to the video, and none of the equipment is top-notch, but you do get a wonderful insight into the magic of what makes this podcast actually happen.
Or something like that.
Hopefully the video will be worthwhile and people will enjoy watching it. One thing we get to use it for is to actually show you guys some of the trivia prizes that we have to give away, as well as what our ugly mugs actually look like, so it seems like a win-win all around.
Also, if you haven't done so, you seriously need to fill out the 2008 Gaming Awards. We need peoples' answers to this by the 28th. So, if you haven't filled it out, do it! Make stuff up, none of it is serious, and we want to hear your opinions on the random categories we came up with. John, Drew and I will be filling it out, and we're hoping to have as many fan-submitted answers as we can get, so take a few minutes to help us out.
That's all I've got. I hope you guys enjoy the videos, and let us know what you think of the whole thing in the comments. If you've got suggestions, don't hesitate to throw 'em out, chances are we'll listen and probably even take action. I'm out.
-Phil
2009
E3 is supposedly coming back, and it'll (again, supposedly) be just like the glory days of what E3 used to be a few years ago. Playstation Home just went public beta, and we're supposed to be seeing it come to fruition in 2009. Will the Wii finally drop in price? Will the PS3? What about rumors of next-next-gen (sigh) consoles, especially considering the fact that the Xbox 360 is now three years old?
Let us know in the comments what you're looking forward to in the coming year. I'm sure there will also be a few games coming out in the next twelve months that some of you might be excited about, but that's just a hunch.
-Phil
Memories...
So, as you listeners are well aware, I had to replace my 360 again. I'll tell you this much, I can't even look at a red light anymore. Christmas lights, stop lights, power indicator LED's... All of these just give me the creeps. Even now as my PS3 controller charges the little flashing light makes me want to cry. But I digress...
As part of the replacement process for my console I had to transfer ALL my licenses and re-download EVERYTHING (well not some of those stupid free themes, I just ignored those.) As part of this experience I was reintroduced to some classics I had completely forgotten about. I actually picked up and played Hexic for the first time in lord knows how long. It was a very odd experience to go back to that game for even the 30 minutes that I did. I forgot how a simple little game could be so much fun. It definitely reminded me that I need to take a look at the new Community Games on Live.
Oh and the NXE... freakin' sweet.
-John
Read More
As part of the replacement process for my console I had to transfer ALL my licenses and re-download EVERYTHING (well not some of those stupid free themes, I just ignored those.) As part of this experience I was reintroduced to some classics I had completely forgotten about. I actually picked up and played Hexic for the first time in lord knows how long. It was a very odd experience to go back to that game for even the 30 minutes that I did. I forgot how a simple little game could be so much fun. It definitely reminded me that I need to take a look at the new Community Games on Live.
Oh and the NXE... freakin' sweet.
-John
Insert Here to Continue
So you run out and pick up the big blockbuster game that everyone is raving about. You get home, slide the disk into your console, and then . . . nothing. Well, not nothing, but not what you expected. In fact, your console gives a little bit of new info. It tells you that you need an additional attachment to play your game. “What!” you say, “I need more crap to play my game! How could they do this to me?!” That is the story whenever you need an additional accessory to play, or in some cases start, your game.
Then there are the accessories that you don’t really need, but the game manufacturers make you think you need it. They don’t tell you otherwise, they just let you think you need it. Either way, it’s a crock!
This is what we’ll be talking about on this episode of ITC; accessories. There are accessories you need, accessories you don’t, and accessories that make you go “Huh?”
Send in your opinions on what accessories are avalible and what accessories you may want to see, if any.
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Then there are the accessories that you don’t really need, but the game manufacturers make you think you need it. They don’t tell you otherwise, they just let you think you need it. Either way, it’s a crock!
This is what we’ll be talking about on this episode of ITC; accessories. There are accessories you need, accessories you don’t, and accessories that make you go “Huh?”
Send in your opinions on what accessories are avalible and what accessories you may want to see, if any.
-Drew
Thanks Jim!
Alright, so I swear this will be the *final* correction for this Scavenger Hunt. Thanks to our (supposed) Number One Fan, Jim, another error was pointed out. Two, actually, but one is more of a loophole that I'm leaving in. If you can find that one, props to you!.
Final, Fo'-Reals Scavenger Hunt
Find the ninth system in the GameBoy lineup, according to Wikipedia.
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference, higher or lower) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only single that this band released in South Africa in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Thanks for dealing with all of my mess, the next one will be much better, I swears! However, (shaddap Tuvok) despite my errors, we have had a few (possibly even correct?) answers come in, and we're also extending the hunt until our next taping, on November 30th. So you've got another week and a half to sift through the clues for your chance at a T-shirt (Rock Band 2 or Force Unleashed) and a Mario Galaxy Collectible Coin.
Have at it!
-Phil
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference, higher or lower) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only single that this band released in South Africa in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Thanks for dealing with all of my mess, the next one will be much better, I swears! However, (shaddap Tuvok) despite my errors, we have had a few (possibly even correct?) answers come in, and we're also extending the hunt until our next taping, on November 30th. So you've got another week and a half to sift through the clues for your chance at a T-shirt (Rock Band 2 or Force Unleashed) and a Mario Galaxy Collectible Coin.
Have at it!
-Phil
Scavenger Hunt Correction
If any of you have tried (and failed) with our latest Scavenger Hunt, there was an error in one part of it. Here is the corrected hunt:
Find the ninth system in the GameBoy lineup, according to Wikipedia.
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only album that this band released in South America in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Read More
Find the ninth system in the GameBoy lineup, according to Wikipedia.
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only album that this band released in South America in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Scavenger Hunt
Big thanks to Simon for guest-hosting on Episode #122.5, it was great to have him in the studio again. I'll have John do a post about his next topic, User-Generated Content, but in the mean time, here's a nice scavenger hunt for you guys. The prize for the correct answer (we will randomly draw if there is more than one) will be a Mario Galaxy Coin and a T-Shirt. Good hunting!
Scavenger Hunt! (updated with correction)
Find the ninth system in the GameBoy lineup, according to Wikipedia.
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only album that this band released in South America in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Good luck!
-Phil
Read More
Scavenger Hunt! (updated with correction)
Find the ninth system in the GameBoy lineup, according to Wikipedia.
That system’s Wikipedia page describes two cables that were needed for multiplayer capabilities on this console. Find the price of the second cable.
On gamerankings.com, find the N64 title who’s review score is second-closest to the numbers of the price of this cable. Example: If the cable costs $4.50, find the game who’s review score is second-closest (smallest mathematical difference) to 45.00.
This game’s main male character is also the name of a movie released last year. Find the actor who played the character credited as “RPG Nerd” in this movie.
This actor was in multiple movies released in the same year as the Slimline PS2. Find the first movie of that year that this actor was in.
The name of this movie is the same as that of a band from Austrailia. Find the title of the only album that this band released in South America in the same year from the previous clue.
Find a blog who’s name is the same is the same as that of the album.
On this blog’s parent company’s website, find their only videogame reviewed that is rated Early Childhood by the ESRB, and is not specified to be on one particular system, handheld, or the PC.
Find IGN’s review of this game, on the system who’s most direct competition was the first home console mentioned in this scavenger hunt.
From this review, email to us the publication date and the person who signed off on the review.
Good luck!
-Phil
Inside The Console 2008 Awards Show
It's time for the second-annual Inside The Console Awards Show! This year we are giving out twenty awards for the videogame industry. The list is shown below, and if you click through to the comments on this post, you will be able to copy-paste an easy form to fill in your answers. We would like to hear from as many people as possible this year, so help spread the word by emailing the awards to any of your gaming friends who might like to fill out the list.
Thank you all in advance, we really look forward to hearing from you, and to choosing winners for all of the awards at the end of the year.
-Phil, John & Drew
Thank you all in advance, we really look forward to hearing from you, and to choosing winners for all of the awards at the end of the year.
-Phil, John & Drew
Inside The Console 2008 Awards:
Avatar
Best Game on the Xbox 360
The Duct Tape Award
The Duct Tape Award
Best Game on the Wii
The Giant Enemy Crab Award
Best Game on the Playstation 3
The Rainbow Award
Best Game on the DS
The Firmware of the Year Award
Best Game on the PSP
The Perrin Kaplan Award
Favorite Quote from a Company Executive
The Crystal Skull Award
Best Game You've Discovered - Any Game, Any System, Any Time Period
The Middle Child Award
Big-Name Franchise You Ignored and Why
The Switchpod Award
Worst Online Moment
The Duke Nukem Forever Memorial Award
Best Game of 2008 That isn't Coming Out Until 2009
The Phone Home Award
Besides Wii Music, The Game that you think shouldn't have been made
The Geometry Wars Really Was The Best 360 Launch Title Award
Game You Should Have Downloaded But Didn't
The Board Game Award
Favorite Inside The Console Topic
The Donkey Kong 64 Award
Game You Regretted Buying
The Horse Armor Award
Worst Downloadable Content
The Sean Connery LifetimeTrophy Achievement Award
Franchise That Should Have Been Retired This Year
The Dongle Award
Weirdest Accessory
The Slappers Only Award
Best Multiplayer Gaming Experience
The YDKJ Award
Best Social Gaming Experience
The Jack Thompson Award
Personality You're Most Likely to Miss
The Giant Enemy Crab Award
Best Game on the Playstation 3
The Rainbow Award
Best Game on the DS
The Firmware of the Year Award
Best Game on the PSP
The Perrin Kaplan Award
Favorite Quote from a Company Executive
The Crystal Skull Award
Best Game You've Discovered - Any Game, Any System, Any Time Period
The Middle Child Award
Big-Name Franchise You Ignored and Why
The Switchpod Award
Worst Online Moment
The Duke Nukem Forever Memorial Award
Best Game of 2008 That isn't Coming Out Until 2009
The Phone Home Award
Besides Wii Music, The Game that you think shouldn't have been made
The Geometry Wars Really Was The Best 360 Launch Title Award
Game You Should Have Downloaded But Didn't
The Board Game Award
Favorite Inside The Console Topic
The Donkey Kong 64 Award
Game You Regretted Buying
The Horse Armor Award
Worst Downloadable Content
The Sean Connery Lifetime
Franchise That Should Have Been Retired This Year
The Dongle Award
Weirdest Accessory
The Slappers Only Award
Best Multiplayer Gaming Experience
The YDKJ Award
Best Social Gaming Experience
The Jack Thompson Award
Personality You're Most Likely to Miss
Quick Plug
Hey ITC'ers,
Just wanted to give a quick reminder that we're looking for your Christmas wish-lists for this next episode. You can send them in email form or just put a note in the comments listing what you're hoping to see under the tree this year. And just as a heads-up, part two of our Portrayal of Men in Gaming show is now available, so check it out if you haven't already.
Thanks everybody, we look forward to hearing from you.
-Phil
Read More
Just wanted to give a quick reminder that we're looking for your Christmas wish-lists for this next episode. You can send them in email form or just put a note in the comments listing what you're hoping to see under the tree this year. And just as a heads-up, part two of our Portrayal of Men in Gaming show is now available, so check it out if you haven't already.
Thanks everybody, we look forward to hearing from you.
-Phil
Grr... ARGH!
Hey all you out there in ITC-land.
So I sit here at work and need to get a post up for this show. I'm only about 5 days late this time. So we sat in that studio for 2 long grueling hours coming up with something believable in regards to men in video games. Now we had hoped to get amazing, wonderful e-mails from you good folks to help carry us through, but apparently you'd rather listen to us talk. Which is great.
SO anyhoo. You should take a listen to parts one and two and try really hard to answer the trivia question this week. It's a doozy.
As for next time... Oh crap. I forgot what our next show is... Give me a sec..
Okay so I'm an idiot. I actually knew it, but still had to text Fil to make sure. We are doing our Annual Wish List Show!!! So we REALLY need your input. With the Christmahanukwanzakah season coming up we want to know what you will be asking your patron saint/deity/significant other/parent figure for this year. What is it that you are so looking forward to you are willing to wait until someone else sticks it in paper for you to unwrap weeks later? I kid though. We really do want to hear from YOU! So let us know. Or you get 2 hours of our lists. And that'll just be dull...
-John
Read More
So I sit here at work and need to get a post up for this show. I'm only about 5 days late this time. So we sat in that studio for 2 long grueling hours coming up with something believable in regards to men in video games. Now we had hoped to get amazing, wonderful e-mails from you good folks to help carry us through, but apparently you'd rather listen to us talk. Which is great.
SO anyhoo. You should take a listen to parts one and two and try really hard to answer the trivia question this week. It's a doozy.
As for next time... Oh crap. I forgot what our next show is... Give me a sec..
Okay so I'm an idiot. I actually knew it, but still had to text Fil to make sure. We are doing our Annual Wish List Show!!! So we REALLY need your input. With the Christmahanukwanzakah season coming up we want to know what you will be asking your patron saint/deity/significant other/parent figure for this year. What is it that you are so looking forward to you are willing to wait until someone else sticks it in paper for you to unwrap weeks later? I kid though. We really do want to hear from YOU! So let us know. Or you get 2 hours of our lists. And that'll just be dull...
-John
Who Are We?
We are the chosen ones. We are the soldiers rushing into battle. We are the hunters in the woods. We are the saviors of the princess and the thugs on the streets. We are the adventurers, traveling the dusty paths and through the thick forests in search of treasure and glory with our companions. By the way, we are the companions, as well. The starship pilots; the Super Bowl MVPs; the heavyweight champions; we are they. We are the mages, the street racers, the musicians, and the Jedi warriors. We are the demons in the night, and the avengers that hunt them. We are your closest enemy, and your best friend. We are the men inside your video games, and you are what we are. But the question still remains; who are we?
On the next new Inside the Console, we will attempt to answer that question. On the next show, the guys will examine, well, guys. More specifically, the guys in the games that we play and how they are portrayed. As the show approaches, please take a minute to answer a few questions for us.
Do you see the men in video games as true to life portrayals of real men?
Do you feel that men video games can be role models? If so, how?
Have you ever been offended by a male character in a game? If so, what character and how did that portrayal offend you?
Are there any male characters in any games that you would want to hang out with?
If you are a person who dates men, are there any male video game characters you would date?
Is this a subject that you have ever given any thought to before now?
Read More
On the next new Inside the Console, we will attempt to answer that question. On the next show, the guys will examine, well, guys. More specifically, the guys in the games that we play and how they are portrayed. As the show approaches, please take a minute to answer a few questions for us.
Do you see the men in video games as true to life portrayals of real men?
Do you feel that men video games can be role models? If so, how?
Have you ever been offended by a male character in a game? If so, what character and how did that portrayal offend you?
Are there any male characters in any games that you would want to hang out with?
If you are a person who dates men, are there any male video game characters you would date?
Is this a subject that you have ever given any thought to before now?
<Aerosmith>
(We're) Back In The Saddle Again!
</Aerosmith>
After a brief hiatus, we made it back to Studio Five again to bring you even more of what you keep coming back for ... whatever that might be. But a couple of days late is better than never, right? This time around, for Episode #119, we talked about legislation and videogames and how the two are intertwined.
For one, you've got the ESRB, which is a decent system for patrolling the content in videogames and assigning a (relatively) appropriate rating to the game. At the same time, we've got states like Minnesota where people are trying to pass laws which would fine the purchaser (read: the Gamer) if they were to buy a game and they are under the recommended age given to it by the ESRB. Something's not quite right there.
So we spent about two hours talking about that and many other things involving different ways to patrol the rating system and who to fine when something bad happens, etc. Hopefully you'll all enjoy it and maybe even learn something in the process. But don't hold me to that.
Now, for next episode, the big one-two-oh, we're going to talk about the portrayal of women in videogames. This is not going to focus at all on "girl gamers" or girls who happen to play games, but we're going to take a look at how females are actually portrayed *in* videogames, as characters, heroines, damsels in distress, etc.
I'll bug John for a while until he comes up with some real questions for you guys, but in the mean time we hope to at least get the gears turning in your brains on the topic. If you've got anything to say, feel free to shout it out in the comments or email it to us directly. Until next time, Game On!
-Phil
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For one, you've got the ESRB, which is a decent system for patrolling the content in videogames and assigning a (relatively) appropriate rating to the game. At the same time, we've got states like Minnesota where people are trying to pass laws which would fine the purchaser (read: the Gamer) if they were to buy a game and they are under the recommended age given to it by the ESRB. Something's not quite right there.
So we spent about two hours talking about that and many other things involving different ways to patrol the rating system and who to fine when something bad happens, etc. Hopefully you'll all enjoy it and maybe even learn something in the process. But don't hold me to that.
Now, for next episode, the big one-two-oh, we're going to talk about the portrayal of women in videogames. This is not going to focus at all on "girl gamers" or girls who happen to play games, but we're going to take a look at how females are actually portrayed *in* videogames, as characters, heroines, damsels in distress, etc.
I'll bug John for a while until he comes up with some real questions for you guys, but in the mean time we hope to at least get the gears turning in your brains on the topic. If you've got anything to say, feel free to shout it out in the comments or email it to us directly. Until next time, Game On!
-Phil
*Trumpet Sounds*
Okay so the title is a little weak. I couldn't really figure out how to verbalize that "dun dun dun duh" sound that plays when important people enter so yeah...
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So here we are. Hope you all have noticed our little change in podcast services. Needless to say we are done with Switchpod. If you have already followed us to Podbean, the instructions are available at the top of the right hand side.
So we talked about sports for a bit (actually longer than expected considering my co-hosts) and I triumphantly returned to the show. (Aren't I SO modest?) So despite the fact we didn't hear from any of you prior to the show we'd still love to hear from you in the future.
As for next time we will be talking about video game legislation. Should end up being a firey show to say the least. We will look into states that have tried to pass laws, laws that already exist, and where we see things headed. But really is any of this even necessary? So...
Instead of providing you some links I encourage you all to do some research and learn! Otherwise how will we ever get e-mails? Just check in New York, Minnesota, California, Missouri, North Carolina.... Just about anywhere. And e-mail your thoughts to us!
-John
PodBean Trial Period
Listeners,
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Because of our continued dissapointment with Switchpod, our current podcast hosting company, we are in the testing phase of switching to a new hosting provider. This provider is called PodBean, and for the same price we currently pay, should provide us with more reliable service as well as much-enhanced statistics over what we get now. We know how inconvenient it is to have to re-subscribe to a podcast feed, but please bear with us as we sort this out.
Right now, the podcast will be hosted in both places. If we can actually get our current episodes uploaded to SwitchPod, you will see them in your regular feed and all will be normal. At the same time, we will put the new episodes in our PodBean feed as well. I have attempted to contact SwitchPod via email (which has been reliable in the past) three times in the past few days, and have never heard back.
Please help us out by subscribing to the new Inside The Console feed with your podcast program (iTunes or other). To do this in iTunes, highlight the feed URL below and select Copy. Open iTunes, and on the Advanced pulldown, select Subscribe to Podcast, and paste the URL in that window. iTunes should then subscribe to the new feed.
PodBean RSS Feed URL:
http://insidetheconsole.podbean.com/feed/
You can also use the new embedded media player on this blog's sidebar to listen to the episodes from PodBean if you don't want to subscribe or download the files directly. Know that if we do make this switch permanent, it will be a slow process over the course of several episodes of the show, in order to ensure that as many listeners as possible can make the switch without being suddenly cut off, which has sadly happened to us in the past.
Keep it here for more on this process, and thanks for sticking with us.
-Phil
Gooooooo Switchpod!
Looks like for the time being you'll have to get your Episode #117 fix by downloading it directly, since Switchpod seems to think that using 350MB of your storage exceeds the 500MB limit. Hmmmm. I'll keep trying to upload it every day until they let me, but in the mean time you'll just have to get it the old fashioned way.
Click here to download Episode #117
Because of a few last-minute circumstances, John didn't make it to Studio 5 to record, so we decided to postpone the sports topic until he can come back for #118. We figured that since Wii Croquet hasn't come out yet, and WWE:Wii just isn't up to snuff, we'd hold off until our real sports aficionado can be here for the show. I'll try to poke and prod John to get some sports-related questions up here too for you guys to answer, but in the mean time, sit back and listen to Drew and I reminice about our favorite peripherals of yesteryear.
-Phil
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Click here to download Episode #117
Because of a few last-minute circumstances, John didn't make it to Studio 5 to record, so we decided to postpone the sports topic until he can come back for #118. We figured that since Wii Croquet hasn't come out yet, and WWE:Wii just isn't up to snuff, we'd hold off until our real sports aficionado can be here for the show. I'll try to poke and prod John to get some sports-related questions up here too for you guys to answer, but in the mean time, sit back and listen to Drew and I reminice about our favorite peripherals of yesteryear.
-Phil
Fighters, Back to Your Corners
Ok, everyone, lets all step back and take a deep breath. Obviously, we tackled a subject that, in some way or another, envokes a lot of emotion; so lets reevaluate here. First of all, John has always been very opinionated and blunt. This is one of the things I have always liked about him. Direct and to the point. The listeners, as varied as you all are (and I used to be one of you) are just as strong in opinion and, to your credit, defensive towards each other. On top of all that, we all (I think) live in the good ol' USA. Land of the free, home of the brave, and dominant in, as of this posting, 102 different Olympic events and counting. This also means that we all are entitled to our thoughts and opinions, no matter how much they may annoy others of us. Yay USA.
Now, this has the ability to start firestorms of debate. Good, we (as in the ITC staff) love debate. We love our listeners and we love their varying opinions. By all means, keep them coming. In the mean time, lets not forget what keeps us coming back to host and what keeps you guys listening: the games. We don't expect any or all of you to swing over to our opinions about anything. Heck, we don't expect ourselves to agree with on everything.
So, let's make a deal; you guys keep coming back, and so will we. All of us. (I think). And as Phil said before, keep writing in. We want to hear from you. Besides, the next show is about sports games. You know, Madden, Top Spin, Mario vs Sonic @ the Olympics, Smackdown vs Raw. Ok, the last one is sports ENTERTAINMENT, but I say it still counts. Anyway, be be prepaired for a good show. We are.
Game On,
Drew
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Now, this has the ability to start firestorms of debate. Good, we (as in the ITC staff) love debate. We love our listeners and we love their varying opinions. By all means, keep them coming. In the mean time, lets not forget what keeps us coming back to host and what keeps you guys listening: the games. We don't expect any or all of you to swing over to our opinions about anything. Heck, we don't expect ourselves to agree with on everything.
So, let's make a deal; you guys keep coming back, and so will we. All of us. (I think). And as Phil said before, keep writing in. We want to hear from you. Besides, the next show is about sports games. You know, Madden, Top Spin, Mario vs Sonic @ the Olympics, Smackdown vs Raw. Ok, the last one is sports ENTERTAINMENT, but I say it still counts. Anyway, be be prepaired for a good show. We are.
Game On,
Drew
Hold on Tim, Don't Kill Us!
Tim, please don't give up on us while you suffer through the second half of Episode #116. We all have our opinions and yours is clearly different than ours, but let's not let that get in the way of our wonderful relationship, shall we? We respect you as a dedicated listener and will always welcome your comments to the show.
Yours truly,
Inside The Console
-----
The second half of our rant on Nintendo is up and available for your listening pleasure(?), and it's kind of brutal. I want to take a moment to sort of defend our standpoint with some of what we talk about on the show, but at the same time I am absolutely opening this up for discussion, as we want to hear you opinions and counter-points.
We aren't judging Nintendo as a company based on their press conference at E3, we're not that dense. We are judging Nintendo on their current lineup of software, as well as their oddball performance this generation. The Wii is different, and nobody can ignore that. Yes, it is definitely a capable gaming platform (we've never said that it isn't) but Nintendo is putting so much focus on areas outside of really good gaming. There have been killers, such as Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and several others, but there has also been a tidal wave of "causal" party-games and non-games that we have never seen historically.
The question isn't so much "Is this a bad thing?", but more like "Is Nintendo side-stepping too far this time?" As Tim Sundberg said in his comments on last post, Nintendo has always been a little different and somewhat secretive. We don't have a problem with that, but it seems like, as a whole, the Wii was this great idea to change the face of gaming forever and really put Nintendo back on the charts but the plan was never really finalized. We think that Nintendo and third-parties have been distracted by the (over-cliched) money-printing capabilities of the box that they aren't focusing the true potential of the Wii squarely on new, innovative, and above all, standout gaming experiences.
Why is there only one or two games that play as well as Metroid Prime 3? Why did we get a GameCube-ported Zelda? Why was there nothing so Wii-exclusive to Mario Galaxy's gameplay that to remove it would have rendered the game unplayable? Where is StarFox, F-Zero, and Pikmin? These are all legitimate questions, and none of us are saying that Nintendo won't deliver on these in the years to come, but our biggest question right now is simply "What the heck are they doing now?"
So bear with us, give the show a listen, and please let us know what you think of all this in the comments. We really, honestly do appreciate hearing from you guys even (and sometimes especially) when you call us out on things that we say which you completley disagree with. We'll see you all next time.
-Phil
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Yours truly,
Inside The Console
-----
The second half of our rant on Nintendo is up and available for your listening pleasure(?), and it's kind of brutal. I want to take a moment to sort of defend our standpoint with some of what we talk about on the show, but at the same time I am absolutely opening this up for discussion, as we want to hear you opinions and counter-points.
We aren't judging Nintendo as a company based on their press conference at E3, we're not that dense. We are judging Nintendo on their current lineup of software, as well as their oddball performance this generation. The Wii is different, and nobody can ignore that. Yes, it is definitely a capable gaming platform (we've never said that it isn't) but Nintendo is putting so much focus on areas outside of really good gaming. There have been killers, such as Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and several others, but there has also been a tidal wave of "causal" party-games and non-games that we have never seen historically.
The question isn't so much "Is this a bad thing?", but more like "Is Nintendo side-stepping too far this time?" As Tim Sundberg said in his comments on last post, Nintendo has always been a little different and somewhat secretive. We don't have a problem with that, but it seems like, as a whole, the Wii was this great idea to change the face of gaming forever and really put Nintendo back on the charts but the plan was never really finalized. We think that Nintendo and third-parties have been distracted by the (over-cliched) money-printing capabilities of the box that they aren't focusing the true potential of the Wii squarely on new, innovative, and above all, standout gaming experiences.
Why is there only one or two games that play as well as Metroid Prime 3? Why did we get a GameCube-ported Zelda? Why was there nothing so Wii-exclusive to Mario Galaxy's gameplay that to remove it would have rendered the game unplayable? Where is StarFox, F-Zero, and Pikmin? These are all legitimate questions, and none of us are saying that Nintendo won't deliver on these in the years to come, but our biggest question right now is simply "What the heck are they doing now?"
So bear with us, give the show a listen, and please let us know what you think of all this in the comments. We really, honestly do appreciate hearing from you guys even (and sometimes especially) when you call us out on things that we say which you completley disagree with. We'll see you all next time.
-Phil
Requiem For Nintendo
You can now download the first half of our "Requiem For Nintendo" episode, where we basically go over Nintendo's E3 press conference from last month (sorry Tim) and talk about how severely disappointed we were with what we saw. Even for me, who is a self-acknowledged fanboy of the company, really doesn't see what's left to hold onto at this point. It kinda sucks. We talk about how their biggest showing was the toddler-perfect Wii Music, and the fact that, unless we missed something, the logo for GTA: Chinatown Wars was the only third-party game shown the entire time.
Correction Notice:
Shaun White Snowboarding is an Ubisoft title. If there are other third-party games we missed, please let us know in the comments.
Let us know what you think about the whole ordeal in the comments below. We've heard from some of you, but we would always like to hear from more. Nintendo has a wonderfully strong history with some of the most-recognized figures and titles in gaming, and now it seems, with only slight exaggeration, they're only interested in printing themselves more money with the Wii and have forgotten about their last twenty-five or so years. Or maybe we're wrong and we missed something? Please, do tell...
Also before I get outta here, John turned a whopping twenty-six years old on the 12th, soaring right on past the quarter-century mark. So happy birthday John! Here's to the $1,600 or so you'll be spending on your Madden subscription before you hit the big five-oh and do this all over again. *clinky*
-Phil
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Correction Notice:
Shaun White Snowboarding is an Ubisoft title. If there are other third-party games we missed, please let us know in the comments.
Let us know what you think about the whole ordeal in the comments below. We've heard from some of you, but we would always like to hear from more. Nintendo has a wonderfully strong history with some of the most-recognized figures and titles in gaming, and now it seems, with only slight exaggeration, they're only interested in printing themselves more money with the Wii and have forgotten about their last twenty-five or so years. Or maybe we're wrong and we missed something? Please, do tell...
Also before I get outta here, John turned a whopping twenty-six years old on the 12th, soaring right on past the quarter-century mark. So happy birthday John! Here's to the $1,600 or so you'll be spending on your Madden subscription before you hit the big five-oh and do this all over again. *clinky*
-Phil
Et tu', Reggie?
We all know what joy it is to put your hands on a Nintendo console. Being the first kid on the block to get the original NES or the screams of elation on Christmas morning, discovering Santa dropped off the Super Nintendo; the only thing you ever wanted. Maybe you remember the gang getting together to play Mario Kart on the 64. Think of the line you stood in overnight with your brother to get your Gamecube. Or even the absolute shock in discovering that your wife conspired to get you a Wii. . . when they were impossible to get. . . from the place you work; you know, the one you almost sold to a buddy. Remember those times fondly, gamers and gametes, for they just may be gone.
As we continue to recap E3 ’08, Phil, John, and Drew dedicate an entire show to the company that promised us a Revolution, and quite possibly has decided to leave the gamer in all of us holding our Wiis. On the next Inside the Console; Requiem for Nintendo.
We don’t want to just give our own opinions; we want to know what you think. Has Nintendo alienated the core gamer for a profit? Do you think there are any “serious” Wii titles? Have you manager to get your hands on a Wii, and if so, do you still play it, or is it collecting dust on the shelf? And tell us what you thought of Nintendo’s E3 press conference. Was it worth your time or a waist of time? Let us know what you think, you’ll most definitely find out what we think on the next show.
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As we continue to recap E3 ’08, Phil, John, and Drew dedicate an entire show to the company that promised us a Revolution, and quite possibly has decided to leave the gamer in all of us holding our Wiis. On the next Inside the Console; Requiem for Nintendo.
We don’t want to just give our own opinions; we want to know what you think. Has Nintendo alienated the core gamer for a profit? Do you think there are any “serious” Wii titles? Have you manager to get your hands on a Wii, and if so, do you still play it, or is it collecting dust on the shelf? And tell us what you thought of Nintendo’s E3 press conference. Was it worth your time or a waist of time? Let us know what you think, you’ll most definitely find out what we think on the next show.
I Want My ITC!
As anyone who has already downloaded this week's show has noticed, we mentioned the start of an intermission period. Well, we’ve already done away with that (well, that’s a record for us, isn’t it). After taping the show, we came up with a better idea, which we think you’ll like even more.
We’ve decided to split the show. What that means is that we (John, Phil and I) will tape our shows on our current bi-weekly basis. Since there is usually too much info for an hour long show, we will still take out intermission break. However, in stead of pausing long enough for our listeners to pause, that will be it. (Or will it?) See the second half of the show will post on the next Monday; during our off week. The next week after that, there will be a new show.
So what does that mean for you, the listener? That means more ITC! That means that the shows are now back to around an hour or so long, so they’re not too long. That also means that we don’t have to cut back on our conversation, so you get the same amount of banter you would get anyway, just with more time to listen. You get more of Phil’s geekyness, more or John’s counterpoint, and more of Drew’s booming laugh. As I said before, MORE ITC! Keep those emails coming and we’ll keep the discussions coming.
Drew
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We’ve decided to split the show. What that means is that we (John, Phil and I) will tape our shows on our current bi-weekly basis. Since there is usually too much info for an hour long show, we will still take out intermission break. However, in stead of pausing long enough for our listeners to pause, that will be it. (Or will it?) See the second half of the show will post on the next Monday; during our off week. The next week after that, there will be a new show.
So what does that mean for you, the listener? That means more ITC! That means that the shows are now back to around an hour or so long, so they’re not too long. That also means that we don’t have to cut back on our conversation, so you get the same amount of banter you would get anyway, just with more time to listen. You get more of Phil’s geekyness, more or John’s counterpoint, and more of Drew’s booming laugh. As I said before, MORE ITC! Keep those emails coming and we’ll keep the discussions coming.
Drew
Dead
So yesterday I sat down and wrote what I thought was a pretty good blog leading up to next show. It talked about how we were late with the last episode (sorry) and how no one e-mailed us (where's your apology?) and our next show. Now maybe it was fate, but Blogger refused to publish it. That's right. Due to "maintenance" Blogger would not let me publish the post I wrote. Which gave me time to think.
Every year about this time we do a show. A special show. About a special show. Now somehow the show that was once Special is now "special". Not best girl ever special, but Carlos Mencia "special". We are of course talking about the dead horse that is E3. I call it a dead horse because our wiimotes have become nothing more than horse beating tools. Our 360's are Mii driven video stores. And our PS3's... well I think they are just that jealous kid who lives in the basement eating things out of cans.
We are going to rant about it and we want to hear from you. We need to hear from you. Don't turn us into E3. We invite and appreciate gamers.
-John
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Every year about this time we do a show. A special show. About a special show. Now somehow the show that was once Special is now "special". Not best girl ever special, but Carlos Mencia "special". We are of course talking about the dead horse that is E3. I call it a dead horse because our wiimotes have become nothing more than horse beating tools. Our 360's are Mii driven video stores. And our PS3's... well I think they are just that jealous kid who lives in the basement eating things out of cans.
We are going to rant about it and we want to hear from you. We need to hear from you. Don't turn us into E3. We invite and appreciate gamers.
-John
Blog? What Blog?
Due to laziness, forgetfulness, and, well, a complete lack of planning ahead, none of us bothered to post anything here between last episode and now, sorry 'bout that. But have we got a doozy for you this time. On Episode #113, all three of us were again back in the studio to talk about racism and discrimination in gaming. Not just inside of videogames, but also in a broader scope, such as companies using "girl gamers" as promotion, and even the term "gamer" itself being possibly out of place. I highly recommend you give it a listen. And no, not just because it's my job to say that...
Next time on the show, after we've all regrown any digits lost on July 4th, and (hopefully) after surviving the iPhone 3G launch par-tay, we'll be hosting what should be another awesome episode, Videogame Busts. This will be everything that was meant to be... that was never meant to be. So get ready to curl up in front your computer with all of your buddies, your Panasonic Q, Phantom Console, ROB, Dreamcast (don't hate me), Sidetalkin' N-Gage, N64DD, and Playstation Home (yeah, I went there) for another to-be-excellent episode of Inside The Console.
In the mean time, be sure to send us your favorite videogame busts, especially any that you might have owned or possibly still do. What do you think about busts, do you feel bad for certain things that never made it, or do you think that some things just deserve to not make it? Let us know!
Also, as promised on Episode #113, be sure to read the comments on this post for Timothy Sundberg's novel on his favorite bosses, as well as two excellent emails from Joshua that we just didn't have time to rea on the air.
Until next time, game on!
-Phil
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Next time on the show, after we've all regrown any digits lost on July 4th, and (hopefully) after surviving the iPhone 3G launch par-tay, we'll be hosting what should be another awesome episode, Videogame Busts. This will be everything that was meant to be... that was never meant to be. So get ready to curl up in front your computer with all of your buddies, your Panasonic Q, Phantom Console, ROB, Dreamcast (don't hate me), Sidetalkin' N-Gage, N64DD, and Playstation Home (yeah, I went there) for another to-be-excellent episode of Inside The Console.
In the mean time, be sure to send us your favorite videogame busts, especially any that you might have owned or possibly still do. What do you think about busts, do you feel bad for certain things that never made it, or do you think that some things just deserve to not make it? Let us know!
Also, as promised on Episode #113, be sure to read the comments on this post for Timothy Sundberg's novel on his favorite bosses, as well as two excellent emails from Joshua that we just didn't have time to rea on the air.
Until next time, game on!
-Phil
The guys will love this one
As much as we talk about it, there is no reason we shouldn't give this a nod.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/75-Oblivion
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http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/75-Oblivion
Explanation
Hey Listeners-
So I feel that I owe all of you at least a little bit of an explanation as to why I missed a show. First off I'm sorry. I promised myself when we started this show that NOTHING would stop me from recording. Secondly, I don't even feel like my reasoning is all that great, but here goes.
As I mentioned previously on the air, I am now unemployed. Have been for about 3 weeks now. Unfortunately the job search is not going well at all. Even more unfortunately my unemployment is on hold with the State of Nebraska. As such money is very tight and were trying to keep gas costs to a minimum. As such I couldn't risk making the trip to Lincoln for the show.
Again I am sorry. Hopefully by next show things will have improved and I can get back on the horse. Bear in mind that I am not slacking on my gaming in the meantime. I am keeping my eyes on the tubes and playing to keep the stress away. I'll have plenty to talk about when I return.
-John
PS - Red vs Blue is BACK! Check it out here.
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So I feel that I owe all of you at least a little bit of an explanation as to why I missed a show. First off I'm sorry. I promised myself when we started this show that NOTHING would stop me from recording. Secondly, I don't even feel like my reasoning is all that great, but here goes.
As I mentioned previously on the air, I am now unemployed. Have been for about 3 weeks now. Unfortunately the job search is not going well at all. Even more unfortunately my unemployment is on hold with the State of Nebraska. As such money is very tight and were trying to keep gas costs to a minimum. As such I couldn't risk making the trip to Lincoln for the show.
Again I am sorry. Hopefully by next show things will have improved and I can get back on the horse. Bear in mind that I am not slacking on my gaming in the meantime. I am keeping my eyes on the tubes and playing to keep the stress away. I'll have plenty to talk about when I return.
-John
PS - Red vs Blue is BACK! Check it out here.
Where's John?
In nearly two-and-a-half years, neither John nor I have ever missed being on an episode of Inside The Console. Unfortunately, that has finally changed. John was unable to make it to Studio 5 for Episode #111, and we decided not to attempt a Skype- or Gizmo Project-based show since we've had iffy results with those in the past. Luckily, since we now have Drew as our third (and excellent) host, we decided to go ahead and do a show with just him and I, and hold off on John (and his topic) until next time.
So we had to improvise this week, since we didn't want to steal John's thunder and discuss plagiarism in gaming without him. We scrambled for a while, but ended up talking about the impending release of Guitar Hero 4 (or "World Tour" as it's called) and its not-so-shy attempt to conquer Rock Band this holiday season. If you don't know by now, Guitar Hero 4 includes a drum kit (enhanced over Rock Band's) as well as a microphone, and an "unannounced feature" of the guitar which will supposedly change the way music games are played for-evah. I'll believe that one when I see it.
Why the need to completely change your game and attempt to swallow the competition, though? Millions of people enjoy both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, as each cateres to a different audience (to a certain extent). Is Guitar Hero giving up its guitar fundamentals in an attempt to completely outshadow Rock Band?
This is what Drew and I attempt to answer in this episode. Share your thoughts in the comments or shoot us a line at insidetheconsole@gmail.com. Don't forget to answer John's questions about plagiarism, which are posted just below, for the next episode.
-Phil
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So we had to improvise this week, since we didn't want to steal John's thunder and discuss plagiarism in gaming without him. We scrambled for a while, but ended up talking about the impending release of Guitar Hero 4 (or "World Tour" as it's called) and its not-so-shy attempt to conquer Rock Band this holiday season. If you don't know by now, Guitar Hero 4 includes a drum kit (enhanced over Rock Band's) as well as a microphone, and an "unannounced feature" of the guitar which will supposedly change the way music games are played for-evah. I'll believe that one when I see it.
Why the need to completely change your game and attempt to swallow the competition, though? Millions of people enjoy both Guitar Hero and Rock Band, as each cateres to a different audience (to a certain extent). Is Guitar Hero giving up its guitar fundamentals in an attempt to completely outshadow Rock Band?
This is what Drew and I attempt to answer in this episode. Share your thoughts in the comments or shoot us a line at insidetheconsole@gmail.com. Don't forget to answer John's questions about plagiarism, which are posted just below, for the next episode.
-Phil
Episode #111 Episode #111 Episode #111 Episode #111
So as usual I am plenty late in getting this posted. Our massive mailbag episode is now done and over and so we will move on to our usual discussion.
In today's world of internet games and ever increasing push for quick bucks in development we have seen a rash of games that are exactly the same. If you've ever played a number of the Snood clones, Bejeweled clones, or others than you know exactly what I am talking about. A wonderful site, Law of the Game, is a wonderful source to read about some of the concepts behind this. On top of everything else we have the added concept of cross-media plagiarism. Kotaku has one of the most prominent examples of this. So if you haven't figured it out we are going to talk about plagiarism and copyright issues in gaming. A few things to think about:
1) Can you think of any high profile copies that you have seen?
2) Have you ever seen an issue of a copy being better than the issue?
3) Are these copies really hurting anyone?
4) Are similar story lines like the Dead Rising issue an issue of plagiarism or are stories open to whoever wants to do it?
That's all I have for today. Back to my job search.
-John
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In today's world of internet games and ever increasing push for quick bucks in development we have seen a rash of games that are exactly the same. If you've ever played a number of the Snood clones, Bejeweled clones, or others than you know exactly what I am talking about. A wonderful site, Law of the Game, is a wonderful source to read about some of the concepts behind this. On top of everything else we have the added concept of cross-media plagiarism. Kotaku has one of the most prominent examples of this. So if you haven't figured it out we are going to talk about plagiarism and copyright issues in gaming. A few things to think about:
1) Can you think of any high profile copies that you have seen?
2) Have you ever seen an issue of a copy being better than the issue?
3) Are these copies really hurting anyone?
4) Are similar story lines like the Dead Rising issue an issue of plagiarism or are stories open to whoever wants to do it?
That's all I have for today. Back to my job search.
-John
Need we say more?
As found on Slashdot.org
Judge Recommends Guilty Verdict for Jack Thompson
GamePolitics is reporting that a Florida Judge has recommended that Jack Thompson be found guilty on 27 of 31 counts of misconduct and is awaiting a Florida Supreme Court verdict to back him up. Thompson is striking back with allegations against the Judge and others, complaining that loyalty oaths were never signed. "Tunis made 21 recommendations of guilt in relation to Thompson's participation in Strickland vs. Sony, an Alabama case in which the anti-game attorney represented the families of two police officers and a police dispatcher slain by 18-year-old Grand Theft Auto player Devin Moore. Tunis also recommended that Thompson be found guilty on four out of five counts relating to his 2006 attempt to have Rockstar's Bully declared a public nuisance in a case before Miami Judge Ronald Friedman. An additional two guilty counts stemmed from a non-video game matter."
Let's just hope the Florida Supreme Court gets it right, too.
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Judge Recommends Guilty Verdict for Jack Thompson
GamePolitics is reporting that a Florida Judge has recommended that Jack Thompson be found guilty on 27 of 31 counts of misconduct and is awaiting a Florida Supreme Court verdict to back him up. Thompson is striking back with allegations against the Judge and others, complaining that loyalty oaths were never signed. "Tunis made 21 recommendations of guilt in relation to Thompson's participation in Strickland vs. Sony, an Alabama case in which the anti-game attorney represented the families of two police officers and a police dispatcher slain by 18-year-old Grand Theft Auto player Devin Moore. Tunis also recommended that Thompson be found guilty on four out of five counts relating to his 2006 attempt to have Rockstar's Bully declared a public nuisance in a case before Miami Judge Ronald Friedman. An additional two guilty counts stemmed from a non-video game matter."
Let's just hope the Florida Supreme Court gets it right, too.
Drew
I hate doing this...
Okay. I hate shamelessly plugging sites that I like, but the end of this review is too good to miss.
Zero
-John
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Zero
-John
Listen(er) Up!
You guys probably noticed already that the blog has gotten face lift just recently. I hope you all like the new look, which I think makes it much easier to read and navigate. The biggest improvement over the old blog, though, is definitely the new(ish) listener map which has been included in the sidebar. Over there ----->.
You can get a quick glance right here of where people are across the country (and globe) that listen to Inside The Console, but if you click on "Full-Size Map" you will get, duh, the full-size version. One of the best features is the color-coded pins, arranged on the left-hand side of the screen.
The red pins are for ITC hosts, green pins indicate that the listener has given us either their Gamertag, Wii Code, AIM name, or something similar. If you're looking to hook up for some online Halo 3 or Smash Bros., use the green pins to find fellow ITC listeners who you can probably get connected with.
If you are a new listener or you haven't added yourself to the map yet, click the link to add yourself. It will open up a new email (or you can just send us one) and you just need to tell us your name, location, and if you like, your Wii Code or Gamertag so we can hopefully see you online.
In the mean time, let us know what you think of the new blog and map, and be sure to read the post below this one and send us your Boss Battle answers if you haven't yet.
Game on!
-Phil
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You can get a quick glance right here of where people are across the country (and globe) that listen to Inside The Console, but if you click on "Full-Size Map" you will get, duh, the full-size version. One of the best features is the color-coded pins, arranged on the left-hand side of the screen.
The red pins are for ITC hosts, green pins indicate that the listener has given us either their Gamertag, Wii Code, AIM name, or something similar. If you're looking to hook up for some online Halo 3 or Smash Bros., use the green pins to find fellow ITC listeners who you can probably get connected with.
If you are a new listener or you haven't added yourself to the map yet, click the link to add yourself. It will open up a new email (or you can just send us one) and you just need to tell us your name, location, and if you like, your Wii Code or Gamertag so we can hopefully see you online.
In the mean time, let us know what you think of the new blog and map, and be sure to read the post below this one and send us your Boss Battle answers if you haven't yet.
Game on!
-Phil
Boss Battles - Part Deux
We hope you all enjoy the first half of our Boss Battles show, we sure did get quite a good response from people eager to tell us about their favorite bosses. Next time on Inside The Console, we will be going through the second half of everybody's answers for the boss questions, so if you haven't sent us your answers, please do!
The questions are listed below again, so please add your answers in the comments or send us an email with your responses. Don't worry if you didn't answer in time for the first half of the show, we'll still go through all eight of your answers on part two.
Thanks to everybody for sending in your responses, we can't wait to hear from more people.
-Phil
1. What is your most memorable boss battle?
2. What are your favorite boss(es) (does not have to be the same as above) and why?
3. Is there a boss battle you though was too easy?
4. Is there a boss you thought was too hard?
5. Have you ever stopped playing a game because of a boss fight?
6. Has there been a boss that legitimately scared you?
7. Have you fought a final boss that was easier that any earlier bosses in the game?
8. Any interesting stories about bosses or boss battles? Let us know.
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The questions are listed below again, so please add your answers in the comments or send us an email with your responses. Don't worry if you didn't answer in time for the first half of the show, we'll still go through all eight of your answers on part two.
Thanks to everybody for sending in your responses, we can't wait to hear from more people.
-Phil
1. What is your most memorable boss battle?
2. What are your favorite boss(es) (does not have to be the same as above) and why?
3. Is there a boss battle you though was too easy?
4. Is there a boss you thought was too hard?
5. Have you ever stopped playing a game because of a boss fight?
6. Has there been a boss that legitimately scared you?
7. Have you fought a final boss that was easier that any earlier bosses in the game?
8. Any interesting stories about bosses or boss battles? Let us know.
Bring it, big boy! Let's go!
You’ve been fighting for hours. Countless hours. You’re tired, you’re hungry, you’re battered beyond recognition and covered in. . . . what the heck are you covered in? You stop to catch your breath and look around. You see a first aid kit and a warm pizza on the table in the corner. Rushing over, you feast as if you’ve never feasted before, then you bandage your wounds. Searching the room further, you see a spotlight. Where did that come from? Or is that a chair? A spinning star? Whatever, you walk towards it quickly eager to find out what the deal is. You sit in the light/ star/ chair for a moment and take a few deep breaths. You turn. There’s the door. Behind it is the one thing you’ve been working toward. The fight you knew was coming hours ago when you walked out the door. There’s no turning back now. You check your equipment. Glad there was a random box of ammo behind that couch earlier. It’s go time now. It him or you, and you have no intention of it being you. You push the door open and walk into the battle of your life with. . .
All of us have dealt with boss battles. It’s a common and logical addition to playing video games. Bosses can be dispatched quickly and easily, or they can take repeated trial and error. Some are never defeated. They can be the catalyst to propel the story, or the part of the story that doesn’t make since. On the next episode of ITC, we’ll be talking about bosses, and we want to know your take on them. We don’t care if you talk about final bosses or low level first bosses. We’re cool knowing about bosses from PC games in this case. Whatever the issue, help us out by answering the few questions below.
1. What is your most memorable boss battle?
2. What/ what was (were) your favorite boss(es) (does not have to be the same as above) and why?
3. Is there a boss battle you though was too easy?
4. Is there a boss you thought was too hard?
5. Have you ever stopped playing a game because of a boss fight?
6. Has there been a boss that legitimately scared you?
7. Have you fought a final boss that was easier that any earlier bosses in the game?
8. Any interesting stories about bosses or boss battles? Let us know.
Drew
Read More
All of us have dealt with boss battles. It’s a common and logical addition to playing video games. Bosses can be dispatched quickly and easily, or they can take repeated trial and error. Some are never defeated. They can be the catalyst to propel the story, or the part of the story that doesn’t make since. On the next episode of ITC, we’ll be talking about bosses, and we want to know your take on them. We don’t care if you talk about final bosses or low level first bosses. We’re cool knowing about bosses from PC games in this case. Whatever the issue, help us out by answering the few questions below.
1. What is your most memorable boss battle?
2. What/ what was (were) your favorite boss(es) (does not have to be the same as above) and why?
3. Is there a boss battle you though was too easy?
4. Is there a boss you thought was too hard?
5. Have you ever stopped playing a game because of a boss fight?
6. Has there been a boss that legitimately scared you?
7. Have you fought a final boss that was easier that any earlier bosses in the game?
8. Any interesting stories about bosses or boss battles? Let us know.
Drew
The Old vs. The New
Hey guys, Episode #107 is now available in the feed. Big props to Drew Wicks for appearing on the show once again. It appears that Switchpod is back on their game this time and is allowing us to upload shows again, what a relief. Though John and I were very pleased that we heard from Timothy Sundberg again, which means that at least one person downloaded the show manually and gave it a go.
Now as far as Episode #108 goes, we'll be talking about old game systems that seemingly "just worked" as opposed to today's systems which require constant downloaded updates, may or may not be compatible with certain games, and so on. Now, I know that John is excited to back me into a corner on this episode because he seems to think that "problems" like these have existed since the beginning, but I'm not so sure.
As usual, I've got a few homework questions for you guys out there, so please take a few minutes to mull over these and leave your thoughts in the comments below. And while you're at it, be sure to check out GameNerd and Better Blood Sugar.
1. What was your first game system that you remember?
2. Do you remember ever having to jump through any hoops (such as buying extra hardware) to play any of your favorite older games?
3. Do you think that if a system ships with *any* extra peripherals on Day One that it should continue to ship with those peripherals for the lifetime of the console?
4. In the last five years do you recall ever being frustrated with an incompatibility between a game you bought and the console you planned to play it on, such as not having an extra piece of hardware or not having an updated system?
5. Has the advent of the internet made things better or worse for these scenarios?
Thanks everybody!
-Phil
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Now as far as Episode #108 goes, we'll be talking about old game systems that seemingly "just worked" as opposed to today's systems which require constant downloaded updates, may or may not be compatible with certain games, and so on. Now, I know that John is excited to back me into a corner on this episode because he seems to think that "problems" like these have existed since the beginning, but I'm not so sure.
As usual, I've got a few homework questions for you guys out there, so please take a few minutes to mull over these and leave your thoughts in the comments below. And while you're at it, be sure to check out GameNerd and Better Blood Sugar.
1. What was your first game system that you remember?
2. Do you remember ever having to jump through any hoops (such as buying extra hardware) to play any of your favorite older games?
3. Do you think that if a system ships with *any* extra peripherals on Day One that it should continue to ship with those peripherals for the lifetime of the console?
4. In the last five years do you recall ever being frustrated with an incompatibility between a game you bought and the console you planned to play it on, such as not having an extra piece of hardware or not having an updated system?
5. Has the advent of the internet made things better or worse for these scenarios?
Thanks everybody!
-Phil
Thank You Switchpod
http://www.insidetheconsole.com/ep106.mp3
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Use the link up there to download Episode #106, where we have guest Drew Wicks in the studio to talk about religion in videogames. Thanks to a plethora of technical problems this week, the show is up a lot later than normal, so we apologize for that. You can thank Garageband and our hosting company Switchpod for that.
Anyway.
Next time, for #107, we'll be talking about games at retail. This will include several topics such as how stores stock their games, what happens to older games, and how used game chains treat their inventory. Here are a few questions we hope you'll answer before we tape the show, which won't be until April 6th.
1. Where do you normally buy your new games?
2. Where do you normally buy your used games?
3. Do you think certain retailers have a preference towards one system or another?
See you guys later!
-Phil
Pie Iesu Domine. *thud* Dona Eis Requiem. *thud*
And we christen thee studio #4! So despite Fil's early laments we managed to squeeze out another wonderful episode. If there are any audio difficulties we do sincerely apologize, but our studio currently has no ceiling. We will of course get this worked out in due time.
But until then the hits just keep on coming! Next time on ITC we will be heading down a slightly more serious route into what could be an amazing topic: Religion in Video Games. I have to reiterate that this is not about the overtly religious games out there like Bible: The Game. Instead we hope to delve more into the symbolism, plots, and more subtle religious elements to mainstream games. This topic is another gem courtesy of Drew Wicks. So onto a few things to think about:
1) Can religion be displayed in a game in a positive and non-sac religious light? Or are we doomed to disclaimers at the beginning of games with a religious tone a la Assassin's Creed?
2) What about less "mainstream" religious ideals like in the Star Wars KOTOR series or even Mass Effect?
3) How does religion in games play into the idea of religion in media as a whole? Is there more danger in religion in games than in religion in movies?
Just a few things to ponder. Please send us anything else at all to insidetheconsole@gmail.com.
And if you don't get the title of this post (John Cleese forbid!) check out this.
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But until then the hits just keep on coming! Next time on ITC we will be heading down a slightly more serious route into what could be an amazing topic: Religion in Video Games. I have to reiterate that this is not about the overtly religious games out there like Bible: The Game. Instead we hope to delve more into the symbolism, plots, and more subtle religious elements to mainstream games. This topic is another gem courtesy of Drew Wicks. So onto a few things to think about:
1) Can religion be displayed in a game in a positive and non-sac religious light? Or are we doomed to disclaimers at the beginning of games with a religious tone a la Assassin's Creed?
2) What about less "mainstream" religious ideals like in the Star Wars KOTOR series or even Mass Effect?
3) How does religion in games play into the idea of religion in media as a whole? Is there more danger in religion in games than in religion in movies?
Just a few things to ponder. Please send us anything else at all to insidetheconsole@gmail.com.
And if you don't get the title of this post (John Cleese forbid!) check out this.
Bored Games?
I want to extend a special thank-you to Drew Wicks for not only submitting a great idea for episode #104, Physical Movement in Videogames, but also for making the long and dangerous trek from northern Ontario to the studio via dog sled to appear on the show. It was nice to have you there, Drew!
We've also got to bid a fond farewell to ITC's third studio with this episode, as it will soon be (even more) filled with moving boxes and furniture as my wife and I prepare to move into our new house that we're buying this Friday. The studio will actually have a permanent home now, and you might even hear rumblings of other podcasts being recorded there in the not too distant future...
But on to the good stuff. Next time on ITC, we'll be somewhat revisiting a topic we discussed last year on April Fool's day, Board Games. Only this time we'll be talking about your favorite board games that have been converted from boards, cards and pieces into TVs, buttons and cartridges. Your homework questions are below, and you must get at least a D (that's passing, right?) in order to keep listening.
Thanks for listening everybody, we'll see you from our brand new studio in two weeks!
-Phil
Questions for Episode #105 - Board Games turned Digital:
1. What was (is?) your favorite board game and/or card game growing up, and has this game been recreated as a videogame that you know of?
2. Have you ever actually bought a videogame version of any board game or card game?
3. Do you think there exists a market for these types of conversions?
4. Will (or could?) videogames (as a whole, not necessarily just board-game based ones) ever replace board games as a part of future generations' childhoods?
5. Do you like pie?
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We've also got to bid a fond farewell to ITC's third studio with this episode, as it will soon be (even more) filled with moving boxes and furniture as my wife and I prepare to move into our new house that we're buying this Friday. The studio will actually have a permanent home now, and you might even hear rumblings of other podcasts being recorded there in the not too distant future...
But on to the good stuff. Next time on ITC, we'll be somewhat revisiting a topic we discussed last year on April Fool's day, Board Games. Only this time we'll be talking about your favorite board games that have been converted from boards, cards and pieces into TVs, buttons and cartridges. Your homework questions are below, and you must get at least a D (that's passing, right?) in order to keep listening.
Thanks for listening everybody, we'll see you from our brand new studio in two weeks!
-Phil
Questions for Episode #105 - Board Games turned Digital:
1. What was (is?) your favorite board game and/or card game growing up, and has this game been recreated as a videogame that you know of?
2. Have you ever actually bought a videogame version of any board game or card game?
3. Do you think there exists a market for these types of conversions?
4. Will (or could?) videogames (as a whole, not necessarily just board-game based ones) ever replace board games as a part of future generations' childhoods?
5. Do you like pie?
It Just Keeps Coming
So... You gotta love when things just keep right on coming. Click on the above picture for the full comic. This one is for you Drew Wicks.
-John
Move It!
On the upcoming episode of ITC, #104, we'll be discussing another fan-submitted topic: The Evolution of Physical Movement in Gaming. Drew Wicks sent this one to us, and he'll also be making a guest appearance on the show. It will also be the last show recorded in the current studio, so be prepared to shed a few tears as we bid farewell to it.
Here are a few questions to get your mind churning, with more (from Drew himself) on the way:
1. What game do you consider as being the one that brought Motion-Based Gaming into the mainstream?
2. Do you think the Nintendo Wii fits into the category of Motion-Based Gaming?
There will be more questions soon, so check back friends.
Game on!
-Phil
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Here are a few questions to get your mind churning, with more (from Drew himself) on the way:
1. What game do you consider as being the one that brought Motion-Based Gaming into the mainstream?
2. Do you think the Nintendo Wii fits into the category of Motion-Based Gaming?
There will be more questions soon, so check back friends.
Game on!
-Phil
I'm sorry.
Okay... So because I'm a slacker I didn't get you guys questions for the upcoming topic: Games in the Media. Also because I'm a hopeless romantic worthy of Dave-style slamming the show will be late due to my wife and I heading out of town for our Anniversary (4 years whether you believe it or not.)
As such I still am getting questions up pre-show!
1) Are games viewed in any way other than negative in the media?
2) Is recent backlash from developers in response to media criticism good for gamers? Is it a sign that we are developing friends in the industry itself?
3) Has the recent exposure of games in the media (both good and bad) a sign of the importance of gaming as a cultural medium?
4) Is there anything to be said for games being blamed when things go wrong? Is there any truth to it?
So there. Sink your teeth into that.
-John (albeit late)
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As such I still am getting questions up pre-show!
1) Are games viewed in any way other than negative in the media?
2) Is recent backlash from developers in response to media criticism good for gamers? Is it a sign that we are developing friends in the industry itself?
3) Has the recent exposure of games in the media (both good and bad) a sign of the importance of gaming as a cultural medium?
4) Is there anything to be said for games being blamed when things go wrong? Is there any truth to it?
So there. Sink your teeth into that.
-John (albeit late)
So the weirdest thing happened...
So... I got my 360 back from repair today. 8 days after sending it in. And they included a brand spiffy new power brick. And it's quiet. I'm not talking like every so often you don't notice it. I'm talking it RUNS COMPLETELY SILENT! *faint*
-John
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-John
Welcome to Season Three!
Unbelievable, isn't it? Not the fact that John and I are still trapping ourselves in the studio on a regular basis to babble about videogames, but the fact that, after two solid years of this, you guys still want to listen to us!
You are the best listeners ever!
However, for the first time in history, we are giving you all a direct homework assignment (something which may become more regular, John?...) We're going to give you a couple specific questions regarding our upcoming shows, and we'd like to hear from you, either via email or in the comments on the blog, with your answers. And we're giving you two weeks now to send us your responses, so you've really got no excuse :-).
For your first assignment:
1) Take the #1 Fan Quiz if you haven't already!
2) What game are you most looking forward to in 2008 and why?
3) What new innovations or advancements do you hope to see this year?
4) What do you envision each console's sales numbers looking like as the year goes on?
There you go. Have fun, and we hope everyone has an awesome 2008.
-Phil
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You are the best listeners ever!
However, for the first time in history, we are giving you all a direct homework assignment (something which may become more regular, John?...) We're going to give you a couple specific questions regarding our upcoming shows, and we'd like to hear from you, either via email or in the comments on the blog, with your answers. And we're giving you two weeks now to send us your responses, so you've really got no excuse :-).
For your first assignment:
1) Take the #1 Fan Quiz if you haven't already!
2) What game are you most looking forward to in 2008 and why?
3) What new innovations or advancements do you hope to see this year?
4) What do you envision each console's sales numbers looking like as the year goes on?
There you go. Have fun, and we hope everyone has an awesome 2008.
-Phil
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