This week’s gaming podcast brings back the old game Lemmings in our flashback while covering the history of DMA Designs. We’re also going to explain to you why we’d never make an FPS clan. This weeks news includes:
- Xbox Live iPhone App
- Microsoft thinking about bringing Natal to TVs
- Santa Claus coming to PlayStation Home
- Puzzle Quest 2 Coming in the Spring
- Valve and Steam don’t mix
- Blizzard: Don’t bother cloning WoW
This week’s question of the week, would you rather have the “Swiss army knife” of gaming hand-held systems that does it all, but features must be turned off to conserve battery life or a more focused hand-held platform that does just what’s needed with no additional bells and whistles?
@steam and valve:
Valve were the first to introduce a working digital distribution system. Hence they now have a larger share of the market.
Everybody that didn’t investigate digital distribution at that time now face a de-facto leader. And that leader it’s not them, it’s Valve.
IT IS petty, IT IS ridiculous.
This topic was touched by these guys too:
http://www.mode7games.com/blog/2009/11/26/visiting-the-village-episode-34/
Regarding the question of the week: I want a device that just does what is needed. I’d rather have the difference invested in battery life. That’s why I don’t like smart(er) phones and I favor phones that I recharge once a week.
I know, the question is about gaming platforms, but I use this approach to all mobile/battery powered devices.
Derrick, you got the nickname right. Herr is from german (though I’m not german).
@steam and valve:
Valve were the first to introduce a working digital distribution system. Hence they now have a larger share of the market.
Everybody that didn’t investigate digital distribution at that time now face a de-facto leader. And that leader it’s not them, it’s Valve.
IT IS petty, IT IS ridiculous.
This topic was touched by these guys too:
http://www.mode7games.com/blog/2009/11/26/visiting-the-village-episode-34/
Regarding the question of the week: I want a device that just does what is needed. I’d rather have the difference invested in battery life. That’s why I don’t like smart(er) phones and I favor phones that I recharge once a week.
I know, the question is about gaming platforms, but I use this approach to all mobile/battery powered devices.
Derrick, you got the nickname right. Herr is from german (though I’m not german).
I’ve never been a fan of tiny screens (and handheld gaming by extension), but IF I were such a fan, I would rather it be a multi-purpose, multi-use, versatile device. Why? For one simple reason: I’m cheap, period. Or I’m ultra-frugal, at least.
Unless the Swiss Army item in question costs more than buying the devices separately, it seems a better deal to me to have it do everything. Now, if money were no object (which I have to say is a pointless premise to preface any proposition, since it eliminates the need for most of the decisions we make daily), then I’d gladly buy the latest specialized version of a device, and I could then see the merit of having dedicated devices do specific tasks, that way when a particular task becomes dated, you can just replace that device rather than the one huge multi-device.
(Which incidentally is on reason I prefer PC’s over consoles, because you’ll never get booted from an online game for replacing an outdated part with a newer/different part. Though I’ve heard rumors of Windows OS’s accusing people of upgrading too much and too often. Luckily I haven’t run into that yet. *knock on silicon*)
BTW, about the X-Box banning millions of users: they’re well within their rights to ban them, but I think the timing and amount is what’s being scrutinized. Just like McDonald’s reserves the right to refuse service to its customers (or was it to seat its customers?), but if they only exercise that right for certain types of people, that will undoubtedly draw attention. It’s about motive/reason. I have the right to drive wherever I want to, whenever I want to, but if I only go to the places my neighbor goes, at the times that they go, that’s either carpooling or stalking.
I’ve never been a fan of tiny screens (and handheld gaming by extension), but IF I were such a fan, I would rather it be a multi-purpose, multi-use, versatile device. Why? For one simple reason: I’m cheap, period. Or I’m ultra-frugal, at least.
Unless the Swiss Army item in question costs more than buying the devices separately, it seems a better deal to me to have it do everything. Now, if money were no object (which I have to say is a pointless premise to preface any proposition, since it eliminates the need for most of the decisions we make daily), then I’d gladly buy the latest specialized version of a device, and I could then see the merit of having dedicated devices do specific tasks, that way when a particular task becomes dated, you can just replace that device rather than the one huge multi-device.
(Which incidentally is on reason I prefer PC’s over consoles, because you’ll never get booted from an online game for replacing an outdated part with a newer/different part. Though I’ve heard rumors of Windows OS’s accusing people of upgrading too much and too often. Luckily I haven’t run into that yet. *knock on silicon*)
BTW, about the X-Box banning millions of users: they’re well within their rights to ban them, but I think the timing and amount is what’s being scrutinized. Just like McDonald’s reserves the right to refuse service to its customers (or was it to seat its customers?), but if they only exercise that right for certain types of people, that will undoubtedly draw attention. It’s about motive/reason. I have the right to drive wherever I want to, whenever I want to, but if I only go to the places my neighbor goes, at the times that they go, that’s either carpooling or stalking.
Hey guys (& Jen wouldn’t wanna call you a guy)
About the Swiss army knife it’s a little bit of a toss up, having a device that has multi-capabilities can be really useful, but as long as it came maintain quality for all of it’s components. My experience is many Swiss army knifes is they come with a dodgy pair of scissors, an awkward screw driver & a blunt knife & saw. You tend to get a better product from the companies that focus one category and do it well. This might not be the most practical option but I would rather have a grinder, a power drill, a Katana & a chainsaw, then have a Swiss army knife. I am someone who in most things in life choose quality over quantity. I could be single and chase all the girls I want or I could stick the long haul with one girl… I choose Shaunie =[). Also that PDA I used at work used to receive its GPS signal (PDA to SOKKIA GPS unit) which was draining power to less then an hour , so we decided to get connection via cable because we are getting more battery life and also you get a consistent stream of data & I’m fine carry a extra cable because I’m in the field for longer.
Hope I answered your QOTW well, BTW I was on holidays & missed ep 146 to 149 but managed to catch up & listen to them all + got some comments in too =p. Still enjoy the podcast .
Cheers
Hey guys (& Jen wouldn’t wanna call you a guy)
About the Swiss army knife it’s a little bit of a toss up, having a device that has multi-capabilities can be really useful, but as long as it came maintain quality for all of it’s components. My experience is many Swiss army knifes is they come with a dodgy pair of scissors, an awkward screw driver & a blunt knife & saw. You tend to get a better product from the companies that focus one category and do it well. This might not be the most practical option but I would rather have a grinder, a power drill, a Katana & a chainsaw, then have a Swiss army knife. I am someone who in most things in life choose quality over quantity. I could be single and chase all the girls I want or I could stick the long haul with one girl… I choose Shaunie =[). Also that PDA I used at work used to receive its GPS signal (PDA to SOKKIA GPS unit) which was draining power to less then an hour , so we decided to get connection via cable because we are getting more battery life and also you get a consistent stream of data & I’m fine carry a extra cable because I’m in the field for longer.
Hope I answered your QOTW well, BTW I was on holidays & missed ep 146 to 149 but managed to catch up & listen to them all + got some comments in too =p. Still enjoy the podcast .
Cheers
Okay, two parts to this response:
1. Puzzle Quest 2 will have a 3D isometric overland map this time. The puzzle mechanic it will use is Bejeweled Twist, which Derrick and Jen I definitely know are familiar with.
2. Here’s the deal with MMOs: Did you know that Gaia Online has 6M United States subscribers? This thing is massive – when I went to Comic Con 2008, you have a crowd of a hundred girls glomming their booth. And I’m not even looking at foreign MMOs. Wizard 101 is a new MMO that’s gotten rave reviews. Stop looking at your own demographic when you talk about MMOs.
As for Lords of the Ring Online, Don didn’t exactly play much of it. For instance, it had Achievements, and was so good at implementing it, World of Warcraft stole a little of it, but not all. If you completed an Achievement in LOTRO, it actually gave you an assignable buff you could swap with other buffs in slots (ie. doing all the mail quests in the Shire). It also had a great PvP mode in which you could choose an evil creature based on your level and have some PvP fun – and also a PvE in which you could attack hobbits, etc. The only reason I stopped playing is that I was in financial straits. Warhammer Online started public quests, which are amazing – a group of people – and they don’t even have to be in a party! – share a quest that goes in a few rounds, and whoever performs the best gets the best prizes, and even have public quests for level 1-10 characters. WoW borrowed the concept for “phasing”, though it’s still not true public questing. Warhammer Online also has the smartest intergrated PvP (which isn’t surprising since Dark Age of Camelot’s Realm Vs. Realm remains the best PvP I’ve ever experienced.)
Two of the hottest MMOs that are coming are Star Trek Online and Star Wars: The Old Republic. STO will have strategic ship combat similar to Starfleet Command, while SWTOR will be basically playing KOTOR, with MMO included. (That is, it’ll be like you’re playing a single player KOTOR game, but – hey! – some people online want to join you or fight you!)
I must note something about WoW, Warhammer, LOTRO, Star Trek and Star Wars… they’re all licensed properties. Most of the most successful MMOs, including Champions Online, DC Universe, etc. They all have licences. This isn’t an automatic, though – Age of Conan was a disaster. Dungeons & Dragons, the granddaddy of all RPGs, had to go free to become viable. But for an adult demographic MMO, you need a license.
Look out for LEGO’s MMO. It’s extremely casual, but equally fun for adults. If you want some Harry Potter, check out Wizard 101. It’s also a smart MMO in child’s clothing.
Okay, two parts to this response:
1. Puzzle Quest 2 will have a 3D isometric overland map this time. The puzzle mechanic it will use is Bejeweled Twist, which Derrick and Jen I definitely know are familiar with.
2. Here’s the deal with MMOs: Did you know that Gaia Online has 6M United States subscribers? This thing is massive – when I went to Comic Con 2008, you have a crowd of a hundred girls glomming their booth. And I’m not even looking at foreign MMOs. Wizard 101 is a new MMO that’s gotten rave reviews. Stop looking at your own demographic when you talk about MMOs.
As for Lords of the Ring Online, Don didn’t exactly play much of it. For instance, it had Achievements, and was so good at implementing it, World of Warcraft stole a little of it, but not all. If you completed an Achievement in LOTRO, it actually gave you an assignable buff you could swap with other buffs in slots (ie. doing all the mail quests in the Shire). It also had a great PvP mode in which you could choose an evil creature based on your level and have some PvP fun – and also a PvE in which you could attack hobbits, etc. The only reason I stopped playing is that I was in financial straits. Warhammer Online started public quests, which are amazing – a group of people – and they don’t even have to be in a party! – share a quest that goes in a few rounds, and whoever performs the best gets the best prizes, and even have public quests for level 1-10 characters. WoW borrowed the concept for “phasing”, though it’s still not true public questing. Warhammer Online also has the smartest intergrated PvP (which isn’t surprising since Dark Age of Camelot’s Realm Vs. Realm remains the best PvP I’ve ever experienced.)
Two of the hottest MMOs that are coming are Star Trek Online and Star Wars: The Old Republic. STO will have strategic ship combat similar to Starfleet Command, while SWTOR will be basically playing KOTOR, with MMO included. (That is, it’ll be like you’re playing a single player KOTOR game, but – hey! – some people online want to join you or fight you!)
I must note something about WoW, Warhammer, LOTRO, Star Trek and Star Wars… they’re all licensed properties. Most of the most successful MMOs, including Champions Online, DC Universe, etc. They all have licences. This isn’t an automatic, though – Age of Conan was a disaster. Dungeons & Dragons, the granddaddy of all RPGs, had to go free to become viable. But for an adult demographic MMO, you need a license.
Look out for LEGO’s MMO. It’s extremely casual, but equally fun for adults. If you want some Harry Potter, check out Wizard 101. It’s also a smart MMO in child’s clothing.