If you’re wondering where episode 652 is, the file was completely distorted, with only one half of a conversation going. So, all the discussion about Sony’s State of Play is lost to the ether.
Episode 652: Missing Ep
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Gaming Podcast 149: Soloing as a CoupleGaming Podcast 149: Soloing as a Couple
This week’s gaming podcast, we’re missing Don as he’s too busy having a new child. We’re rolling as a duo and cranking through the history of Super Mario Bros. and reviewing the New Super Mario Bros. Wii all while handing some great community questions and busting through some key stories this week:
- No Diablo 3 in 2010
- Android may not be a gaming platform
- Sony making big moves with the PS3
- Microsoft facing possible class action lawsuit
- ArenaNet’s Founder Starts a New MMO company
- Nintendo Losing Vice President of Consumer Affairs
This week’s question of the week: Is there a game that you didn’t really enjoy, or almost couldn’t stand, but felt obligated to finish just on principle?
Microsoft’s High Hopes Holiday LineupMicrosoft’s High Hopes Holiday Lineup
This year Microsoft believes they’ve got a heavy hitter lineup of titles starting around now until the end of the year including: Gears of War 2, Fable 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Rock Band 2 and Fallout 3. They’re also looking at Lips, their karaoke title with a casual appeal to bring on the sales figures this season.
What about the PlayStation 3? Some of these titles, such as Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 are not exclusives so both consoles have their chance, right? Microsoft’s looking at historical data on trends from Madden 2009 and see the 360 console out-selling the game even though it’s a shared franchise title.
Strong sales on the Xbox 360 suggest we’ll see those same sales this holiday season. Sure, the PlayStation 3 will get some big numbers thrown up but they may not compete on the same level as the Xbox 360.
All-in-all, Microsoft wants to toss up the one-million game units sold for the holidays, not including consoles we believe. That’s a strong holiday sales cycle if they can pull it off.
Even with economic downturns and financial markets doing poorly, entertainment tends to be something people are willing to invest. Will they pull it off? Will PlayStation 3 keep up?
Gamers Rejoice: Rhythm Game Instrument Compatibility!Gamers Rejoice: Rhythm Game Instrument Compatibility!
Compatibility. This is all we’re really asking for when it comes to rhythm gaming on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. So far it seems Microsoft isn’t just on board, but enforcing compatibility between instruments from Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Konami’s Rock Revolution. Sony has also confirmed this behavior on their blog.
What does this mean for gamers? It means we’ll be able to go out and buy the franchise of our choice and not feel we’re locked out of other rhythm games. You can choose the accessories that work best for you and enjoy all the games each developer provides.
This enforcement keeps the developers/publishers in check because they’re going to be highly competitive and looking for any advantage to lock the customer into their product, that’s just business. Having a moderator to say “play nice” is important for the console makers as it allows their customers to be happy and purchasing all this licensed great content. Microsoft and Sony will make more money if customers don’t feel they can only buy a single product.
It’s not about the accessories, it’s about the games. Accessories may make a game better so let the customer decide which will be better and may the best company win!
As for Nintendo? As long as their accessories always use Wii Remote controls everyone is fine, once they break this protocol they’ll have to build their own enforcement or start to lose the edge other console makers are sharpening.
(Thanks, GamerScoreBlog)