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GameBizBlog: Will Wright: More Than the Sum of his PR

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:48:31 -0700

GameBizBlog: Will Wright: More Than the Sum of his PR

GameBizBlog: David Perry: Technology Will Prevail

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:48:14 -0700

GameBizBlog: David Perry: Technology Will Prevail

Nothing says Happy Easter like decapitation.

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:14:16 -0700

Nothing says Happy Easter like decapitation.

Gamasutra - Features - Unlocking Achievements: Rewarding Skill With Player Incentives

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:40:05 -0700

Gamasutra - Features - Unlocking Achievements: Rewarding Skill With Player Incentives

"Here comes an awkward metaphor: Mirror’s Edge (the delayed PC version of which was finally released..."

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:54:26 -0800

“Here comes an awkward metaphor: Mirror’s Edge (the delayed PC version of which was finally released last week) is hiding in the closet. Unsurprisingly, this only makes life difficult for it. For every moment it pretends to be an FPS, it feels wrong, and to any onlooker it’s visibly uncomfortable in this assumed role. If only it would cast off this sham and reveal its true colours – well, then we’d have a game proud of itself. Mirror’s Edge is a racing game, but it doesn’t have the courage to admit it. Be proud, ME. Tell the world what you are, cry it from those rooftops you spend so much time gallivanting across: “I AM A RACING GAME!””

- Alec Meer at Rock, Paper, Shotgun. He has perhaps one of the best takes I’ve read on Mirror’s Edge, although I disagree with his conclusion.

"Spell Check recommends replacing the word ‘videogame’ with ‘vomit.’"

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:40:00 -0800

“Spell Check recommends replacing the word ‘videogame’ with ‘vomit.’”

- And we wonder why videogames still have trouble swimming in the mainstream.

I usually don’t watch TV. I did however JUST see this ad...

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:16:00 -0800

I usually don’t watch TV. I did however JUST see this ad for GameFly. It’s sort of atrocious. But I give the company props for its use of videogame iconography. (Also of note, since July 2008 GF has reduced its entry price from $8.95 to $6.95).

Boom Blox, for Ages 60 and Up

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:44:28 -0800

Boom Blox was an unexpected Christmas miracle. It brought the whole family together—as its members fought for control of one of the household’s two remotes.

As seen on TV, guided demos and on paper, Boom Blox is a stupid idea. You could be cruising around Liberty City shacking up with ladies of the night or slinking past giant mechs as a geriatric soldier of fortune. Why would a game player waste her precious hours smashing up virtual Jenga towers?

Most would choose not to. The game sold a mere 60,000 copies at its debut (although anecdotally it performed well in the long tail). Blox was a victim of marketing: How do you convey this game to the masses via cheesy video? You can’t. Because you have to play Boom Blox to grasp its appeal, the game is easily dismissed.

I dismissed it. I only gave it a second glance because Steven Spielberg was attached to the project.

And because my parents got a Wii for Christmas.

They don’t really play games. In fact, they did their best to run a videogame-free household. Beyond one parental unit’s obsession with Goldeneye and Civilization, and the other’s obsession with electronic Bridge, they abstain. So I raided my library for games that might get them hooked on their new system:

Mario Galaxy: No
Wii Sports: Yes
Raving Rabbids TV Party:: No
Tiger Woods All-Play: No
Boom Blox: A resounding yes.

It was amazing. My brother, bored, tossed Boom Blox in the Wii. Within minutes, my father was practically leaping from his seat to snatch the controller away. My mom was content to observe—at first. Soon she was offering unsolicited advice—commanding he pluck a particular block from the tower or blow up a certain bomb. Soon she too could no longer stand couch-side quarterbacking.

The kids relinquished the controls and sat back to watch the pair bicker as they attempted to solve the game’s puzzles.

When they found out they could play against each other, it was practically all they did for two days. Then they discovered they could instead work together—they’d be awake long past the hour the kids had retreated to their rooms, laughter and cursing ringing throughout the home.

Word is they still play it. You might even call it love.

So why isn’t there more software aimed at older players? Much of the drivel rolled out onto the Wii may be age agnostic, but that makes it neither accessible nor appealing to my parents. They both golf, but Tiger Woods is too complicated—despite the All-Play moniker. They don’t understand Raving Rabbids. And a games like Wii Music and Zelda hold no appeal.

I don’t know what Boom Blox’s secret is, but I’m glad that it has some legs. I do not the rents to give up gaming, but right now there’s nothing else to give.

Not Dead, Yet

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:20:00 -0800

Time was taken to sort the business. I’m back but am unsure what sort of unscheduled programming will run in the New Year.

It is still up for debate whether the videogame industry is recession proof. It turns out writing...

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:11:00 -0800

It is still up for debate whether the videogame industry is recession proof. It turns out writing about the games industry is not.

Where To Ditch Old Videogames

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:05:00 -0800

Where To Ditch Old Videogames:

GameStop has long been the king of the used games market, but other options are cropping up.

'Gears Of War' Creator On Gaming's Future

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:05:00 -0800

'Gears Of War' Creator On Gaming's Future:

Epic Games’ Cliff Bleszinski chats about his inspirations and innovations.

Mary Jane Irwin On Digital Media

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:24:00 -0800

Mary Jane Irwin On Digital Media:

Media companies will exploit our post-layoff depression by offering plenty of free entertainment.

EA Sacrifices Workforce For Income

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:20:00 -0800

EA Sacrifices Workforce For Income:

Videogame maker is trimming staff and secondary titles to bolster profitability.

American Apparel Gets Credit

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:19:00 -0800

American Apparel Gets Credit:

Stock jumps after the company announces loan extensions.

Electronic Arts Zaps Workforce

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:18:00 -0800

Electronic Arts Zaps Workforce:

The video game maker will eliminate 1,000 jobs and close a development studio.

Lampooned By Its Own Petard

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:53:00 -0800

Lampooned By Its Own Petard:

CEO of National Lampoon comically attempts to manipulate stock with chump change.

Everyone Needs a Rockstar

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:53:00 -0800

Everyone Needs a Rockstar:

Take-Two locks up creators of ‘Grand Theft Auto.’

Investors Forgiving Of Oracle

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:53:00 -0800

Investors Forgiving Of Oracle:

Business software company blames poor sales on strengthening dollar.

Apple's Invincible iPhone

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:53:00 -0800

Apple's Invincible iPhone:

Mobile phone shipments may decline in 2009, but the market for smartphones will likely grow.